Day 12 Tele Track to Punsand Bay

We packed up this morning, a little sorry to be leaving our campsite at canal creek but our next goal is to reach the tip so time to move on.
After packing up the campers we headed to Fruitbat Falls for a refreshing swim before hitting the corrugated dirt of the development road. We made it to the Jardine River Ferry & handed over the $130 to cross the river, a very expensive crossing (we were on the ferry for about 2 minutes) but better than risking a swim with the crocs. The ferry is the only option now anyway as you're no longer allowed to drive across the river.
On the other side of the river we headed toward Serial & after a look around decided to head for Punsand Bay. This proved to be a popular choice as most of the people we had met on the track were also camped here & I can see why, this place is paradise. We are now only about 5km from the tip.

Fruitbat Falls where we enjoyed a swim before the red dust of the PDR 

The Jardine River Ferry, alot of money for such a short distance 

Driving through Bamaga there are wild horses everywhere, including on the road 

Punsand Bay is paradise 

Day 11 Tele Track Northern Section

Today we headed off to do the northern section of the tele track. We were expecting this section is more challenging than the Southern section.
The first crossing was canal creek near our camp, this was quite potholey & a little deep.
Sam creek was pretty easy going but the next 2 crossings at Mistake & Cannibal creeks were quite steep & eroded. The creeks here are really beautiful & the water is crystal clear.
Next was the log crossing at Cypress Creek. It looked pretty old & rickety but actually wasn't too hard to cross.
After Cypress we came to Logan Creek. This was just not our crossing. First up Ash jammed her finger in the door getting out of the car & she did a pretty good job of it, with a pretty deep cut. Out came the first aid kit to bandage up the finger.
It's also the place where we took the car for a swim. The creek was pretty deep with a soft bottom & we considered turning back but we were only 2 crossings away from finishing the tele track so decided to give it a go. About half way accross the wheels bogged into the soft bottom, luckily there was a fellow traveller on the other side who snatched us out. But not before we ended up with soggy carpets.
The last crossing was the notorious Nolan's Brook, the deepest crossing on the track, which has apparently already claimed 13 cars this season. I was more than a little worried about this one but with a bit of teamwork from some guys we met on the track we all made it through no problem.
Time to head back to our camp at canal creek to celebrate conquering the tele track.

Day 10 Weipa

We realised this morning that the lock on the rear door of the prado doesn't catch properly, so we headed into Weipa in search of a new lock.
From Bramwell it's about 170km each way via Batavia Downs Station.
Unfortunately we had no luck finding a lock, the mechanic at the shell servo said he could order one in but would charge us 40% on top plus freight & he couldn't guarantee when he could get it by.
But the trip wasn't a complete waste as we finally got some phone reception and were able to call Cairns Toyota and they have a lock which we can pick up on our way back.
We also bought up on more supplies at Woolies.
I thought Weipa would be bigger but it is predominantly a mining town with just a few shops. There's not even a main street like most towns have.
It was stinking hot in Weipa & we were glad to head back to camp.
After the heat of Weipa we decided to stop at fruit bat falls for a swim before heading to our next campsite at canal creek, just after the beginning of the northern tele track.
It was around 5pm by the time we got to the falls but we had the swimming hole all to ourselves. A great way to finish a hot dusty day.

The long road to Weipa 

The view was a bit dusty 

On the way in & out of Weipa you have to stop at boomgates for the mining trucks to pass through 

Day 9 Old Tele Track. - Southern Section

We decided to leave the campers at Bramwell while we explored the southern section of the tele track, not really expecting to complete the southern track in one day. However this section of track was not as challenging as we had expected.
The first crossing we came to not far into it was Palm Creek with steep & slippery entry & exit points. The prado made down the steep entry but much to Elton's delight & Lee's disgust the prado had to be pulled up the hill by the landcruiser. The next few crossings were relatively uneventful until we reached the infamous gunshot. One look at that sucker & we decided that it was the easy entry for us, although technically we did do gunshot. However Elton must have thought that wasn't exciting enough & nearly drove the landy into a big hole that "he didn't see". Now it was the prado's turn to rescue the landcruiser.
Gunshot turned out to be a nice spot for a swim & some lunch before tackling the rest of the track.
The only other tricky crossing was Cockatoo Creek which is deep & with big rocky potholes. We reached the creek at the same time as a couple of other vehicles & after walking the crossing to find the best path everyone helped guide eachother through.
After a long day we headed back to Bramwell for one more night.

the entry to Palm Creek was steep & slippery 

The ant hills are huge here 

An old telegraph pole still in tact

gunshot, we took the easier option

The hole that Elton didn't see 

Gunshot was a nice spot for a swim 

The prado rescues the landcruiser 

A boggy section of track 

Day 8 Coen to Bramwell Station

We packed up early & just as we were leaving Charlie offered to give us a demo of his home made gold sieving machine, which is powered by 4 Toyota Hilux gearboxes!!! An offer to good to refuse.
After this we headed into Coen for a quick & surprisingly cheap repair to the starter motor regulator.
With the car fixed we hit the road north to Bramwell Station. The development road north of Coen seems to be a bit better, but alot duster & at times you can't see the road in front of you.
We reached Bramwell by lunchtime & decided to set up camp at Bramwell Station. Bramwell is the northern most cattle station in Australia and is over 1300km's in size.
This was a great spot to camp and there was even a bar which served some pretty good meals so it was Cook's night off.
It was great to relax in the shady bar with a beer and dinner and there was even a comedian there as entertainment.
We ended up staying 2 nights at Bramwell.

Charlies gold machine 

Archer River Roadhouse 

Cattle at the roadhouse enjoy the shade of the solar panels 

Bramwell Station 

An old telegraph pole at Moreton Telegraph Station 

There's a white car under there somewhere 

Day 7 Kalpowar Crossing to Coen

Unfortunately the road north from Kalpowar Crossing to Musgrave is still closed so this morning we doubled back to Laura & headed up the Peninsula Development Road (Pdr). We thought we had prepared ourselves for the rough corrugations but this road is rough as guts & the number of potholes is unbelievable. You can tell how rough it is from all the car parts on the side of the road, that have fallen off cars.
First stop was the Haan River Roadhouse where we were welcomed by the resident emu who was very friendly & wandered right up to us.
Next stop was at the Musgrave roadhouse for lunch. The only place I know of that still provides driveway service when fuelling up, for $1.88 per litre I guess they should. Hate to think what the fuel will cost up further.
Upon leaving Musgrave the car was hijacked by a Bogan we nicknamed Reg, who drove us to Coen.
After a day of shaking & bumping around we finally reached Coen. We decided to camp at Charlies mine, a very unusual camp ground.
Upon arrival we were met by Charlie, a funny old character who gave us a hilarious demo on panning for gold. I haven't laughed so much in ages, I'm still laughing now thinking about it.
It's an interesting camp site to say the least, but at least it's quiet.

Peninsula Development Road, looks smooth in this pic but it's rough as guts 

the friendly emu at Haan River Roadhouse 

Haan River Roadhouse 

Reg the Bogan

Some funny sculptures at Charlies mine 

The amenities block at Charlies mine, very funny 

Thank God we have phone reception, wouldn't want to rely on this phone 

Day 6 Cooktown to Kalpowar Crossing (Lakefield Np) Via Battlecamp Rd

After fuelling up we hit the road out of Cooktown and headed for the red dirt of Battlecamp Road, which is more of a dirt track than a road.
We stopped at the Old Laura Homestead for a look around the old homestead & some lunch, then headed into Lakefield National Park. After travelling down a bumpy dirt track we came to a lovely waterhole where we encountered our first croc, they were to quick for us to take a photo.
We continued on to our campsite at Kalpowar Crossing, a beautiful spot in Lakefield. Facilities were limited to bush toilets & refreshing cold showers, but a great spot just the same. Although it wasn't Amanda's favourite spot after almost standing on a black snake last night & burning her fingers on a hot pot.

The locals came out to greet us at Battlecamp Station 

one of the many creek crossings on Battlecamp Road 

The historical Old Laura Homestead 

Lakefield Np where we saw our first croc 

Kalpowar Crossing campground 

Kalpowar