Road to Cape York could be closed this year??

[Peter07 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Peter07]

Just had a browse on the www.exploroz.com/forum and could not believe that their considering closing Cape York road this year.
Here go my preparations and planing for this trip. Is this possible? See thread nr 76967.

[clifton Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close clifton]

Re: Road to Cape York could be closed this year??

Just had a browse on the www.exploroz.com/forum and could not believe that their considering closing Cape York road this year.
Here go my preparations and planing for this trip. Is this possible? See thread nr 76967.

Hi Peter 07,
I heard an interview last week with our local state member for Cook MP Jason O'brien stating that there may be a number of road closures initially until Gravel extraction sites and other approvals for road maintenance are given to the Cook Shire Engineer to proceed, a number of Government and Indigenous departments need to give approvals, that's all I have heard to date.
I would check out the QLD Government Main Roads website for any further updates.
As an aside you can be sure that many tourist operators will be canvassing the State Member for Cook for some positive outcomes.
Adding fuel to the tourist operators angst is the previous term GFC tourist slowdown and that the country looks great at present, we haven't had our normal share of cyclone damage this year for a change.
I know its not all that positive for you, but I think that you can keep planning your trip and I am sure that some of our local PPers will have more info coming up.

[VKPrado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close VKPrado]

Re: Road to Cape York could be closed this year??

Just spent the weekend putting new shocks on the in-laws cruiser for their upcoming trip to the tip so this is a good heads up.

[clifton Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close clifton]

Re: Road to Cape York could be closed this year??

Hi All,
The Cook Shire Mayor advised yesterday afternoon that the roads will be open for the coming dry season.

[Peter07 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Peter07]

Re: Road to Cape York could be closed this year??

This is great news Clifton, thanks.
Preparations for the trip are in full swing

[VKPrado Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close VKPrado]

Re: Road to Cape York could be closed this year??

My in-laws have just left after doing some more preperations for their trip and they were so glad to hear the raod was now not going to be closed. :lol:

[Mardi120 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mardi120]

Re: Road to Cape York could be closed this year??

Im a week from departing Melbourne. Should be up there in about 4-5 weeks time (travelling with wife and 1 and half year old toddler)
Hopefully its dried out enough by then.

[svettens Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close svettens]

Re: Road to Cape York could be closed this year??

Mardi,
might run into you. I'm planning on heading up from Cairns with my wife and 8 yr old daughter around 14 May (weather/road conditions permitting). I only have a 2 week trip planned due to our deadline for the next trip across the top end and down through the Kimberley's arriving in Perth around 17 July. Have an enjoyable run up the coast

[FlyNdrive Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close FlyNdrive]

Re: Road to Cape York could be closed this year??

Good news indeed! I may be heading down for a quick trip up the Cape from 26 June, through 7 July. I will keep you posted as I know. It has more to do with how many Qantas miles I can get a hold of and my caseload at work.

-Ben

[Mardi120 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Mardi120]

Re: Road to Cape York could be closed this year??

Im sitting in Townsville not hearing good things from the cape.
Will take another 2 weeks to get to Cooktown and hopefully its a lot drier by then.
Have even heard from other travellers that the Bloomfield track via cape trib has been messed up as well, but should be right in a week or so.

If I get to Cooktown and the OTL is no good, then I think we'll give the cape a miss this time. Not really interested in the bypass roads shaking the crap out of us.

Anyone up this way should look out for a silver 120 with victorian plates, blue narva spotties on the front and a black camper trailer on the back. Don't be freightened to say G'day.

Cheers,

[Scotto Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Scotto]

Re: Road to Cape York could be closed this year??

Looking better with this recently posted on the ExplorOz forum ...

http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/..._Closures.aspx

FYI – letting you know the road to Bamaga is now open with a 10 tonne limit.

It is anticipated that Lakefield National Park will open on 17 May 2010. Please check updates with our website: http://www.cook.qld.gov.au

Regards

Robyn Veitch
Admin Officer - Engineering
Cook Shire Council
PO Box 3, Cooktown Q 4895
P: 4069 5444 F: 4069 5423
E: [email protected]

[svettens Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close svettens]

Re: Road to Cape York could be closed this year??

Thank you Robyn,
we're leaving Cairns for Cooktown on sunday to start our journey through the cape.
Finally, signs of the wet easing.

[FlyNdrive Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close FlyNdrive]

Re: Road to Cape York could be closed this year??

According to my most recent trail briefing Portland Road and Wakooka Road's are closed due to flooding and erosion.

Portland Road (including Chilli Beach)
Road Name: Portland Road 
Current Status: CLOSED -  subject to flooding at Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers.  When passable - open to local traffic only with legally loaded 5 TONNE limit.  Closed to all multi-combination vehicles.
General Description:
Dirt road can be slippery when wet.  Conditions change with heavy rain - road subject to closure.  Drive according to prevailing conditions. 


Mt Webb- Wakooka Road (including Princess Charlotte Bay)
Road Name: Mt Webb - Wakooka Road via Starcke 
General Description: CLOSED TO ALL TRAFFIC.     
Road Status:
Dirt road in EXTREMELY  poor condition in an isolated area.  WHEN OPEN : Because of the isolation of this area, you are advised to ensure others know your expected date of return before travelling on this road.

This road is a 4WD "Adventure Track" for experienced 4WD drivers only.  It is mandatory for any persons embarking on this road to carry with them self-sufficient recovery gear and means of communication to outside emergency services  (have Satelite phone, VHF radio phone), as well as first aid equipement; safety equipment and extra supplies.  Please advise family, friends or police of your expected return date.

[FlyNdrive Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close FlyNdrive]

Re: Road to Cape York could be closed this year??

BTW: here is where the information came from.

http://www.cook.qld.gov.au/council/R...ntstatus.shtml

-Ben