Thread: Good time to do Cape York?

Originally Posted by up2nogood

Thinking if May next year, or is that a wee bit early?

you lucky bugga...

The wet season varies year to year,but generally would be around December to April...

When we went up at the end of Jun and Jul the tracks were opening just ahead of us, and Lakefield was still pretty much shut except for passage through. You may need to just see how it all goes with the rains.

May is early enough to be risky - but as Disco and Slunnie say, the wet season is unpredictable both in its exact timing and how wet it is (although up there it is always very wet). The other factor is how soon after the wet the regrading of raods happens, and this will vary for all sorts of reasons. May could be OK, but if I were planning it, and had to commit to timing well ahead, I would prefer to leave it till June.

In 1963 I was working at the base of the cape, and at the beginning of May there were many places you could not go.

John

I haven't traveled to Cape York, but I have lived in the tropics (Kimberley) for some years. So temper the following advice with the local knowldege of those who've been.

While things are wet your travel (range you can venture off main tracks) is very limited, but you still see a whole lot more. None of the water holes are stagnant, small creeks with rock pools that are normally dry and too small for any crocodile (over 20cm) are flowing and offer refreshing swimming. And there is less traffic.

Provided you can get to where you want to go, and you're not towing a trailer / camper, then I reckon it'd be a good time.

Originally Posted by up2nogood

Thinking if May next year, or is that a wee bit early?

May can be to early but usually by then the monsoon trough has retreated quite a bit.
Check the long term weather forecast and watch what the monsoon trough is doing, if it has stepped back above or over northern New Guinea chances are the worst is over.
Also check out all the roads you intend traversing, just because the main road is open doesn't necessarily mean all of the places of interest are accessible.

Do Frenchmans Track if you have the time, the last section after crossing the Pascoe River is worth the drive.

A few years ago we went up the cape at the end of May in a year with a "late" wet season. Most tracks were just open. We were one of the first through the telegraph line. Great fun with very deep crossings but easy entry and exit as they were not too chewed up. Crossed the Wenlock both up and back on a raft made of 44 gallon drums that you pulled across by hand on a rope. Also pulled a few toymotor's out of the mud on the way to Chillie beach. Good fun! Recommend it if you have time to wait if needed.

Right now, the Development Road is so good, if I had to get up to Weipa, I wouldn't hesitate!. If we get a reasonable wet, it could require a few repairs, but ideally it should be fine, providing they limit roadtrains as they did this year.

Conversely, if you are considering travel in most other areas of Cape York, I would proceed with caution and/or another two well prepared vehicles. Also, it's worth noting that large areas are now off limits, and permits are not available!. $75k fines apply, and this has nothing to do with Aboriginal/TI regions!...........

Off limits? Which bits?

Bugger.

On another note, what permits do you need and what grog restrictions are there?