hiluxdriver
Well-Known Member
TRIP FULL
After discussions with a fellow Earth member, we probably should stop procrastinating and put some plans in place for a Cape trip next year, and extend the invitation to other Earth members.
Group size: should be kept smallish, as managing a large group over a long distance can become a pain in the a$$ - perhaps 8-10 cars?
Date: Leaving Sydney June 6th 2015.
Leaving Cairns: June 9th
Arriving back at Cairns: June 26th
Route: Sydney to Cairns the fast way, allowing 3 days.
Cairns to the top via the hard way - Old Tele Track. For specific routes see the itinery below.
Time allowed: I would think 3 weeks from Cairns would be enough, but then again I've never been there before so we may need more time, may need less.
Stops on the way: We should compile a list of must see stops on the way, this will also help determine our route there and back.
Vehicles: should be more than capable of completing a medium to hard rated track, and should be well maintained and in good condition. A good selection of individual recovery gear (and how to use it) will be a neccessity. Snorkels are almost mandatory as I imagine the creeks will have plenty of water in them still, as is a good amount of tread on your tyres - 50%+. I would also suggest a selection of spares (belts/hoses,ect) as well as a good selection of hand tools .
People: Family friendly, not sure about dogs so we'll play that by ear.
Cost: Cookie's link below will help with fuel costings, as I imaging fuel will be the biggest cost, followed by alcohol and then maybe food (depending on how good your fishing skills are). I also like to use the below link to help with calculating fuel costs.
Petrol Cost Calculator, Car Petrol Cost Calculator, Car Expenses Petrol
This for me is a big trip, but it will be like going on that first big trip. I have and idea of what it will be like, and have done some preperation, and also have a bit of an idea of where to go and what to see. But it won't be meticulously planned with a contingency for every possible scenario. It will be an adventure with dealing with issues as they arise, as well as a holiday with some extreme relaxing thrown in, in equal measures. I'm a pretty laid back guy so if structure and planning is high on your priorities then we may have some problems
Cairns Meeting Point
So on the 9th of June we head out of Cairns like a freight train heading north. I have no idea which way people are driving up and where they are staying in Cairns on the 8th, but I would think if we can be assembled out the front of Cairns Casino ready to roll by 8am looking to move by 8.30am on the 9th would be a good place to start. If you cannot (for whatever reason) make this meeting point or time, please let me know ASAP because if I don't hear from you and you're not there at the departure time you may be left behind. My contact number is 0451 667 847.
CONFIRMED
Hiluxdriver (Jase) - Mishibishi Fajero
Jaye (Jaye) - Susie Jimny
Barker (Bart) - Dmaximus, or BT5000. They all look the same to me.
coolumbla (Shane) - GU ute
clough + lovely young wife and 3 little angels - pwardo + camper
itlldoo
richardlnsw - prarrrdo
underdog - Mishibishi Fajero
extremelyfathead - 76 Cruiseship
Wang (Craig) - GU Patrolathon
Hobbsy
Yobboford - Rob and family - Dmax and camper
Itinery (will change so check often)
day 1 - 9/6 - Cairns to Cooktown (not a NP): via Mossman Gorge & Bloomfield Falls, Bloomfield Track and Lions Den Hotel – 250km
day 2 - 10/6 – Cooktown to Bathurst Head (not a NP) via Old Laura – 233km
day 3 -11/6 – Back track to Kalpowar then to Archer River (not a NP) via Coen – 265km ish
day 4 - 12/6 - Archer River to Elliot Falls (IS a NP): via Old Telegraph Track – 236km Note, if Elliot Falls is sh!t we can move to Sam Creek (richardlnsw's advice lol) and stay there
days 5 - 13/6 - swim, chill, and maybe do a day trip to Capt Billy landing (IS a NP)
day 6 - 14/6 - Eliot Falls or Sam Creek to Nolans Brook for lunch: via OTT (if it looked ok)
day 6 - 14/6 - Nolans Brook to Punsand Bay (or Loyalty Beach): via Jardine River Ferry - 90km
days 7, 8, and 9 - 15,16,17/6 - Punsand Bay: check out The Tip, somerset and the ruins, the five beaches run, WW2 relics, visit the communities, buy up big at the croc shop, TI and Horn Island tours, do a fishing charter(if they're not all booked out), explore and hopefully a little bit of relaxing(maybe sunset with a drink or two).
day 10 - 18/6 - Punsand Bay to Vrilya Pont (not a NP): via Seisia or Bamaga(or both) to stock up on goodies
day 11 and 12 - 19,20/6 - Vrilya Point: relax, maybe catch a fish, and enjoy the sunset
day 13 -21/6 - Vrilya Point to Bramwell Station via Bamaga Way via Sam and Canal Creeks, a swim at Fruit Bat Falls, - 150km
day 14 -22/6 - Bramwell Station to Chili Beach (IS a NP): via Batavia Goldfields Frenchmans Track – 155km. THIS COULD GET VERY INTERESTING DEPENDING ON WATER LEVELS.
day 15 -23/6 - Chili Beach to Port Stewart (not a NP): 279km
day 16 - 24/6 - Port Stewart to Lakefield (IS a NP) Couch Grass Hut camp - 308km
day 17 - 25/6 - Lakefield NP: explore the park. Red and white lily lagoons, low lake, and hopefully get to photograph some wildlife.
day 18 - 26/6 - Couch Grass Hut camp to Cairns via Maytown (lunch) – 326km this is a solid days drive.
DISCLAIMER:
I thought I'd better put this in as it has been brought up in the past and is very obvious to some, not so to others.
I, nor the 4x4Earth volunters/staff/owners ect, accept any responsibility for for any loss/injury/damage, physical or material, encountered on this trip. Any damage suffered is the responsibility of the owner only. If you feel you are in a situation where assistance will be required, you are still responsible for the outcome, though every possible effort will be made to reduce damage to person or possession.
Something to consider
I don't know if anyone else has thought of it, but we are going to be spending ALOT of time around each other on this trip. No doubt there will be some personality clashes, and days where some of us may have a massive case of sandy man-gina. If you don't have one already, grow a thick skin because whatever the issue is, no doubt it will only be very minor in the great scheme of things, and carrying on like a pork chop will give everyone the shits. For people with consistent sandys, you may be asked to split from the group. Any questions feel free to get it out in the open now, rather than later.
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