Motorhome Daintree to the cape

Michelle Rodgers · Newbie

Motorhome Daintree to the cape

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Absolutely.
There will be a lot of dust and some corrugations (depending on your timing), but if you are prepared to drive accordingly and appropriately for YOUR vehicle, there is no safety issue.
There is a steady stream of trucks of all types up and down the Cape, so a 31ft motorhome is no different, in that respect.

Cheers,
Peter

Dunmowin · Guru

Be aware that road may be closed during the wet

Michelle Rodgers · Newbie

Hi Peter, thank you for that. So we would definitely be able to cross the river on the Ferry at the Daintree and get through from there? I read the road is very windy and steep once you get off the ferry. We are booked into the Weipa fishing classic in June 2018 and weâve never been that far ever, let alone in such a big rig. I am the driver of the Motorhome and Brent my husband drives the 4wd towing the boat. Regards Michelle

TheHeaths · Guru

Not being smart, but if the ferry crossing at Daintree, and the possibility that the road afterwards is going to be too steep and winding, wouldn't you consider a different route that may be more suitable.

I have not been there as yet, but it may be better to backtrack to Port Douglas or Cairns, and go out via Marreba and Lakeland.

Just suggesting that as you seem worried about the other route. My other question is do you live at Daintree, or are you coming to the region from elsewhere? If coming from elsewhere, perhaps back track and find a different route.

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Thursday 23rd of November 2017 09:08:59 AM

dieseltojo · Senior Member

Its been 25 years ago that I drove to the tip in a new GQ patrol. We crossed at the Daintree and followed the dirt roads to cook town to have a beer at the old iconic Lions Den pub I think it was.

If you did it then I can tell you straight that you motor home would simply not have made it. smile The roads were rugged,windy and steep in places. You would have to do a three pointer to get around the bends.

But that's a long time ago... I would get a good late model road report of some of the 4 wheel drive forums maybe. smile

Sweet William · Member

Daintree to Bloomfield will still be a severe test for a motorhome. The steep slopes have been cemented, and some creek crossings bridged, but it is still basicly a wild 4wd track. The rest of the trip is easy 2wd unless you want to try the telegraph track. My recommendation, inland to Lakeland, skip the telegraph track, and you will have no problems not related to weather.

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Sorry, but I misunderstood. You can not continue north from the Daintree because the Bloomfield track is too steep (even the bits that are concrete). You will need to back track to Mossman and Mount Molloy and follow the bitumen to Laura. From Laura (the end of the bitumen) north will be no problem.

Cheers,
Peter

Michelle Rodgers · Newbie

Thank you everyone who commented. I thought there was only one route to Weipa from the Daintree. We are heading from Brisbane so will go the safe route Mareeba to Lakeland through to Weipa. What a great site the greynomads is. Very helpful people, much appreciated. Cheers Michelle

Bass · Senior Member

I'll have a go at taking my van most places but baulk at the Daintree track. up there in july 2015 and sorry but I would think that it is no place for a motor home. Inland to cooktown then to the cape from there no probs just drive to conditions. as peter said bits are steep but the main problem is the tourist buses going flat knacker and pushing all else off the track. ( cause they own it .

Voyager00 · Veteran Member

We towed our off road van along the PDR up to the Tip in August. The road between Musgrave Roadhouse and Coen was extremely corrugated for long stretches . Perhaps it was the time of the year that we travelled but Id be very cautious in taking a motor home along it without firstly carefully checking road conditions . We saw several vans being carted back on the back of trucks . If the road conditions are ok , its a wonderful drive and Weipa is well worth the trip .

gold dandelion · Senior Member

buy a genie and a tent and leave your motor home in cairns, it would be more enjoyable and cheaper, you could then do the telegraph track. don't forget to go over to T.I. and visit Horn Island, and Friday Island pearl farm. spend a couple of nights over there, a lot of history. if you go all that way it seems silly not to visit.