Frenchmans Road

Frenchmans Road is one of the most famous 4WD tracks in Cape York.

It is probably the second famous one after the Old Telegraph Track.

It goes from Telegraph Road to the main road into Portland Roads and is best done in that direction because of the steepness of the western bank of Pascoe River.

It is a great track and if you are coming from north and want to go into Portland Roads, Iron Range and Lockhart River, you will save some kilometres by taking this shortcut!

The Famous Frenchmans Road in Cape York

The land around it is privately owned and you are not allowed off the track (and that includes camping) without a permission from Batavia Downs Homestead.

The start of Frenchmans Road on Telegraph Road. ©cape-york-australia.com

The start of the road is half-rough with some patches of bog holes until you get to Wenlock River crossing. The western river bank is steep but once down, the river crossing itself is easy, at least during the Dry Season. There are some nice shady camping spots under the trees close to the river.

Wenlock River crossing. ©cape-york-australia.com

Continuing east the road has a few wet patches ...

Between Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers. ©cape-york-australia.com

.. as well as level but sometimes corrugated parts...

Between Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers. ©cape-york-australia.com

.. and some holey parts.

Between Wenlock and Pascoe Rivers. ©cape-york-australia.com

The main excitement of the track is Pascoe River, which is one of the most challening river crossings in Cape York.

Not far to go to Pascoe. ©cape-york-australia.com

Once you get to Pascoe, it is a steep track down along the western river bank.

The steep western bank of Pascoe River. ©cape-york-australia.com

The river itself is reasonably deep and that in the combination with quite a strong current makes this crossing challenging.

Pascoe River crossing. ©cape-york-australia.com

The eastern bank is not as steep as the western one, but is still a fair climb up.

Getting up to the eastern bank of Pascoe. ©cape-york-australia.com

The rest of the road is quite cruisy with no big dramas...

East of Pascoe River. ©cape-york-australia.com

.. and some great views over some rocky country...

... and the surrounding landscape, ...

... until the track comes to its eastern end at the main road into Iron Range National Park, Lockhart River and Portland Roads.

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