Iconic Australian adventure trips like the fabled journey up to the tip of Cape York are slowly becoming more accessible to grey nomads and others.
The Federal Government’s recent announcement of a $250 million roads project for the Cape is the latest sign that ‘ever-so-gradually’, exploring areas that were once considered too challenging for most are becoming an achievable dream.
The planned upgrade will include sealing about 100km of road between Mapoon and Weipa, as well as improving the surface of the road connecting Aurukun to the Peninsula Developmental Road. While news of improvements to some of the Cape’s ‘minor’ roads was widely welcomed,  the government’s announcement that money will also be put forward to a crossing at Jardine River will perhaps have the biggest direct effect on adventurers heading to the tip..
The cost of making the 40-metre barge crossing of the crocodile-infested river, five hours drive north of Weipa, has been the subject of immense scrutiny recently.
The return ticket fare for a single vehicle to use the only safe route across the Cape’s biggest river, has just gone up from $88 to $129, in a move Federal MP Warren Entsch described  as ‘highway robbery’.
He said the ‘exorbitant’ cost was a deterrent for many visitors to make the trip to the tip of Australia. The price rise also sparked renewed calls for a bridge to be built.
While improvements are slowly being made to Cape York roads, it seems it may be a long time before a trip to Australia’s extreme north can be described as anything other than supremely challenging.
It’s a similar story elsewhere. Other iconic tracks such as WA’s Gibb River Road and the Northern Territory’s Mereenie Loop Road have long been the subject of speculation that they will be sealed.
Have you travelled to the Tip recently? Was it an ‘adventure?’ Did you find the Jardine Crossing cost ‘exorbitant?’ Which Australian ‘track’ would you like to see sealed? Comment below.
Highway robbery Indeed! What can one expect from any Australian Government Venture /If they could they would put Pokies on the Barge
Seems a bit steep comparing it to 1988 $40 with go back (return). I thought the $88 was reasonable, that is a big jump.
What are we going to receive as extra for the increase?
I would not cross it even if they paid me.!!!!!!!
Too expensive at $88. I suppose for the extra fee they will give you more free camping. Yeah right. Rip off to a captive market. I don’t know of anyone who has gotten that far up the Cape to turn around so close to the tip because of this charge!
It is not the Government that puts this price on the crossing. it is run by the local Aboriginal community. I travelled to the Top in 2009 and met 3 blokes coming back who did turn around because of the cost of getting their 2 vehicles across. I was thinking of going again but for $129, I’ve been there done that. This is however a typical attitude of the Australian tourist industry, Get them in once and take every cent you can. No-one seems to care about return customers.
We crossed in the water 3 years ago on our return there was a bloody great excavator digging out the cross to stop us returning
It’s been very disappointing watching all adventure of our country being taken away. No longer does it take an effort to be rewarded for your efforts by natures best- you just drive down a bitumen rd to an overcrowded car park and an overcrowded natural spectacle. Lichfield is a prime example. People used to come to Australia for adventure, now they go to Africa. Sad.
It doesn’t matter what it costs to use the barge. If they build a bridge you’ll be charged the same to access camping areas on the Cape anyway.
I don’t want to see anymore tracks sealed at all. There are already enough places for Corollas to go . There still needs to be a place for the adventurous to go away from the hordes.
I thought the cost included the crossing over & back, permit, plus camping.
Have you paid to park in Sydney. Pay for you accommodation and the get charged to park your car.
We crossed in 2011 it cost about $130 but was worth it including a bit of a chat to the operator who was quite interesting, told us where to stay and not to go near, it included the return trip plus camping if required in a nice area on the Jardine of which we didn’t do if you can afford to get this for pay the price as it is run by the aboriginal communities.