Posties to The Cape '08
Stop laughing, this is going to be some serious fun. This is not part of the organised "Postie Bike Challenge". Just 3 mates who like a challenge!
The plan is to ride from Cairns to Cape York and back to Cairns in 3 weeks starting August 23rd on CT110X Honda's No backup just 3 crazy riders to sort out any problems that may arise. What I am looking for any special places to see/visit that are not in the guide books or commonly known about. Or suggestions on changing the route we have planned. Everything is flexible as it has to be on a ride like this. There is no set dates to be in any designated place. Flights have been booked to get to Cairns as the 3 of us are spread around the country. I will not book a return flight until the day we arrive back in Cairns as too much can and will change. I have done the Cape run before but in a 4WD so I know what to expect and how deep the creek crossings are likely to be. Here is where we think we will go Option 1 Kuranda Mareeba fuel available Dimbulah fuel available Mt Mulligan Palmer River Roadhouse fuel available Option 2 I would rather this option. Trinity Beach Mossman fuel available Daintree fuel available Cape Tribulation fuel available PK’s Jungle Village, IGA Supermarket and camping. Bloomfield fuel available Wujal Wujal Ayton Cedar Bay NP Helenvale fuel available Lions Den Hotel Index of / Lakeland fuel available Laura fuel available Just south of Laura you can turn off to Split Rock and the Quinkan Aboriginal Rock Art Galleries, which feature some fabulous Aboriginal rock paintings. Hann River Crossing fuel available good camping on the Kennedy River Musgrave Roadhouse fuel available ph4060 3229 Coen Fuel available Exchange Hotel, known as the Sexchange Hotel, you'll see why when you get there. Archer River Roadhouse fuel available ph4060 3266 There is a memorial to Toots Holzheimer, legendary female truckie of Cape York who died in a loading accident in 1992. Weipa fuel available. Fishing off the jetty, squid jig and hand reel with wire trace. Visitors can use the public swimming pool and there are medical centres, vehicle repairers and all facilities you could ever need. The fishing around Hey, Embley and Mission Rivers are reputed to be very good. Back East on shortcut to “Batavia Downs”. Moreton Telegraph Station ph40603360 over the Wenlock River fuel available? Less than 100 metres after crossing the Wenlock there’s a small track branching off into the bush. Turn left here and follow for about 1km to arrive at the ruins of Batavia goldfields. Bramwell Junction OTL fuel available ph40603230 camping Dulhunty River nice campsite 7km west of crossing Bertie Creek 1km downstream is good camp site?? Gunshot Creek camping Cockatoo Creek camping Sailor Creek camping Fruitbat Falls “We will see this again on the way down” Day use only Eliot/Twin/Indian Head Falls Camping Ranger ph4060 3241 Be careful at Indian Head - the flow of Eliot Creek and the drop in the creek bed combine to form what's known as a sieve at the top of the falls. Being swallowed up by this can, and has been fatal. Canal Creek just north of Eliot/Twin Falls, which would have to be one of the best bush camps Nolans Brook camping Jardine Ferry ph4069 1369 camping Injinoo fuel available ex Sat/Sun Umagico fuel available Bamaga fuel available Seisha fuel available · Day trip to TI and Horn Island · Chopper flight maybe · Sea Swift passenger and vehicle ferry 2 night trip to Cairns. Departs every Monday 1800 424422 Loyalty Beach A delightful new campground, Loyalty Beach, has been established by the people of New Mapoon and is situated 3km east of Seisia. The camping area is somewhat quieter than Seisia and is managed by the Lennox family, again a very pretty spot. Punsand Bay Safari and Fishing Lodge offers a little more than the other camping areas. Here you will find a small swimming pool, permanent tent accommodation and a bar and restaurant. Visitors are welcome at any time and scenic helicopter flights can be taken right off of the beach. Punsand Bay is a private reserve with long, white beaches, a licensed restaurant, camping areas, cabins and amenities. Like Seisia, it's a very pretty place and lies 11km from Lockerbie along a sandy, often bumpy track. Unfortunately, you can't swim here because of the crocs and sharks, but the beach is great for a stroll at sunset and there's an interesting wreck to poke around at the southern end. Fishing tours and pre-arranged transport to Thursday Island are also available from Punsand Bay. Pajinka “The Tip” Somerset Approx distances using opt 2 Cairns to Daintree 110km Daintree to Helenvale “Lions Den” 70km Helenvale to Laura 120km Fuel Laura to Musgrave 140km Musgrave to Coen 110km Coen to Archer River 65km Fuel Archer River to Weipa 150km Weipa to Bramwell 175km Fuel Bramwell to Jardine 130km Jardine to Bamaga 45km Fuel Bamaga to Pajinka 35km Total 1 way Cairns to Pajinka 1150km approx. Fuel stops are a guess at a range of about 350km??? The Trip Down Now if we have made it this far and the bikes still start we are in for some real fun. Theme for this run is go hard or go home. Bodies should be used to the pounding by now. Somerset via beach to Nanthau Beach (East Coast) Bamaga 11km south east to Jackey Jackey Airfield WW2 wrecks scattered to the west and north of the strip. One of the better ones was hard to find so here are the GPS coordinates if you want to check it out (S 10°56.184’ E 142°27.327’) Mutee Head which was an army radio base during the war because of the deep water for landing. Jardine River Mouth (West Coast) Jardine via Northern bypass Rd Fruit Bat Falls Captain Billy’s Landing via the Southern Bypass Rd. The caves to the right are flooded at high tide but when the water is low you can walk right into them, watch your heads and hold your nose as they are filled with bats. It is almost always windy here, so there is a lovely campsite back up the road and behind the bushes above the cliffs. Bertie Creek Dulhunty River Bramwell Junction fuel available Chilli Beach in Iron Range NP (East Coast) The beach is beautiful however its unfortunate that the currents wash up the rubbish of the shipping trade. The campsites are excellent and there are many to choose from amongst rainforest. Lockhart River fuel available. Further East is Portland Roads and ex US Troop base during WW2 Archer River fuel available Coen fuel available. Exchange Hotel, known as the Sexchange Hotel, you'll see why when you get there. Port Stewart (East Coast) Kalpower Crossing on the Normanby River is good camping New Laura “Caulders Lake” worth a look Old Laura Battle Camp Hope Vale fuel available. Continue on to Elim where it is possible to ride on the beach 15km to Cape Flattery. Fresh water streams run across the beach. Cooktown fuel available Helenvale fuel available Lions Den Hotel Index of / Rossville Ayton fuel available Bloomfield fuel available Bloomfield Falls has a resident Crock Wujal Wujal Creb Track following the line marked out for laying the power poles for the Cairns Regional Electricity Board “I’m excited now” Noah Beach Campground is situated 8km south of Cape Tribulation and has 17 campsites. Noah Creek is a short 1km walk to the south along the beach from the campground. Crocodiles may be present, so stay away from the water’s edge at all times. Daintree fuel available Mossman fuel available Mt Molloy fuel available Mareeba fuel available Atherton fuel available Yungaburra Gillies Highway from the Tableland to Goldsborough Valley near Gordonvale, famous for its 200+ corners in 20km of road “and we are going down, let the race home begin. Loser shouts the first round at the Gordonvale Pub” Gordonvale fuel available Cairns Any suggestions would be much appreciated Glen |
Jaysus Glen, it must have damn near taken you as much time as you plan to do the ride, to type all that lot out! Good luck with the trip. the CT will always have a soft spot in me heart 'cause it was the bike I started out with on the farm all those years ago when I was 7. Steppies are great at that age for a little tacker; stand in the step-thru part and leap upwards at the same time as you tweak the throttle and if you time it right, the seat appears under your bum as you descend earth-wards.
Good luck mate, not that you will need a lot of it with a CT under your arse. Kind regards Nigel in NZ |
One minor problem.
Glen,
Change the Gordonvale pub for the Little Mulgrave at the bottom of the Gillies and your on a winner mate. If you do come back through Dimbular, you can turn off and come ut at Irvinbank (old tin mining town and down to herberton Atherton etc or Irvinbank across mt Misery to Silver valley and Innot Springs then Atherton etc. You will get fuel and of course beer at all these places mate. Would love to join you but am planning to be in Africa at that time. Cheers Ivan |
I've been wanting to go on a CT adventure for ages :O but I'm from Victoria :(
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Good luck you guys, if you see an overloaded blue 650 Vstrom up that way that is me, doing a lap of Oz, cape is the first goal, or as far as I can go on a heavy bike solo.
Cheers TravellingStrom:thumbup1: |
Oi Glen! You going on my dream trip without me!!?? Didn't you remember that I'm half way around the world at the moment?
Have fun mate. Looks like you will just have to do it all again next year- with me this time. Kenny |
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Next one is Tassie in Dec/Jan for 5 weeks, then we will look going across the pond to Nu Zuland for '09 Glen |
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Glen |
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Glen |
Did the trip last year on an old KLR650.
Over the ford @ Kalpower is the Vietnam vets camp.Good place to swop jokes & lies. Cheers Al. |
Thanks for the tip Al, do we need to be Vets to visit these guys??
I knew Pandanus Park was up that way but was unsure of it's exact location until your reply Glen |
hey if you guys are flying in whereabouts are you getting the bikes? also are you putting bigger tanks on them? my old ct used to get about 120km in the city pre-reserve (and thats being modest :S). There is a spare fuel tank i've seen on some posties though.. it hangs off the rear tray.
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Bike 2 (mine) will be road freighted from Brisbane to Cairns in a couple of weeks Bike 3 will be road freighted from Hobart to Cairns on a couple of weeks All are now wearing XR250 tanks plumbed in, I have a spare 18 litre IMS tank for the next Postie bike I buy They all have various types of luggage from orange Postie pannier bags to Ventura type bags. I have also mounted a Givi 52 litre top box to mine. All have several PVC pipe storage containers mounted wherever spare space could be found :thumbup1: Knobby fronts and claw 6 ply rear rubber Might load a pic soon Glen |
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Hmm how did you go about plugging in the XR250 tank? is it an extension of the old one? how many litres is that? :confused1: |
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awesome, how much do you think this trip is costing you? I am tempted to come but saving really hard for my trip in the americas... though it sounds like alot of fun! |
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3 weeks of riding, drinking and lots of laughs, can't beat that can you? Our regular rides are a ZX12R (Aunty Jack for obvious reasons) , and 2 x DL1000 Vstroms, so it is a major step down in HP. There is always part 3 mid next year, as yet it is a little up in the air where it will go to but it will start in Cairns if these bikes are still useable :scooter: |
Going Back a lot o years...
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Loxie...your post brought back lots o memories. I taught school at Bamaga from August to December 1974...almost 35 years ago...I was a newly graduated teacher from Alberta Canada and thought I'd take on an adventure....and what a welcome to Oz it was...
While there are probably lots of people who have pics from the era, I don't recall seeing many on the HUBB....so excuse, please my nostalgia... While you spend time at the 'top' and if the school is 'in' see if you can get some songs from the students...ask for the 'The Melbidir Sails' ... I can't recall more stunning harmoniesfrom students who took the boat from the islands into Bamaga for school. Ask also for 'Kite Kite epod has his kite and he all time play his kite" Some memories have grown a little dim, but some shine on so brightly as to illuminate every day-even here in the great white and long day north!! I so envy your plans...so many place names of significance....make sure you read Percy Trezize book ' The Quinkans' before you go, so you are prepared....and maybe throw in a few of Chatwin's 'Songlines'...O what a Lucky Country indeed!! Posties Bikes and adventure rule...Best of Luck to ya...and say hi to everyone in the Deep North!! I look forward to seeing your ride report. And, if you do stop in Gordonvale, stop at at 31 Church street and give Kevin Murgatroyd a 'G'Day' !!! (I had my Kombi Van burn up on the road down from Little Mulgrave Pub in 1975 as I was dropping kids off after soccer practice....neat place) Here's a few really old time pics... A successful arrival at the Cape (on foot) a hike from Bamaga...December 1974 Mau Tom - Grade 11 (I think) Girls Being Girls in Bamaga in 1974!! Playing Frisbee in the Rain at Red Island Point - December 1974 (The white guy is me!!!) The Magic Honda MT 250 (Elsinore) - 2 stroke - Bassani/Bassini exhaust--a real runner, for 1974-75!!! Pic taken in Gordonvale N.Qld- early 1975) Stephen Golub Red Deer Alberta |
Hey Stephen, so classic pics you've got there. You gotta love those old helmets! Sounds like you enjoyed your stay here experiencing it all, Kombi included, a true classic vehicle. I lived in Cairns as a kid from '70 to '74, my first question to my father was "Why are the gutters so deep here dad??". I soon got to find out when it pissed down rain for over 4 months straight and filled them to overflowing and small crocs were swept up the drains.
Looks like we have both spent time in each others backyard. I spent some time in Canada & USA in '06 when I shipped my CBR1100XX over the pond for a little ride around. Like you, I have some fantastic memories of your country and the warm hearted people we met. :thumbup1: Which part of Canada are you from??? Glen |
Classic Times in OZ!
Glen...I live in Red Deer Alberta. Been here since 1982 after four years in Oz(Holloways Beach - teaching school in Gordonvale (75-79) and Bamaga 1974 and - loved loved loved OZ - still gots lots o friends in Gordonvale/Brisbane) and 1 year in Nelson NZ. Am now waiting for Trevor and Rachel Skipsey from Carins to show up here ...they apparently are Gold Winging around the west here...I've looked at the Posties tour in southern OZ and think that would be a blast...what you have planned is way more 'Bush Tucker Manly' ....the rewards are gonna be unbelievable.....had an opportunity to go to Horn Island when I was there - a somewhat sacred site if I recall - shell beaches--also took kids to TI for swimming competitions - and lots of camping on the beach at Jardine etc. ( I remember the salt water crocs who came up on the beach while we were sleeping to sniff our toes) - also ate turtle, barramundi, etc. Stayed at the Bamaga Hotel - Mrs. Bosun and Mrs. Phineasa- I hear things are a little different there now as behaviors have moved toward more extreme.....we used to have open air movies in the park just north of the hotel.....also used to show lots of National Film Board of Canada shorts....Neighbors, Paus Des Duex, ZOOM, Paddle to the Sea etc.... Was a wonderful time....red soil, Quinkans, Torres Strait, Gum Trees, Jardine River...Also lived in Gordonvale and Holloways Beach - Sundays riding up the Coast to Palm Cove pub were fun...not to mention Kuranda, Gillies, Pete's Falls, Babinda, Nerada Tea Plantation etc.....I really should get back
Anyway....you've got a great trip planned - would love to see the pics in some future post.....where were you in the GWN? Stephen |
those pics are absolute classics.... you should do a very late ride report
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You really should get back hear, and soon, time is passing us by, too much to fit in and so little time. Give me a yell when you decide to come back so we can catch up and tell tales of the Cape. Our trip of Canada & US of A started in Vancouver, then an anti clockwise loop of the Rockies, Calgary, Saskatoon (very forgiving police you have there, clocked me at 150kph no fine, that would never happen in OZ), a sprint across the top of the Great Lakes, Toronto, down to Niagara (what a let down), Milwaukee, Crazy Horse (mind blowing, gotta get back there one day to see the progress) West through all the Northern States taking in Snake River, Yellowstone, then back up to BC, North to Bella Coola and then the most spectacular Ferry ride down the Coast to Vancouver Island. Good times that's for sure Glen |
Cheap runner alright
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I can attest that posties are indeed the cheapest form of travel, the costs are almost halved again if you ride 2-up like us. We set out from Perth some 3.5months ago on our standard postie. It has an extra 7L tank from a chinese MotoXer so we have about 12L in total. On our one month journey from Perth to Darwin it cost us a total of Au$240 in petrol... Au$120 each!!!! We were constantly shocked at what other peoples costs were along the way. Petrol was a lot more expensive in East Timor the 3weeks we were there, we spent a bit on petrol but considering the miles we did and the condition of the roads(read goat tracks) we came out in front of the huge slow trucks everyone piles into over there. Now we are in Indonesia, been over a month island hopping. Because the postie is small like all the bikes here it can be loaded on small boats (and canoes) for often no extre charge. On land we have worked out that we are travelling a LOT cheaper than a local could by Bemo/Bus. A little cheaper than a local could on a motorbike because we are 2-up. The bike is running fine but we are packing VERY light. We are splurging a little here on accom cos we camped all the way through Australia. Its still cheap though, each we are paying about Au$5 a night. We save again by buying veggies at markets and cooking dinner in our room, we like to eat local food for lunch though. We are about to head into Java then Sumatra... Our visa is running out and have to soon cross to Malaysia. It can be done and the bike will still be there begging you to take it out on a long journey again. Be careful of the clutch though, nice crisp gear changes and oil changes every 1000kms will make it last longer. We got a new one fitted in Broome. Good luck. Nathan and Akiko. |
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Enjoy the ride, keep us Posted Glen |
Couple more old timers....
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A couple more pics from the classic days ('74)...sometime that you might be able to reproduce in your upcoming trip....there's actually a book here where a photographer tried to set up in the exact spot that many old time photos were taken to show the then and now....
Glen...if Rachel contacts us here, I'll pass on your plans and comments... Cheers Stephen The Street of Bamaga---Mrs. Phineasa and Mrs. Bosun - they ran the hotel.. The Bamaga Hotel - luxury on the Cape.... End of another School Day - North OZ 1974 Style Just north of the Hotel....park on left is the then movie theatre....open air!! |
Loaded postie
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Heres our beloved postie at the Overlander Roadhouse near SharkBay. Our setup has evolved a little since this pic was taken. We no longer have our tent and sleeping mats with us so the front rack just holds our cooking gear. Ive actually found it handled better with the extra weight on the front, especially on the rough stuff, tougher on the arms though. The tank panniers hold our food. The rear panniers hold our 2changes of clothes, my GFs girly stuff, spares and tools, chargers, mosquito net and 2 boxes of japanese organic mosquito coils(very good). Also 4litres of water in 2 bottles are strapped to the back with elastic. My pillion also wears a small day pack with our maps/snacks/toilet paper(very important here!!!) We just arrived in Java today. Found this great hotel in Probolinggo. Bromo View Hotel. Paying Aus$ 8 for the room including towels, linen, hot water, free WIFI AND breakfast. Thats 4bux each! Nathan and Akiko |
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Glen |
Dont have,ta be.
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CHEERS AL. |
Postie pic
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Here's a pic of one of the bikes at a freight forwarders in Brisbane ready for the short trip up the coast to Cairns :scooter:
Orange panniers just click onto the racking and I have an Andy Strapz "A" bag to strap on top of the rack. I am leaving Sat week myself to fly to Cairns. Any more spots/tips would be much appreciated Glen |
Bamaga School 1974
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Glen...sorry about not replying sooner. Been in the mountains. Here's a pic of the Bamaga School circa late 1974 that may be of interest to current Staff and Students.
Would be cool if you could take a shot from the same place when you get up to the Cape. Best of LUCK - laboring under correct knowlege- on your trip!!! Stephen |
Gotta get the that mail through !!!!!!!!!
Now we have some real mail to take along. STG06 "Stephen" is sending a FEDEX parcel containing a 1974 school year book from Red Deer Canada for us to hand deliver to the principal at Bamaga State School.
Can't wait to see the principals face when I wander in! :rofl: Glen |
Up the Cape with a Postie Bike
Wonder where they are now? :confused1:
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They have had a few dramas but have made it to the top and are on the way back down. Some updates at www.austouring.com.look for the midgets to the cape thread.
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The Mail Got Through!
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Even fake Mailmen never give in!!! :thumbup1: Stephen we met with a very surprised Principal at Bamaga P to 12 School and he was very receptive to 3 dust covered bikers. The current groundsman was enrolled in the Primary School in '74 and took us to the exact spot at the High School where your 1974 picture was taken. After handing over the FedEx parcel from Canada we were given a 2007 year book which I will forward to you once I get all of my luggage home. I have taken some new pics that I will also forward to you along with a business card for the Principal if you wish to contact him. The Top End operates on "CT" time, that's Cape Time for non locals. We met some great people along the way locals and travellers alike. We were like a travelling freak show, everywhere we stopped people would take pics, laugh, and ask if alcohol inspired such a trip. My reply was always, It seemed like an immature thing to do Now that's an adventure I will never forget. Now to work out where I ride the CT110X after a complete engine rebuild??? I can't believe that I am talking about a next time, how quick the pain subsides eh! I have some classic pics of the CT wheelstanding out of Gunshot Creek. Will post them when I get a chance. :rofl: That completes a totally unsupported trip covering 3220km Cairns - Musgrave Roadhouse (engine meltdown) - Cairns - Musgrave Roadhouse - Cape York - Cairns Glen |
Not snow, sleet, wind, or rain ....
Glen....great to hear the update....did read through the reports posted on Austouring...sounds like your 'adventure', including the mailmen moment, lived up to expectations, except maybe for the total replacement and rush to catch up...sore ass and all ....one of these days I'm keep thinkin' a guy should switch putting in the kind of hours one does sittin on a bike for sitting on a stool at a pub....sore ass might not matter so much then....anyway...look forward to pics and such...glad you made it up and back with a rich supply of stories and experiences.....great part of Oz....
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Only going south
Hey Guys that is great,
I am hopefully doing the same trip but only heading south and solo. I live on horn island and I am planning on riding my postie south to Cairns, like I said, hopefully. Chances are the rivers will still be up, but I am a teacher so I only have a limited window. Are you filming this adventure?? If so I look forward to checking it out. Best of luck CT's are the only way to fly :scooter: |
Gday
just wondering how many kilometers a day you guys were doing just curious P.S well done on the trip sounds like you had a ball |
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Give it a shot, what have you got to lose if something goes wrong? You can always ditch the bike and fly out on the weekly Mail Plane. Although I heard yesterday that Mac Air is no longer, I have not confirmed if this is true yet! Let me know if you decide to give it a go and I can tell you the most likely spares you will need to carry. Sorry for the delay in reply as I have just returned from a 5 week, 8500km ride to Tassie and back. Glen |
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Again sorry for the delay in reply as I have just returned from a 5 week, 8500km ride to Tassie and back. Glen |
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