Cape York 4WD

As we all know, there are plenty of other four wheel drives elsewhere in Australia.

Some more challenging for sure.

But it is harder to find as many on that size of land (which is about the size of the whole state of Victoria), and in the middle of the wilderness.

Add the location in the exciting north, and Cape York has become Australia's most popular four wheel drive destination.


So what to expect?

Some experienced four wheel drivers may get their expectations too high up, and even end up wondering what's the hype all about.

Well, Cape York didn't become Australia's most popular four wheel drive destination for a few experts, and don't get me wrong, is not to underestimate.

The good thing is we can all do it, but we do have to be well prepared.

The roads are corrugated, and can be soggy and slippery. For any fun four wheel drive tracks - you do need a proper four wheel drive vehicle - with high clearance and low range gears.

And it's amazing how much a Cape York trip wears down your vehicle. It is very important to prepare it properly to make sure that your trip is not stopped by a breakdown.

Vehicle Preparation

A pre-trip service is necessary by a 4WD specialist, and even better if he has been to the Cape York and knows what you are in for.

If you have any leaks get them fixed and if your battery is getting old replace it. If anything else is wrong fix it - it is only more expensive and more annoying to have to do on your trip. I got first hand experience ;-)

Accessories

* Heavy duty suspension

* Snorkel and breathers to tackle creek and river crossings

* Spare tyres, of course. Take two instead of one. Punctures are very common on these roads.

* Bullbar, if you already haven't got one. While large kangaroos are absent in Cape York, wallabies and feral pigs are present. And so is cattle that often roam freely on the roads in this part of Australia.

* Dual battery system if you run a fridge from your battery. I've tried it without it, and ended up travelling without a working fridge.

* A hand operated winch, if you travel alone and want to venture into small back roads with little traffic.

These are a few basic recommendations, full list is in the Destination Guide.

Other Things to Bring

* A basic tool kit and a puncture repair kit.

* Jumper leads

* Oil and fuel filters

* Tow rope and shackle

* Duct tape

* Extra water (10 litres, for drinking, in case you get stuck)

These are a few basic recommendations, the rest is in the Destination Guide.

RACQ Road Assistance

If you are an Australian (UPDATE - Queensland) permanent resident, you can be with RACQ (http://www.racq.com.au).

They have different packages but things that you can choose from include road assistance, towing to the nearest workshop, accommodation and rental vehicle while your are waiting for parts to arrive and the work to get done.

You still pay for the parts and labour costs, but you know they come and pick you up, tow you for free, and while waiting you can use another car and have somewhere to stay - handy if you cannot camp without the vehicle.

It may become handy if you break down somewhere remote, and if nothing else may work for your peace of mind during the trip.

It also covers you in the rest of Australia during the rest of the year, so for a cost up to $400 it may just be worth to have.

But is it worth getting it if the main reason on your mind is your Cape York trip?

It may or may not in your case.

Full details in the Destination Guide to make up your mind.  

Learn Bush Mechanicing :-)

I could not help but mention - there is a hilarious but actually also very creative and right out practical way to get out of trouble when in the bush.

Our Aboriginal people are the cleverest bush mechanics you can ever imagine!

Learn How to Do Bush Mechanicing!

Bush Mechanics is an Australian television documentary series that was broadcasted on ABC Television in the early 2000s and gained international recognition.

It features the Yuendumu Aboriginal People travelling through the central, most remote deserts of Australia, in hopelessly old and worn-down vehicles, only getting through by fixing them with bush materials and some brilliant, unthinkable bush mechanicing techniques.

Examples include filling punctured tyres with grass, having hand made "snorkels" coming out of the roof and using the roof as a trailer.. only to mention a few. It doesn't look pretty but it does get them through!
 
Bush Mechanics

(All Episodes of the Series Included)



It is a great belly laugh and gives you ideas on what to do if you are out there in trouble with no help.

Those tricks are doable, and worth knowing, if it's your only way out!

Plan Your Trip... the FREE Cape York Travel Pocket Guide

Get this 50 pages guide totally for FREE. It contains information that helps you getting started with planning of your trip. You get to make early-stages desicions such as when to go, how long time you should take, how to get there and get around, where to stay (general info), what will it cost.. and a short insight to what is there to see and do in Cape York.

Plan and Bring to the Trip... the full Destination Cape York Travel Guide

This complete 300 pages travel guide is all you need before and during your trip. Besides the background chapters on the peninsula's history and wildlife; and the comprehensive detail about all the places (down to prices, opening hours and full contact detail), it has invaluable information on at least 10 four wheel drive tracks, at least 30 guaranteed FREE camping spots on the Cape (and at least 150 on your way to the Cape), at least 40 best swimming holes, all mapped; as well as practical things - from fuel, roads, wireless internet and mobile phone reception, how to deal with the national parks booking rules; and Aboriginal land entrance and camping permits and alcohol restrictions - to vehicle preparation and accessories and necessary recovery gear by my vehicle-recovery-guy partner). Not to mention locals' tips on how to spot that croc and palm cockatoo ;-)

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