Has anyone done the Cape in 2013

[AK7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AK7]

My folks and I are looking at doing Cape York in a few weeks time. Has anyone done the OTT this year? Just wondering what the water levels might be like. Worst case scenario if it looks too deep is that we double back and use the bypass. No biggie, but let's face it, nobody with a brain buys a Prado only to take the easy way out We're looking at doing the entire south section of the OTT and then bypassing the north section at Mistake Creek and then hopping back onto it past Nolans Creek...

We have two 150 series Prados, no significant modifications, but some good recovery gear between us. Most likely will get snorkels on both cars "just in case". We're all reasonably experienced off-roaders having spent years in the NT, but haven't done anything serious in the Prado and haven't been north of the Daintree.

Have read some of the other trip plans and reports for good tips on good sights and detours along the way. Thanks - there's many reasons I love this forum

[The Alberto Member Find all posts View Profile Close The Alberto]

My folks and I are looking at doing Cape York in a few weeks time. Has anyone done the OTT this year? Just wondering what the water levels might be like. Worst case scenario if it looks too deep is that we double back and use the bypass. No biggie, but let's face it, nobody with a brain buys a Prado only to take the easy way out We're looking at doing the entire south section of the OTT and then bypassing the north section at Mistake Creek and then hopping back onto it past Nolans Creek...

We have two 150 series Prados, no significant modifications, but some good recovery gear between us. Most likely will get snorkels on both cars "just in case". We're all reasonably experienced off-roaders having spent years in the NT, but haven't done anything serious in the Prado and haven't been north of the Daintree.

Have read some of the other trip plans and reports for good tips on good sights and detours along the way. Thanks - there's many reasons I love this forum

I've not done it this year but I did it last year. You will need a snorkel. If the predicted weather hits up there in the coming days / weeks you will also need some flippers and a scuba tank as well! Easiest way is to Call the Archer River Roadhouse or Bramwell Junction and ask them, they are generally more than happy to give you the heads up.

Seriously though, I left Cairns on the 17th June last year and we went through Palmer River Goldfields on the way up via the Old Coach Road to Laura. We did the Frenchman's Track from Lockardt River back to the PDR, the Full OTT South to North including a trip down the gunshot and a bit of a swim at Nolans and then North to South Coming home, followed by the Creb Track back to Cairns after a couple of nights at the Lion's Den. To be honest with you, a mate of mine runs "TNT TOURS" and we have done many trips north and if you are thinking of doing any or all of the tracks I mentioned, my minimum recomendations are - Snorkel, 2" Lift, Decent All or Mud Terrain Tyres, Underbody protection, a set of sliders and a winch. Anything less than that and I think you will end up with trouble. OTT is OK, especially if you are going to bypass Nolans, however when we were there Palm creek was pretty rough and even the crossings like Cockatoo creek etc you will need the snorkel and the lift. Nolans and the Pascoe Crossing on the Frenchman's were the deepest we did. If you are just going to stick to the PDR you will be sweet though, just prepare for the Dust holes and the corregations - Especially on the way back after all the traffic starts. Even then I would have the snorkel and we all changed air filters at Loyalty Beach before heading back.

[AK7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AK7]

Thanks Mr Alberto

Yeah we're all looking at fitting snorkels just for this trip. Currently 50/50 chance of a cyclone at best, but either way a low trough means more rain. Kinda leaning towards skipping the whole OTT simply because Palm Creek is practically impassable (southbound) for any unmodified vehicle, so once you get in, you can't get out... I expect the Bamaga Bypass Roads & PDR should be fine though... Thanks for the tips on calling Archer River and Bramwell. Was already gonna call Bramwell and the Jardine River Ferry mob. At least the rain means the easy roads might provide a little more entertainment...

Would absolutely love to do Frenchies but (as you say) if the OTT is looking nasty, Pascoe will be worse. CREB is still shut and now looks to remain that way for a long time coming... Need to do some more research on Old Coach Rd and Lakefield NP to see if they provide any alternatives. What do you reckon? Need mods? I was really keen on getting lift/snorkel/winch before doing anything north of Cooktown but the folks are coming all the way up from Vic. Hard to miss a good opportunity for an epic trip if they have a 150 too!

Anyone else with more info/tips (please)?

[Wazza2 Member Find all posts View Profile Close Wazza2]

Check out the thread on myswag. Carlisle Rogers is up there at the moment for Hema. Still a bit of water around...

http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=29736.0;topicseen

We'll be up there mid june so looking forward to see how much of the OTT we get through with camper trailers before we bail and head up the easy way. No chance of attempting Nolans so bypass for sure on that one.

[AK7 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close AK7]

Thanks for that We figured there would be lots of water so we've decided to use the bypass roads rather than the OTT, courtesy of the water dropped in the past week (more significant than what TC Zane dropped). We'll have our fun elsewhere up that way Leaving tomorrow

[blkd4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close blkd4d]

Thanks Mr Alberto

Yeah we're all looking at fitting snorkels just for this trip. Currently 50/50 chance of a cyclone at best, but either way a low trough means more rain. Kinda leaning towards skipping the whole OTT simply because Palm Creek is practically impassable (southbound) for any unmodified vehicle, so once you get in, you can't get out... I expect the Bamaga Bypass Roads & PDR should be fine though... Thanks for the tips on calling Archer River and Bramwell. Was already gonna call Bramwell and the Jardine River Ferry mob. At least the rain means the easy roads might provide a little more entertainment...

Would absolutely love to do Frenchies but (as you say) if the OTT is looking nasty, Pascoe will be worse. CREB is still shut and now looks to remain that way for a long time coming... Need to do some more research on Old Coach Rd and Lakefield NP to see if they provide any alternatives. What do you reckon? Need mods? I was really keen on getting lift/snorkel/winch before doing anything north of Cooktown but the folks are coming all the way up from Vic. Hard to miss a good opportunity for an epic trip if they have a 150 too!

Anyone else with more info/tips (please)?

Get a snorkel , what else do you need its a hard question I can tell you that when I went i had a winch never used it ,Andrew's side steps didn't touch anything standard may of just touched 2 inch lift don't think that was needed AT's,Towed a camper the whole way on the ott had a ball. Father standard Challenger just had a Snorkel and
AT's that was in September . Now more rain more mud things would be different and you probably use some of the stuff on the car and things would be harder.
That's why the cape trip next year is in June and it will be interesting to see the cape with a bit more water around.
Still hope to do the whole tele track again even Nolan's just going to do that crossing a little different this time lol.
See what happens you always have the bypass.

Can't wait bring on the Cape Trip next year .

Anders

[craigm Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close craigm]

Get a snorkel , what else do you need its a hard question I can tell you that when I went i had a winch never used it ,Andrew's side steps didn't touch anything standard may of just touched 2 inch lift don't think that was needed AT's,Towed a camper the whole way on the ott had a ball. Father standard Challenger just had a Snorkel and
AT's that was in September . Now more rain more mud things would be different and you probably use some of the stuff on the car and things would be harder.
That's why the cape trip next year is in June and it will be interesting to see the cape with a bit more water around.
Still hope to do the whole tele track again even Nolan's just going to do that crossing a little different this time lol.
See what happens you always have the bypass.

Can't wait bring on the Cape Trip next year .

Anders

Just don't let SWMBO read Anders Post!!! "You need a 2 inch Lift. You need a Snorkel. You need Good tyres. You need a Winch. You need a Locker. You need Rocksliders. You need upgraded underbody protection. You need a TG1520 / 150"

Oh and a set of TraxRax...

[blkd4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close blkd4d]

Just don't let SWMBO read Anders Post!!! "You need a 2 inch Lift. You need Good tyres. You need a Winch. You need a Locker. You need Rocksliders. You need upgraded underbody protection. You need a TG1520 / 150"

Oh and a set of TraxRax...

Yes all that TraxRax included lol
Do you need it . See above .