Old Coach Road

This track is harder than any other four wheel driving gets on Cape York,

... and if challenge is what you want, and if the Old Telegraph Track was not hard enough for you,

... make sure you do not miss the Old Coach Road (it is more extreme, and constantly so, than the pics will ever make it look like).

There are some water crossings,

... but mostly this track is about crossing a high, steep moutnain range.

Northern Half of the Old Coach Road

It goes from Laura to Maytown,
   

... which is the old centre of Palmer River Goldfields.

 

It is alright first but right after Jowalbinna in the northern end of the track,

... it gets hilly and it turns into 4x4.

In the first part of the Old Coach Road you are climbing up the hill, 
   

... along some fairly rugged ground.

 

Then you get up the hill and expect to descend,
  

... but it takes longer than you think as the track keeps going up and down,

... but you are still high up on the mountain range.

Southern Half of the Old Coach Road

About half way you enter the Palmer River Goldfields Reserve.
   

There are some great views,

... historical sites,

... and the constant thinking ...

... of where to put your wheels. 

The Old Coach Road is tricky and definitely not recommended for people with no four wheel drive experience (but yes - apparently with a good enough driver can be done in an old Pajero - we just tested ;-)
   

Full detail of this track (and all the others on the Peninsula) are in the Destination Guide.

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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