Wanting to do Cape York

[T-Boon]

Looking at putting a trip for 10-14 days up cape york, anyone got any suggestions?

http://www.selfdrive.com/14_day_cape_york_package.html

Seems pretty good, and with 3 people per truck, and airfares coming in around 6-700 bucks could do it quite well for under 2k +gas+food+any extra accom.

Anyone done it, rented trucks?
or just tagged along?

[CLUMZ1]

I'd be interested in this, was researching shipping my truck to Aus for a similar trip, but costs are huge.

Will keep in the loop

[DieselBoy]

Costs $4000 to ship your truck to OZ and back including EVERYTHING. That's MAF, all port fees, documentation fees, shipping fees etc etc

My parents did it last year for 6 months and are shipping it back over early next year for another mission. Day dreaming of joining them with the Defender this time

Any details you want to know I can get first hand info on for ya

[LR90NZ]

Looking at putting a trip for 10-14 days up cape york, anyone got any suggestions?

http://www.selfdrive.com/14_day_cape_york_package.html

Seems pretty good, and with 3 people per truck, and airfares coming in around 6-700 bucks could do it quite well for under 2k +gas+food+any extra accom.

Anyone done it, rented trucks?
or just tagged along?

Been there, done that ...........

Lots of things to think of and unless you know what you are doing the Telegraph track is not for single vehicles, especially hire vehicles.

Your budget is way to light as when you add gas, food and accommodation (when available) you will need a few thousand between you. Consider that everything is at least 25% dearer due to exchange rates.

Also by time you fit all the gear in plus fridge or Esky you will really only be three people max per vehicle.

Watch for the alcohol restrictions as you go further north as penalties are stiff if caught breaching the regulations.

If you want any details just ask.

[Gnarly Dude]

If you want to do the old tele track, I have bunch of old Australian 4wd action DVD's about it if you want to borrow them.

[T-Boon]

We`ve got 3-4 setup Oz (ex Kiwi) boys trucks, and would likely rent 2-3 Landcruisers, and have 2-3 people in each, theres actualy a lot more interest among my friends than I had thought.

Would be keen to have a nosey at some of those DVD's, and will grab a map and do some research to try to pick a suitable route. I imagine the above one is pretty sedate, as its reccomended by the rental company.

Telegraph track is not for single vehicles, especially hire vehicles.

Please note: The Old Telegraph Road is very rough and your rental vehicle is not allowed on this section of road.

So unfortunately the Telegraph track is out due to rentals

[LR90NZ]

There is the development road which bypasses the Telegraph Track, but driving to the Cape is all about doing the TT, crossing the various streams and rivers and camping on the way.
Only two routes north, the Telegraph or Development, which will at least get you there.

The development road is a corrugated dirt road, suitable for cars in the dry and uninteresting to drive, except for "indigenous locals" who come around too wide on corners towards you on the wrong side of the road and pass you on the wrong side.

[GotFlex]

I'd be keen on tagging along, I drove right up the Bruce highway from Goldie to Townsville, wish I had a 4x4 and would have gone to the top, ended up in mt Isa.
What's the go with getting your truck over here? Does it have to go back? Modified trucks? I can't see my solid axle truck getting a rwc easily here in QLD, sorry to thread jack

[T-Boon]

I'd be keen on tagging along,

Yep anyones welcome, we`re gonna rent over there and have friends with local trucks tag along, as getting your truck over there and legal sems like far far too much hassle, As much as I would love to do it..

I did think about buying cheap 4x4`s over there, but there`s bound to be a few breaking down, and out there in the middle of nowhere is not the best place to be stopping.

Murphy will bite you on the ass for sure.

[DieselBoy]

You stick your truck on a boat, and run on NZ plates etc for up to two years while traveling.

You don't have to register it in Aussie.

[Taz]

You stick your truck on a boat, and run on NZ plates etc for up to two years while traveling.

You don't have to register it in Aussie.

Out of interest why didn't your parents leave their truck there for the full two years and go back and forth?

I did think about buying cheap 4x4`s over there, but there`s bound to be a few breaking down, and out there in the middle of nowhere is not the best place to be stopping.

Could work out better hiring if you can get one the same as your mates so you can share spares?

[gimmemud]

See how the hire website says by-pass tracks. If you're wanting to do an off road trip to the cape you need a capable truck, not a rented ute with a kitchen. What about just using your mates trucks and then hiring dirt bikes, having turns on different days etc?? My mates go every year around September with about 10 bikes, and a fj75 ute for the people that wanna have a day off riding, and go the short cuts and easy routes.

[Jerry]

or putting a post up on the aussie 4wdaction forum or approach a local club to there and see if any of them are interested in providing seats? we could host them on a trip over here in return

[T-Boon]

Yeah, as much as I would love to do a tough truck battle up the old Telegraph Track, money wise and logistically its pretty tricky. If this one goes well as a reccie, I could plan a slightly harder and more "tuff" trip. Being that I have never been there and have no idea what its like (i`ve heard from a dirt highway to bottomless bogs).

I do like the Bike Idea, but not all of my friends actually ride, and I dont think many of us would be capable of riding 1-200k per day offroad. Without Dieing or being horiffically injured that is.

[Snafu]

$4000 each way to ship the truck does not sound so bad if it an all inclusive price.
Opportunity to kit the truck out once in Aussie for touring, cheaper than we could here, more choices of product.

I have Aussie 4wd action mags/dvd's going back about 2 or 3 years maybe more, but about 30 of them are out on loan at the moment but I have all the later ones.

There has been about 3 or 4 recently on the Cape trips all with various alternative side tracks.

It is a trip I would love to do, just not sure I can do it right now though.



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1999 Disco Series 1, 300TDi, Snorkel, Dual Lockers, DS-9.5 Winch, Custom Bar, Custom Rear Bar, Custom Sliders, OME 2in Lift. BFG 235/85/16 MT's.
2006 Disco Series 3 , TDV6. Snorkel, ARB Bar, Bash plates, Sliders, Winch, Llams, 18" Mud Tyres

[sibainmud]

This is on the bucket list, so keen and subscribed. When is the big question. Then it will be time to pull out all the Aussie contacts. I also have all the DVDs (in one pile, all in the same place) so have had many a dream about doing such a trip. All costs so far are within budget

Cheers,

[GotFlex]

Be the perfect time to throw some GU diffs in the trucks on the return trip back to NZ, these are real diffs!!

[DieselBoy]

Yeah, as much as I would love to do a tough truck battle up the old Telegraph Track, money wise and logistically its pretty tricky. If this one goes well as a reccie, I could plan a slightly harder and more "tuff" trip. Being that I have never been there and have no idea what its like (i`ve heard from a dirt highway to bottomless bogs).

My parents who are in their early 60s did the telegraph track last year, by them selves, in a stock Troopy.

By stock I mean no lockers, no suspension lift, 750 16 tyres.

They winched out of one of the river crossings, and winched again out of a sandy bog when the mum said go left hand Dad went right. The in car comentary video is hilarious after he got stuck

I say go hard!!! You only live once, but for how long is definitely up for debate around the camp fire

[T-Boon]

I created a FB event and that had gathered a lot of pretty keen ppl, so thats a pretty good sign.

Add me on FB and i`ll add you to the group, or when i get home I`ll post it on here for anyone thats keen.

As said earlier, end of may, or in June would prolly be the go?

[Armz]

I did think about buying cheap 4x4`s over there

Have you seen the prices of 4x4's over here, especially ones you would actually want to take bush. Its hard to find anything decent for under $20k,

[Fakey]

I just moved to townsville, still working near Mackay tho. Have a look on face book for townsville 4wd's there's a few lads on there planning a trip up there soon. Most have done it before, there's some good info on there about when an where to go. Hopefully by the time you get over here ill have a capable truck ready to go