Cape York .... no boat?

[Drop Bear]

Hey legends,

Brrrrr its too cold here in Brisbane and its only gonna get colder over the next few weeks/month. 

Mrs Drop Bear declared that we need to head north and hibernate for the winter... And as everyone in the world knows, there is no further north than Cape York (you all know Drop Bears cant swim and cant get passports)

So... we plan to do a roughing it type quick trip for just over 2 weeks... road trip... sight seeing and perhaps some land based fishing... Take a tent and an eski and a few rudimentary things but that is about it. 

We are working on an itinerary but rough idea is;

Brisbane Townsville

Cairns

Cooktown

Archer River Roadhouse

Bramwell Station

Elliot Falls

Punsand

Punsand

Seisia

Captain Billy Landing

Weipa

Weipa

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

Brisbane

Any tips, tricks, recommendations, fishing options, fuel carrying capacity, insect replant preferences are greatly appreciated.

[Angry51]

Yeah, fuel will be off the chart up in the cape.

Watch out for crocs!!!

Take most of your food from home as it's dear too.

Watch out for crocs!!!

I'd take a camping trailer as it's a bit nippy and wet from dew in the mornings and

a little bit of comfort for the Finance minister. They're pretty cheap to hire

for 2 weeks, only a basic one not to fancy.

Watch out for crocs!!!

Drive to conditions/ safely, you're on holidays don't have to hurry.

Watch out for crocs!!!

There was some crocs cruising the beach at Cardwell last week.

That's about it Robbie, enjoy yourself and did I mention

the crocs!!!

 

[ellicat]

Have a good trip.

Conversely we are thinking about heading south to the snow.

[Angry51]

1 minute ago, ellicat said:

 thinking about heading south to the snow.

Something wrong with your genes Brian.

[Aaron H]

Did the Tele track in 2016 caught Queenies off the beach on the walk to the sign.

Seisia jetty mountains of herring under the jetty lots of unstoppables lost more trevally than we caught couldn't get the mackerel past the sharks and had some good fun with some unstoppables

Hired a boat at weipa had some great fun on Queenies and trevally and the longtail tuna didn't spook like the moreton bay variety also did a barra charter but we had more fun in the hire boat 

 

Also watch for crocs they even visited us out near the tuna schools 

 

Trip of a lifetime enjoy 

 

[AUS-BNE-FISHO]

Good luck @Drop Bear, I hope your trip is great. Yeppoon is always an option to stop for a night on the way up or back. Flicking plastics around any of the creeks/harbour/causeway lake may get you something. 

[natang]

Hey Robbie,

Check out Cooktown museum amazing Captain cooks anchor and canon are there. Waterfront landing spot of endeavour lookout is good. Creb track on way with Lions Den accomodation(great pizza). Enjoy. Carry 20ltr diesel from Cooktown as it gets dearer further north you go! 

[natang]

1 minute ago, AUS-BNE-FISHO said:

Good luck @Drop Bear, I hope your trip is great. Yeppoon is always an option to stop for a night on the way up or back. Flicking plastics around any of the creeks/harbour/causeway lake may get you something. 

If you stay yeppoon stay water front caravan park headong towards Farnborough beach (free access 4wd) used to catch blue salmon and queenies off beach up top of beach (15min drive) at rivers mouth. 

[Aaron H]

I am guessing fuel is going to be scary over $2 in some areas in 2016 and we also may have paid $144 for a carton of Bundy cans in seisia 

[Huxstang]

Havent been up for years, as the guys have said, hire boat in Weipa.  Cooktown and Seissa jetties.

 

Land based - Archer Point - south of cooktown - was an old jetty there for loading cattle but its rocky headlands. 

Also mouth of the Annan River - north bank accessible from the golf club - you can fish off the sand at the mouth just keep an eye out of large geckos.

Not going into Lakefield NP?  Cherubim on the crossing at Hahn Crossing camp area at night.  All you need is a torch and a scoop.  If Midway is open you can flick lures off the bank and dodge crocs

 

[Drop Bear]

13 hours ago, natang said:

Hey Robbie,

Check out Cooktown museum amazing Captain cooks anchor and canon are there. Waterfront landing spot of endeavour lookout is good. Creb track on way with Lions Den accomodation(great pizza). Enjoy. Carry 20ltr diesel from Cooktown as it gets dearer further north you go! 

Thanks mate, Got any tips on where to stay in Cooktown? 

[Drop Bear]

11 hours ago, Huxstang said:

Not going into Lakefield NP?  Cherubim on the crossing at Hahn Crossing camp area at night.  All you need is a torch and a scoop.  If Midway is open you can flick lures off the bank and dodge crocs

I think we will do Lakefield next trip. My old ute doesn't have a lift kit or a snorkel so we are taking it pretty easy for our first go at it. 

I love the sound of the Cherubim. Delicious. Thanks

[Drop Bear]

Updated itinerary

Townsville

Cairns

Cooktown

Archer River Roadhouse

Bramwell tourist Station

Elliot Falls

Punsand

Punsand

Seisia

Captain Billy Landing

Weipa

Weipa

TBA

TBA

TBA

TBA

Brisbane

[Drop Bear]

14 hours ago, Angry51 said:

Yeah, fuel will be off the chart up in the cape.

Watch out for crocs!!!

Take most of your food from home as it's dear too.

Watch out for crocs!!!

I'd take a camping trailer as it's a bit nippy and wet from dew in the mornings and

a little bit of comfort for the Finance minister. They're pretty cheap to hire

for 2 weeks, only a basic one not to fancy.

Watch out for crocs!!!

Drive to conditions/ safely, you're on holidays don't have to hurry.

Watch out for crocs!!!

There was some crocs cruising the beach at Cardwell last week.

That's about it Robbie, enjoy yourself and did I mention

the crocs!!!

 

Did you see any crocs?  

I will check out a camping trailer... We have been avoiding one as we mostly camp but if it is quicker to set up and has more stuff then probably worth it. Thanks for the tips

[Drop Bear]

13 hours ago, Aaron H said:

Did the Tele track in 2016 caught Queenies off the beach on the walk to the sign.

Seisia jetty mountains of herring under the jetty lots of unstoppables lost more trevally than we caught couldn't get the mackerel past the sharks and had some good fun with some unstoppables

Hired a boat at weipa had some great fun on Queenies and trevally and the longtail tuna didn't spook like the moreton bay variety also did a barra charter but we had more fun in the hire boat 

 

Also watch for crocs they even visited us out near the tuna schools 

 

Trip of a lifetime enjoy 

 

Yep I have pencilled in a morning fish from the Jetty before we drive to Captain Billies Landing. Looks insane. Did you just jig up the herring? 

[Drop Bear]

13 hours ago, Aaron H said:

Hired a boat at weipa had some great fun on Queenies and trevally and the longtail tuna didn't spook like the moreton bay variety also did a barra charter but we had more fun in the hire boat 

Do you have a contact for this? How did you find where to fish? Such a better option than towing mine all that way. Thanks for the tip

[Drop Bear]

13 hours ago, AUS-BNE-FISHO said:

Good luck @Drop Bear, I hope your trip is great. Yeppoon is always an option to stop for a night on the way up or back. Flicking plastics around any of the creeks/harbour/causeway lake may get you something. 

We won't on the way up but have a few more days on the trip home so might stay there. the beach camping looks nice. Thanks for the tip. 

[Drop Bear]

13 hours ago, natang said:

If you stay yeppoon stay water front caravan park headong towards Farnborough beach (free access 4wd) used to catch blue salmon and queenies off beach up top of beach (15min drive) at rivers mouth. 

Ok that is pencilled in for the trip home. What bait/lure did you use for the salmon and queenies? 

[Drop Bear]

13 hours ago, natang said:

If you stay yeppoon stay water front caravan park headong towards Farnborough beach (free access 4wd) used to catch blue salmon and queenies off beach up top of beach (15min drive) at rivers mouth. 

http://beachsidecaravanparkyeppoon.com.au/

Is this  the one? 

[Drop Bear]

13 hours ago, Aaron H said:

I am guessing fuel is going to be scary over $2 in some areas in 2016 and we also may have paid $144 for a carton of Bundy cans in seisia 

Good point. I will pack the xxxx gold and some wine... I don't think we are going to any dry communities but will double check. The fuel will be expensive... I am expecting to spend around $1,500 on it. This will probably be the biggest expense as camping is pretty cheap. Thanks for the tip. 

[Drop Bear]

11 hours ago, Huxstang said:

Land based - Archer Point - south of cooktown - was an old jetty there for loading cattle but its rocky headlands. 

got any tips on where to stay in Cooktown? 

[Huxstang]

7 hours ago, Drop Bear said:

got any tips on where to stay in Cooktown? 

Van/Camping or hotel?

Its been a long time since I was up there - we always stayed in the van park as you head north towards the airport.   We stayed at one - for a night first time - it was sort of the middle of the town and it was hot - no breeze and had more big scotch greys than we could bear…..most hit you back when you slapped them.  I think the names of them have changed - we used to stay at the Sea Breeze I think.

Best hotel in town and location wise is the Sovereign.  

Good feed at RSL and Bowls club….. 

Mate is going up in July to build a airbnb on his block up near Grassy Hill, so next year I will have a better place to recommend.  He is taking up one of his tinnies to leave as well - so perfect for my next visit.

[Aaron H]

11 hours ago, Drop Bear said:

Yep I have pencilled in a morning fish from the Jetty before we drive to Captain Billies Landing. Looks insane. Did you just jig up the herring? 

Yeah just used the little packet jigs 

[Aaron H]

11 hours ago, Drop Bear said:

Do you have a contact for this? How did you find where to fish? Such a better option than towing mine all that way. Thanks for the tip

We stayed at the weipa caravan park and they hire out polycrafts with I think they were 40 to 60 hp  fishing spots we found were mostly rocky outcrops and  fishing near beacons near the  shipping channel for the pelagics

[kmcrosby78]

If you have time, Pennefather River might be worth considering Robbie. Have heard good things about it and has good landbased fishing (pretty sure there'd be no crocs, but perhaps check with @Angry51 ....... ).

https://www.capeyorkaustralia.com/pennefather.html

Looking forward to following your progress - exciting!!

[Angry51]

For sure, I class anything north of bundy with water

in it as croc country.

I've seen crocs 20 mile from the Flinders river in a fresh water billabong.

I'm not paranoid but geez I'm aware.

12 hours ago, kmcrosby78 said:

Have heard good things about it and has good landbased fishing (pretty sure there'd be no crocs, but perhaps check with @Angry51 ....... ).

 

[kmcrosby78]

9 hours ago, Angry51 said:

For sure, I class anything north of bundy with water

in it as croc country.

I've seen crocs 20 mile from the Flinders river in a fresh water billabong.

I'm not paranoid but geez I'm aware.

 

There'll be plenty of crocs in Pennefather - pretty sure I've read there's a large resident one in the lagoon there. Yep, certainly pays to be vigilant.

[natang]

On 08/06/2022 at 6:07 AM, Drop Bear said:

Thanks mate, Got any tips on where to stay in Cooktown? 

Sorry mate stayed At Lions Den then at Laura homestead. 

[natang]

On 08/06/2022 at 6:19 AM, Drop Bear said:

http://beachsidecaravanparkyeppoon.com.au/

Is this  the one? 

Yep

[Drop Bear]

On 08/06/2022 at 1:56 PM, Huxstang said:

Mate is going up in July to build a airbnb on his block up near Grassy Hill, so next year I will have a better place to recommend.  He is taking up one of his tinnies to leave as well - so perfect for my next visit.

Bucket list! Thanks for the info mate

 

[Drop Bear]

On 08/06/2022 at 5:35 PM, Aaron H said:

We stayed at the weipa caravan park and they hire out polycrafts with I think they were 40 to 60 hp  fishing spots we found were mostly rocky outcrops and  fishing near beacons near the  shipping channel for the pelagics

Thanks for the tips.

I gave the camp ground a call and they don't do it any more but gave me a number for the Tackle world that also don't do it any more haha. 

They gave me a number for Nathan that does do it... 0419 703 624 

[Drop Bear]

On 08/06/2022 at 10:28 PM, kmcrosby78 said:

If you have time, Pennefather River might be worth considering Robbie. Have heard good things about it and has good landbased fishing (pretty sure there'd be no crocs, but perhaps check with @Angry51 ....... ).

https://www.capeyorkaustralia.com/pennefather.html

Looking forward to following your progress - exciting!!

Wow... I have booked at Captain Billy Landing campground... Perhaps I will forgo the camp fee and do that instead. Looks amazing. Thanks for the tip. 

[Drop Bear]

I think there will be crocs...

On 08/06/2022 at 10:28 PM, kmcrosby78 said:

pretty sure there'd be no crocs

 

[Drop Bear]

On 10/06/2022 at 8:58 PM, natang said:

Yep

Ok will book that thanks. 

[Drop Bear]

On 10/06/2022 at 8:57 PM, natang said:

Lions Den

would you recommend Lions Den? It looks ok? 

[Drop Bear]

Updated/current itinerary

 

Brisbane	Proserpine
12 Hours
Proserpine	Bramston Beach
Or Wonga Beach Caravan Park if we are up for the drive
6.5 or 8 Hours
Bramston Beach	Lions Den
3 hours
Lions Den	Wild Wishes
5.5 Hours
Wild Wishes	Bramwell tourist Station
2 Hours
Bramwell Station	Elliot Falls
2.5 hours
Elliot Falls	Punsand
2.2 Hours
Punsand	Punsand
Punsand	Bamiga
40 mins
Day Trip to TI - Peddells	Seisia warf, Seisia Rd, Seisia
Bamiga	Captain Billy Landing campground
3 hours
Captain Billy Landing campground	Weipa
4.75 hours
Boat Hire - Nathan 0419703624
Weipa	Weipa
Weipa	Lakelands
7.5 hours
Lakelands	Alva
8 Hours Drive
Alva	Yeppoon
7.5 Hours
Yeppoon	TBA
TBA	Brisbane

[kmcrosby78]

8 hours ago, Drop Bear said:

I think there will be crocs...

 

Was being sarcastic - it's my specialty (just ask the kids I teach ........ ).

[kmcrosby78]

Are you checking out Fruit Bat Falls also Robbie? Meant to be good.

[Drop Bear]

13 hours ago, kmcrosby78 said:

Are you checking out Fruit Bat Falls also Robbie? Meant to be good.

Yes we have plenty of time on those days so will poke in and have a swim. Thanks for the reminder, I will put it on the agenda so we don't forget. 

[Drop Bear]

13 hours ago, kmcrosby78 said:

Was being sarcastic - it's my specialty (just ask the kids I teach ........ ).

haha. Gold