Cape York Map. Cape Melville, Lakefield National Parks

Mountain Bike Ride to Cape York. Part 1 Cape Melville

A video of Ed Bourke, Gaye Bourke and Mark Polley riding Mountain Bikes and towing BOB trailers in Cape Melville.

Video of Ed, Gaye and Mark riding through Cape Melville NP

The road looks good heading into Cape Melville NP

Starke River. One of the few flowing streams in Cape Melville NP in September

Ed and Mark, second day into Cape Melville NP. The track is getting sandy.

Ed tackling bulldust in Cape Melville NP

Tackling bulldust near Starke Outstation. Cape Melville NP

Breaking camp on our 3rd day in Cape Melville NP and heading out for what was to be a tough day on the bike. We camped at this spot because there was a small waterhole nearby. The water was cloudy but tasted ok. The frogs in it looked healthy so we thought it couldn't be too bad.

Gaye contemplating another dry creekbed. Leaving late in the dry season meant less water around. This was more of a problem in Cape Melville than in later parts of the trip.

Taking a break near Wakooka in Cape Melville NP. A minimum of traffic through here made for relaxing travelling.

Sandy track in northern area of Cape Melville NP. It was often easier to ride off the track meandering through the trees

Gaye exhausted with the heavy going and heat at Cape Melville NP. Our fitness levels weren't that great at this stage. This was the 'pain before the gain' period.

Travelling through great countryside. Cape Melville NP. While tough going, Cape Melville NP is a picturesque, quiet and relaxing

environment to be in.

Gaye battling sandy track on Day 3 in Cape Melville NP. Sandy sections like this could be several kilometres long.

Ed riding off track to avoid the sand. The ground was all sand here but at least a bit of grass cover held the sand together and made riding possible.

Cruising through some beautiful country. Cape Melville National Park

Leaving Cape Melville NP and heading for Lakefield National Park. The improved roads gave us a break and chance to recover from a tough 4 days in Cape Melville NP. We'd like to come back to explore Cape Melville in more detail at a later date. It's a lovely place and we didn't have the time to stay longer. We would visit earlier in the dry season when it's greener and has more water around.

Entering Lakefield National Park. Gaye and Mark smiling with improved road conditions and the promise of plentiful water.

Mark and Gaye at Kalpower Crossing, Lakefield NP

Kalpower Crossing, Lakefield NP. The concrete ford was only a few inches deep so crossing was easy. Would have had a swim but crocs inhabit these waters.

Camping at Kalpower Crossing, Lakefield NP

Kalpower Crossing Camp Area. Very large campsites (this space was all ours) A nice relaxed campsite right next to the crossing.

Mark crossing the Hann River. Nice fresh cooling water to drink and flop into. A good spot for camping too although we went on to Saltwater Creek.

Riding through Lakefield NP, roads were generally good. The pink surface you see has been put down recently and provides a firmer, smoother road base than the previous sandy base.