Cape York

Did Gunshot bypass this time (even it was steep & very boggy). I did CY in the Foz in 2005 but many of the crossings like Palm Creek are very chewed up now so would be harder, but yes, it's possible in the Foz if lifted and snorkled. Generally the water was a bit deeper this time. We saw a Hilux get swamped at Nolans Brook crossing - it claims about 40 cars per season. I'll get some pics up soon.
 
From the 2005 trip - Gunshot heading south with the Foz after it had blown a rear self-levelling strut and was stuck on its belly; going north it made it in and out of Gunshot OK

 
Gravel_Rocks said:
I don't know of anywhere here that could say that.:bananatoast:
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For a laugh type into your search engine 4wds stuck at Rainbow Beach :rotfl:

blown a rear self-levelling strut and was stuck on its belly
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Not much fun. Are you replacing the self levellers with raised springs and struts?
 
DedmanWalking said:
I really want to have a go at those tracks.... Did you have a go at gunshot? Also are they subaruable with effort?

Cheers
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Cape york is the kind of place you go for the touring not bashing in my opinion. If you go up there expecting amazing tough 4x4 tracks you will be disappointed. With the exception of gunshot and a few other tough obstacles that all have bypass tracks, its pretty easy going if you go later in the season when the water levels have dropped and the tracks have dried out.

Just like touring in any remote area, the challenge is more about preparing a vehicle that will survive the corrugations (subies rule at this) and be reliable.

Don't get me wrong, i absolutely love the place and I am heading up there for the 3rd time in September. Its just not what the 4x4 mags make it out to be. Lets face it they talk it up to sell aftermarket 4x4 parts.
 
Looking forward to seeing the pics & hearing about your adventures Kevin :)

Regards
Mr Turbo
 
That's good to hear Vincent, when I've finished my apprenticeship I plan on taking my subie all round AUS and the cape is definitely on the list.

When I traveled round AUS (exept for QLD) in 2005 for 3 months with my family in a standard Patrol. We went to all the touring places that the 4x4 mags put on their 'bucket list's' and I can say the amount of times we engaged 4x4 could be counted on two hands. The only time I can think of that it was actually needed was on the way into Innaminka where the road we where on was actually being closed when we where on it.

Makes you feel confident about your subie and happy that you didn't pour 60k+ on a kitted heavy.
 
mate your car will love it up there. you just have to have the right attitude. Take your time, assess each obstacle as you get to it and don't be afraid to turn back if you need to. the distances in that part of the country really aren't that far so backtracking takes hours not days.
 
vincentvega said:
the challenge is more about preparing a vehicle that will survive the corrugations (subies rule at this) and be reliable.
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Generally, the corrugations were not as bad this time.
 
vincentvega said:
mate your car will love it up there. you just have to have the right attitude. Take your time, assess each obstacle as you get to it and don't be afraid to turn back if you need to.
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This is the difference between driving $60K+ and a subi :twisted:

thunder039 said:
how much fuel did you need to carry? i really want to get up there in my zook but the 40ltr tank is struggle for long distance
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40L?! I know they're meant to be economic but that's a joke! Drop tank time??

Cheers

Bennie
 
thunder039 said:
how much fuel did you need to carry? i really want to get up there in my zook but the 40ltr tank is struggle for long distance
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Fuel is usually readily available; but top-up at every opportunity in case your next stop has run out. I carried 20L on each occasion but did not need it.
 
Hello sir, how did you go for river crossings? I am worried about a flooded ECU under the passenger foot well. Is there any way to relocate it higher or water proof it? I am heading up that way but not all the way to the top so I need some experienced advice.
 
If the crossing is too deep just use a bypass. Common sense goes a long way up there. Our group would get out and walk the more difficult crossings and assess if we are going to cross and the best way to cross. I saw others just plough into crossings without checking alternatives and they paid the price. I believe others have sealed up their ECUs but mine has not been touched; I think relocating it would be a big job. Make sure you use a blind for deep crossings.
 
vincentvega said:
Cape york is the kind of place you go for the touring not bashing in my opinion. If you go up there expecting amazing tough 4x4 tracks you will be disappointed.
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Yeah I figured that would be the case. I would love to do it though so I can distroy the egos of those who give you comments like 'what a Subaru offroad? You got to be kidding....' which I receive all the time.
 
hydrowill said:
When I traveled round AUS (exept for QLD) in 2005 for 3 months with my family in a standard Patrol. We went to all the touring places that the 4x4 mags put on their 'bucket list's' and I can say the amount of times we engaged 4x4 could be counted on two hands.
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Yeah that's why for the most part I like to stay away from touristy locations.

hydrowill said:
The only time I can think of that it was actually needed was on the way into Innaminka where the road we where on was actually being closed when we where on it.
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The exact same thing happened to my family and I in that area. On a track and a massive thunderstorm came from nowhere. Within minutes the dirt highway turned to axle deep mud. Was really amazing how quickly it changed from 100km/h to almost bogged.
 
Yeah self dependent and vulnerable. Also caused problems that had never occurred before in years of touring. There was so much mud flying about that parts of the caravan started to break off from the weight of the mud. And that was just in the time it took to find somewhere to stop where we were not going to sink up to the body work in mud.
 
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