Welcome to the forum Jill and Peter. Regarding the last question. We had about the same time as you did and we left our van at Cairns and just took the car for a day trip up to Daintree and that was enough. We went up the Mitchell Highway through Bourke (Kidmans Camp) and Charleville and Hughenden but have also been up through Newell Highway. Wait and see what others suggest and try and take your pick. There will be as many suggestions as there are ways I'm sure! Have fun deciding.
-- Edited by neilnruth on Tuesday 15th of May 2012 04:15:14 PM
My favourite North Queensland place is Mission Beach about an hour and a half south of Cairns. I stay at the Mission beach Hideaway Holiday Park (http://www.missionbeachhideaway.com.au/)
-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 15th of May 2012 08:46:32 PM
jilly888 said
10:59 PM May 15, 2012
Hi Guys...we are newbies after some input please.We are about to take off on our first big trip (well 7 weeks is big for us).We are heading up to Cairns in June will spend some time up there and then head down the coast,not sure how far down it will depend on time and weather. We were wondering what would be the best route up to Cairns from Melbourne (inland ).also any suggestions on free sites or caravan parks on route.We would like to get there as quick as possible (without spreading wings)so we can have more time up there and heading the coast road back.Any suggestions on places to visit on the trip,and if we want to go up further to see the daintree etc is it best to leave the van at cairns and go up by car? I'm sure there will be other questions as we think of them,this site is great and thank you in advance.
Jill and Peter
Fried Rice said
11:16 PM May 15, 2012
Welcome to the group Jilly..you are sure to enjoy the company and good advice to be acquired here. A problem is that there is so much experience that you might be confused with the number of options suggested for queries like yours. Having warned you, here's my two bobs' worth about your looming trip. It won't discuss routes to Qld except to concur with Jimricho's suggestion of the Newell Highway initially (as far as Moree). We could take ages to deal with all the options once you reach Qld but I'm suggesting roads which Felicity and I took recently as we went Brisbane-Daintree and back over about 4 weeks. Get your map of Queensland out now.. Moree to Mungindi-St George-Surat-Roma-Injune-Rolleston-Springsure-Emerald-Clermont-Charters Towers-Lynd-Mount Garnet-Ravenshoe-Atherton-Mareeba-Mount Molloy-Mossman-Port Douglas-Daintree. If you Google those towns you'll find too many attractions to cover here but I mention a few which may be of interest.. Springsure: Is a neat little town, good inexpensive van park at the Springsure Roadhouse. A historical place not to be missed is Rainworth Fort, only a short distance from town. Charters Towers: Full of history, well worth at least two nights' stopover; we recommend Dalrymple Van Park.. very good. You should book ahead for this if you can. Before you get to Mount Garnet, you can take a left turn and visit the famed Undara Tubes and might even be tempted to nip out to the Bedrock van park at Mount Surprise (book ahead) before heading back to the Tablelands. At Mareeba, don't miss the Coffee Works; just 1k past Mount Molloy is a good free camp at Rifle Creek. There is a van park at Daintree village but we chose to take the ferry across the river and stayed one night at Lync Haven Van Park $28 powered; two days and the night was enough for us to see the Daintree/Cape Tribulation locale. Of course, if you're into tropical scrub you could spend a lot longer. Well, that gets you to the top of your trip. By then you may want to hurry home but we might mention on your way.. Have a look at Babinda Boulders, Bramston Beach van park, a little beauty turn left just south of Mirriwinni, a nice free camp at Murray falls, south of Tully.
Above all, it's worth noting that whichever route you take, nearly all of our countryside is at its absolute best scenically right now. Many an old timer will tell you the place has never looked better!
I hope those snippets are of interest.. don't be shy with your comments or questions.. Safe travels and we hope our paths may cross sometime Fried Rice.
-- Edited by Fried Rice on Wednesday 16th of May 2012 05:46:21 AM
jilly888 said
11:40 PM May 15, 2012
Thanks for reply NielRuth, we were thinking the Newell but wondered what others had done.Hubby likes to free camp but me,i'm more your caravan park type although i havn't really tried the free campsites so i guess i should try before i comment on them.
wendyv said
12:10 AM May 16, 2012
Recommend the Kidman/Matilda Way route. Melbourne-Shepparton, Griffith, Hillston, Bourke, Charleville, Barcaldine, Emerald, Charters Towers. From there, two possible ways, both with plus and minus. Can continue north via Lynd and Atherton Tablelands and down to Cairns via either Innisfail or Kuranda. This way avoids the rather notorious coastal highway, but you need a CB to deal with mine truck traffic on the narrow section from CT to Lynd. Then, you have a steep-ish descent to Cairns. Or you could go from CT to coast at Townsville - good run, not much gradient, then up the coast. This has much more traffic, and road quality has suffered a bit from floods and traffic. From our most recent experience on this, in 2009, it seems to be a stretch where other drivers do crazy things around vans - and even some with vans seem to suffer brain fade. Suggest you take van as far as Wonga - couple of caravan parks there. it is a great base for exploring Daintree township and doing the river cruise, and for day tripping over the other side of the river on the ferry. Also to visit Mossman Gorge. If you have a 4WD you could even day trip up some of the Bloomfield Track. Good caravan parks at North Bourke (Kidmans Camp); Charleville - Evening Star (on Adavale road); Lake Maraboon near Emerald; at Charters Towers; Atherton. On the coast route, Rollingstone has a caravan park that is a great stay. In 2009, we gave Emerald a miss altogether, and travelled the back (bitumen) road between Rubyvale and Capella, and would go that way again.
Dougwe said
01:07 AM May 16, 2012
Welcome from me too jilly888, enjoy here and out there.
jimricho said
06:47 AM May 16, 2012
Re my earlier post, use the suggested Google Maps as a start point and try editing them with the suggestions of the other posters on this thread. There is so much to see and do on a trip like this and your final route will probably be a composite of those suggested.
-- Edited by jimricho on Wednesday 16th of May 2012 07:04:51 AM
jilly888 said
05:33 PM May 16, 2012
Thanks for all the replies guys.Wow you were right Ruth so many suggestions.The google links were great Jim,i like the look of the possumpark caravan park near Miles.Yes Wendy we do have a 4x4 and you mentioned the Bloomfield track where does that go from and what is there? Hubby just asked if any one has suggestions on how many driving hours he. should do each day.As you have guessed i dont do any of the driving with the van on the back but having said that i did say that i would give it a go if we were on a long straight road (at least for the first time to see how i go)Cant go wrong with that can i? (she says tongue in cheek lol)Fried Rice (love the name) you have given us lots to google which we hope to do today i think part of the fun is in the planning.Who knows we might stay up there longer,it all depends on me really i know i'm going to miss the grandkids to much,three of them live with us and so i see them every day so dont know yet how i will go anyhow time will tell,by the way is there anyone out there who will be up there the same time?We would love to catch up with people on here.
gypsy rover said
06:23 PM May 16, 2012
Welcome to the Forum Jill and Peter. As you can see they are a very helpful lot on here. I am in Townsville so if you come this way pm me. There is so much to see and experience "out there" you will just want to keep going. Queensland is beautiful (I am biased though), and I am sure you will enjoy every bit of it. My favourite place to visit is Paronella Park just a bit north of here. You can camp there over night and the cost is included in your entrance fee. It is just stunning, and in my book, a place not to be missed if you are in the area.
Have a great time and travel safe.
Cheers!
Chris
jilly888 said
09:09 PM May 16, 2012
Thanks Chris will keep that in mind.Hubby has another question (needs to get on here himself lol).He wants to know if anyone has put a chip in there car and if they are worth the money also if anyone has an idea of the cheapest place to buy one?We have a Landrover 4x4 2001.
blaze said
10:13 PM May 16, 2012
check out this site, I am also a landrover owner. You dont cip them but can get the map of te ecu remapped http://www.aulro.com/afvb/ ceers blaze ps mine has a remapped ecu and also have diesel/gas towing a 24 foot van
wendyv said
11:15 PM May 16, 2012
Jill, You ask about the Bloomfield Track. It is the (once controversial) road that was cut through the Daintree Forest, north from the Cape Tribulation area, to meet up with existing roads south from Cooktown. It is a way to go to Cooktown. It has some good views of the coast from lookouts, and lots of forest to look at! The actual ford of the Bloomfield River used to be tricky, but a concrete causeway made it much easier. There are some pretty steep sections, which have been concreted - usually single lane only - to assist the 4WD tourist buses that go that way. You may even want to think about going that way to Cooktown and staying in a motel or similar for a day or two, whilst so close. We actually once drove the Track, from Cooktown to Wonga Beach, and back again, in one day. Not something a sensible person would want to do, but we had left the van stored at Wonga and were heading up the Cape for a couple of months. Whilst camped at Cooktown, I realized I'd left a dozen eggs in a cupboard in the van...........the driver was exceedingly annoyed!
Cruising Granny said
03:46 AM May 17, 2012
Ooh, Wendy, that was a blunder. Never mind, all part of the adventure.
Well, Jilly, welcome. You have a major adventure ahead of you. So many options. Calling on the experiences of everyone who has gone before is taking some of the adventure out of your trip. Wherever you go you will encounter "interesting" terrain. Not everywhere is nice a flat and smooth. All the advice you've gained here will be of great value in making your decison, but it's still your adventure and decision to make. Have fun with it.
golivers travels said
05:24 PM May 17, 2012
Welcome Jill and Peter. As many have said it is a person choice which way to go. We have travelled both but now prefer the Kidman way, not as much traffic or trucks.
Kidmans Camp Caravan Park in Bourke is a must stay if heading that way. Barcaldine Tourist Park is also a good stop and well priced. Woodlands Tourist Park in Atherton, Wonga Beach near Daintree, Crystal Cascades in Cairns are some of the parks we have enjoyed although not the cheapest.
Have a wonderful time, enjoy the ever changing flora and fauna which ever way you go.
Glenda
Nicholstones said
03:40 AM May 18, 2012
jilly888 wrote:
...As you have guessed i dont do any of the driving with the van on the back ....
Jilly you definitely should get some experience towing the van. What happens if your husband has a fall or sprains an ankle or does his back in or has any of the other things that can wrong with our bodies, somewhere in the middle of nowhere? Also, there is a lot of Australia where there is a lot of distance between places, you need to at least have the option of doing a big day safely. Besides, it can get pretty tiring driving with the van on the back, and pretty boring sitting in the passenger seat all day, it only makes sense to share the load of both jobs.
Neither John nor I had ever towed before we got our van 4 years ago, we did a towing course together and now share all the driving. We would definitely recommend everyone does such a course, but if your husband is an experienced tower then there is probably no reason (apart from the risk to marital harmony) that he couldn't get you started. It actually isn't very difficult, you just need to get used to the different way the vehicle responds with that weight on the back, and take it easy at corners, roundabouts etc. Anyone who has learned how to drive (probably 99% of Australian adults) can also learn how to tow. I suspect that there is a lot of old fashioned 'man the master' attitudes out there, in reality there is absolutely no reason that women can't tow a van just as competently as a man does.
neilnruth said
04:19 AM May 18, 2012
I was given a lecture by someone recently that I should learn to tow the caravan too in case something happens. I calmly turned to the man and said 'I have as it did.' We had 5 kids, one a 10 month old, and my husband had had surgery which went wrong. It was then my duty to pack up said van and annexe (with help of the kids and a friend) and get it and all the family down the Blue Mountains, down Mount Ousley and home. When you have to, you usually can. But I also agree that a towing course would be great.
jilly888 said
09:16 PM May 22, 2012
thanks again guys for all your suggestions only 3 more weeks to go.Chris can you give us more info on Paronella park you said you can park overnight there.How much is this please ?I have looked it up on google and it looks very nice, and would like to know more about it and prices please.
Thanks Jill
Nicholstones said
01:57 AM May 23, 2012
If you are visiting Paronella Park then the entry price includes one free night in their attached caravan park. Don't know how much it would cost to stay further nights, but there probably isn't a lot of reason to do so anyway. Apart from the (lack of) cost, it is a good idea to stay there overnight as your entry ticket to the park will then allow you to do the night tour as well as a day tour, the two are quite different.
Welcome to the forum Jill and Peter. Regarding the last question. We had about the same time as you did and we left our van at Cairns and just took the car for a day trip up to Daintree and that was enough. We went up the Mitchell Highway through Bourke (Kidmans Camp) and Charleville and Hughenden but have also been up through Newell Highway. Wait and see what others suggest and try and take your pick. There will be as many suggestions as there are ways I'm sure! Have fun deciding.
-- Edited by neilnruth on Tuesday 15th of May 2012 04:15:14 PM
Here is a Google Map of the route suggested by Wendy http://g.co/maps/278mu
This would be my preferred route if I were doing it myself but it may not suit your requirements http://g.co/maps/8gccb
The Big4 at Rollingstone (http://www.rollingstonebeach.com.au/) suggested by Wendy is very nice and I've stayed there a few times. 20km north of Miles (Qld) is an unusual CP called Possum Park http://www.possumpark.com.au/ and I regularly stop there too.
My favourite North Queensland place is Mission Beach about an hour and a half south of Cairns. I stay at the Mission beach Hideaway Holiday Park (http://www.missionbeachhideaway.com.au/)
-- Edited by jimricho on Tuesday 15th of May 2012 08:46:32 PM
Hi Guys...we are newbies after some input please.We are about to take off on our first big trip (well 7 weeks is big for us).We are heading up to Cairns in June will spend some time up there and then head down the coast,not sure how far down it will depend on time and weather. We were wondering what would be the best route up to Cairns from Melbourne (inland ).also any suggestions on free sites or caravan parks on route.We would like to get there as quick as possible (without spreading wings)so we can have more time up there and heading the coast road back.Any suggestions on places to visit on the trip,and if we want to go up further to see the daintree etc is it best to leave the van at cairns and go up by car? I'm sure there will be other questions as we think of them,this site is great and thank you in advance.
Jill and Peter
Welcome to the group Jilly..you are sure to enjoy the company and good advice to be acquired here. A problem is that there is so much experience that you might be confused with the number of options suggested for queries like yours.
Having warned you, here's my two bobs' worth about your looming trip. It won't discuss routes to Qld except to concur with Jimricho's suggestion of the Newell Highway initially (as far as Moree). We could take ages to deal with all the options once you reach Qld but I'm suggesting roads which Felicity and I took recently as we went Brisbane-Daintree and back over about 4 weeks. Get your map of Queensland out now..
Moree to Mungindi-St George-Surat-Roma-Injune-Rolleston-Springsure-Emerald-Clermont-Charters Towers-Lynd-Mount Garnet-Ravenshoe-Atherton-Mareeba-Mount Molloy-Mossman-Port Douglas-Daintree.
If you Google those towns you'll find too many attractions to cover here but I mention a few which may be of interest..
Springsure: Is a neat little town, good inexpensive van park at the Springsure Roadhouse. A historical place not to be missed is Rainworth Fort, only a short distance from town.
Charters Towers: Full of history, well worth at least two nights' stopover; we recommend Dalrymple Van Park.. very good. You should book ahead for this if you can.
Before you get to Mount Garnet, you can take a left turn and visit the famed Undara Tubes and might even be tempted to nip out to the Bedrock van park at Mount Surprise (book ahead) before heading back to the Tablelands.
At Mareeba, don't miss the Coffee Works; just 1k past Mount Molloy is a good free camp at Rifle Creek. There is a van park at Daintree village but we chose to take the ferry across the river and stayed one night at Lync Haven Van Park $28 powered; two days and the night was enough for us to see the Daintree/Cape Tribulation locale. Of course, if you're into tropical scrub you could spend a lot longer.
Well, that gets you to the top of your trip. By then you may want to hurry home but we might mention on your way.. Have a look at Babinda Boulders, Bramston Beach van park, a little beauty turn left just south of Mirriwinni, a nice free camp at Murray falls, south of Tully.
Above all, it's worth noting that whichever route you take, nearly all of our countryside is at its absolute best scenically right now. Many an old timer will tell you the place has never looked better!
I hope those snippets are of interest.. don't be shy with your comments or questions..
Safe travels and we hope our paths may cross sometime
Fried Rice.
-- Edited by Fried Rice on Wednesday 16th of May 2012 05:46:21 AM
Or you could go from CT to coast at Townsville - good run, not much gradient, then up the coast. This has much more traffic, and road quality has suffered a bit from floods and traffic. From our most recent experience on this, in 2009, it seems to be a stretch where other drivers do crazy things around vans - and even some with vans seem to suffer brain fade.
Suggest you take van as far as Wonga - couple of caravan parks there. it is a great base for exploring Daintree township and doing the river cruise, and for day tripping over the other side of the river on the ferry. Also to visit Mossman Gorge. If you have a 4WD you could even day trip up some of the Bloomfield Track.
Good caravan parks at North Bourke (Kidmans Camp); Charleville - Evening Star (on Adavale road); Lake Maraboon near Emerald; at Charters Towers; Atherton. On the coast route, Rollingstone has a caravan park that is a great stay.
In 2009, we gave Emerald a miss altogether, and travelled the back (bitumen) road between Rubyvale and Capella, and would go that way again.
Re my earlier post, use the suggested Google Maps as a start point and try editing them with the suggestions of the other posters on this thread. There is so much to see and do on a trip like this and your final route will probably be a composite of those suggested.
A free Qld caravan park directory can be obtained from Caravanning Queensland at http://www.caravanqld.com.au/parks/caravan-parks-directory.aspx
-- Edited by jimricho on Wednesday 16th of May 2012 07:04:51 AM
Welcome to the Forum Jill and Peter. As you can see they are a very helpful lot on here. I am in Townsville so if you come this way pm me. There is so much to see and experience "out there" you will just want to keep going. Queensland is beautiful (I am biased though), and I am sure you will enjoy every bit of it. My favourite place to visit is Paronella Park just a bit north of here. You can camp there over night and the cost is included in your entrance fee. It is just stunning, and in my book, a place not to be missed if you are in the area.
Have a great time and travel safe.
Cheers!
Chris
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/
ceers
blaze
ps
mine has a remapped ecu and also have diesel/gas towing a 24 foot van
You ask about the Bloomfield Track. It is the (once controversial) road that was cut through the Daintree Forest, north from the Cape Tribulation area, to meet up with existing roads south from Cooktown. It is a way to go to Cooktown. It has some good views of the coast from lookouts, and lots of forest to look at! The actual ford of the Bloomfield River used to be tricky, but a concrete causeway made it much easier. There are some pretty steep sections, which have been concreted - usually single lane only - to assist the 4WD tourist buses that go that way.
You may even want to think about going that way to Cooktown and staying in a motel or similar for a day or two, whilst so close. We actually once drove the Track, from Cooktown to Wonga Beach, and back again, in one day. Not something a sensible person would want to do, but we had left the van stored at Wonga and were heading up the Cape for a couple of months. Whilst camped at Cooktown, I realized I'd left a dozen eggs in a cupboard in the van...........the driver was exceedingly annoyed!
Well, Jilly, welcome. You have a major adventure ahead of you. So many options. Calling on the experiences of everyone who has gone before is taking some of the adventure out of your trip.
Wherever you go you will encounter "interesting" terrain. Not everywhere is nice a flat and smooth.
All the advice you've gained here will be of great value in making your decison, but it's still your adventure and decision to make.
Have fun with it.
Welcome Jill and Peter. As many have said it is a person choice which way to go. We have travelled both but now prefer the Kidman way, not as much traffic or trucks.
Kidmans Camp Caravan Park in Bourke is a must stay if heading that way. Barcaldine Tourist Park is also a good stop and well priced. Woodlands Tourist Park in Atherton, Wonga Beach near Daintree, Crystal Cascades in Cairns are some of the parks we have enjoyed although not the cheapest.
Have a wonderful time, enjoy the ever changing flora and fauna which ever way you go.
Glenda
Jilly you definitely should get some experience towing the van. What happens if your husband has a fall or sprains an ankle or does his back in or has any of the other things that can wrong with our bodies, somewhere in the middle of nowhere? Also, there is a lot of Australia where there is a lot of distance between places, you need to at least have the option of doing a big day safely. Besides, it can get pretty tiring driving with the van on the back, and pretty boring sitting in the passenger seat all day, it only makes sense to share the load of both jobs.
Neither John nor I had ever towed before we got our van 4 years ago, we did a towing course together and now share all the driving. We would definitely recommend everyone does such a course, but if your husband is an experienced tower then there is probably no reason (apart from the risk to marital harmony) that he couldn't get you started. It actually isn't very difficult, you just need to get used to the different way the vehicle responds with that weight on the back, and take it easy at corners, roundabouts etc. Anyone who has learned how to drive (probably 99% of Australian adults) can also learn how to tow. I suspect that there is a lot of old fashioned 'man the master' attitudes out there, in reality there is absolutely no reason that women can't tow a van just as competently as a man does.
thanks again guys for all your suggestions only 3 more weeks to go.Chris can you give us more info on Paronella park you said you can park overnight there.How much is this please ?I have looked it up on google and it looks very nice, and would like to know more about it and prices please.
Thanks Jill