The Ultimate CAPE YORK TOWING GUIDE | Caravan the TIP | Bloomfield Track | Old Telegraph Track OTT
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- Опубліковано 19 лип 2024
- Is the Cape York Peninsula is your bucket list, but you like us like to travel with the camper in tow? Here is all the FAQ about taking a trailer, camper, hybrid or caravan to the most northernly point of the Australian mainland safely while still enjoying the fun to be had on the Old Telegraph Track (OTT).
In this episode we’ll cover many topics including, track and road conditions, fuel stop, water availability, where to leave your trailer while tackling the hard stuff, route options and more…
The Cape is often discussed as one of the hardest, most remote tracks in Australia, however with ample planning and preparations in place, there is no doubt that you can safely get to the top in a standard 4WD and tow your palace on wheels behind.
I hope you enjoy this episode, but more importantly I hope it can provide useful information to others thinking about hitting the Cape. If you have any suggestions, or points that I’ve missed, make sure to comment below so that other’s can see it too.
We’ll be sure to see you in the next episode of XPLORINGOZ.
00:00 - Introduction
03:08 - Route Options
04:10 - Bloomfield Track
08:37 - CREB Track / Bypass Options
09:18 - Lakefield National Park
11:16 - Peninsula Development Road (PDR)
12:16 - North Cape York (Bamaga Road)
13:19 - Jardine River / Ferry
15:00 - Old Telegraph Track (OTT)
21:38 - Planning & Preparation
22:52 - Recovery Gear
24:43 - Northern Point of Australian Mainland
26:38 - Tyres Pressures
27:53 - Communication
29:40 - Water Availability
30:55 - Shops & Supplies
32:04 - Fuel Availability
33:14 - Accomodation / Bookings?
35:43 - Security & Theft
36:55 - Recovery & Repairs
38:59 - What do you need
40:47 - Would I take the Reconn?
41:50 - Conclusion
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I agree with the previous comments. The best summation of a trip to Cape York I've watched, and I've watched a lot over the years. It's about as good as it gets.
Anyone planning a trip to Cape York would do well to watch this video. We had our little adventure back in 2017 towing a Jayco Eagle Outback. We went via Weipa and had an incident free trip. We did not attempt the OTT but looked at bits of it and saw the carnage it can cause. Our focus was the Tip, not the OTT. There is a lot of history up there and lots to see.
I would have loved to have been able to watch your video before we left.
Well done Nathan and thanks.
Hands down best comprehensive insight into the Cape I've seen! I've been up there 5 times and have to laugh at the "fluf" that gets thrown around on UA-cam and forums. Well done 👍👌
Thanks mate, appreciate that. Means a lot coming from someone who is no doubt more qualified to speak on this area than me. I'm glad I managed to resonate relatively accurate information though, hopefully it helps many others plan their ultimate Cape trip 👍
Great episode and probably the single best and most informative video I have seen on the cape. Thx
Awesome, thanks mate. I appreciate that 👍
a great overview and summary of the trip to the cape - it is really freshing to get an unbiased and down to earth review of what to expect and the options and services and facilities along the way. there are so many youtube's of the cape trip that build an unrealistic picture of what it is really like to over dramatise it. thanks for the honest and really informative episode - keep up the great work.
Thanks mate, I appreciate that. Yes, the drama and clickbait gets the views right? 😆
Hopefully this can hope others plan their ultimate Cape trip 🤞
Having done the Cape twice, this episode is absolutely the best summary anyone could watch before planning their own trip. Well done Nathan.
Awesome, thanks mate really appreciate that, coming from someone who is probably more qualified to speak on the area than I.
Thanks again 👍
Wow….you’re not gunna lose that shirt mate 😉 amazing content. Your vid’s are so well thought out and presented. Thank you
Haha 😆 Couldn't not wear it for this episode 😂
Thanks mate, appreciate it 👍
Thank you so much Nathan, you should be proud of this video. It is not only the most comprehensive and well thought out video I have seen on Cape York but arguably any Australian destination. We are really enjoying following your adventures and look forward to the next episode. Regards Steve
Awesome, thanks Steve! Appreciate that comment and hopefully it can hope many others.
I've got plenty of footage ready for the editing desk, just struggling to find the time at this stage 😬
I appreciate these videos are a big investment of time, thanks for sharing, practical tips that I'll certainly take on board. Cheers
Thanks mate, they do take some time but I find reward in the positive reposes I get here and the people who can get value from this information 👍
Thanks
As predicted from your channel mate; extremely comprehensive, professional and useful review. Thanks for this mate, hope you guys had a blast.
Thanks mate, really appreciate that an glad this was helpful 👍 🙏
Thanks Nathan for taking the time to provide this information in such detail. This video will be invaluable to us when we head up the Cape next year.
Cheers,
Richard.
Thanks Richard, I'm glad it could help. I hope the R4 is heading all the way to the tip too?
Really appreciate the video mate. We've been talking of a cape trip for a while. We have the same zone base with 2 kids as the other couple so this is invaluable! Haven't found as good a guide as yours definitely appreciate the down to earth style.
That's awesome to hear mate and I'm glad this video could help somewhat too! Hopefully you'll be out there in no time and now, you don't have to worry about the van setup 👍
The most realistic description for heading to Cape 👍, thanks
Awesome, thanks mate 👍
Thanks Nathan for this down to earth assessment of the options for us towing folk. When I eventually get to do this trip your video will be an invaluable planning tool. Great job and it sounds like you guys are really enjoying your travels.
Thanks mate, I'm glad this will be helpful resource 👍
We are sure having a lot of fun, especially now since the cruiser is running like a dream 👍
Great information and very sensible advice. Thank you. Hoping to head up there in the next couple of years.
Thanks mate, appreciate that. All the best with your trip planning, really is an awesome part of the world to explore 👍
Another great video full of useful information for the Aussie traveller. Top job!!
Thanks Greg, always appreciated 👍 🙏
Another cracker mate! Brilliant adventure and the usual top shelf analysis. I closed my eyes for the scary bits 😂 pleased you and the family team came through unscathed
Haha 😆 I think Teagan closed her eyes a few times too 🫣
Thanks mate 👍
Thx Nathan. We are literally in the road expecting to get to Punsand in early Aug. Your vid has really helped.
Awesome, just in time then 👍
Have an awesome time really is a adventurers paradise!
U answer every question I have ever had... and I definitely won't forget channel 40
Awesome, glad to hear you got value from it. Thanks 👍
Awesome info Nathan, well put together 🙌
Thanks mate, appreciate it 👍
Well done Nathan, another great video. Cruiser might need some panel & paint when you get home but that's what they're for. Oh and that shirt, mate I think you won the bet. 😊👍
Thanks mate, yes... that is true, but I'm out there using it for what I built it for 😆
Haha, yeah, won't loose me in a crowd 😂
Excellent video. I worked uo the Cape for many years, rescued and repaired many silly sausages even back in the late 90s / 00s before it got super popular with tourusts. Your video should be compulsory viewing for anyone heading up there. Great to find a youtube 4x4 guy that's a normal decent sensible bloke, not the usual hyperactive cockheads that infest the genre. Love your work mate, subscribed.
Apart from your very loud shirt (which made my eyes bleed) that was a really excellent video.
Covered all the topics that someone who has not been there before would want to know about. Well done.
Thanks - David
Thanks David, appreciate it 👍 At least I won't be lost in a crowd 😆
Thank you for the info and I love the shirt! I am looking forward to the associated episodes.
Haha, couldn't not wear the shirt for this episode 😆
Thanks mate 👍
Lovely Ep and info,
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it 👍
Thanks for such a informative and helpful video. Really give us the most practical information we need when caravaners who want to tackle the cape!
No problems mate, glad it was useful and here's hoping it can help many others out too 👍
Hi Nath,
Good morning from Beijing @ 5:15am.
That video is exactly I was waiting for. Exceptional good informations
Safe trip further
Cheers😊
Morning Holger 👋
Awesome, well I'm glad I could shed some light on this adventure paradise!
All the best 👍
Brilliant Nathan. Thanks heaps for all the info
Thanks mate, hopefully it helps many of us tower's out there 👍
Thankyou for some great information that’s well presented
I'm gonna watch this one a couple of times before we head up there.. nice one again Nathan as always.. safe travels mate 🤙🏼
Nice, won't be long before you are heading up there yourself!
Thanks mate 👍
@@XploringOz in a few days mate.. we are ready as can be..
@@snoordman4831 I'm excited for you all! All the best with the travel, I hope we can catchup 👍
@@XploringOz thanks mate and we will make something happen 🤙🏼
Hello from USA. What a great ride.
Thanks mate, this setup has worked so well for our families needs recently, very impressed 👍
Awesome video. We are planning our trip ATM for Aug. so your video come up right at the perfect time.
Awesome mate, thanks for the feedback. We loved our time up there and I hope your trip goes well too! 👍
Hi Nathan (and family)
Appreciate the time and effort in producing these so Thx for uploading this - very comprehensive and informative for those of us that still have the Cape on a ‘to do’ list. Noting your friends in the Ranger had no winch, was that an issue on the sections of the OTT you did or they got through without one ok ?
Cheers
Thanks mate, this was an awesome trip and was fun to put something together that might be able to help others out 👍
So that's right. Neither of us required winches in the end anyway for the 75% of so of the OTT that we completed. As mentioned in this episode, it really doesn't have to be as hard as some people make it out to be.
This also being said, I wouldn't go out there along without a winch though... 👍
Thankyou for a very informative summary 😃
No problems, glad you enjoyed it 👍
Good work mate, great content 👍🍻
Thanks mate, glad you enjoyed it 👍
Thank you so much for a very informative video
My pleasure, glad it was helpful 👍
Absolutely fantastic Nathan ! Extremely well presented and detailed with not only great advice, but very practical advice. Well done mate but one question I have …. why, why … the shirt Nathan ?? ! 😎😁
Thanks Jim and I think the question is why not 😆 When in Cape York right?
Soo good thanks Nathan
Thanks mate 👍
Hi Nathan - Excellent advice, presentation and delivery. Thks for taking the time to put this together. Any thoughts on Seisa?
Thanks mate appreciate that and hopefully it can help others out when they plan their ultimate Cape trip 👍
Seisa was a nice little community. We didn't stay there, but spent a little time having a look around. Couldn't really offer to much more opinion given my little time spent their 👍
Most caravaners/motorhomes/ campers run channel 18. Channel is the truckies channel & unfortunately the language used on channel 40 is definitely not family friendly. My tip as a 2nd generation truckie of over 35 years experience is, whether you use 18 or 40, get a vinyl sticker on the rear of your van or camper, large enough to be clearly read, with your name/handle & channel, or channels (if you use 2 UHF radios) clearly displayed
Hey Nate, what brand & model are the wheels your running on the Cruiser
This might be one of the best episodes in busting the myths about how "treacherous & difficult" the Cape is.
Hi AndyKmet,
Dan here with the ranger in the video. Nathan and I were both running 2 UHF’s each.
In the case on the Bloomfield track that Nathan was talking about there is a sign at the start of the track that tells people to use channel 40.
We did at points have to scan all the channels to try and make contact with other convoys, to try and do the right thing and let them know we were heading towards them.
Thanks for the tips, we will be looking at getting a sticker made up.
I’ll let Nathan answer the tyre question. 😊
Cheers@@dant2415
Hey mate, looks like Dan has beat me to your points re. the UHF channel, but yes many people on the road could do with some education regarding this form of communication 👍
In regards to the wheels, I'm running the Method NV305 matt black in a 18x9'' with a +25 offset. They sit just flush with the guards and obviously look good 😆
Cheers@@XploringOz
Fantastic video and very informative thank you 😊
Thanks, appreciate that 🙏
Very informative video. Good work.
Thanks mate, appreciate it
Excellent Video.
Thanks mate, appreciate that 👍
Thanks Natham, for the great Insite to the tip. I have a daughter in Cairns, so when I am over there ( yes I too come from WA) I would like to do the tip, but was wondering about the roads around there, and how suitable they were for a camper
You're welcome mate! Hopefully this can help for when you are able to head up that way on your next visit to the East side 😆
Hi Allan,
I’m Dan from this episode, taking a camper or in our cases caravans (that identified as campers during different parts of the track) was fine. We drove to the conditions and took our time especially around bends as the road was slightly more corrugated.
Good luck on your trip!
Great video Nathan and the summary of the trip was well explained, I am very interested in the Bloomfield Track and towing my van through there. my van is quite heavy around 3.7 ton loaded with water and 9m long, and i am wondering if my tow car will handle the steep 30-degree incline. my tow car is a well maintained 100 series land cruiser with around 650nm and manly setup for towing and running 2 transmission oil coolers with a lockup torque converter kit. what do you think after your experience on the Bloomfield Track, about towing a heavy caravan up those steep inclines.
Thanks mate, glad this video could help somewhat. With the the information you provided, I personally think you will be just fine with the weights in your setup. Utilising low range, lowered tyres pressures and taking it easy, your 100 series would be able to complete this no problems (in my opinion).
Let us know how you go if you end up completing the track. 👍
Another great episode Nathan. Did Teagan & the kids enjoy the cape as much as you? I just realised it’s been 22 years since my last trip up the cape & 31 years since the first. Many of those crossings on the OTL (OTT 🤔) looked completely different to when I last saw it. One of the years I was up there, there were still guys forging across the old Ford on the Jardine River to avoid the ferry toll…..it was actually quite hard on the bottom. That Ferry is a joke.
Was Chilly Beach windy? Could you visit the Mungkan Kaanju National Park or is that still closed off to non Aboriginal people?
Thanks mate 🤙 Teagan and the kids loved Cape York! I think it really is the definition of an adventurer's paradise! So much to see and do, we barely scratched the surface!
I can imagine the crossing and mainly the entries to the creeks would look significantly different! They sure are a challenge in themselves.
Yeah, the ferry is a bit ridiculous. The Jardine doesn't look that bad (at the time of year we visited). Some money making schemes going on there!
Chilli Beach was very windy! Like really, really windy and it didn't ease up day or night. We certainly got tested in regards to our outdoor living/kitchen arrangements.
@@XploringOz That’s great, I’m glad ur all enjoying it. At least there’s a little bit of technical
Driving, dropping the 200 of Gunshot would have got the blood pumping, there’s literally only an inch or so before you do a panel on the embankment. I don’t think I will ever get the chance to go back, so watching your episode was all the more enjoyable 👍🏻
Onwards and upwards, not sure where you’re off to next but you must be in your 8th month…..wow time flys when ur having fun……I reakon you will get about 100km out of Perth, pull a handbrake turn and head in the other direction to see what a clockwise lap is like 🤣
Great vid mate. We are planning a trip next year and this is exactly what I was looking for. Is there a particular map book or guidebook you would recommend? I Appreciate the time and effort you put into this. Subscribed! 👍
Thanks mate, appreciate the feedback 🙏
We just used a HEMA Australia Atlas and a HEMA detailed map on the Cape York region. This seemed to be enough for us 👍
All the best with your trip mate, I'm sure it will be epic! 🤙
Great review. We are purchasing a new Ford EverestV6 as we didn't want a ute. In your opinion and what you have seen will this pull a van as well as the Ranger.
Thanks mate, I reckon it will. Dan (Ranger owner) has answered a few other comments in here relating to his vehicle that might help too 👍
@@XploringOz how do I find Dan's ranger
@@james1966. It isn't on YT, there's just a few reply's from Dan here in the comments section from other queries. 👍
Hi @@james1966.,
I own the ranger in the video, the ranger did well, all things considered, I’ve done 30,000kms now and it’s done everything I’ve asked of it.
It’s clearly built at a price point and my expectations are reasonable.
With a snorkel and a lift (maybe a winch) it could have driven the whole Telegraph track, being that it is our only vehicle and we live in the caravan full time, we made the decision to minimize risks that were not necessary.
To engage & disengage the locker was a bit annoying as it needs to be done using the screen in the middle (which I needed to do about 💯 times on the southern part of the tele track.)
I also had a pretty bad oil leak at about 15000km out of the turbo which is a common issue for the V6.
I drive a 3.2lt Everest for work and really like it, I would have liked to go an Everest as well but I know that they won’t be releasing any sort of GCM upgrade soon which is what we are going to need when we upgrade our caravan in a few months.
Hope you enjoy your Everest as much as we have enjoyed our ranger!
Great video Nathan. What hema book are you using on your trip?
Thanks mate. This is the Hema Australia Road and 4WD Atlas. Gives us a good oversight of a large area to plan directions and distances 👍
@@XploringOz thanks Mate
Another great vid thanks Nathan, a little side issue how did your mate go with his ranger compared to the cruiser, currently running a cruiser but have a ranger on order . Car will basically be a tourer towing a van, cheers
Hi @ozbound6608,
I own the ranger in the video, the ranger did well, all things considered, I’ve done 30,000kms now and it’s done everything I’ve asked of it.
It’s clearly built at a price point and my expectations are reasonable.
With a snorkel and a lift (maybe a winch) it could have driven the whole Telegraph track, being that it is our only vehicle and we live in the caravan full time, we made the decision to minimize risks that were not necessary.
The most annoying thing I found while on the tracks was putting the diff lock on and off, having to use the screen in the middle to engage and disengage.
Thanks for the heads up, now I have to decide if I keep the cruiser or go with the ranger I ordered 11 months ago
Thanks mate, looks like Dan beat me to your questions and he is much more qualified than me to answer this question 😆 The Ranger was impressive given how stock it was 👍
Hi @@ozbound6608, whatever you choose it’s all a compromise in one way or another. Money, reliability, modifications, capabilities, etc.
Good luck with your decision!
I assume the Zone is yours as well, how did that perform. Dust, water, internal ? how many parts come loose if any?
@@dant2415
Hey mate. Rippa video. Can I ask what tow hitch you use in the back round there on the 200?
Thanks mate, for sure. I am using an adjustable 4t Mister Hitches tow hitch. Has been around for about 6 years and still going strong 💪
@XploringOz awesome mate thankyou. Trying to get my heights right. That's the extra long shank or the standard? Any tips would be great. Currently have a HR hitch but need a drop as the van sits high at the ball.
@@jenningstim90 This is the exact one I use here 👍 ebay.us/ERvrps