CAPE YORK TRIP - Winter 2011

Glend · **Posted:** Thu Jul 22, 2010 8:04 pm

I thought it was time to get a thread started on a proposed Cape York Trip - Winter 2011.

As with all extensive touring type trips, the amount of preparation time required means early discussion and notice period is important (especially for those that have to arrange the time off work to do this sort of trip).

Cape York was the subject of some discussion on the just completed SJC 2010 Desert Trip, and some of those participants indicated an interest in the Cape Trip. Obviously lessons learned on the Desert Trip (and others) may prove useful for those contemplating the Cape Trip.

I believe members here have been there and done that so any info from them would be appreciated.

This is not a call for 'expressions of interest' at this time, just a place to discuss trip requirements and planning.

It is possible that a small group from SJC will be coming north for this trip in July 2011 and having others on the trip would be welcome.

:JEEPIN:

cmohr · **Posted:** Thu Jul 22, 2010 8:30 pm

I know StephenMending took his up there, and I think Wat4 is planning a trip there as well. I have seen a few others here as well, show up their pics of Kj up there.

It's Always on my "To Do" list, but normally my list ends up in the bin around every twenty minutes or so..

I think main thinks are fuel, tyres, suspension.

Somebody should have a winch, water darn, for creek crossings, one of those exhaust bag jacks, chainsaw (for biulding bridges) . And some Croc repelant.

Glend · **Posted:** Thu Jul 22, 2010 10:04 pm

Yeah, there are various degrees of difficulty. There were five vehicles from a Sydney group that has just returned, all five sustained some sort of panel damage but they were attempting the more difficult sections of OTL and Frenchmans.

I was looking at a photo of the entrance to the Gunshot crossing and I know I would not want to try that.

After the Desert Trip I'm more confident about what the KJ can do, but realistically I will be going to have fun and see the Cape - not destroy my vehicle, so if that means bypassing some of the more challenging sections then that's ok with me.

cmohr · **Posted:** Thu Jul 22, 2010 10:22 pm

I agrree Glen, dont need to prove anything, just the fun of the adventure would be great.

pipeliner · **Posted:** Thu Jul 22, 2010 10:25 pm

We are planning to be in Europe in May-June 2011, but if that doesn't happen for any reason then we'll certainly be interested - on the same basis as Glend!

gi frog · **Posted:** Fri Jul 23, 2010 1:46 pm

Hi All,
I like the idea it's one of my places to do. :BANANA:

Cheers
Frog

P.S Time frame for trip should be approx 4weeks min.

wat4 · **Joined:** Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:45 am **Posts:** 3

Hi Guys,

I am back from my trip however I barely made it to the Cape before having to come home. iIt turns out that the KJ wasn't that keen for what I had planned for it and developed some major trans problems before I even engaged part time 4x4. It started by getting stuck in second gear and then torque converter clutch would not unlock.

Cairns Jeep couldn't look at it for over a week so I drove it back to Melbourne, left it at City Jeep, got a hire car and came back to work, saving the rest of my holidays for my return trip back up there in July next year. At this stage they are thinking the problems have started with my torque converter and are looking to replace the whole trans.

It was the trip from :twisted:

, with my alternaor pulley dieing on the way up, my UHF kicking the bucket, trans problems and pulling into Melbourne the rear pinion seal started leaking. I'd hate to see what would have happened if I actually got offroad.

Anyway, I'll be up there again next year at the time you are talking about so we may run into you, hopefully not literally, but with my luck anything is possible. I will be at Jambo also so will meet some of you there.

Cheers, Daryl

2JeepFamily · **Posted:** Fri Jul 30, 2010 3:38 am

Sorry to hear about the problems Wat, hope this won't be a contagion starting in our KJ's First Pipeliner, now you, we may need to have a mass KJ trip next year to
make up for all the bad Juju.

wat4 · **Joined:** Thu Jul 29, 2010 9:45 am **Posts:** 3

Thanks 2jeeps, hopefully Pipes and I have had enough bad luck for everyone. If I did no prep for the trip I could understand it, but that's the way it goes.
Funny thing is, our friends who came on hte trip with us didn't continue on, they spent a couple of weeks coming back down the coast. I guess they were relying on me more than I thought they were.

Glend · **Posted:** Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:36 pm

For those with a Cape York Trip lurking in their minds, have a look at the latest issue (#32) of Campertrailer Australia which is dedicated to Part 1 of their 2010 Cape Trip. A big bonus is that a very nice HEMA map of the Cape from Normanton - Innsfail right up to the Tip, complete with all the usual HEMA features: key telephone numbers, GPS points, campground info, etc etc. :JEEPIN:

Glend · **Posted:** Wed Oct 06, 2010 10:26 pm

At last night's SJC meeting the Cape Trip was discussed once more and there is now a draft itinerary circulating in the club. The plan is for 16 or 17 days Cairns to Cairns (the extra day is if people want to go to Undara). The route is:

Stage 1: Sydney to Cairns - most likely via the inland route to avoid the Pacific and Bruce Highway traffic.

Stage 2: Cape York Trek

Day 1: Cairns to Lions Den Hotel (Helenvale)
Day 2: Lions Den to Cooktown
Day 3: Cooktown to Kalpowar Crossing (Lakefield NP)
Day 4: Kalpowar Crossing to Archer River Roadhouse
Day 5: Archer River Roadhouse to Dalhunty River Bushcamp (OTT)
Day 6: Dalhunty River to Jardine River Ferry (OTT)
Day 7: Jardine River to Seisia
Day 8: Seisia to the Tip and local sightseeing
Day 9: Ferry to THursday Island and Horn Islands sighseeing
Day 10: Lay Day in Seisia
Day 11: Seisia to Bramwell Juntion
Day 12: Bramwell Juntion to Weipa
Day 13: Lay day in Weipa
Day 14: Weipa to Archer River Roadhouse
Day 15: Archer River Roadhouse to Lakeland
Day 16: Lakeland to Cairns (or Lakeland to Undara)
Day 17: (Optional for Undara stop)

Stage 3: Cairns or Undara to Sydney

Total distance Sydney to Sydney is approx 7700kms, consisting of 2400kms Sydney to Cairns + 2736kms Cairns to the Tip and return, + 2400kms Cairns to Sydney .

Timing is still not agree but we are considering running two trips: one for the people that MUST go during school holidays and another for those that are not so burdened and can go outside of the holiday period. Really I don't want to be anywhere near north QLd during the period from the last week of June through mid July (QLD and NSW School holidays) as it is nut case land during that period and everything is booked up and people are in a rush.

The timing of a possible trip outside of the school holidays will depend alot on the weather and the duration of the wet season, but people need to plan so I'd appreciate any QLDers advice on the best time to go.

Also if anyone has been to the Cape give me your views on the proposed itinerary and time allowed.

Thanks

Glend · **Posted:** Wed Sep 14, 2011 12:25 am

Resurrecting this thread....because it looks like..... I might be heading to the Cape next week! The Sydney Jeep Club Cape Trip kicks off next week with people drifting up to Carins for the kick off on Saturday the 24th. I have been thinking for months now that I could not go (even though I had prepped for it), and actually pulled out of the trip officially about a month ago; but now my lawyer has come to my rescue. The lawyer has gone on leave for a few weeks (thus stopping further progress on the divorce merry go round), and this creates a window of opportunity for me to join the SJC Cape Trip.

The final straw was my son announcing he was heading to the Gulf this coming Friday for a couple of weeks. So it's perfect timing for us to meet up somewhere near the bottom of the Gulf in a few weeks.

I'm excited!. The camper is staying at home, still awaiting new suspension and we're doing the OTL and Creb so it wouldn't cut it.

Fingers crossed this isn't just a dream. :BANANA:

cmohr · **Posted:** Wed Sep 14, 2011 2:31 am

Thats some Good News Glen, Hope you go.

Fouros · **Posted:** Wed Sep 14, 2011 4:20 am

Mate

fingers xed for you glen, its a trip my family want to do one of these days

gi frog · **Posted:** Wed Sep 14, 2011 9:07 am

Hi all,

Glen that great news hope it all comes to plan.
I'm :mrgreen:

you off to play in the north and I'm off to play trains not fair. :ROTFL:

Have a good trip
Cheers James

G'ME MUD · **Joined:** Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:55 pm **Posts:** 370

Hope all goes to plan for you Glen.
Enjoy.

cmohr · **Posted:** Thu Sep 15, 2011 9:37 pm

Got the Jeep Packed yet Glen ?????????????? :juggle:

Glend · **Posted:** Fri Sep 16, 2011 2:46 am

No yet cmohr. Today the Solar KJ became a reality. I took the solar controller out of the camper and mounted it on the distribution panel in the back of the KJ. The solar panel attaches to the roof rack (on top of my swing over arm), and the auxilliary battery soaks it up. I am now independent of any other power source and can avoid those pesky powered site fees up on the Cape - and the beer will stay cold!

Heading north on Tuesday morning.

gi frog · **Posted:** Sat Sep 17, 2011 10:26 am

Hi all,
Have a safe trip Glen.
Cheers James

cmohr · **Posted:** Mon Sep 19, 2011 1:22 am

Have a Great Time Glen, and all the Sydanee lads going. Stay safe.

CAPE YORK TRIP - Winter 2011

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