Some information on Palmer River and Maytown from gclan.
The Old Coach Rd was a highlight of our Cape trip last year. I've heard of some some doing it in around 6 hours+, but it took the two of us (one towing a camper trailer) just over 9 hours from Jowalbinna to Dog Leg Crossing, with a 40min lunch stop up at the Robert Logan Jack Memorial, a few quick photo stops along the track, and about 20mins trying to find the Palmer River campsite in the dark(no luck). Dog Leg Crossing is by far the better campsite anyway.
With a typical Myswag group size, you'd probably have to camp the night somewhere along the track, but I'm not sure where you are allowed to camp up on the plateau, and I can't remember if we even passed a spot large enough for a group to camp. We passed a single car heading south-north, and they'd camped the night near the old Folder's Hotel site before continuing on to Laura. The Ron and Viv Moon book might help with that.
The track is slow going, but not too difficult. There are probably only half a dozen spots that will hold a few people up. The main one being the big rock step on the western most route going up the escarpment. Coming from the south, you'll have to go 'up' it, which will require a bit of road building and possible winching. We needed to do a fair bit of road building ourselves just to get down the waist high ledge. There used to be a chicken track, but it's almost as bad as the main rock step now. Just make sure everyone is ok with the thought of some possible damage here to the underside of their campers. This was the only spot along the whole track that I was glad we going north to south, so that we could go down through the cutting. There's always the option of taking the eastern route which is supposed to be slightly easier, and avoids this big rock shelf (follow the main signs for Maytown or Laura).
If you do take the eastern route, make sure to double back and head up to the RL Jack Memorial on top of the plateau. The turn off and sign were easy to miss last year. A small overgrown track and a faded, rusted sign lying on the ground at the base of a tree.
There are several tight squeezes between trees for those with camper trailers, and some rock cuttings to negotiate that aren't hard, just time consuming. There are several long descents and ascents with small rock ledges, that you'll need guides for, and some of the creek crossing have steep exits and entries. Just make sure you've got a few good guides with you, and you'll be fine.
It's an amazing track. The history, views, and technical driving are all worthwhile. I'm personally glad we went north to south, but both directions have their good and bad points, and I think the number of hill ascents and descents all balance out roughly equally.
The road out from Maytown to Palmer River Roadhouse took us close to 3 hours, and it was a very well maintained road. The road from Laura to Jowalbinna was in really good condition too, though I can't remember how long it took.
Jowalbinna was a great campground, with flush toilets, hot showers.
I've put up quite a few photos in my Cape York trip report, and am working on a series of videos for youtube that will give you a good idea of the track if you're interested.
Many Thanks Karen
We will spend a full day at Maytown exploring the old relics and history of the area.
http://www.tourismcapeyork.com/news/cooktownlocalnews/maytownhttp://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/palmer-goldfield/about.htmlhttp://www.tourismcapeyork.com/stay/lakeland_and_laura/accom/jowalbinnacamp.jpg/viewMark
