To the Tip and Back in a Day

[Sunshine Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sunshine]

Now, we didn't drive the Prado any further than Cooktown but we wanted to go to the Tip. We are of an age where the constant rattle of the corrugations, the dust in everything, the possible cost of damage, makes you think; is there a better way to get there when you are traveling alone (SWMBO & me) with a van.
So we investigated this problem and even though it is quite expensive we got to the Tip and Back in a day.
We flew out of Cairns in a 10 seater Piper Chieftain P31 at 7:00am and were headed for Bamaga. We flew over the coast at about 2000 feet all the way up so we could see the whole coastline; the bays, beaches and rainforest as well as the islands and the hundreds of reefs on the way up. What a view!

[Sunshine Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sunshine]

It was magnificent as we saw beaches and bays etc that you cannot get to on the ground. The Captain was able to name all the places we were looking at including all the islands and reefs.



We landed in Bamaga about 2 hours later and were picked up by the Loyalty Beach Resorts 4x4 Bus and taken the last 40kms or so to the beach at the Tip.

[Sunshine Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sunshine]

There were about 6 4x4s parked in the parking area near the tip and the people there were obviously having a few days of rest before tackling the road on the return south.

After walking to the Tip and having the photos taken we were given lunch and drinks on the beach. It was about low tide.
An hour or so after lunch we headed back to Bamaga where our driver drove round the town and explained where everything is because he lives there.
We loaded back on the plane and flew to Horn Island where we needed to refuel. On this part of the flight we flew to the Tip and round it for photos where the Captain explained that down the left was the east coast of Qld and down the right was the west coast of the Cape York Peninsula and the start of the Gulf of Carpentaria.

After refuelling we set off and flew at 20000feet and as it was getting dark we could see the lights of the small villages on the Cape and arrived back in Cairns at about 7:00pm. What a day!!

[Mark from Brisbane Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mark from Brisbane]

That's one way to do it mate, and a least you can say you have been there...I imagine an expensive day though??

And yes you are right you missed 1.6 Milion Corrugations and I felt every one of them!

Oh and the dust, that will still be coming out in 2 years!!

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

Brian

That sounds awesome. Also a great way to get up there if you're short of time.

Trev

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

Hey mate, I sit in a Dash 8 survey the reef all day but I'm still blown away with the view. Once on task we fly 1200ft so spotting sharks and large fish is possible!

Cheers,
Dusty

[Sunshine Member Find all posts View Profile Close Sunshine]

Dusty, that must be fantastic; I suppose you call that WORK. They, the reefs, are every conceivable shape and size and the colours from the water, the sand and the coral themselves are amazing. We have dozens and dozens of pix of the reefs and the islands; I've only put up a couple.

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

damn . and i thought 15 days syd to the tip and back was quick ,. nice way to see it . wouldn't mind trying that . cheers