Camper Magazine's - Race to the Cape (featuring the best of Cape York in two weeks)
<p dir="ltr">The mission objective was simple: assemble a crew including 4WDs, campers and a caravan, and burn rubber on the way up north to the Australian camping Mecca of Cape York. Over a pint or three it was christened Race to the Cape, and the plan soon evolved into a journey of epic proportions – which is bound to happen with any idea born in a pub. The itinerary quickly became jam-packed, and the next step was to form a crack team who would be willing to belt up the Bloomfield, rev through river fords, and more importantly, drink mid-strength beer for an extended period. It was an offer hard to refuse (aside from the beer), and it didn't take long to get the right people on board. We gathered from all over the country – Melbourne, Sydney, the Blue Mountains, and the Sunshine Coast – and met at our starting point of Cairns. We stocked up on essentials (beer, snacks, and enough toilet paper to equip the MGM Grand), and enjoyed our last night in air-conditioned comfort. We set off, headed for our first stop, Cape Tribulation. Morale was high, and the countdown to the first croc and cassowary spotting had started. The next two weeks stretched out ahead of us, on a red and dusty track. Exactly what we'd encounter on our trip to 'The Tip' was unknown. One thing was for certain though – adventure was on the cards.</p><p><strong>Day 1 – Sept 10th</strong></p><p>• Cairns to Cape Tribulation Camping</p><p>– depart mid-morning</p><p>• Cross Daintree Ferry</p><p>- $20 per vehicle and trailer</p><p>• Approximately 150km mostly sealed roads</p><p>• Food available on the road.</p><p><strong>Day 2 – Sept 11th</strong></p><p>• Cape Tribulation to Elim Beach, via Bloomfield track</p><p>• Travel through Hope Vale community –</p><p>max 1x30 case of light or mid strength beer</p><p>per person OR 1x750ml wine. Spirits and full</p><p>strength beer are not permitted.</p><p>• Approximately 180km on unsealed roads</p><p>• Final chance for supplies in Cooktown</p><p>• Refuel</p><p>• Optional – arrive at camp at 1.30pm,</p><p>un-hitch the campers and head along the</p><p>beach to explore Cape Flattery sand dunes</p><p>• Breakfast available at Cape Tribulation</p><p><strong>Day 3 – Sept 12th</strong></p><p>• Elim Beach to Musgrave Roadhouse via</p><p>Battlecamp Road and Lakefield National Park</p><p>• 117km to old Laura</p><p>• 165km old Laura to Musgrave.</p><p>• 282km total on unsealed roads with</p><p>scattered shallow river crossings</p><p>• Old Laura Homestead is long abandoned –</p><p>supplies unavailable</p><p>• Musgrave Roadhouse has hot meals,</p><p>showers, basic supplies and fuel</p><p><strong>Day 4 – Sept 13th</strong></p><p>• Caravans to Weipa</p><p>• Campers to Chilli Beach via Portland Road</p><p>– Lunch at Archer River Roadhouse</p><p>• 173km unsealed roads to Archer River</p><p>• Basic supplies, food and fuel available.</p><p>Please ensure you have enough supplies for</p><p>camp cooking this evening</p><p>• 193km unsealed roads to Weipa</p><p>– bitumen close to town</p><p>• Mining town so supplies and</p><p>workshops readily available</p><p>• 143km unsealed roads to Chilli Beach</p><p>• No supplies available – camp cooking</p><p><strong>Day 5 – Sept 14th</strong></p><p>• Caravans to Bramwell Station via main</p><p>roads – caravan walk throughs will be filmed at</p><p>the van park in the morning</p><p>• Campers to Bramwell Station via</p><p>Frenchmans Track</p><p>• Caravans – 271km unsealed roads</p><p>• Batavia Downs Road saves approximately</p><p>100km but can be closed</p><p>• Campers – 193km via Frenchmans Track</p><p>• Lunch will be on the road, please ensure you</p><p>have enough supplies</p><p>• Hot meals and showers available at</p><p>Bramwell Station. Expect campers</p><p>to arrive after caravans.</p><p><strong>Day 6 – Sept 15th</strong></p><p>• Bramwell Station to Cockatoo Creek</p><p>• Caravans via Bamaga Road</p><p>• Campers via Old Telegraph Track</p><p>• Hot food and fuel available at Bramwell Junction</p><p>Caravans will travel 137km on unsealed</p><p>roads – some back tracking to reach Cockatoo</p><p>Creek down Old Telegraph Track</p><p>• Will need to cross Sailor Creek – a timber</p><p>bridge is available to cross but will require</p><p>caution and may be in disrepair. At worst, turn</p><p>around and camp back at junction between OTT</p><p>and Bamaga Road. Re-convene in morning.</p><p>• Campers – 51km on Old Telegraph Track,</p><p>with eight creek crossings to take on. Winching</p><p>will be required and going will be slow.</p><p>• No fuel/food/phone reception after Bramwell Junction</p><p><strong>Day 7 – Sept 16th</strong></p><p>• Head to Fruitbat Falls and Elliot Falls</p><p>• Caravans to leave vans and go in with 4WD</p><p>• Campers to continue through Old Telegraph Track – meet at Jardine River Crossing</p><p>• Caravans to return to van then head up Bamaga Road – meet at Jardine River Crossing</p><p>• Camp at Mutee Head</p><p>• Caravans – 137km unsealed roads, with one long, deep river crossing on OTT to access</p><p>Fruit Bat Falls. Caravans are routinely left at Junction</p><p>• Campers – 139km if we proceed through to Nolan’s Brook. This will be a full day, expect</p><p>late arrival into camp.</p><p>• 119km if we cut short and leave</p><p>OTT after Sam Creek</p><p>• Jardine River runs 9am – 5pm but is a very</p><p>relaxed schedule so earlier arrival is preferred</p><p>• Fees will be $129 per vehicle</p><p><strong>Day 8 – Sept 17th</strong></p><p>• Mutee Head to Punsand bay or Loyalty Beach</p><p>• Half day to re-stock</p><p>• Half day for filming</p><p>• 32km to Bamaga – fuel and food available.</p><p>• 10km Bamaga to Loyalty Beach</p><p>• 50km Bamaga to Punsand Bay</p><p>• Hot food available for all meals</p><p>• Fuel available in Bamaga and Seisia</p><p><strong>Day 9 – Sept 18th</strong></p><p>• Filming day</p><p>• Food available at Punsand Bay and Loyalty</p><p>Beach for all meals</p><p><strong>Day 10 – Sept 19th</strong></p><p>• Trip to the tip</p><p>• Explore the region</p><p>• 5 beaches run</p><p>• WW2 plane wrecks</p><p>• Somerset ruins</p><p>• Approximately 150km round trip</p><p>• No food or fuel available</p><p><strong>Day 11 – Sept 20th</strong></p><p>• Day trip to Torres Strait Islands</p><p>• Green Hill Fort</p><p>• Anti-aircraft emplacements on Horn Island</p><p>• Most northern pub in Australia</p><p>• Food available on all islands</p><p><strong>Day 12 – Sept 21st</strong></p><p>• Depart Punsand bay/Loyalty Beach</p><p>• Travel to Bramwell Station – approx.</p><p>240km with a ferry crossing OR</p><p>• Travel to Musgrave roadhouse – big day, approx. 580km</p><p>• Fuel and food available at:</p><p>• Bramwell Junction</p><p>• Bramwell Station</p><p>• Archer River Roadhouse</p><p>• Coen township</p><p>• Musgrave Roadhouse</p><p><strong>Day 13 – Sept 22nd</strong></p><p>• Bramwell to Hann River Roadhouse –</p><p>400km unsealed roads</p><p>• Musgrave to Cairns – 450km mostly</p><p>unsealed roads</p><p>• Food and fuel available at:</p><p>• Archer River Roadhouse</p><p>• Coen</p><p>• Musgrave Roadhouse</p><p>• Hann River Roadhouse</p><p>• Laura</p><p>• Lakeland</p><p>• Palmer River Roadhouse</p><p><strong>Day 14 – Sept 23rd</strong></p><p>• Hann River to Cairns – 400km</p><p>• Fuel and food available at:</p><p>• Laura</p><p>• Lakeland</p><p>• Palmer River Roadhouse</p>
NRMA Cairns Holiday Park
Cape Tribulation Camping
This is an amazing spot right on the beach. We saw a Cassowaries running along the beach and locals showed us the massive local croc.
Elim Beach Campground
Cape tribulation to Elim beach – via bloomfield track – lunch at Lion’s Den
Travel through Hope Vale community – Max 1x30 case of light or mid strength beer per person OR 1x 750ml wine. Spirits and full strength beer are not allowed.
Approx 180km on unsealed roads
Final chance for supplies in Cooktown
Re-fuel
Breakfast available at Cape Trib.
Hot meals at Lion’s Den
Dinner was camping
Battlecamp Road
Musgrave Roadhouse
Elim beach to Musgrave Roadhouse via Battlecamp road and Lakefield National Park – lunch at Old Laura Station
117km to old Laura
165km old Laura to Musgrave.
282km total on unsealed roads with scattered shallow river crossings
Old Laura Homestead is long abandoned – supplies unavailable
Musgrave Roadhouse has hot meals, showers, basic supplies and fuel
New Laura
Saltwater Crossing Camping - Rinyirru (Lakefield) NP
Archer River Roadhouse
Caravans to Weipa – Lunch at Archer River Roadhouse
Campers to Chilli beach – via Portland Road – Lunch at Archer River Roadhouse
173km unsealed roads to Archer River
Food and fuel available as well as basic supplies
193km unsealed roads to Weipa – bitumen close to town
Mining town so supplies and workshops readily available
143km unsealed roads to Chilli Beach
No supplies available – Camp cooking
Chilli Beach Camp - Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) NP
Caravans to Weipa – Lunch at Archer River Roadhouse
Campers to Chilli beach – via Portland Road – Lunch at Archer River Roadhouse
173km unsealed roads to Archer River
Food and fuel available as well as basic supplies
193km unsealed roads to Weipa – bitumen close to town
Mining town so supplies and workshops readily available
143km unsealed roads to Chilli Beach
No supplies available – Camp cooking
Bramwell Station Tourist Park & Licenced Bar
Caravans to Bramwell Station via main roads – Film caravan walkthroughs at van park in morning
Campers to Bramwell Station via Frenchmans
Caravans – 271km unsealed roads
Batavia Downs Road saves approx. 100km but can be closed
Campers – 193km via Frenchmans Road
Lunch will be on the road for both
Hot meals and showers available at Bramwell Station. Expect campers to arrive after caravans.
Frenchmans Track
Frenchmans Track
Frenchmans Track
Gunshot Creek Camping Area
Cockatoo Creek Camping Area
Bramwell Station to Cockatoo Creek
Caravans via Bamaga Road
Campers via OTT
Hot food and fuel available at Bramwell Junction
Lunch and dinner on the road/at camp
Caravans – 137km unsealed roads – some back tracking to reach Cockatoo Creek down OTL
Will need to cross Sailor Creek – a timber bridge is available to cross but will require caution and may be in disrepair. Worst case, turn around and camp back at junction between OTL and Bamaga Road. Re-convene in morning.
Campers – 51km on OTL – 8 creek crossings to take on. Winching will be required and going will be slow – damage avoidable with careful driving and no-showing off.
No fuel/food/phone reception after Bramwell Junction
Sheldon's Lagoon
Canal Creek Crossing Camping Area
Mutee Head - Cape York
Head to Fruitbat Falls & Elliot Falls
Caravans to leave vans and go in with 4WD
Campers to continue through OTT – meet at Jardine River Crossing
Caravans to return to van then head up Bamaga Road – meet at Jardine River Crossing
Camp at Mutee Head
Caravans – 137km Unsealed Roads – 1 long, deep river crossing on OTL to access Fruit Bat falls. Caravans are routinely left at Junction
Campers – 139km if we proceed through to Nolan’s Brook – Full day, expect late arrival into camp
119km if we cut short and leave OTL after Sam Creek
Jardine River runs 9am – 5pm but is a very relaxed schedule so earlier arrival preferred. I’ve spent many hours waiting on the side of that river.
Fees will be $129per vehicle
Loyalty Beach Campground and Fishing Lodge
Head to Fruitbat Falls & Elliot Falls
Caravans to leave vans and go in with 4WD
Campers to continue through OTT – meet at Jardine River Crossing
Caravans to return to van then head up Bamaga Road – meet at Jardine River Crossing
Camp at Mutee Head
Caravans – 137km Unsealed Roads – 1 long, deep river crossing on OTL to access Fruit Bat falls. Caravans are routinely left at Junction
Campers – 139km if we proceed through to Nolan’s Brook – Full day, expect late arrival into camp
119km if we cut short and leave OTL after Sam Creek
Jardine River runs 9am – 5pm but is a very relaxed schedule so earlier arrival preferred. I’ve spent many hours waiting on the side of that river.
Fees will be $129per vehicle
Cape York Camping Punsand Bay
Head to Fruitbat Falls & Elliot Falls
Caravans to leave vans and go in with 4WD
Campers to continue through OTT – meet at Jardine River Crossing
Caravans to return to van then head up Bamaga Road – meet at Jardine River Crossing
Camp at Mutee Head
Caravans – 137km Unsealed Roads – 1 long, deep river crossing on OTL to access Fruit Bat falls. Caravans are routinely left at Junction
Campers – 139km if we proceed through to Nolan’s Brook – Full day, expect late arrival into camp
119km if we cut short and leave OTL after Sam Creek
Jardine River runs 9am – 5pm but is a very relaxed schedule so earlier arrival preferred. I’ve spent many hours waiting on the side of that river.
Fees will be $129per vehicle
Bramwell Station Tourist Park & Licenced Bar
Depart Punsand bay/Loyalty Beach
Travel to Bramwell Station – approx. 240km + ferry crossing
Musgrave Roadhouse
Bramwell – Hann River Roadhouse – 400km unsealed roads
Musgrave to Cairns – big day, 450km mostly unsealed roads
Food and fuel available at
Archer River Roadhouse
Coen
Musgrave Roadhouse
Hann River Roadhouse
Laura
Lakeland
Palmer River Roadhouse
NRMA Cairns Holiday Park
Camper Magazine's - Race to the Cape (featuring the best of Cape York in two weeks)