Nele & Andrew Around Oz

Punsand Bay Caravan Park, Punsand Bay, QLD

Day 224 – 28^th September 2011

Punsand Bay Caravan Park, Punsand Bay, QLD

This morning we had a chat to fellow campers to gather more info on the next 2 creek crossings along the OTT. We were told by the hiring company not to go on the OTT except the part to Eliot Falls but were not sure whether we needed to backtrack or if we could continue a little further to another side road leading to the Northern Bypass Road. All seemed good to continue on so off we went on our next 4WD adventure. Both Canal and Sam creek crossings were easy after the advice we received and Andrew waded through them before crossing to check for any pot holes. The water level reached to the top of the wheels so a bit deeper than previous crossings we did but still fine. It’s amazing how crystal clear the water is in these crossing – good for spotting crocodiles if there would be any around! Back on the bypass road we continued on to the Jardine River Ferry ($88 per car – cash only but fuel you can pay with credit card). Now we have reached the Northern Peninsula Area. We stopped at Injinoo to have a look at the coast before continuing on to Bamaga and Seisa. We had lunch at Loyalty Beach and afterwards drove further north to stay at Punsand Bay Caravan Park. A stop at the croc tent along the way is good to get some local info on the area and road conditions and for some souvenir shopping (T-shirts and stubby holders to prove you have made it to the top). Punsand Bay Caravan Park provided us with a shower and nice scenery.

OTT - you can see one of he old telegraph poles on the left

Andrew checking the depth and for rocks - Canal Crossing, OTT

It's always good to watch other cars go through first - Canal Crossing, OTT

....and we made it. Nele was a bit late with the photo as she was filming the crossing

after canal crossing most people turn left, these people decided
they wanted a bit more adventure and climbed this section back onto the OTT, Crazy

Approaching Sam Crossing, OTT

Checking the depth and for rocks again
Sam Crossing, OTT

......here we go, little bit of a drop
Sam Crossing, OTT

....not too bad once your in
Sam Crossing, OTT

end of the OTT for us, we are taking the bypass road out onto the NDR

NDR in sight

Boarding the Jardine River Ferry

Jardine River

Beach - Inijinoo

Seisa Wharf

Beach at Seisa Wharf

View from Seisa Wharf

Loyalty Beac

Croc Tent

Punsand Bay

Local Kids having fun, Punsand Bay

Local Kids enjoying the Beach

Relaxing at Punsand Bay

Campsite - Punsand Bay

Eliot Falls Campsite, Jardine River National Park, QLD

Day 223 – 27^th September 2011

Eliot Falls Campsite, Jardine River National Park, QLD

Today – for a change- we didn't have to drive far to reach our destination. At the intersection of the NDR and OTT, we took the OTT north to Fruit Bat Falls – nice falls and great croc-free swimming hole. We enjoyed a refreshing swim before continuing on along the OTT to Eliot Falls. We set up camp and went for a walk to view the Eliot, Twin and Saucepan Falls. For the remainder of the day we relaxed and enjoyed a few more dips in the falls.

Captain Billy's Landing

Very corrugated
this section of the road where the NDR and OTT meet up for 9km has the worst road conditions

Turnoff to Fruit Bat Falls & OTT - we'll be doing a short section of the OTT

Fruit Bat Falls

A refreshing dip - Fruit Bat Falls

Creek crossing on the OTT towards Elliot / Twin Falls
You traverse this creek on a bit of an angle

Elliot Falls

Twin Falls

Elliot Falls

Another refreshing dip - Elliot Falls

The Saucepan

Relaxing afternoon reading
Elliot Falls Campground

Captain Billy Landing Campsite, Jardine River National Park, QLD

Day 222 – 26^th September 2011

Captain Billy Landing Campsite, Jardine River National Park, QLD

On our way back to Weipa we detoured to have a look at Pennefather River. The drive in was a little bumpy and we almost got bogged in the sand at the end, but the scenery was very much worth the drive. In hindsight we should have camped here last night, but the visitor information centre wasn't writing any permits out as the rangers were not providing them any info on the road conditions. Back in Weipa we did some grocery shopping, filled up with fuel and water and after lunch we were on our way again. We took the road from York Homestead to Batavia Downs, a short cut when open to get back on the NDR. We passed Moreton Telegraph Station and stopped at Bramwell Junction. Here is the start of the Old Telegraph Track (OTT – the remnants of the original telegraph track that was constructed through the centre of Cape York during the 1880’s to facilitate the telegraph line from Cairns to Thursday Island. Now the track is popular with 4WD enthusiasts as it crosses many creeks and provides some difficult & interesting challenges along the way such as Gunshot and Nolan’s Brook (you will have to be prepared to take your car through creeks with water up to the top of your bonnet – so don’t stop or get stuck or you’ll soon be towing out a very wet vehicle.), however we are taking the bypass road. We checked what the road conditions were like to get to Captain Billy Landing, our campsite for the night (okay but corrugated). Two lookouts along the drive gave spectacular views of the surrounding area and the campsite. It was quite late when we arrived as we usually aim to set up camp by 5pm at the latest, but were happy we decided to continue on this far – a nice camping spot.

Sunset at Cullen Point, Mapoon

A couple of curious kangaroos - road into Pennefather river

Getting a bit Sandy - road into Pennefather river

If we go any further forward, we'll have to let the tryres down,
so we've decided to walk from here

Beach - Pennefather River

The drive towards another section of Beach at Pennefather River where you can camp

Camping Ground at Pennefather River

View from Pennefather River Campground

Nele relaxing in the shade

The drive out of Pennefather River

Rio Tinto Alcan train
carrying bauxite - main component in the manufacturing of aluminium

Red Beach - apparently quite a few crocs reside here

Doesn't deter the local fisherman, especially the one with his back turned

Crossing back over the bridge into Weipa following the mining train

Back on the dirt heading north

Moreton Telegraph Station
Poem to a former overseer of the station

The beginning of the OTT, Bramwell Junction
For those 4WD enthusiasts willing to put their vehicle through maneuvers which require some experience and a willingness to possibly do some serious damage

Bramwell Junction

The corrugaaaaatioooons.....

Lookout - driving into Captain Billy's Landing

Captain Billy's Landing

Campsite - Captain Billy's Landing