Daniel and Marysia around Australia

Fruit Bat Falls to Seisa, Cape York.

Fruit Bat Falls from the Board Walk

Fruit Bat Falls is a day visit area, definitely a treat to visit. The water is crystal clear as it makes its way down to Eliot Falls into the Jardine River. The ledge above from where the waterfall drops down into is made up of huge red, gold coloured rock that has a smooth face but can be slippery sometimes depending if moss has grown over it. Walking along this rock face was amazing. We could see hidden small, deep, large, shallow rockpools all over the face of the rock.

Time to say goodbye to this ancient beauty to hit the track againg. Heading on further north we
crossed Canal creek crossing before coming to a junction. Deciding to take the Bamaga Road bypass instead of the Jardine River crossing it was time to say goodbye to the this famous 4 wheel drive track.

Even have time for fruit at Fruit Bat Falls

We're all very glad that we'd done it. I'm not sure if I had mentioned it before this track is a single lane of dirt road, so you have to make way for other vehicles coming in the opposite direction. The road can be grey sands, red sands, Cavernous, ridges, rocks, stones, steep gradients. The road is a hiker's, biker's, mountain biker's dream route. A 4 wheel drive car on this road becomes another animal.

We get to the Jardine River ferry crossing for which we pay $88.00 return to cross the Jardine River all of about 50 to 60 metres. Driving on we headed to see where the crossing of the river was before deciding that we'd had enough 4 wheel driving and headed on to Seisa, but not before stopping at Bamaga for some supplies and also checking out Loyalty Beach. However, concensus decided that we would stop only for one night at Seisa Holiday resort. We had a beach view which was lovely but looked forward to the next day to head out to Punsand Bay to stay a couple of nights here before arriving at the top at Cape York.

Relaxing Pool in the rock base of Fruit Bat Falls

Sustained some damage collecting trees for firewood!

On the edge!

I love the pools

An original telegraph pole on the old Telegraph Track

Reached the end of the Old Telegraph Track (taking the bypass to Jardine River)

I'll just make a mobile call whilst I'm here by the Telegraph Track

The Cape Yorkers on the Ferry at Jardine River

On the Ferry to Bamaga, Seisia and the Tip

Gunshot Creek to Eliot/Twin Falls, Cape York.

On the Old Telegraph Track

Daniel approaches with caution

Bertie Creek campsite packed up, washed up, breakfast done, time to hit the next leg of the Old Telegraph Track. A famous icon along this track is the Gunshot Creek crossing. This is one ballsy creek crossing. There have been many a car that have met their fate, departed never to be restarted attempting this crossing. However, it must be said that there are in fact three creek crossings to get to the other side. The Cape York crew on this attempt all got out to survey the best possible alternatives to get to the other side. Once the track had been carefully selected Stew took first right of honour to come down the steep embankment manoevering his car over the rocks, stumps, angles that put his car downward before finally crossing the creek and up the other side. Next Daniel in his car, slowly approaching with front of the vehicle in a nose dive position,carefully positioning his car down the awkward, bumpy slope, too much to the left side at one point before crossing the creek's waters to get to the other side.

Through to the other side as he comes up the bank

The first crossing at Gunshot Creek

Triumphant we all stood at the tree of honour to mark the great crossing, Les leaving behind a stubby holder as their dedication to the iconic crossing. Daniel however jubilant realised that his car had suffered a very minor 'Gunshot wound!' Nothing a cut and polish wouldn't be able to fix in Melbourne we all piled back into the cars to continue the trek. I might have to add that at this stage, we're all getting out of our cars, surveying all the tracks, getting in to waters that have strong currents, can be further than knee deep, muddy, thongs, being ripped off by currents. But it's the safety of the vehicles that is paramount. We've come all this way to get to the top, but yet we still have so much more before we get home so we really do need to be careful at all times.

The second crossing at Gunshot creek

With another couple of creek crossings behind us it was time to settle down for the next couple of nights. Campsite set at Eliot/Twin Falls was great. We were all looking forward to a swim in the beautiful crystal clear waters of these falls. Another pool area was called The Saucepan.
The ridges along the water falls held within them rock formations over centuries shaping them into small swimming holes. Current was pretty strong as it headed downwards, but the water temperature was warm, I'd say around 23 degrees.

At the top of the 3rd crossing of Gunshot Creek

A short walk to Twin Falls we felt like we had this private oasis all to ourselves. No one else there just the crew, wading, swimming, enjoying the surrounding beauty until Stew got bitten by a bug! No worries, all good until next morning where his eye had swollen, his cheek had swollen up, his nose was red but still spirits in the group were high and looking forward to next day's trip to Fruit Bat Falls.

That night a fire was called for where we sat to watch the flames roar into the night sky with a million stars in full view above the rainforest canopy. The fire was started with generosity on Daniel's part after he 'found' a felled tree!

Daniel surveying how to approach the track

Conquered Gunshot Creek crossing on the Old Telegraph Track!

Some Poles beat us to it though!

This was a hairy crossing with lots of holes in the bottom

As usual Les is the marker in the creek!

Finally at Eliot Falls, The Saucepan

Water fall over The Saucepan

Playtime at The Saucepan

The Saucepan oasis

More cooling off!

No rest for the wicked

I've conquered it!

One for the photo album

Marysia! are you sure you have everything?????

Cape York crew in Twin Falls

Another beautiful water fall

Takes your breath away!

Just a minor "gunshot" wound

On the road to Cape York.

Down time in Weipa

I should mention that as Les had mentioned at the start of our journey that we should all be
taking some time to pitch in and make up some bush poetry, songs or, in Les's case a rap!, to capture our Cape York adventure.

As Daniel continued with his guitar practice he was also prepared to make a song contribution but no words were yet forthcoming, he was still looking for a piece of music before he could
put his prose to.

Having left Weipa to drive to Bramwell Junction Roadhouse, and since Daniel was concentrating on the kilometres of corrugation, red dust on the Telegraph Road I took out pen and paper to continue my little piece of prose to add to the Cape York contribution.

Here it goes:

'Our sights are set high to reach Australia's northern tip,
As we avoid the kangaroos, who give us the slip.
We barrel down the roads of gravel and dust,
to Moreton Telegraph Station we must.

Leaving Weipa behind,
I think we don't mind.
Pressing on with the gravel,
For the roads we must travel.

We pass poor joeys whose lives have left,
On sides of roads which leave me bereft.
How birds that swoop from up above,
Gorge on carcasses,
As there in lies their food of love.

The trees that stretch before us,
In yellows, gold and greens,
Tussock grasses dry beneath,
Are some of the prettiest scenes.

On roads less travelled as we head north,
We'll stop for coffee,
But I need a port!

The corrugation, dips and ditches,
Often leave us yelling 'you sons of bitches!'
The veils of red dust that cloud our view,
Make each stop of the journey something new.

Our mates in front on CB radio,
Pick up and say 'Don't go!'
'There's a dip in the road,
and them cows won't go!'

The road in places can be quite treacherous,
But we won't let it get the better of us!
So slowly does it as we drive through,
Deep, clear waters with crocodiles in view!

Cheers everyone! I'll post pictures when we get back to civilisation where
we have reception.

Creativity time for all our blogs!

Weipa to Bertie Creek, Cape York

The only caravan park in Weipa on the foreshore (no you cant' swim)

As we left Weipa behind the next day the plan was to get telegraph station perhaps to stay
the night. Arriving there at 11.30 in the morning the crew made the decision to head on north up to Bramwell Junction. Here at the roadhouse you could refuel, freshen up, stretch the legs and
grab a bite to eat looking at some classic photos taken over the years of cars that had taken the Old Telegraphic Track. After meeting a group of lads that had just come back taking the Old Telegraphic Track the crew made the decision to head down the track just a little ways to see what it had to offer.

Foreshore beconning.....so are the crocs!

We pulled in at the first Creek crossing not knowing what to expect. Ahead of us was a family convoy of 4 vehicles all pulling their camper trailers. Let's just say that there were lots of people making lots of gasps as we all surveyed the first crossing. It was a pretty steep gradient with lots of deep ruts, grey thick mud before eventually striking through the creek's waters to get to the other side. One vehicle after another slowly paced their way before it was our turns. Stew didn'think it a good idea at first but Daniel said it could be done in Stew's vehicle. Once that hurdle over,there was no stopping Stew or Daniel. Both Les and I, also feeling the adrenalin rush, got through the mud, down to the other side of the creek, wading through the water in our thongs, getting wet, no fear!!!,more like not watch out for the crocs but the cars was more important. I mean this was only the first creek with many more to come.

Time for a car wash!

Daniel.......and his beard!

Inch by inch Stew came down the gully first, through the muddy bank before crossing the creek
and up the other side. Well done! cheers from the girls before Daniel made his approach in much the same manner. Carefully positioning the car from left to right so as not to encounter damage. The trek is just beginning! All over, done and on the other side we made our way North along the Old Telegraph Track to the next creek crossing. Much of the day continued in this manner. The girls of the Cape York crew would get out make their way through the creek to the other side as the men held their course trekking through obstacles of rock pools,
deep waters, strong currents, mud slides, and us capturing them on photos, film for future presentation to friends, family at home and for our own incredible memorabilia.

Daniel and his beard. Marysia and her plats!

After almost 6 hours on the track it was time to call it a day where we made camp at Bertie Creek, which also had to be crossed. Another couple had made this their camp site for the night and obligingly Phil helped Stew and Daniel to get across the tricky creek. Sheila and Phil joined us for some afternoon conversation of what to expect further down the track and sights to see before calling it a night after a quiet dinner.

Since the previous night had been very warm, no showers in the area the only other best thing to do to clean up, freshen up to get ready for the next day's trek was to wash in the creek. The Cape York crew, no fear in any of them, with bathers on, coffees in hand, ventured to the creek for the morning swims joined in with Phil and Sheila. An unbelievable experience at 7.00am in the morning swimming in the creek in Winter (although
dry season here!). One not to be forgotten ever I'd say!