Page 32 - Ebook Explore Cape York

Explore Cape York 26
Before you hit the dirt do turn your lights on to be more
visible in the dust, and ensure you’ve tuned your UHF to
channel 40.

Drop the tyre pressures, a somewhat subjective topic -
everyone has a differing opinion. However, let’s have a look at
the effect tyre pressure has on your ride. If the pressure is too
high, there’s not so much ‘give’ and less of your tyre is in
contact with the road resulting in more bouncing and sliding.
Think of a basketball – the more air it has the higher it
bounces. On the other hand, if your tyre pressure is too low,
too much of the surface is in contact with the ground creating
friction between it and the road, consequently leading to
overheating.
There may be times, when doing the tracks, in loose sand or
deep mud, you will need to drop your tyre pressure very low for
short periods to get that bigger footprint. Ensure you carry a
compressor and gauge for reinflation. At the end of the day, it
comes down to how your vehicle handles, the load you’re
carrying, the road conditions and the way you drive – a
compromise choice for many is 28 – 30 psi.

‘What’s the road like?’ A question asked on social media almost
daily during the tourist season. The road is constantly changing
depending on the weather and the amount of traffic travelling
it. The old saying ‘what a difference a day makes’ certainly
applies here. What you can be sure of is that it will be dusty,
possibly muddy (depending on the time of the year), and with
some – or a lot – of corrugations. The amount of bitumen
along the PDR increases each year, with a few scattered
sections on the Telegraph and Bamaga Roads.

If you’re towing a caravan and prefer not to take it all the way,
there are several storage options available; including Mt
Carbine Caravan Park, Cooktown, Lakeland Caravan Park,
Peninsula Hotel at Laura, Hann River Roadhouse, Merluna
Station, Weipa Campground, Bramwell Station and Bramwell
Junction - conditions may apply. Bramwell Station and Bramwell
Junction are more than happy for you to leave your caravan or
camper with them while you do the OTT.