Cape York Adventures Part 2

Day seven

Thursday 24

Leaving Bramwell Roadhouse we start on dirt and arrive at Billy Landing turn off where we are told about Captain Billy, an aboriginal, and his enterprising business of delivering cattle to this part of Australia! There looked to be lush green grass but cattle didn’t like it so the enterprise didn’t last long. Also tried organising the delivery and carting goods to & from Lakeland downs. But again unsuccessful due to difficulty landing.

After crossing lots of water crossings we come to the Jardine River Crossing and it is working, thank goodness not sure if it wasn’t what we would have done. Our 30 second rule applies again as we are travelling on dirt to Bamaga where we are staying at Loyalty Beach just near Seisia .

Every day there is a stop just before our camping spots to collect wood for our nightly camp fire. As you can see a well organised group we formed a line to collect the wood and put into the Ute. Zelda was in charge on how much we needed.

We are on the sand and have front view of Torres Strait. Watching the sunset with a camp fire so special.

Day eight

Friday 25

The day has arrived to visit the Tip of Australia but we aren’t going to be there till 3pm oh dear we are leaving 9am what are we going to do?

Well plenty was in store first off a visit to the bakery for items to nourish the body!!!!Then to a DC crash site, the plane was on its way to New Guinea and all aboard died there were 6.

Then we went to another site where a Bristol Beaufort Mark VIII crashed after mission and was left to be dismantled for parts.

Then back to Bamaga and out to the Croc Tent where there were purchases for grandkids and of course ourselves. Anything you wanted to mark the occasion of being at Cape York. They were doing a roaring trade with people buying all sorts of tops, hats and Knick knacks.

The adventure is about to start we are progressing to the 5 beach drives. Well you would think a drive on the beach but there was a challenge should have know not a straight drive.

Plenty of four wheel tracks and water to cross. But alas the last climb out was a doozie, all the women stood at the top of the climb and took photos a very hairy sand and then rocks to negotiate before reaching the top. Mark stood and guided each driver to where they needed to be. He was game as far as I was concerned because one wrong turn and a slip and I am sure he would’ve been hit but he assured us he would get out of the way.

Day nine

Saturday 26

Thursday Island day trip

Up nice and early to catch ferry to Thursday Island we need to be at the ferry before 8:15am. 9:30 bus tour around the island.

The island has no water it is piped from Horn Island as Thursday Island is more strategically placed for government being closer to New Guinea, in the main shipping lanes for immigration and bio security.

Cemeteries are very special to the islanders and so well kept.

Amazing that Thursday Island has population of 3500, made up of 900 children 1600 Government Employee and the balance are islanders spouses.

Visited the War museum which is situated in the Green Hill Fort where there is cannons still can be used for special occasions

Horses hold special place in the islanders culture. Stockman go out to the stations and are given 3 horses to break and use and when they come home for the wet season or have retired they are bought back to their home and are let free and if only for the wet season the stockman go back to station and they are then given another 3 horses so it goes on, the horses are owned by no one but ridden by everyone.

Day ten

Sunday 27 July

Up and on the road again more dirt tracks but we cross a river, crossed on the bridge which was a temporary bridge erected in 1942 as temporary and is still being used and some took to the river crossing.

We come to a World War 2 RAAF Radar Station. Interesting to know that the gun placement was never used for enemy fire. Can you imagine a soldier in gear sitting in the gun placement (a steel tank) for you shift in 100% humidity and the heat would be above 35 degrees.

Lunch at Mutee Heads, just over the sea with no people around, quite amazing.

We now backtrack to Jardine River where another crossing is made.

Fruit Bat Falls where we spend 10 minutes trying to find my phone, in frustration Cameron says I will look in my pants pocket and guess what he says safe keeping…A swim was definitely needed. So nice to get into the water and cool off and enjoy the tranquility.

Elliott & Twin falls are further on and we are staying for two nights. Oh the swimming is beautiful no showers but cool waters to swim in. Twin Falls are beautiful and the better place to swim.

Day eleven

Monday 28 July

9am start today we actually on the Telegraph Track for a short time on our way to Canoe Creek. I achieved with out any damage to the car. A bit scary but definitely again worth the drive.

Beautiful warm water, two hours of bliss. You could float downstream and then climb out and walk back, not my cup of tea.

A cane toad was in camp and Louise had her photo taken with it. Yuck!

Day twelve

Tuesday 29th July

Today is the South Telegraph Track, we leave at 8am and stop along the way to have a photo taken with a large termite mound. Then we see the sign fo the Gunshot which we had seen some days ago. More photos.

We stop at Bertie Creek where we park in the creek for our morning tea.

We progress we stop for lunch on a lonely road in the middle of nowhere.

Then onto the track whee there is still poles for the telegraph still evident. Fires are burning by the road, a controlled burn off.

Cameron and I bypass the North Ellis river crossing and take to easy track, but the worst is to come the South Ellis which 8 out of 10 cars actually were towed through. I am so glad not sure the car could have stood the wall of mud.

Stopped at Bramwell Roadhouse to refuel and then onto Morton Telegraph Station for tonight. It is on the Wenlock River and was also a site of the Telegraph line.

Tonight is a bush shower which I am very pleased to use.