Day 1 Cairns to Hann River Roadhouse
Three of the 4 parties - Melinda and David and the 4 kids (or should I say young adults now..) Kathy and "Cassowary" Cos, and Tracey and Don left Cairns in nice clean shiny vehicles heading north for a sightseeing stop at Port Douglas. Keri and Paul joined us at Laura after doing a bit of pre trip exploring via the Bloomfield Track and Cooktown. As we left Cairns, we made a last minute stop off at the Smithfield Bunnings. Don had forgotten to pack a short length of 50mm pvc waterpipe which he usually likes to carry - just in case we need a bit of leverage to help undo wheel nuts. Of course we would be very very unlikely to need it .... until only a few hundred metres short of Hann River Roadhouse and on the bitumen!
This was one tyre where the repair kit was not going to be needed. Once safely at the Roadhouse we inspected David's other tyres and found another had a cut so we changed it as well. Day 1 and we are 2 tyres down already! Fortunately that was the last of the tyre dramas - though from then on we kept a nervous eye on pressures.
Day 2 Hann River Roadhouse to Archer River Roadhouse
A day spent on dusty roads - then a little oasis at Archer River. Needless to say the kids took the opportunity to wash off the dust with a dip! A couple of the older members enjoyed a nice cold beer while dangling feet in the cool water. It wasn't until we were on the way back that we noticed the strict alcohol restrictions...oops.
Day 3 Archer River Roadhouse to Cockatoo Creek.
The Termite mounds were getting steadily bigger as we travelled north. When we arrived at Bramwell Station Roadhouse where the Old Telegraph Track departed from the Peninsula Development Road we found a decent sized one to include in a trip photo.
At last the Old Tele Track!
First Creek Crossing only a kilometer or two in was Palm Creek. Down in the creek there was a lot of commotion as another vehicle was busy doing serious winching trying to get up out of the water on the other side - which seemed a tad steeper than this side. I only got a picture of our side.
As we didn't feel the need to do winching practice on the first day we decided to skirt around and take a bypass road in and camp at Cockatoo Creek. Prior to Cockatoo Creek there were a few minor creeks not shown on the maps.
Cockatoo Creek looked more like Cockatoo River. The current was quite strong but the rocky base was quite good as long as you stayed away from the holes and sharp ridges. Well walked before crossing.
Day 4 The Old Tele Track South of Cockatoo Creek
We headed south down towards Gunshot Creek.
The sighting was at least 2 weeks old....still …
We watched a couple of cars make their way North - much more fun when it isn't your car.
The chicken tracks David used last time were impassable and the remaining chicken track involved a drive along the creek under a couple of fallen trees. We skirted Gunshot for a look further South.
Dulhunty River was one of the prettiest crossings you'd ever see.
We went South as Far as North Alice Creek before heading back North.
Keri and David decided they would drive Gunshot! Given the fallen trees, Cos and I decided we'd watch from the other side and skirted back around.
Keri was still on a high having already crossed Gunshot when Cos and I arrived just in time to catch David drive through! A bit of maneuvering in the creek bed and he was through!
Day 5 The Old Tele Track between Cockatoo Creek and Elliot Falls
Then - Fruit Bat Falls! A magic little spot!
We camped at the Elliot Falls Campground. Not too shabby!! We spent a very pleasant couple of hours swimming at Twin Falls.
Day 6 The Old Tele Track north of Elliot Falls
Leaving behind camp at Elliot Falls we headed north across Canal, Sam, and Mistake Creeks. Going through one of the camp grounds we were warned that Mistake Creek was as far as we were likely to get. However although David needed a tiny bit of winching up the far side of Mistake Creek (his front lockers had stopped working), we crossed ok and headed further north.
We came to the famous log bridge at Cyprus Creek - a bit of "spotting" required as it was definitely not a spot to drop a tyre off the edge.
We planned to turn back at Nolan's Brook (or Bridge Creek) as it had a reputation of drowning cars even in dry years - and this year was definitely not a dry year with creeks up higher than David remembered 3 years ago. However the crossing before Nolans Brook was Logans Creek. It looked deep and needed a walk through. However given the murky water and swamp either side of the crossing we had a shortage of volunteers prepared to walk it. We could feel little pairs of beady eyes watching us from the reeds. Dave made some repairs on his front air locker - by locating and fixing a air leak. While we were doing the repairs another group came through and the first vehicle in the water sucked water down through his snorkel and had to be towed away from the water's edge. I gather they decided to camp on the far bank and do repairs.
We headed back along the track to the far more appealing waterhole at Elliot Falls campground.
Day 7 Rest Day at Elliot Falls
A day of swimming, reading and generally relaxing. Both Dave and Cos regularly disappeared at all hours of the day and night with tripods slung over their shoulders. Check out their photos!
Day 8 Elliot Falls to Punsand Bay
A nervous start to the day when both Don and Keri experienced either starter motor or battery issues, however the problems didn't reoccur as either a bit of water in the starter motors dried out or we were running enough each day to keep batteries charged - either way the problems did not resurface and we can investigate further at home. (The dual batteries setups should have been ok....)
After back tracking through a couple of crossings we were back on the Peninsula Development Rad heading north again towards the tip! The Jardine River Crossing ferry was an interesting crossing - as much for the ticketing process as for the crossing itself. But it all seemed to work out.
A quick stop at Bamaga to replenish supplies and buy lunch - then down to the Jetty at Seisia for lunch.
After lunch off to Punsand Bay. As we were checking in one of our passengers who had been less experienced with bush camping and drop toilets returned from a brief inspection with tears in her eyes "ohhh...it is beautiful....soft toilet paper, lights, soap... and showers...and cleaned 3 times a day....ohhhh it is sooo wonderful".
It was a lovely park - and terrific wood fired pizzas.
Day 9 Punsand Bay to the Tip.
The sun rising over the tip!
Although we were only 7 or 8km from the tip as the crow flies...or the croc swims, the drive to the tip was about 30km through some very pretty and tropical rainforest. (After Cos got to lay in the dirt for a while replacing a bolt in his bash plate.)
From here - all roads lead South!
A quick detour via Stanley and Fly Point.
The last evening at Punsand Bay was again a group meal followed by hot air balloon releases on the beach - unfortunately my photos don't do it justice.
Day 10 The start of the journey South.
A long day planned for the start of the trip home.
The corrugations hadn't finished with us yet - Keri's bull bar was the next item to receive a duct tape and cable tie repair! By this stage we had fitted a spring washer to Cos' bash plate bolt and Dave's grill was held on snuggly by a couple cable ties. However we had passed quite a number of vehicles whose owners had left them there and gone home - and at least one nicely set up Patrol looking forlorn on the back of a RACQ truck headed south with the camper trailer being towed sadly along behind.
I'll bet some of these stray number plates nailed to a tree at Bramwell Station Roadhouse also had stories to tell.
One last night together at Hann River Roadhouse then we headed south for the long drive home.
Many Thanks to David for leading another terrific trip!
