The Tip

Jardine River Ferry

Our four vehicle convoy were having too much fun together after concurring  the Old Telegraph Track together so we made a plan of where to camp to explore the tip of Australia. We arrived at the Jardine ferry just as they were opening up after the lunch break. A $99 five minute ferry ride, but the Jardine River had the cheapest diesel for the tip at only 2.10 per litre, compared to 2.24 across the river.  A quick stop over at Bamaga supermarket for some bread and fresh vegies which were surprisingly cheap, bread was $2.59 and bananas only $6 per kg – bargain.

We stayed at Loyalty Beach which is on the western side of the tip. No swimming in the ocean due to crocodiles but the sunsets were just beautiful. We got to see horses running up the beach and large green frogs took residence in the shower block.

Shopping at the tip

The was to the very tip took about 20 minutes over rocky headland, the kids had fun adding their rock to the many piles along the way. Then we arrived at the sign, excitment all around photos and celebrations that we were at the tip of Australia, yippee.



Walking to the tip






We made it!



A drive over to the Eastern side of the Cape to Sommerset was quite windy and we were lucky enough to watch two sailing boats tackleling the wind and the strong currents sailing to the tip. A big wave and clap when they made it around the point safely. We drove further along the beach, it was beautiful. We did find that there was lots of rubbish washed up on the beach.

Eastern coastline

Sommerset



After enjoying a few days at the tip with the convoy, we said goodbye to some of our group and travelled to the Jardine River Mouth with the Malpas family to do some fishing. We had the most wonderful time and cleaned up with the fishing. I caught my first Barra for the trip, it put on a good show jumping out of the water - a very exciting catch. We also caught 2 more Barra (Darrin), 2 mangrove jack (Ben and Darrin), trevally (Tobey), 2 cod (Darrin), archer fish (Ben) and a mud crab (Emma).

Sunset @ Jardine River mouth

Old Telegraph Track

We had travelled a big day on the Pennisula Development Road, 467km of red dust. A few stops to swim in the fresh water creeks to cool down and dust off got us through the day.  We arrived at Bramwell junction at around five to find our friends Marty and Sue camped there, so we set up camp for the night. Bramwell junction is where the famous old telegraph track starts, a playground for 4wd enthusiasts.

We recognised the family that were camped next to Marty and Sue, we had been following their blog as they are another family travelling Australia like us. We went over to say hello and they too were planning to tackle the old telegraph track. That night we spoke to a few others at the campground all of who were preparing to travel the track as well, so there was quite a convoy happening.



boggy steep exit - Palm creek

 Woken by the campground generator at 5.50am  it was time to get up and prepare for a day of adventure, already the weather was very warm which made an early rise easier. The whole campground was ready to leave by 8.30am and a convoy of 8 vehicles (3 with camper trailers) started the old telegraph track. The first creek crossing was easy, just like a big muddy puddle. The second, Palm creek, had very steep entry and exit and only one car got thru and that was a 100 series cruiser with twin lockers. Everyone else had to be towed up the boggy,steep exit.




deep section of Ducie creek

 The next creek, Ducie creek, was deep in some sections but a hard base made it an easy crossing. We had to cross the creek in an S shape to get around the really deep sections.
South and North Alice creek crossings were no problems, we did manage to have a front wheel lift on entry to the South Alice creek. This was the first of many wheel lifts to come.

Front wheel lift - South Alice creek

The first of the convoys car  troubles started with one car overheating and eventually found a hole in the radiator. This is where the convoy broke up into 2 groups. We travelled on with 3 other vehicles.
A stop for lunch and a swim at the next crossing, Dulhunty Creek. An easy shallow crossing with rocky bottom.


Exfoliating in the track



Bertie Creek

We had some fun at Bertie creek, it is amazing how much the county changes, here we discovered that the track went down into white mushy sand which felt good on the feet and the kids had a nice exfoliating bath in it. Around the corner was a fast flowing, rock bottom creek with a few deep holes in the rocks which we all manage to dodge. It made for a good photo opportunity alongside the creek.

Which way to go? The guys said "Gunshot" and the girls said "Bypass". But we were having too much fun to bypass the famous Gunshot crossing.



This way, that way, which way?

On our way to Gunshot we got bogged in some sloshy black mud. A tow from the vehicle in front nearly tiped us on our side because of the angle of the tow due to the sharp turn in the track so we used our winch to get us out. The road ahead, now an orange colour course sand with some deep ruts just to get the wheel lifts happening made for some adrenalin pumping.



Bogged, love the winch.

Wheeeee, up we go again.



Look Darrin we can try getting a wheel lift here.

We made it to Gunshot, what a surprise to find a track that was in good condition and passable. A steep but dry grippy surface made for a controlled descent, then  boggy tight turn  to the short shallow creek, up the other side. Everyone made it thru and set up camp for the night.

Gunshot

I'll have a swim while you find the track



Cockatoo creek

The next day we were ready to tackle the rest of the Old Telegraph Track. Cockatoo creek being the first crossing was quite deep, fast flow and rocky. So with many people helping standing in the river to mark out a track to avoid those big holes, all went well with no dramas.  This was the end of the Old Telegraph Track South and we crossed the bypass road to the Old Telegraph Track North. Fruit bat falls and twin falls were the first stop for a swim and some lunch. Beautiful clear waters and perfect temperature for swimming.

Fruit Bat Falls



Twin falls

Twin fall spa bath

Kates new friend

The creeks from here were crystal clear with white sandy bottoms, beautiful on the eye and great for swimming.

Sam Creek

 We found the north section of the road to have deeper ruts to tackle, so we did a lot of wheel lifting on this section.

Mistake Creek entry



Mistake creek exit



Cannibal creek exit

 The Cypress creek log bridge looked amazing, then we looked underneath and saw all the broken logs, opps thats a bit nerve racking. But we all made it across without a log moving, nice and slow and precise driving made is passable.

Cypress creek log bridge

Yes we made it across

 Another section with some deep holes from old wheel ruts, just a slight turn of the wheel and bang your in the whole. A tow got the car out, then we had to jack the trailer up and dig it out a bit, then another tow and we were back on 6 wheels.

Opps we found the whole

Thanks for the tow John

Now to get the trailer out!!!!

 We arrived at the last crossing, Nolans Brook. This was known as the impassible deepest crossing. There was a nissan on the other side who had been stuck in the creek and managed to winch himself to the other side but was blocking the track. As it was late in the day we managed to find spots for the 4 camps for the night, not a lot of room as we were unable to put the camper out all the way but it was a nice creek to camp and great company.

Nolans Brook camp - struggle for space

Todays journal writing exercise

 Up early to asses the crossing, swimming and walking the creek to find the best path. The creek was very deep and sandy base but was firm in some sections. After preparations with tarping up, and having a fridgie around there was some duct taping going on.  First vehicle, the Troopy made it, then the Navara got stuck just as it was coming out of the deep water. Everyone was in action quick to tow it out, opening all the doors to watch the waterfall coming out of the vehicle, it was drenched. But after a look at the engine, a huge relief the vehicle started and was in one piece, just very wet. Ben and Darrin then went and let some air out of the tyres for an extra precaution as we both had trailers in tow. The disco was next and the first vehicle with a trailer, yes they made it. Now it was our turn, nerves and adrenalin I was in the creek with the camera for the photo and Darrin behind the wheel, no problems the car and trailer got a good wash and made it across with ease. Yippee - we made it!

Here we go!!!

Lets give the car a wash



Now wash the trailer

What an achievement, we made it from the start to the finish on the Old Telegraph track. We had the most amazing two days tackleing this track. Well done to the men and the skill it took them to concore the trek. Four vechicles starting out as strangers and we achieved so much together something I will always treasure and enjoy remembering. Our convoy was the Malpass family - Ben, Maria, Jake, Tobey and Indi; John and Roylene(from Tassie); Thomas and Madeline (from Switzerland).

Happy Birthday Kate

Happy Birthday Kate

 Happy Birthday Kate, 7 years old today. A very excited Kate who has been counting down the days. We had a celebration with our Cape York friends at the tippy top of Australia. Chocolate cake baked on the fire and great people to share it with.

Have a great day Kate and hope you enjoy all your pressies.

love Mum, Dad and Emma xoxoxo.

Daintree and Cape Tribulation

Leaving Cairns we found the drive towards Port Douglas just spectacular driving on the beachfront at times. This is a lookout looking back towards the road we have just travelled. Port Douglas was the first stop, a resort town with is very commercialised. We stopped at the waterfront park for morning tea and the girls really enjoyed the ship playground. They were the pirates that took over the ship. Our next stop was Mossman. I really liked the town of Mossman, not so commercialised and had all the necessary facilities.



Morning tea at Port Douglas

We did also manage to pass a couple of Haden vehicles. Darrin just had to get a photo of the grey vehicle, as all company vehicles have to be white, but it is amazing what some Queenslanders can get away with.

Mossman Gorge was beautiful, Darrin and the girls went for a swim in the icy cold water and we did the rainforest walk which we all found interesting. After lunch and a play back in town we drove onto Daintree to camp for a few nights.  The campground was on the Daintree river and was a fantastic place to spend a few days. The camp kitchen had so much character, we hung out there to first night around the fire talking to other campers. We took the boat out on the river and managed to find only one crocodile swimming along the water. This was our first wild crocodile siteing for the girls. Emma was the only one that managed to catch a fish she was most excited to catch a fish on her new rod. It was an archer fish and she thru it back.  



Daintree River Camp



Emmas Archer Fish







When we left Daintree we caught the vehicle ferry across the river to Cape Tribulation. It is beautiful driving through the rainforests, we did a few of the walks and the girls took their camera taking photos of the wild fruits, the different fungi and any unusual looking plants. It was interesting to find the Cassowary's favourite food, which was a blue fruit in the shape of an egg but much larger which they swallow whole as they have no teeth. We did get to see a Cassowary and its baby which was awesome. The best of all was that Kate had been reading a book the night before and in the book they had been making a boat and tied it together with vines, she asked me what vines were and it was great to be able to show her many different colours, shapes and sizes of vines. The monkey she is she even found one to climb. 

As we left Cape Tribulation we travelled the Bloomfield Track, which is no longer a track but a well maintained road. It was a drive through the rainforest which was quite a steep in places with a few shallow creek crossings thrown in. As we drove into bloomfield there were horses on the road which we stopped and gave a pat, then we had a look at Bloomfield falls and got to see a crocodile sunning on the rocks. Bloomfield is basically an Aboriginal Community and there were heaps of horses around the town, I think they were the local council workers that were there to keep the lawns maintained. That night we camped by a creek and the girls took there nets and caught some freshwater prawns they were yummy.

Horses at Bloomfield

Crocodile at Bloomfield Falls



Cooktown was our next stop, it was Sunday when we were there so most things were closed. But we caught up with our friends Marty and Sue from Canberra before going to the park to spend a few hours. There were some Captain Cook monuments, the girls especially liked he musical boat which had all sorts of musical instruments to play. Cooktown is quite a small old town, but absolutely gorgeous location on the water.

Our next stop is Cape York, so we headed to the Penninsula Development Road and AHHHH red dust, red dust and more red dust. We have now offically entered Cape York and are covered in red dust. One thing I love about the Cape is that even though you are travelling and covered in Red dust there is always a freshwater creek to swim and camp along. The weather is a lot hotter now, so swimmers are the daily attire for the Cape. 

Dusty Penninsula Development Road