Eric from Cape York Connections replied:

Dolfn you will be better of staying at cape kimbely which is just down the road from cape trib ist a nice camping spot.
Cooktown you could spend a few days there because theres many things to see and do in cook town. We stay at cooktown caravan park its the first one on the right . Johno can give you a good run down of the sights.
Elim beach which is north has some of the best colored sands you will see.
No it isnt to early to do the trip but I would stay of the by pass road as much as possible. Do the otl both ways you can do a small by pass around GUN SHOT just study your map and go up to Heathlands its 13 ks both ways.
All the best
Eric

Cape York Connections

Jeff (Beddo) replied:

Take the locals advice - What Eric said is right - I was up there last Aug / Sept and the bypass roads were so corrugated that you would do more damage on these roads than the OTL. Everyone talks about Gunshot as the scary bit but I found others worse such as the first Ck along the OTL I think it is called Palm Ck or so. Gunshot had an easy narrow track going right next to one of the difficult/come winch type tracks - if the wet has destroyed this easy way then it may be an issue but I think it has been in use for a few years now. Just walk all the crossing and check out all alternative tracks - it is great to watch others destroy their own cars if they wish to - remember you have to get there and back in one piece. The OTL is perhaps a little slower than the bypass roads but much more scenic and enjoyable, plus you meet many travellers along this track which you will surely chat to while everyone watches other cross the creeks and discusses what they should have done - it is fun - not that difficult if you are sensible about it. But I did go when the creeks were not that high, they were generally mid thigh depth with one up past Twin Falls and past the log bridges being about waist deep. By the time you get to the OTL you will be looking for something different anyway, have fun.

Cheers, Beddo Surf KZN185 <- Yengo NP, Central Coast NSW

Rob from Cairns Offroad Training & Tours replied:

The route you mention is not a problem for any well set up vehicle. North QLD is experiencing its driest weather ever on record. By ticky bits I thought you must be referring to either the CREB track, Daintree to Bloomfield or The Old Coach Trail, Maytown to Laura. The CREB track is dry and in good condition and I will be doing the Old Coach Trail this long weekend so will let you know. Please be careful on the Cape Trib rd specially near Cooper Creek and Coconut Beach as I have seen Cassowary there with chicks almost every day the past few weeks.
Have a great trip and pop in and say hello on your way thru Cairns.
Cheers Rob
Cairns Offroad Training & Tours
www.4wdtraining.com
4wdtraining@cairns.net.au
www.cedarparkresort.com.au

Cairns Offroad Training & Tours

Greeny replied:

dolfn,

You replied to my message re my parents heading up to the Cape.

I have talked to them and they would love to catch up on the way up, esspecially on the track to Cape Melville, they have been to Cape Melville 2 years ago and are looking forward to doing the Starcke track on this occasion. It would probably be good to have 2 vehicleson this track and the old mans patrol is pretty capable (4 lift, twin lockers and winch) so it should be fine.

Maybe if you are still interested you could contact me on shaun@green-group.net and can swap iteneries and see if we can work something out.

Shaun G

Member - David replied:

On the way you could travel along Battlecamp Road between Laura (turnoff at Old Laura) and Cooktown - it's an interesting drive over the ranges on mostly graded gravel, although I don't know when it was last graded.

If you time it right you can be in Laura for the Festival on June 21 - see
http://celebrating.the-australian.com/

Cheers,

David.