Our Adventure to the Top

by Ian and Hope
(Brisbane)

Dear Katrin

Thank you for your guide to the Cape. We went up there from Brisbane in late May and June last year in our AWD Toyota Kluger.



Photo: Lion's Den, Helensvale

We got to Cairns just before the mountain of rain cut everything but managed to get to Cooktown by the inland route. Really liked this town, our pick as the best for the cape.



Photo: Cooktown from Grassy Hill

Using your Destination Guide extensively we drove up the PDR and stayed at Musgrave (very nice), Weipa (ok), Bramwell Junction (good), Seisa (very good and lovely trip to Thursday Island), Punsand Bay (great).



Photo: Musgrave

Got to the tip (yahoo, truly awesome), and after nearly getting cleaned up by a convoy of 4WD's made it to Somerset which was very interesting.



Photo: Female Croc on Daintree River

On the way back stayed at Old Telegraph Station (loved it), Musgrave again (the best roadhouse we reckon), drove through Lakefield NP and then back to Cooktown for another look.



Photo: Typical of the PDR

We went over Bloomfield Track to Daintree, then over to the Gulf Country and spent sometime there, at Normanton, Burketown, Lawn Hill Gorge, Cloncurry and home, 6 weeks in all.



Photo: Lunch Stop on PDR

We found your guide invaluable and gave us lots of insight into the whole layout and culture of the Cape, and what to expect, well done and thank you for preparing and updating it.



Photo: Somerset

Some observations: We found Laura and Coen to be neglected and largely unfriendly looking (couldn't even find a public toilet in Coen!), but Bamaga and Seisa clean, relatively tidy and more welcoming (had a great time on State of Origin night in the fishing club at Seisa).



Photo: Sunrise, Punsand Bay

The roadhouses are really impressive and seem to cater for tourism much better, giving many people a positive experience of the Cape, and providing a place to meet lots of fellow travellers.



Photo: The Lockerbie Rainforest - Near Cape York

We had fun talking to the people at the croc tent at Lockerbie (seems they know you well), they are a great asset to the area.



Photo: Graves at Somerset Beach

The tip was lovely and unspoilt, certainly not overdeveloped, we had to ask for directions as to which way to walk. Something needs to be done about Somerset soon before it disappears which would be a shame as there is such a story there. Perhaps a major project for the council.



Photo: Looking Down on the Tip

Anyway, I have been meaning to give you this feedback for sometime, but finally got it done. Our observations are our own thoughts and we realise that other people may have different experiences and views, but that's the way we saw it.

Many blessings

Ian and Hope

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.

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 partner Mark who is the recovery guy on northern Cape York and the Old Telegraph Track). Not to mention locals' tips on how to spot that croc and palm cockatoo ;-)