Step off to the Gulf

Lakeland is the T road to the gulf. Turn here for adventure! This seems to be a "must do" for many travellers. Age seems no barrier as some of the travellers are well into retirement.

The road from here heads on to Cooktown, or turns to the north for the Cape York experience. For many, a once in a lifetime trip, while others keep coming back. Quite easy as far as Laura being bitumen. After that the polydent is required. A bone shaking, denture rattling corrugated hell road. And that's when it is good!

Not content with the relentless corrugations, some detour to the telegraph road. Here is the domain of well heeled adventurers with rigs that include all the mod kits you can imagine. The basic track is able to be driven by many four wheel drives with care. Steep climbs and difficult crossings are all part of the trip. People craving even more adventure and adrenaline pumping action will take one of the many detours that leave the main track. Hard work and recovery are everyday features.

People who get broken down or stuck will need to send a message back to the recovery specialists. This is a very costly option so preparation is paramount.

Even towing a purpose built 4WD off road trailer is a handicap so most here will opt to camp in tents. The main track these days though will abound with many off road trailers and some quite large off road vans. There are countless stories of the damage done by the unending corrugations. Even simple box trailers have been seen with the springs hammered the wrong way curve or leaves broken completely.

Anyone thinking of this trip should ignore the stories about standard cars making the return trip and be well prepared with appropriate vehicles and proper safety and first aid gear. Even with the huge numbers of people travelling this road it would be a good idea to include a sat phone or personal beacon in the kit.

The small caravan park is where may people stop a night then leave their normal van before embarking on the trip. The local fuel station can top up your fuel tanks and jerry's while a meal in the pub is popular. Returns will be able to wash off the dust from the trip, but washing the car is at a cost due to the lack of water.Read more