How Much Water do people take when heading to the Cape?
Submitted: Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 10:18
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RobMac (QLD_Member)
Hey all,
We're planning a Trip to the Cape this year and visiting some off the normal road tracks (ie
Cape Melville; Old Coad rd -
Maytown, etc) and we will have 5wks to do it up & back. We have a 150's Prado with 5 of us (3 small kids). Room will be a premium and was wondering if 50ltrs would be enough? I was thinking that water availability up that way shouldn't really an issue. I haven't been up there since '87 so tha memory is a little cloudy... Any advice would be much appreciated.....
On previous desert trips we took 70+ltrs but could make use of the extra room by only bringing 50ltrs.....
Rob
| Cheers..... RobM
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Reply By: Allan B (Member, SunCoast) - Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 10:42
Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 10:42
Hi Rob,
Water is fairly plentiful but could be of doubtful quality for drinking.
Suggest you carry known potable water for cooking and drinking and use locally available water for washing. Suggest 2x 20 litre potable and carry one 20 litre for washing which can be frequently topped-up.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Mick T3 - Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 11:57
Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 11:57
I can't imagine having too much water, anywhere.
After running out on the back roads of Billiluna, after a desert woman sat on my last full jerry can, and bust it into little pieces, I now cram every nook and cranny with little bottles, just in case.
Of course, knowledge of water sources would be a factor, even in the Cape, and kids.
Nothing more embarrassing than running out of water.
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Reply By: cookie1 - Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 14:53
Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 14:53
When we went in 2009 frm memory, we took 60L of
Adelaide tap water but only used about 20L in the Cape (we used 20L crossing the Simpson and topping that container up at the
Birdsville Shell for washing only), we carried 2 x 15L Sping Water for drinking and cooking and replaced the spent one at Seisa
Supermarket before we headed back down.
cheers
AnswerID:
530802
Reply By: Tony F8 - Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 17:22
Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 17:22
Hi Robmac,
Water from the likes of Dulhunty, Sam and Cockatoo creeks would pose you know health risks, how do I know this you might ask, spent a little bit of time once with some cane farmers from the Burdekin, who happened to do some water sampling, the result was less impurities than
Brisbane tap water. Make up your own mind on
Brisbane tap water.
Cheers.
Tony F8.
AnswerID:
530812
Reply By: brendan l4 - Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 17:42
Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 17:42
When are you planning on going?..if you go early in the season there will be plenty of water in the fresh streams. If not all the towns/roadhouses have good water supplies to refill at.
Hann river, musgrave,
coen, archer,
weipa all have good water. Then right up the top around
bamaga and seisa will have plenty of water. I am from
cairns and i am up the cape all the time for work/ holidays and water is never a problem. I usually refill
drinking water at towns and roadhouses then use the creeks to clean.
AnswerID:
530814
Reply By: exmouth1 - Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 20:37
Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 20:37
G, day rob,
Plenty of water in red wine
Cheers
john
AnswerID:
530826
Reply By: Batt's - Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 21:45
Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 21:45
Bit different to when I was up there is 1989 we just filled our bottles and drunk out of the clear creeks upstream from the crossings if you thought it was sus a old tip was put some cottees raspberry mix up in it none of us had any problems how times have changed. Also can't you buy some tablets to help to water if needed.
AnswerID:
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Reply By: RobMac (QLD_Member) - Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 23:31
Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 23:31
Yeah, I had the same thought that some creeks would be ok to drink from if req'd.
So I think 2x20ltrs + 2x5ltrs should be enough then.....
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Reply By: Member - Michael John T (VIC) - Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 23:46
Friday, Apr 18, 2014 at 23:46
Hi Rob,
Plenty of opportunities to refill water containers on the Cape.
Coen for example has a public hose, just ask at the petrol outlet next to the pub.
Weipa camp ground, if you go out to Chilli Beach
Portland Roads has water etc...... Just ask.
Regards
Mike.
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530842