By Forester to Cape York

[Roger]

About 9 months ago I asked whether anyone knew if it was possible to get to
the top of Cape York (northernmost point of the Australian mainland) by
Forester. No-one knew, but a couple of people expressed interest in the same
question - so I would just like to assure the band of faithful australian
Forester fans that the answer is yes, you can get to the tip of Cape York
in the trusty Forester.



But it is not an easy trip. The roads on Cape York at the present time are
acknowledged by those who have travelled all over Australia as being the
worst in the country, and one person I met, who had driven extensively
overseas, claimed they were the worst in the world. (and I believe him). The
absolute concentration required to do the 1500 kms of corrugations, sand,
gouged out ruts, washed out tracks and eroded river crossings made it very
difficult to really enjoy the savannah and rainforest scenery, the
magnificent beaches, the absolute isolation, the insight into Aboriginal
culture, the relics of colonial history and white settlement and remnants of
war that are scattered at various places on the peninsula. My average speed
over those 1500 kms was only about 25 kph, which gives you an idea of the
roughness of the road.



If you're planning a trip up there, ensure you have a metal sump guard, put
in a fixed UHF radio (handhelds don't have the range necessary to maintain
reliable car to car communication), and carry 2 spare wheels and at least
one inner tube. If you using the standard Dueller HT, or Geolander tyres
ensure that they have done no more than 15000 km, otherwise the stones will
just rip right through the treads. (I did two tyres, and had to wait for 5
days at the top for replacements to be delivered by boat - and the damage
was not due to speed)



If anyone wants more complete information, drop me an e-mail (just remove
the number from the address), I'll be happy to help you out.



Roger

 

[Pète Ð]

Was that a new 2.5 ltr version or the oldie?

Have spent some time up that way at Bamaga and around Lakeland Downs and
would have thought that some of the rivers may have been too deep.

Cheers.

 

[Andrew Morris]

Hi Roger,

were you towing an offroad trailer, or carrying a rack mounted basket, or
self contained?

I'd love to do such a trip in my Limited, but the carrying of the equipment
is the concern I have....

 

[powertrain]

Cool! Any pictures?

 

[Roger]

My Subbie is the base 2001 model - only modifications are the metal
sumpguard, the UHF CB radio and a second battery under the bonnet (in the
space where the ABS brake mechanism would go if mine had ABS brakes). This
battery runs my Waeco CF40 car fridge which was fantastic.



Some of the rivers were too deep. WE went up through Mareeba, Daintree, Cape
Tribulation, Bloomfield track, Cooktown, Lakefield National Park, (Old
Laura, Hann River), Musgrave, Chili Beach, Portland Roads, Frenchman's track
to the Pascoe river, (too deep and to rough), back to Peninsula Dev Road,
Moreton, first river crossing on Old Telegraph Line (OTL) (unable to cross -
water too deep), back and up the southern Bypass, down to Sailors Creek
campsite, Fruitbat Falls, first river crossing on OTL toward twin fall
(again too deep), back to northern Bypass road, in the exit road from Twin
falls (blew the second spare so returned to the bypass), Jardine River,
Bamaga, Seisia, Loyalty Beach, The Tip, Punsand Beach, Somerset, Thursday
Island (boat trip), down the Bypass roads, Moreton, Batavia Downs to Suddley
shortcut (dreadful road), Weipa, Coen, Laura, Lakelands, Mareeba - (19 days
in all)



The total trip, home to home, 9850 kms (in 5 weeks)



Got bogged in sand once - my fault, we camped on the river bed at Archer
River crossing, very deep sand, and she just sank once I stopped moving.
However, was able to drive out without help once I lowered the pressures
down to 20 psi all round. There would be at least 100 kms of sand roads on
the way, but the subbie handled all that beautifully.




You can avoid the water depth problem by going at the end of the dry
(Sept/Oct) rather than Jul/Aug as I did.



The subbie generated great interest, everywhere I went people seemed
fascinated with the thought that I was taking it to the top. Some seemed
threatened by the thought and were really rude about it, others were very
helpful and positive.



Roger

 

[Roger]

Hi Andrew

I was fully self contained - see other postings for a fuller account of the
trip. The picture of subbie at Weipa shows you the stuff stored in the back
of the car.
I borrowed a handwinch from a mate, bought an extension strap, tree
protector and appropriate "D" shackles ($120.00 all up)(Don't buy these from
a 4wd shop - get the straps from REPCO and the shackles from a tool
supplier.) Rescue gear fits under the drivers seat.

I removed the back seat squab and the small half of the back of the back
seat so that all the camp gear, clothes, etc would fit. The second spare
wheel sits behind the drivers seat in the spot where the rear seat would be.
I use three plastic Namco drawers to store food and plates, etc, and carried
a butane gas stove ($39.95 from Woolies) and 16 cans of butane, plus a
Coleman single burner duel fuel stove. 30 litres of water (20 + 10) goes
behind the passenger seat, and 10 litres of fuel fit in the back.

Sleeping bags and self inflating mattressses go on top of the second spare
tyre, as do clothes bags. 2 x fold up chairs go on top of drawers and the
fridge, and the tent and the folding table go behind the drawers and the
fridge.

I also have a second battery (40AH) fitted under the bonnet, in the spot
where the ABS brake pressuriser would be if my model had ABS brakes. This
runs my car fridge (Waeco CF 40)which proved to be indispensable - its
really hot on the Cape!

I guess what I'm saying is you CAN fit it all in, without a trailer, or a
roof rack. I wouldn't take a trailer up there!

Roger

 

[Andrew Morris]

Sounds like an awesome trip Roger...

Will maybe tackle the road from Adelaide to Darwin first, as my partner is
keen to travel through the centre before we do the cape....

Did you carry extra fuel? Where did you carry your second spare wheel?

Curiosity...

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[Roger]

Hi Andrew

I always carry 10 litres of fuel when camping outback -it fits neatly
between the passenger side rear wheel arch and the back, tucked against the
wall. Its held in place by the drawers. The extra spare wheel lies flat
behind the drivers seat. I take out the rear seat to enable this.

The trip from Adelaide to Darwin would be a great warm up - the Strezlecki
track up from Arkaroola around to Cameron's Corner was fine a couple of
years ago, but I believe can be corrogated, I've not done the road to Darwin
or the Centre yet, saving that for next year!!

Roger