Author Topic: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape  (Read 5355 times)

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Offline TroyE

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Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« on: January 08, 2011, 09:27:02 PM »
Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape, cause i'm planning a trip next year around july august, taking the family along for the trip.
I did a boys run last year, only 7days return to townsville, so only raced through the OTL and 2 days at the tip and a quick run out to chilli beach ( didn't stay cause it was blowing a gale and raining) spent a night at the lions den ;D and drove the creb track north to south. this time it will be a slower trip about 3 weeks and family orientated as there will be my two brothers and their familys + my own so far.

we're still in the planing stages and I'm after some ideas for our itinerary.

tow vehicle is an 88 GQ duel cab TB42 with almost all the fruit (no lockers) but a warn high mount on the front.

the CT a home made job 16" splits lots of clearance etc.....
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Offline McGirr

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #1 on: January 08, 2011, 10:29:49 PM »
Twin falls would have to be the best place. Croc free swimming in crystal clear water. great water falls etc

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« Last Edit: January 08, 2011, 10:33:24 PM by McGirr »
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Offline jk

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2011, 10:31:13 PM »
Ditto Twin Falls/Eliot Falls  :cup:
« Last Edit: January 09, 2011, 08:11:35 AM by jk »
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Offline LC

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2011, 10:37:04 PM »
Ditto twin falls  :cup:

x3

make sure you arrive before lunch as the limited campsites fill up quickly and stay at least a couple of nights
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Offline McGirr

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #4 on: January 08, 2011, 10:46:43 PM »
yes sometimes it is best to do the falls on the way back as if you leave Seisa by 8.00am you will get to the falls by 10.30 roughly depending on the road .
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Offline LC

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #5 on: January 08, 2011, 11:28:13 PM »
I wouldn't stay at Seisa again, when we were there (granted it was peak season) people were crammed in on top of each other like sardines, and managements ability to clean the toilets and showeres etc was non-existent. Wish we had stayed had loyalty beach, which when we had a drive through looked much better. Alternatively go and stay at Punsand Bay - it too looked quite good.
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Offline Pete the Pirate

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2011, 09:11:46 AM »
I wouldn't stay at Seisa again, when we were there (granted it was peak season) people were crammed in on top of each other like sardines, and managements ability to clean the toilets and showeres etc was non-existent. Wish we had stayed had loyalty beach, which when we had a drive through looked much better. Alternatively go and stay at Punsand Bay - it too looked quite good.

Ditto for me.....had lots of stray dogs and a few horses wandering around as well.....and the wharf works to make the best of the tides so the reversing beeper on the crane/forklift can go all bloody night long.  My preference is Loyalty Beach....clean, lots of grass, reasonable facilities and right on the beach head.
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Offline GU_Thomo

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #7 on: January 09, 2011, 09:35:04 AM »
Ditto for me.....had lots of stray dogs and a few horses wandering around as well.....and the wharf works to make the best of the tides so the reversing beeper on the crane/forklift can go all bloody night long.  My preference is Loyalty Beach....clean, lots of grass, reasonable facilities and right on the beach head.


X3. The place was a mess.

But I agree with all those who suggested Twin Falls, plan an extra day there.

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Lots of nice spots on the Old Tele Track to camp, don't rush this part.
Eddie's camp at Elim beach, just north of Cooktown, is a must place to stay. :cup: :cup: :cup:
I will go back there and spend a couple of weeks.




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Offline Symon

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2011, 09:38:38 AM »
The OTL, since I didn't get to do it last time :(
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Offline Crimso

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #9 on: January 09, 2011, 10:58:42 AM »
So whats the go with camping at the falls? Do you have to book in advance or just rock up, hope to get a site and pay when someone comes around or is it free?
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Offline kranky al

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #10 on: January 09, 2011, 11:05:03 AM »
if you are a fisho - dont miss pennefather river
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Offline darren

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #11 on: January 09, 2011, 11:10:01 AM »
Mate
 if you like 4wd ing you must do the old maytown coach rd, its everything the otl pretends to be. I would also plan to camp at mootie heads. its one of the best spots up there.
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Offline Gunna Do

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #12 on: January 09, 2011, 11:12:24 AM »
In defence of the Seisia Caravan Park, we arrived there just after all the Queensland School holiday rush had finished, and found the park to be a great spot to make camp and explore the surrounding area.  We booked into one of the hut areas, which are located right on the beach.  Maybe assess whether to stay there considering what stage of the school holidays you are at.

The Falls camping area is definately first in first served. Find a spot, set up camp, and then think about payment.

There are plenty of bush camping spots near the many river/creek crossings, so assess these as you go along, and plan to pull up early in the afternoon if in peak period, to ensure a good camp site.

As you would know from your previous trip, travelling along the OTL is not as hard as everyone goes on about, it's only a couple of the creek crossings which make it a little more interesting, especially so with a camper on behind.

Our trip up there in '10 was limited to a month from home to home, and so we lost a lot of time on the bitumen just getting up there.  Make sure you allow plenty of time to poke around some of the out of the way places, whilst we had a good trip, there was plenty more we could have seen.  Our trip was more about the journey, then the destinations, and just making our kids familliar with all the places I had spoken about from previous trips.

Offline MR MAC GU

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #13 on: January 09, 2011, 12:10:47 PM »
Twin Falls/Elliott Falls and Seisia were good for us too be we were there back in 2002 so things have probably changed a little...Hoping to get back there in the next few years.....

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Offline LC

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #14 on: January 09, 2011, 12:22:22 PM »
There are plenty of bush camping spots near the many river/creek crossings, so assess these as you go along, and plan to pull up early in the afternoon if in peak period, to ensure a good camp site.

x2

The southern side of Dulhunty Creek looked good, but there was alot of people already there when we passed through not long after lunch and the northern side of Bertie had a great little spot and was also a great river to have a swim in. I would plan to be setting up camp by 3pm at the latest and there some places where this was too late!
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Offline McGirr

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #15 on: January 09, 2011, 12:25:50 PM »
any place is good at the right time. I have found the huts at seisa great have stayed there twice. Everyone will have there favourite spot as seisa is close to everything for me. I have stayed at loyalty beach also and it was good.


You have to expect crowds in some places thats the way it is but last myswag cape trip we missed alot of the crowds which was great. Alot of people s%^t themselves when they saw our convoy.
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Offline darren

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #16 on: January 09, 2011, 12:26:41 PM »
We were on the move by 7-7.30 every day. You don't get stuck in ques at crossings and you get to have plenty of time for kicking back in the arvo
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Offline coffs camping

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #17 on: January 09, 2011, 02:39:59 PM »
I've never been there but I'm going before I die and I'll be going to Janie's Creek ...

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Offline TroyE

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #18 on: January 11, 2011, 08:35:06 PM »
 :4x4:  thanks to you all this is great info, and the more stories we get the better resource this thread is for those planning a run up the cape, once again thanks & keep them coming ;D
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Offline Kit_e_kat9

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #19 on: January 12, 2011, 07:57:12 PM »


The DVD once you guys return ...  ;D

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Offline TroyE

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Re: Ok so what's YOUR must do/see up the cape
« Reply #20 on: January 12, 2011, 09:40:00 PM »
 :worthles: when I've got em you'll see em ;D
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