Trip to Cape York

[FreeBee84]

I thought I'd let you know of my trip to the Cape York in my Freelander 2 last month, which included travelling north on the Telegraph Track.

First off - it's a fantastic experience. And secondly, the FL2 handled it beautifully.

The only "issues" were the loss of a front number plate, and the coming loose of the 2 rear mudflaps.

I need to point out that I was in an 11 vehicle tag-along, led by experienced guides - they showed us where the really deep holes were in the river before we drove into them! The only part the Tele track I didn't attempt was Gunshot. As it was, a few of us who decided not to attempt it circled round to watch; and those that went ended up using the Chicken Run, which wasn't that much worse than Palm Creek!

My thanks to Inside on this forum - he advised spending some money on underbody protection, and I reckon it was worth it. The only other "mod" I did for the trip was to put on Cooper ATR tyres.

And my son, who travelled in a few different vehicles over the trip, says that the FL2 was the most comfortable - which was great because there are plenty of corrugations up there!

Mine is a TD4 and I got 10.4 l/100km.

Anyway, to all you FL2 owners out there - don't hold back!

[inside]

Glad you did it! More pics please!

[djhampson]

I'm starting to plan a trip to Cape York next year so I'd love to hear how the FL2 went.

I'm probably going to have a D3 by then but who knows I might stick with the FL.

[Chenz]

We are going next year too. 4 Defenders at this stage so any info would be most gratefully received. Looks like you had some fun.

When out on the QAA near Birrdsville last year we bumped into a Land Rover promo team who were doing a run from Sydney to Broome with the full range of Landies including Defenders, Rangies, Discos and Freelanders. They said the Freelanders were going gangbusters and were handling the wet stuff and the dunes with ease.

[FreeBee84]

Attached are a few more creek crossing photos. My son took over 2,600 snaps and I'm finding it difficult to associate my gps tracker to the photos, so at this stage I'd be only guessing the creek names!

By the way, I only used the water bra once. Happy to tell you more about the trip if you've got some specific questions.

One of the big things was that the tag-along guides provided the food, so I only had to carry the beer in my fridge! Still, I had reasonable amount of empty space in the vehicle which I'm going to figure out how to utilise in the next trip without having to spend a lot of money on customised drawers or whatever.

[Scouse]

Sounds like a great trip FB. They're surprisingly capable little cars aren't they.


Now, only 2596 more photos to show us now :D.

[cartm58]

Easiest package solution for the rear is go buy some plastic storage boxes they come in various sizes so you can mix and match to suit your storage space with lockable lids and hold them in place with some tie down straps onto your floor eye bolts. Dedicate each box to carrying certain things like kitchen utensils, foods, clothing, spares, camping pegs and tarps etc

You can also colour code the boxes if you don't want to go to the trouble of labelling them, if one breaks just buy a replacement.

When you done the trip the boxes can be unloaded into shed or garage ready for next outing.

[justinc]

I would probably attempt the trip in a FL2, but not the previous model/s:o

Well done, great pics but need to see more!:D

JC

[mikehzz]

Hello,

I'm planning the same trip for next year in my FL2. Thanks for the info and pics. Which tag along group did you use?
I just got back from Innaminka/Birdsville where I went out for half a day along the QAA line into the Simpson Desert and back up Big Red the hard way. The car handled it all really well and I only had the standard road tyres. I will definately swap to all terrain tyres for any other trips. I'm looking at Wrangler MTR's which are 3 ply sidewall. Has anyone used them on an FL2?

Cheers,
Mike

[Rosscoe68]

I'm starting to plan a trip to Cape York next year so I'd love to hear how the FL2 went.

I'm probably going to have a D3 by then but who knows I might stick with the FL.


We are going next year too. 4 Defenders at this stage so any info would be most gratefully received.



guys, when are you planning this?, i too am planning a cape york run next year around july/august some time, maybe we can cross paths or join up for some of it.

[djhampson]

We're thinking of August-ish 2010. We will have a group of motorbikes with us but I'll be doing it in the comfort of a Landy.

[inside]

I'm looking at Wrangler MTR's which are 3 ply sidewall. Has anyone used them on an FL2?
I looked into them but although they say you can get them there was none in Australia and they couldn't tell me when there would be. After having my ATs fitted I'd say the MTRs would be a bit of an overkill anyway and way louder/scarier in the wet.

[scarry]

Where's the pic of the FL2 crossing Nolans.;)

Glad you had a good trip.

Its a great place,i just wanna go back.....

[FreeBee84]

Hello,

I'm planning the same trip for next year in my FL2. Thanks for the info and pics. Which tag along group did you use?

Hi Mike

I used Guides to Adventure, who are based in Atherton, Qld. The guides who generally do the CY trips are a husband and wife team, Len and Dot Hutton. They know CY real well (they ran the Archer River roadhouse for 3 yrs and have been doing the tagalongs for a number of years). Plus, Dot's a great cook!

Having said that, they were talking about doing their own round Aust trip next yr so I wouldn't guarantee them being the GTA guides.

Anyway, hope you get to do the trip ... definitely a great experience.

Cheers
Steve (a.k.a FreeBee84)

[Rosscoe68]

getting closer for us. about to rebuild the rear storage system for a standalone trip rather than towing the caravan everywhere with us. still tentatively planning july-august timeframe :)