Our Cape York and Gulf Country Adventure

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

After two years of planning we set off from the Redlands (east of Brisbane adjacent to Moreton Bay), our starting group included two 120 series Prados (1 petrol and 1 diesel) and a petrol 200 series Landcruiser. We had allowed five weeks for our trip so it was a leisurely trip up the Bruce Highway picking up the rest of the group, another 200 series (a diesel) towing a camper trailer in Townsville and a GU Patrol in Cairns. It was the luxury of cabins all the way to Daintree Village where we broke out the tents just to make sure we remembered how to put them up.

Three of the group (Diesel Prado, 200 petrol and the GQ) wanted to do the CREB track. The start of the CREB track crossing the Daintree River.



We agreed to meet up at the Lions Den Hotel that afternoon.

The remaining two vehicles did the Bloomfield Track. After a scenic drive along the coast including a stop at the very impressive Daintree Rainforest Centre we arrived at the start of the Bloomfield Track.



The track is very steep in some sections, however the sections of concrete surface make it a very comfortable run.

A good feeling to have the first "track" completed successfully.



It was noticeable how dry the area was, the "wet" this year was very light. The wind, blowing from the south-east, which chased us for the next week was starting to pick up.

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

Our CREB track group were waiting for us at the Lions Den Hotel where we exchanged stories and enjoyed the hospitality of this great pub.



On to Cooktown for a couple of nights and final vehicle checks before heading north.

[Palmer Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Palmer]

Will be following your adventures - the Cape is one of the things on my to do list. Hopefully one day...

[Hazza Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Hazza]

I have been up twice and loved the adventure both times.

Looking forward to your posts as your trip continues north.

Hazza

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

Oops double post.

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

Cooktown is beaut place, plenty of history and friendly folk. Our group gathered for a final chat about what adventures lay ahead. We planned to travel along the Battle Camp Road to Old Laura and then head up to Hann River Crossing and camp the night there.
I had been running 38 front and 40 back on the bitumen, so with the dirt commencing I dropped them to 30 and 32. It really felt like the adventure part of the trip was beginning.
Would there be any corrugations? Would we see a croc?
The south easterly wind was picking up strength as we drove out.
The Battle Camp Road was an absolute breeze, it was in great condition and we had a great run.



The landscape was changing with lots of birdlife on show.

This water crossing was easy, but we knew there were lots more to come!!





The Old Laura homestead was a great place to stretch the legs and admire how tough the early settlers were.

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

Did I mention the wind that had been following us since Cooktown. By the time we arrived at Hann River Crossing and found our campsite it was blowing a gale. The camp site was shrouded in dust. The decision was quickly made to give it a miss and head on to Musgrave Station and camp there.

Pity about the wind as it could have been a great place.



Corrugations, still waiting!!

We arrived at Musgrave to find lots of green grass, and just a gentle breeze.



Some of the neighbours dropped in!!



After a camp oven roast and a few drinks around the campfire we were off to bed. Where are these corrugations??

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

Awoke nice and early all prepared for the run north.

You are a long way from nowhere.


Having allowed five weeks for the trip we did not plan any big drives and were happy to stop and explore along the way.

Next camp was going to be Coen where we planned to stay at "The Bend" just outside of town.

To be honest Coen did not appeal but we did have a chat to the Publican at the hotel who was full of great yarns.




He runs a tight ship.

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Its good to see Bidla really enjoying his Prado given his near loss earlier this year!

Keep the pictures coming, it will be interesting to compare to our trip a few years, we went during the wettest dry season in 20 years. Looks good so far.

Hope you didn't get bogged in the middle of the Coen river like my mate did when we camped there.

Cheers Andrew

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

It didn't take long to decide that we wouldn't be camping at Coen. The smell from the toilet was enough for the ladies to decide that the Archer River Roadhouse was a place to consider.

Our good luck with the road conditions continued, only very mild corrugations occasionally.
Couldn't help but notice how dry the country was, the "wet" wasn't very big this year.



We arrived at the Archer River Roadhouse, tucked in for their burgers and then the bloody wind that had been stalking us since Cooktown arrived. The campground looked good but the dust was blowing and the decision was made to press on to Weipa.



A few more corrugations but the Prado was handling it so well, but you do have to be careful!

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Great report. Keep the words and pics coming.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Loving the follow up pradogang keep the reports coming.... Cheers Steve

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

As you travel along the PDR towards Weipa you come across the Old Telegraph Road intersection which leads up to Bramwell Junction. I couldn't help but wonder how the trip would be going when we reached that intersection on the way back. There was no way I would have believed how much our circumstances would change and that when we did Chris and I would be on our own!

The termite mounds are a feature of the PDR.



The PDR continued to be in great condition and we had an easy run into Weipa.



Doing it tough in Weipa





We enjoyed chilling out for a couple of days. Bidla managed to catch a feed of fish at the wharf, we did the mine tour and celebrated Julie's birthday.

Bidla and I fitted our rear wheel carry bags and prepared for the drive over to Bramwell Station and the start of the Old Telegraph Track.

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

I just realised that I hadn't introduced the group.
Bidla (Alan) and his wife Julie.(120 series D4D)
Russell and Charlyn (200 series petrol)
Arthur and Vicki (200 series diesel towing an Aussie Swag camper trailer. What an impressive piece of kit it is)
Brett and Ruby. Ruby is a border collie and the best dog ever!(GU Patrol- a really well set up beast and Brett drives it like he stole it)
Pradogang (Jim and Chris, your author and photographer) (120 series V6)

We headed back along the PDR to the Batavia Downs road and linked up with the Old Telegraph Road.

Lunch stop at the Moreton Telegraph Station. The Wenlock River is very dry but the flood markers at Moreton indicate how high it can get. Lots of shade and grass it would be a great camping spot.



Our stop for the night was Bramwell Station, the luxury of the cabins at Weipa just a memory.




We then headed up to Bramwell Junction and our first look at the OTT and Palm Creek. The main entrance was nasty but Brett the adventurer had a go and put the GU down without too much drama. The girls by this time had let us know that we wouldn't be doing that one!

About 200 metres to the right we found another approach that was much more appealing. Brett came back up that way just to show how it was done!

[pradogang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pradogang]

Russell wasn't going to let the Nissan have all the fun so off he went.



The 200 series looks very wide in a narrow gully.