Cape York Peninsula

[Hillbilly110]

Hi Guys,
We have 3 blokes and 1 woman heading over the ditch to ride up Cape York to the Tip. Our bikes are F650s and they leave by ship on Monday 2/8/10. We are riding from 24/8, Brisbane to Cairns, then changing to knoblies for the rest of the Cape then road tyres for Cairns back to Brisbane. If anybody has done the Cape can you tell me some suggested routes and places to camp.

[NinjaNanna]

Be as prepared as you can be for the heat. I presume you'll have light weight riding gear and "camel back" style water bags to stay hydrated while riding.

Brisbane to Townsville will be 2 big days riding on very boring roads, watch out for Kangaroos if riding at dusk and through the night. The worst stretch will be from Rockhampton to Mackay this will be 4hrs of riding with one very,very small town in the middle. It'll aslo be your only fuel stop on that leg.

Also if you don't have accomodation pre-arranged then these could be a great spot for your 2nd night after leaving Brisbane http://hiddenvalleycabins.com.au/ (presuming you stop at Rockhampton on the first night)

And this could be ideal for your third night, I stayed there many years ago and highly recommend it http://www.treehousehostel.com.au/index.html hopefully its still as good as it was then

If you do spend the night there, then if it was me then the next day- once reaching Innisfail, I'd detour inland and head north via, Ravenshoe, Atherton, Mareeba, Kuranda then back into Cairns for your tyre change.


A few other tidbits of info:

I think you'll also be riding during the Sugar Cane harvesting season so once north of around Mackay be wary of farm tractors on main roads hauling sugar cane. Be even more wary of this once north of Townsville.


One piece of advice - Australia is huge and hot and once you're up the cape north of Cairns there will be very little traffic, stick to the main roads because if anything goes wrong help won't find you on some small side track.

Also I can't comment on the availability of drinking water and fuel etc once you're into cape country - best do some research specifically on this, as I understand it most people doing the trip would be in 4WDs with lots of water and fuel on board - unless you've got a support vehicle I'm not sure about the logicistical side of things once you're that far bush.


For what its worth I grew up in Far North Queensland around Ingham and Townsville, I've spent many hours driving around outback Australia - but have never been to the cape - my observations are only general in nature.


How long are you expecting the trip to take you?

Cheers
NN

[Hillbilly110]

Thanks,
We have 5 weeks planned for the whole trip, but this includes assembling the bikes on arrival and recrating at the end, plus whatever customs time as well. We do have a support 4x4 with my 2 sisters in it so we may end up supporting them. Thanks for the accommodation info, we'll definitely check it out
Cheers

[tri boy]

Big Dave, and Bass have been up there in the last year or two.
I'm no help. Havn't been there since the mid eighties. Swampy dogs were at most crossings.
A must is to have a good wee session at the "Lions Den". BD will be able to fill you in on that place i'm sure.

[Bass]

Have a look here

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...=340074&page=5

P.M. me if you want more info - I have day by day maps etc.

I am told that the Cape Melville region is the most attractive area of the peninsula, but as you will see from the report, we never got there.

With 4 x 4 backup, you should be OK on any of the major/medium tracks on the cape.

There will be some strenuous and tiring riding - don't get too cocky early on. Even on the silky smooth major tracks, the corners quickly get cut up and can develop major dust holes. There have been many sucked in and seriously injured by unexpected and hard-to-see changes in surface.
Having said that, you will have a ball - just be alert and careful, especially early on

Lastly, while the main drag between Brizzy and Cairns can be boring in places, I didn't find it so when riding it for the first time. In any case, there are many options and it doesn't have to be SH1 all the way.

[Hillbilly110]

Riveting reading...the more I read the more I can't wait to go. The bikes went on the ship today and we hope to have them all cleared by the time we arrive.

[Mrs Shrek]

Have an awesome trip and enjoy the

[BoristheBiter]

Good luck

I'm going to do the across aussie next year (airlie beach to perth).
Had looked at the trip to cape york but every second photo you see is someone stuck in a mud hole. i don't mind mud but me thinks that would get very tiring very quickly.

[ducatijim]

Also I can't comment on the availability of drinking water and fuel etc once you're into cape country - best do some research specifically on this, as I understand it most people doing the trip would be in 4WDs with lots of water and fuel on board - unless you've got a support vehicle I'm not sure about the logicistical side of things once you're that far bush.


- but have never been to the cape - my observations are only general in nature.




Cheers
NN

I have been there extensivly, fuel and water are both readily available all along the route with the exception of north east of Hopevale community if you go out to Melville/Bathurst bay.
Most river water is reasonably safe up there, tastes funny thou! ( some of it may have a 'bite' to it so be careful!!)
As for not many vehicles....hahaha.....at the moment up to 700 vehicles per day have been counted at the Quarantine station, that is a lot of potential help, really, you will never be alone at this time of year!!!!!
Don't stress the croc thing, they are thinly spread, if you play lotto, then don't worry at all, youll be fine! you have to walk every river crossing before you ride it-so you may as well feel comfortable doing it!
Take plenty of time, don't rush, you have the rest of your life to regret what you missed once youre home!
Enjoy! ( pm me if you like specifics)

[Big Dave]

I've been up past Cooktown to Cape Melville on a Buell with road tyres.
Pretty easy going in the dry. Impassable in the wet.
Not entirely without traffic either. There isn't much else besides the main roads.

Lotusbird Lodge - recommended
http://www.lotusbird.com.au/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kiwirid...th/4541110133/