David and Ben proudly pose at the top of Cape York
There are plenty of people sitting in suburbia dreaming of an open-ended trip around Australia with all of the adventure and excitement that it promises. However, it can be a long way from the reassuring comfort of the couch to the uncertainty and expense of life on the open road.
David and Bev Delaney are among those who were prepared to take a leap of faith and they are currently reaping the rewards, living a dream lifestyle and challenging themselves each and every day.
Back in 2013, the couple was desperately looking for a better way of life, free from the crippling costs of mortgage, house maintenance, rates, and electricity bills. They decided to sell their house and furniture … and haven’t looked back since.
“We love the freedom and mostly stress-free life as permanent nomads,” said David. “It’s been 3.5 years and we haven’t got out of Queensland yet!”
The Delaneys bought a new 2013 Isuzu Dmax, a new 2013 Jayco Sterling Outback and set themselves up for long-term free camping and they began slowly exploring. Eventually, they pointed their wheels north towards Cape York and the Tip.
“We checked everything, including sealing non-essential vents with duct tape and were on our way,” said David. “I am an ex long-distance driver and did a lot of Outback work, so I was accustomed to this type of driving.”
While the couple had no trouble with their tug or van on their entire trip, they did see a quite few broken camper trailers by the side of the road that hadn’t quite been up to the job.
They loved the whole adventure … stopping at the Musgrave roadhouse, the Archer River roadhouse, spending a few days in the Bauxite port of Weipa, marvelling at the stunning sunsets and the three-metre termite mounds, and enjoying the experience of taking the ferry across the crocodile-filled Jardine River.
“The Dmax and Sterling handled the conditions superbly, at times cruising around 85km/h but then dropping to 20km/h for corrugated corners,” said David. “After the Jardine crossing the road became noticeably rougher and, at times, we needed to straddle the table drain which was considerably smoother than the road.”
As their northward odyssey continued, the Delaneys found the perfect base from which to explore the area and, of course, get to the Tip.
“About 10 kilometres south of Bamaga is the small Aboriginal community of Umagico where dogs and horses lazily roam the streets and kids playing on the footpaths stop and wave as people drive past,” said David. “Further through the community is Alau Beach campgrounds, an area with easy access to power and water, and a pristine beach with water views to nearby Cape York Islands.”
The couple stayed in this ‘paradise’ for 11 nights before reluctantly heading slowly back to Cairns via spots such as Fruitbat Falls, the Old Telegraph Station, and Coen.
And would they do the Cape again?
“At the drop of a hat,” said David.
In 1995 took our triplets aged 5 to the top went by the old Telegraph Road i 2 small tents loved it would do it again went around Australia in a old jayco songbird with them would not change a thing had a ball and so much fun.
We also did the Cape in July. However we left our Van in Cooktown which was stored at a low cost of $5 per day. We slept on an air bed in the back of our Toyota Cruiser. We only find out about Alau Beach at Musgrove. What a fantastic. 7 days waking up to the beautiful views of the beach, beautiful sunsets. We paid extra to have a powered shelter which was well worth it. Much better than Seisa Beach. Fantastic trip. Don’t know how they travelled with a van at 85k except on the bitumen sections.
We have just returned from our trip to Cape York.Loved all of it ,saw everything we could.Stayed at Alau Beach too …loved the peace and quiet..and the happy smiling faces of the locals. Would probably do it again……