Cairns

Wednesday, Sept. 30

We spent a week in Cairns catching up with friends and the like and preparation for our attack on Bundaberg.
Not too many photos for this spot.

Thursday, Oct. 9
Alex and Natalie have arranged a day on the reef snorkelling. We set out on the Silver ???? Snorkelling was excellent.



That evening we celebrated my birthday at the Thai Lotus restaurant in Cairns. Speed, Sam,
Steve, Mike, Jan, Sally and I all enjoyed an excellent Thai Banquet.


Friday, Oct.10

Speed visits.

Jude, Colin and Speed

Saturday, Oct. 11

A day trip round Cairns visiting Stony Creek and Chrystal Cascades.

Sunday, Oct. 12

V8’s on TV.

Monday, Oct 13

Steve arrives from Darwin to travel to Bundaberg with us.

Babysitting Robbie and Pearl.

Tuesday, Oct. 14

Dinner with Jude, Leah, Johnno and Steve.

Wednesday, October 15

A day of preparation and a swim in Jude’s Pool.

Back to Hann River

Monday, Sept. 29 (Cont.)

We drove back to Archer River to meet the two trucks that had offered to backload our excess gear to Cairns.

Lockhart River Road

As they said, they drove through Archer River but without even looking at the roadhouse. I tried to contact them on the UHF but channel 40 was unusually quite for a period. After panicky call to Darwin and to an alterative trucking company, we arranged a truck to pickup our stuff and transport it to Cairns on Wednesday. With all the arrangement complete, we managed to leave Archer River just after lunch and headed South-East. The trip from Archer River to Cairns required an overnight stay on the road.

We decided to return to Hann River were we had stay on the way up. We were pleasantly surprised when Mike and Jan jumped up from the bar and made their presence known to us. They too had decided to stay at Hann River again on their way to Cooktown. Preparing dinner that night turned out to be quite entertaining. As Jan was removing the veggie container from the back of their car, Jan noticed a large piece of plastic missing from the washing basket they were using as veggie storage. Somewhere in the last couple of days, they had picked up a hitch-hiker. Jan appeared quite upset with Mike as she had complained to Mike that morning something furry had brushed the back of her leg as they were travelling. Mike had brushed of the comment at the time, and now Jan was pulling all her shoes out of the car in search of the perpetrator, revealing more then the six pairs that Mike had asked her to limit her self to. Sally and I were quite amused. Preparing our temporary accommodation (Jude’s Tent) and settled into a pleasant evening under the stars.

Hann River Campsite

Chilli Beach

Saturday, Sept 27

We left Archer River on route to Chilli Beach. Shortly before crossing The Wenlock River, things went awfully pear shaped. While negotiating a windy and corrugated section of the Lockhart River Road, our trailer got all out of shape and after sliding off the road and hitting a fallen tree, turned turtle and ended up on its roof. Sally was amazed as after the trailer stopped fish tailing, she saw it in the rear vision mirror sailing through the air up-side-down. The damage was severe and after removing the electric brakes from one sad looking wheel hub and replacing the exploded tyre and bent wheel, we righted the tailer and limped back to Archer River to lick our wounds and evaluated our situation.

Broken Camper Trailer

Righting the Trailer

We returned to Archer River Road House in time for the AFL Grand Final telecast. Setup the camper and used it for the last time. We discussed our delemor with Mike and Jan and we decided that there was little we could do until Monday so we decided to have another assault on Chilli Beach tomorrow. We arranged for assistance from two truckies who we at the roadhouse to stop in on their return to Cairns to collect our excess equipment. We found some budding rocksitters at camp that night so joined them for a drink.

Archer River RockSitters

The late night entertainment was interesting we one local searching for a gentleman called “RICHARD YOU @#%$@” at 2am waking everyone in the camp in her quest. Sunday, Sept 28 We headed out early this morning not knowing exactly how long this trip would take. As we were told, after we crossed the Wenlock River, the road conditions did, indeed, improve. This, however, didn’t prevent Mike from getting another flat. This time the rock tore a hole in the wall of his tire.

Mike’s Flat

We arrived a Chilli Beach and lucked on a excellent campsite right on the beach. Very Picturest under palm trees and old shady trees. Even to the extent, that later in the day, another couple pulled up with no campsites remaining. We spoke to them and told them we would only be in ours for a night which suited them fine as they planned to say a week and agreed our site was excellent. They slept in their car in the car park that night and would claim our spot tomorrow.

Chilli Beach

Weather Beaten Tree on Chilli Beach

Monday, Sept 29

We woke up early this morning to stroll down to the beach to catch the sunrise. Well worth the effort.

Chilli Beach Sunrise

Elliot, Twin and Fruitbat Falls

Thursday, Sept 25

Plenty of swimming at Twin Falls and Elliot Falls and walking.

This has got to be one of our favorite camp spots on the Cape.

Eliot Falls

Colin Prepares Campfire

Elliot Falls Campsite

Friday, Sept 26

This morning we decided to stop in at Fruit Bat Falls for a quick dip before heading south to Archer River Roadhouse. Excellent choice as Sally had missed swimming here on the way up.

Colin Under Fruit Bat Falls

Jardine River and Nolans Brook

Wednesday, Sept 24

We stopped at the Croc Tent to stock up on trinkets and then to Bamaga for some supplies. Then onto the Jardine River Crossing and down the development road back to Elliot Falls.

Jardine River Barge

We stopped at Nolans Brook for lunch and to check out this crossing that we gave a wide berth to on the way up. One car crossed while we were there showing that it could be done, but the brook itself provided a excellent swimming hole. Sally and I remained so I could take this opportunity to enjoy this brook after lunch at the river bush camp on the river bank.

Nolans Brook Crossing

Nolans Brook Old Alternative Crossing

Punsand Bay

Tuesday, Sept. 23

Punsand Bay, last day.

This is Jude’s last day with us on our trip up Cape York. She didn’t have much to pack as this was the end of the road for her tent and camp chair. We headed off to Bamaga but before going to the airport, we had one last excursion off the beaten track to check out some old WW2 wrecks scattered around this area. It was he that we ran into the tag-a-long tour group that we bumped into back at Archer River Road House.
We then headed to the Jackey Jackey Air Port to put Jude on a plane to Cairns.

Bye Bye Jude

After seeing Jude safely in the air, we headed into Seisa for a look around and then followed the coast road back to Punsand Bay. Some more lying around the beach and a final fish over some beer and food.

Somerset Homestead Loop Road

Monday, Sept. 22

We had decided to explore the eastern side of the tip driving around the Somerset Bay loop road. The first place of interest that we visited was Lake Wicheura. A nice sandy road ending at the lake’s edge. We had a walk along the sandy beach before returning to continue the journey.

Lake Wicheura

We headed to the coast finally emerging onto Nanthau Beach where we turned left and headed up the beach towards Somerset Homestead but driving over the bluffs between beaches proved most challenging.

Nanthau Beach

Stuck in the dunes above the bluff

A little ingenuity and we’re soon back on the road

(sandy track)

Once across the sand it was Tropical Rain Forrest

A little further on we headed down to Somerset Beach for lunch, just below Somerset Homestead Ruins. A excellent spot with views across the beautiful, sheltered Albany Passage. A perfect place to rest after our 4X4 adventure.

Somerset Beach, Albany Passage

We then headed back to Punsand Bay for a spot of fishing before adjourning to the resort restaurant for dinner and drinks.

Fishing on Punsand Bay

Punsand Bay "The Tip of Cape York"

Sunday, Sept. 21

Today we embark on the ultimate goal of our journey up the old telegraph track. The northern most tip of mainland Australia.
We started by crossing the sandy track that masquerades as a shortcut from Punsand Bay to “The Tip”.

Shortcut to “The Tip”

We hiked through the old resort boardwalks over the top of the bluff to the tip and spent some time taking in the ambience and lots of photos.

Mike and Bruce set off to “The Tip”

The Path to “The Tip”

Jude and Sally at “The Tip”

Mike and Jan at “The Tip”

Bruce, Olive and PCIS at “The Tip”

Windy as it was, the weather was about to take a turn for the worse.

Storms from the East

After following a “well marked” shortcut around the bluff and back onto the beach requiring several reco’s by Mike and myself to find the track, we finally made it back to the cars, although a little wetter for the effort.

All Wet

We returned to camp.

Punsand Bay

Saturday, Sept. 20

We left Elliot Falls and headed to the Jardine River Crossing. We had all agreed on crossing the Jardine on the barge as we had found out that the last successful car crossing was completed nearly 20 years ago and all subsequent attempts had failed.

Jardine River Barge

Jardine River

After traversing some of the most corregated roads to date, particularly the stretch between Bamaga and Punsand Bay. Upon arrival at Punsand Bay we were given three beach frontage campsites only to find out later how lucky we were. During our stay at Punsand Bay, several other travellers came and went, all being relegated to the back lots. After Mike and Jan and Sally and I choose our spots, Jude jumped in and claimed the best that only her tent would fit. She didn’t stop smiling about it for the entire stay.

Punsand Bay Campsite

Jude’s A1 Campsite

I opted for a quick fish as soon as we had finished setting up camp.

Colin Fishing

We all then ventured down to the nearest rock for our weekly rocksit.

Rocksitting at Punsand Bay

Eliot Falls

THURSDAY, SEPT. 18 Leaving the Dulhunty River heading further into the Heathland Resorce Reserve we continued north along the OTT. Dulhunty River Crossing Bertie Creek Crossing Much to my disappointment it was decided bypass the infamous Gunshot Creek by visiting the Heathlands Ranger Station to get a road update. After some coercion, I convinced the team to divert back after taking the bypass track to inspect the crossing from the northern end. As seen in our photo, there were three approaches of varying difficulty. The centre one (steepest) is the one that appears in most 4x4 mags. Demonstrated by the car we witness crossing, the eastern most approach is easily negotiated at this time with water depth around 70cm. Gunshot Creek Southern Approaches Gunshot Creek Northern Approach Car Crossing Gunshot Creek North bound from Gunshot Creek slowly followed the OTT enjoying the sandy track and occasional creek. We failed to stop at Sheldon Lagoon unaware that it’s a must stop for turtle lovers. Crossing into the Jardine River NP we headed off the track and towards Fruit Bat Falls. Our intension was to camp here but upon arrival, we discovered that this is a day use area only. It didn’t stop some backpackers from staying in the car park. The falls are a very short walk from the car park, so towels in hand, we went down to have a look. Absolutely brilliant. After several hours of driving a dusty, sandy track, the water was most welcome and safe for swimming (no crocks). Mike and Jan Cross Cockatoo Creek Smiles All Round Sheldon Lagoon Fruit Bat Falls (me under the falls) Our next port of call was to be Eliot and Twin Falls. A sneaky little creek crossing on the track between Fruit Bat and Eliot Falls offered surprise’s all round as we could see several type tracks entering and leaving we didn’t bother walking this one only to discover it is deceptively deep in the middle, about a meter and well over the bonnet. Arriving at Eliot Falls camp ground, we were well pleased to see NP camping with Drop Toilets, running water and fireplaces. We did a couple of laps around the camp ground and found an excellent spot up the hill to accommodate both vehicles and Jude’s tent. Nothing left to do now but to put our feet up and have a beer. Col, Jude and Mike at Eliot Falls Camp Col Prepares Dinner FRIDAY, SEPT. 19, 2008 Eliot Falls An early start on off to the falls except Jude. The heat and dust taking its toll so we rigged a 12v ceiling fan inside the camp-o-matic trailer and Jude rested for the morning. The falls were outstanding and after lunch, we decided to stay another night and return to the falls with lilo’s and noodles in toe spending the rest of the day exploring the rivers down to twin falls and back. This is one of our must see places we’re visited so far. We have decided on our return journey from the tip, we will stay here again for some more nights. Jude and Sally @ Eliot Falls