The Cape - travel options

[Bazza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bazza]

Guys,
I'm thinking about doing a Cape trip with some friends and one of them suggested the option of training the Prado to Cairns and driving from there. I wondering if anyone else has done this and was it cost effective? It would no doubt be more comfortable and faster. I've done the Cape before, many years ago by bike from Port Douglas. I have also driven from Sydney to Port many times and don't particularly want to do it again.
Has anyone else done this or considered it's worth?
Bazza

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

If you want to train the Prado there are height restrictions I beleieve they are 2.00mts. cost is about $600.00.

See ya on the tracks, Richo.

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

Additionally, stories abound of damage to vehicles left in the care of railway people and contents mysteriously going missing.
I have no evidence of such things. It could all just be stories.
Its a long drive to Cairns, as with other places and incredibly boring at times, but I've always just accepted that as part of touring The GAFA.

[talk2tiny Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close talk2tiny]

I've got a friend working for QR who said they plan to phase out the vehicle transport side of the service. She tells me this is the last year they'll be doing it. Definitely expensive but compared to a couple of extra days off work, I can see the benefits.

[Dusty74 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Dusty74]

I'd be more inclined to truck it if you really wanted to go that way. Not cheap though, I bought my Prado from Nambour and I think the quote was about $900. The dealer did say the bloke wasn't the cheapest, but one he trusted. I did have a mate who used QR to transport his Landcruiser from Mt Isa to Gladstone. Was fine except for the fact that they chained the car down by the rear tailshaft! He also had to flat spotted rear tyres after they dragged it off the train when it wouldn't drive off. Nice effort hey!

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

I thought about it when I went to the cape , but the thought of getting to cairns and finding my fridges or other gear missing put paid to that idea . Your car will probably have to be unloaded and reloaded at lismore . Qld doesn't run the same gauge railway as every other state , unless it changed recently, I could be wrong .

[Brains Find all posts View Profile Close Brains]

When I inquired your battery has to be disconnected which means no fridge running to keep everything cold you would have to do all your shopping up there.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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

I recently enquired about rail and road transport. Rail, if you accompany the car on the train it is about $450.00. Be prepared it will take about three days from Brisbane and max hight is 2.2m.

Road, most don't like the vehicle loaded. I was quoted $2000.00 for two vehicles loaded irrespective if I had or did not have gas or fuel cans. There was no hight restriction.

Looks like it's the black top for most.

Hazza

[Brains Find all posts View Profile Close Brains]

I recently enquired about rail and road transport. Rail, if you accompany the car on the train it is about $450.00. Be prepared it will take about three days from Brisbane and max hight is 2.2m.

Road, most don't like the vehicle loaded. I was quoted $2000.00 for two vehicles loaded irrespective if I had or did not have gas or fuel cans. There was no hight restriction.

Looks like it's the black top for most.

Hazza

We just drive up in 2 and a bit days then picked up the wife and children at the Cairns Airport. Much quicker trip until Richo was speed checking radars.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[talk2tiny Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close talk2tiny]

We just drive up in 2 and a bit days then picked up the wife and children at the Cairns Airport. Much quicker trip until Richo was speed checking radars.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's my plan but I like driving. Looking forward to it really.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Razorback81 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Razorback81]

you could check out other freight companies like Ceva Logistics, National Freight services
but most that i use wont let you carry anything inside or outside

and if it gets damaged, you'll be on your own

[Razorback81 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Razorback81]

you could check out other freight companies like Ceva Logistics, National Freight services
but most that i use wont let you carry anything inside or outside

and if it gets damaged, you'll be on your own

damn double post

[Bazza Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bazza]

Thanks for all the input guys.
I made a few calls to QR and some road transport companies ... too hard and too many restrictions. Height, weight, batteries, extra fuel, extra insurance, cost ....... Not cost effective and a PITA.
I think everyone should do the Cape trip once in their lives, with a second trip being optional. I think I'll be giving my second trip a miss, many other places to see.
Bazza

[pete8205 Member Find all posts View Profile Close pete8205]

Hi Bazza
Another option which we did was drive out to Bourke and head due north to Cairns. gets you away from the coast and all the traffic we found a lot of dirt roads a few good country pubs and its no difference in travel time, we left from Penrith

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

Hi Bazza
Another option which we did was drive out to Bourke and head due north to Cairns. gets you away from the coast and all the traffic we found a lot of dirt roads a few good country pubs and its no difference in travel time, we left from Penrith

Considering how many really, really, really, boring sections there are on the drive to Cairns this sounds like a good idea. Any tips on some places of interest along the way? Any issues getting fuel?