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Cape York
trip,(one of many) June 2005 |
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Cape2 |
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Synopsis, North
of Cairns. |
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This trip has
become almost an annual event, starting |
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in 1993 by
trailbikes, and by 4WD since 1999. |
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The tracks
north of Lakeland have been dramatically |
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improved over
the years, with a bridge over the |
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Wenlock river,
widening and improving the bypass |
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tracks and
"assured" petrol at Bramwell Junction and |
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Jardine river.
This extra petrol has made trail bike |
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riding a lot
easier, not having to carry so much extra |
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petrol at the
expense of food and bedding. |
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The Telegraph
Track still presents some challenges, |
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particularly if
the creeks are deep, early in the season |
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eg :- Gunshot
creek, in the Southern section, and you |
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can still come
to grief on the Northern section on some |
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of the creek
crossings. (timber logs!!) |
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The bypass
track is now quite easy, especially after |
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grading, and
presents no problems to any 4WD or bike. |
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You still
strike some sections of deep soft sand, near |
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Map |
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Punsand Bay
resort (highly recommended) and the |
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track from
Punsand Bay to the tip can be tricky after rain. Oncoming traffic is hard to
pass here. |
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Its an absolute
disgrace that Pajinka Lodge has been trashed by our indigenenous friends,
after they |
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were given
ownership to this delightful tropical resort. (similar to Heron Island). It
doesn't appear |
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to be opening
in the foreseeable future. Over $20 m was pissed down the drain here,
deliberately! |
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Approach roads,
from Noosa to Cairns and return. |
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The approach
and return roads from Noosa to the Cairns district, can be very enjoyable |
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if you stay off
the main highways. We have found the following areas worth going thru :- |
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1 |
Woodgate / Kin Kuna National parks, interesting
tracks and great seaside camping. |
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2 |
Deepwater National Park,Wreck rock, Agnes
Waters and 1770, all special. |
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3 |
Burdekin Dam, either going north or returning
south.(check out the bush Pub!) |
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4 |
Airlie Beach, do yourself a favour with a
tropical "reef" cruise in "paradise". |
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5 |
Atherton tablelands and the various escarpment
drives. |
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6 |
The coast road from Cairns to Cape Tribulation,
via Daintree and Mosman. |
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7 |
Cape Tribulation to Cooktown via Bloomfield
river and Black Mountain. (now easy ) |
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8 |
Cooktown to Musgrave via Lakefield National
park. |
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At home, just
before departure, don't need |
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First camp, Deepwater National Park. |
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roofracks for
this "now" simple trip. |
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Wreck Rock campsite, 20 m from the |
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Used to be much
more difficult before 1995. |
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last safe surf beach in QLD. (summer) |
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Typical
"low" creek crossing, 300-400 deep. |
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The Wenlock
& Jardine fords used to be as |
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Turnoff from Weipa Rd. to Bamaga. |
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deep as 800 to
1000, on occasions. Now |
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This was where is used to get serious ! |
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Wenlock is
bridged and Jardine has ferry |
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($88 !!) which
extends the season greatly. |
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============================================================================== |
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Just before
tip, just as camera |
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On Summerset beach, near tip |
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batteries gave
up, so couldn't |
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show top sign
in bucket, this year. We got it on video anyway. |
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============================================================================== |
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