Barry and Denise Jackson 2016

by Barry Jackson
(Australia)

Just a few observations from our Cape trip.

Kalpower Crossing the best presented and supervised NP on the Cape as the Rangers are nearby, and present every morning to "observe".

Bathurst Head is now virtually off-limits, as the aboriginal art at Combe Point has been vandalised by some stupid idiots, and the indigenous people have somehow taken the narrow strip of access back, and allowed it "back to nature" with no maintenance....it is just swampland!

the "Running Creek Track" was quite a surprise, with small sections of challenging 4WDing punctuating interesting tracks, and gorgeous un-named Lily Lagoons.

Port Stewart is a haven for sandflies, and our overnight stay resulted in whelts that still remain. You are tantalisingly close to Princess Charlotte Bay, but can't even get a glimpse beyond the boat ramp.

Caravan Parks are heavily booked all the way, and booking ahead/ modifying your travel plans is now a fact of travelling life, especially in Weipa and Punsand Bay.

For your eyes and ears only, Umagico is by far the best paid camp north of Cooktown, and we enjoyed fresh cooked crays for $40 each (1.5kg) in a leisurely campground serviced by gorgeous indigenous people.

If we ever visit again, we will stay at Elim Beach, Isabella Falls, Starke Track campsites, Merluna (again), camp on the OTT instead of daytripping, Mutee Head, Somerset Beach.

We found north of Cooktown to be like a separate State of Aus, and north of the Jardine separate again.

We need to leave it as is.....a challenge with great rewards for perseverence.

We even got used to driving outside the white post road markers in the sandy drains to lessen the corrugation issues.

Drive to the conditions and return unscathed as we did......tyre pressures/ tyre pressures/ tyre pressures are critical.

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