Cape York trip,(one of many) June 2005 Cape2
Synopsis, North of Cairns. CyorkMap
This trip has become almost an annual event, starting
in 1993 by trailbikes, and by 4WD since 1999.
The tracks north of Lakeland have been dramatically
improved over the years, with a bridge over the
Wenlock river, widening and improving the bypass
tracks and "assured" petrol at Bramwell Junction and
Jardine river. This extra petrol has made trail bike
riding a lot easier, not having to carry so much extra
petrol at the expense of food and bedding.
The Telegraph Track still presents some challenges,
particularly if the creeks are deep, early in the season
eg :- Gunshot creek, in the Southern section, and you
can still come to grief on the Northern section on some
of the creek crossings. (timber logs!!)
The bypass track is now quite easy, especially after
grading, and presents no problems to any 4WD or bike.
You still strike some sections of deep soft sand, near Map
Punsand Bay resort (highly recommended) and the
track from Punsand Bay to the tip can be tricky after rain. Oncoming traffic is hard to pass here.
Its an absolute disgrace that Pajinka Lodge has been trashed by our indigenenous friends, after they
were given ownership to this delightful tropical resort. (similar to Heron Island). It doesn't appear
to be opening in the foreseeable future. Over $20 m was pissed down the drain here, deliberately!
Approach roads, from Noosa to Cairns and return.
The approach and return roads from Noosa to the Cairns district, can be very enjoyable
if you stay off the main highways. We have found the following areas worth going thru :-
1 Woodgate / Kin Kuna National parks, interesting tracks and great seaside camping.
2 Deepwater National Park,Wreck rock, Agnes Waters and 1770, all special.
3 Burdekin Dam, either going north or returning south.(check out the bush Pub!)
4 Airlie Beach, do yourself a favour with a tropical "reef" cruise in "paradise".
5 Atherton tablelands and the various escarpment drives.
6 The coast road from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, via Daintree and Mosman.
7 Cape Tribulation to Cooktown via Bloomfield river and Black Mountain. (now easy )
8 Cooktown to Musgrave via Lakefield National park.
CapeYork 001
CapeYork 002
At home, just before departure, don't need First camp, Deepwater National Park.
roofracks for this "now" simple trip. Wreck Rock campsite, 20 m from the
Used to be much more difficult before 1995. last safe surf beach in QLD. (summer)
CapeYork 005
CapeYork 007
Typical "low" creek crossing, 300-400 deep.
The Wenlock & Jardine fords used to be as Turnoff from Weipa Rd. to Bamaga.
deep as 800 to 1000, on occasions. Now This was where is used to get serious !
Wenlock is bridged and Jardine has ferry
($88 !!) which extends the season greatly.
==============================================================================
CapeYork 006
CapeYork 008
Just before tip, just as camera On Summerset beach, near tip
batteries gave up, so couldn't
show top sign in bucket, this year. We got it on video anyway.
==============================================================================
CapeYork 003
CapeYork 004
Bloomfield crossing, now concrete causeway.
Years ago, the aborigines used to sit
under a tree and offer to pull out "drowned"
cars for $50 to $100, depending on drivers
attitude. A lot of drivers got trapped here
when the tide was high and lost ignition
Bloomfield track. Recently, the steepest while crossing.
sections have been concrete paved and
gravel sections improved considerably.
No longer a suicide strip for "bikers", meeting 4WD's coming down the hills, out of control !
ITINERARY or Trip Planner section
6/Jun <---Trip start date
Red cells require INPUT
Blank out unused "day" lines, at end Cost/day Comments / action Day
Date start loc'n end loc'n km/day 1+2+3 ( if used)
6/Jun TEWANTIN Deepwater 400 $133 Good Nat park/beach Mon
7/Jun Deepwater Deepwater 0 $70 Rest or town of 1770 Tues
8/Jun Deepwater Eungella 715 $182 Look down on McKay Wed
9/Jun Eungella Airlie Bch 298 $117 via back roads Thurs
10/Jun Airlie Bch Trinity Bch 707 $181 Or short of Cairns Fri
11/Jun Trinity Bch Cooktown 270 $112 via Cape Trib.Bl'fld. Sat
12/Jun Cooktown Cooktown 50 $78 Cook memorials etc Sun
13/Jun Cooktown Archer Rvr 465 $143 via Lakefield N-Pk Mon
14/Jun Archer Rvr P'sand Bay 450 $141 Sth Tel track/Gunshot Tues
15/Jun P'sand Bay P'sand Bay 50 $78 Cape tip, Summerset Wed
16/Jun P'sand Bay W'lock Rvr 351 $125 Try Nth Tel. Track Thurs
17/Jun W'lock Rvr Palmer Rvr 543 $155 Better -> Wen. Crocs Fri
18/Jun Palmer Rvr Greenvale 665 $175 Inland route Sat
19/Jun Greenvale Airlie Bch 800 $196 via Burd. Dam, Col'le Sun
20/Jun Airlie Bch Yeppoon 550 $156 Find the shortcut ?? Mon
21/Jun Yeppoon Burrum Pt. 400 $133 via Nat Parks again Tues
22/Jun Burrum Pt. Tewantin 350 $125 via Coloola Beach Wed
23/Jun Tewantin Spare   $70 Whitsunday cruises Thurs
24/Jun Spare Spare   $70 Whitsunday cruises Fri
Other Costs.. Jardine ferry, return $88
Allow for 3 motel nights, say = $242
Whitsunday cruises etc, say = $115 Trip averages
Personal costs, say = $115 km/day $/day
19 <---Total days away TOTALS 7,064 $3,000   372 $158
      TOTALS Total km.  Tot. Costs, 2 people    
Costs for 2 people
1. Petrol $/lt. avg. $/km. 2. Food + booze/day 3. Accomod'n $/day
and oil = $1.10 $0.16 avg.= $50 avg.= $20
===============================================================================