Cooktown and beyond

[Old Techo]

G'day Graham,

You have gone to a great deal of trouble providing all of those links

Thank you for that and I have faithfully copied them all for review

[Old Techo]

Hey Jock

Are you back on the air yet

[jock]

Hey Jock

Are you back on the air yet

G'day O.T......Just got back, thank you....Decided to have a complete holiday including non use of our lap-top...Had our new Smart phone and we could check out any emails demanding attention thereon... Will get stuck back into the forum in the next few days.

Jock

[jock]

Hey O.T.
When you got to Mt. Isa last time..what route did you take to get home?
Cooktown is about it for sealed roads suitable for your caravan. Azhure's advices are spot on.. I second her suggestion about the Big4 park.
From Lawn Hill-( I would suggest staying at Adelle's Grove rather than attempting the Goat track to N.P.)
Afterwards, I would suggest you go to Normanton and Karumba..mainly fishing stuff but worth seeing. Then head East along the Gulf Development road..(savannah way). stop at Leichardts Lagoon C.P. about 25 kms from Normanton - great little spot. Azhures info along here from then on is great. If you're into fossicking, there are some great opportunities around the Mt. Surprise area.
There is a great spot on the Beach near Hopevale, N.W of Cooktown but no power and limited alcohol allowed....You could drive to Laura along the Battlecamp Road BUT...thoroughly check out the road conditions before doing so ...very rarely is it graded. From Laura it's now sealed nearly all the way South. Do not attempt to go North from Laura with your caravan. Head for Wonga Beach (Pinnacles C.P.) and use this as a base for day trips to Cape Tribulation, Mosman Gorge, and even Port Douglas..unless you want to stay in a C.P. at Port D.
Then head for Cairns via the beautiful Coastal drive and if you want to give yourself a real treat stay at the "best Caravan park in Australia". the Big 4 Coconut Resort about 7 kms South of Cairns central at Woree...Absolutely fabulous. Or if you want something a bit quieter and less expensive, try Fishery Falls C.P.about 40 kms South of Cairns.
There is lots to see and do around Cairns ..both Coastal stuff and up around Atherton...magnificent drives, waterfalls and views..Make sure you do the Kuranda train and Skyrail combination trip.

Can give you lots more info. heading South depending on whether you want to drive Coastal or Inland.
Your call.

Jock

[Old Techo]

Thanks Jock

Last time we were at the Isa (via Birdsville) we went west to the Alice.

The time before from Isa we went east to Ayr (tug only day trip from Charters Towers) but missed Townsville due lack of time... https://maps.google.com.au/maps?saddr=m ... ls&t=m&z=7

From Ayr we went south inland to Emerald, Brissie etc... https://maps.google.com.au/maps?saddr=m ... ls&t=m&z=7

[jock]

G'day again O.T.
Again assuming that you haven't done this before, may I suggest the following route to Isa and Lawn Hill....Head for Lake Cargelligo (near Condobolin) great little C.P. here but also a couple of really good free camps including Frog Hollow on the Lake.
Then onto Nyngan.. nice C.P. on the river (watch out for the pet emu)
Then onto Kidmans Camp C.P...great spot near the Darling about 8 kms Nth. of Bourke.
Then onto Yowah (opal fields) has an excellent C.P. as well as extensive free camping area with hot shower...
Then onto Quilpie.. fantastic C.P...great people, possible camp oven cooking meals nearly every night with accompanying great Happy Hour around the big campfire at the camp kitchen.
Then on to Windorah..C.P. or great free camps along the Cooper.
Then you can please yourself whether you get to Isa via Longreach (recommend the smaller Longreach Caravan Park in Ibis St.) Or via Bedourie, Boulia etc. ..I presume you've done the latter route..would recommend staying at the Boulia C.P.(don't miss the Min Min Lights encounter) rather than Bedourie.
Hope the above is of interest..sing out if you need any more info.

Jock

[Old Techo]

Thanks Jock for that extra info

I punched it into Google Maps.... https://maps.google.com.au/maps?saddr=M ... ls&t=m&z=6

We did Bedourie/Boulia on our Birdsville trek and also been to Kidmans twice but several of those other suggestions are new to us and sound interesting. We like to try new places

Thanks for your efforts and also those other posters who have provided valuable guidance. I have socked it all away in a file.

[glanyard]

Jock missed telling you about the best free camp in NSW, IMO; the man made lake just out of Condobolin that has toilets along with hot and cold showers. Check out Gum Bend Lake on Google maps. When we were there last June it was very popular, but still had plenty of room.
glanyard

[jock]

Jock missed telling you about the best free camp in NSW, IMO; the man made lake just out of Condobolin that has toilets along with hot and cold showers. Check out Gum Bend Lake on Google maps. When we were there last June it was very popular, but still had plenty of room.
glanyard

Have missed this one in the past Glanyard. Sounds interesting..has a red tick in Camps 8.

Jock

[Old Techo]

Again assuming that you haven't done this before, may I suggest the following route to Isa and Lawn Hill....

Jock, we have been thinking about your advice. You have proposed Lawn Hill via the Isa. Some think via Cloncurry, Burke and Wills Roadhouse direction. Are you able to make a comparison between these two very distinct routes?