Palm Creek, Old Telegraph Track – the video

Back on July 12th we published this photo. Now all is revealed in the video – follow this link –> Palm Creek Crossing

Port Douglas and home…

We have finished the tour part of our trip. For the next couple of nights we stay at the Meridian in Port Douglas. This resort plus Cayman Villas over the road are managed by our cousins John and Sue. From here we will move south staying at Airlie Beach, Rockhamptom, Harvey Bay , Noosa and Port Macquarie before getting home on the 6/8.

First Job however, get rid of that red dust….

We had a pleasant visit to Port Douglas, a little quiet as we were both trying to shake off a cold. We traveled south stopping at Townsville and then what were to be three nights in Airlie Beach. The second day however we received the sad news of John’s mothers passing back in Rosebud. That night we drove down to Mackay and caught the first flight the next day back to Melbourne.  A week later we returned to pick up the car and complete a quicker return, stopping just one night at Rockhampton, Harvey Bay, Noosa, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie and Albury, finally getting home on the 11th. Total trip distance – 10,730 kms

Sarina – just south of Mackay – we visited the local museum and John met a local guide who worked in the old Kraft Sarina yeast and Vegemite factory attached to the local sugar mill

Near Airlie Beach

Coffs Harbour

… now not quite 50 years ago (circa 1968), same banana, but with John and his brother Russell!

Day 16 Bloomfield Track, Cape Tribulation and Daintree River

We pack up the tent for the last time and head south from Cooktown. Pausing to view Black Mountain we then pick up the Bloomfield Track. Some very steep climbs on the 4WD section of road. We pass the smouldering remains of a camper bus, the climb must have got too hot for it!
We lunch at Cape Tribulation. It is here that we leave Dave our guide and our fellow 17 travellers.
The 16 days have gone so fast, we have seen so many things and gone on so many unmapped roads that would never have been possible if we were travelling alone.
From the Cape we wind our way down to the Daintree River. Crossing by ferry we then pass through Mossman before arriving at Port Douglas.
Distance. 212 Kms. Moving Time. 4 Hrs 54 mins

Total trip statistics – Atherton to the tip and back to Port Douglas

Distance 3042kms, Average Speed 53.6 km/h, Fuel Consumption 11L/100km

This one did not make it home!

Day 15 Cooktown

We leave camp and finally find a couple of crocs basking in the sun on the banks of the Kennedy River. Heading towards Cooktown we call in at the abandoned Laura Cattle Station and Isabella Falls.We reach Cooktown just after midday, set up camp and enjoy exploring the town. It seems to have grown a bit since we were last here in ’87. Certainly there is more vegetation along the river.
Distance. 220 kms Moving Time. 3 Hrs 38 mins 
   
    
    
 

Day 14 A long drive south

Our trip is coming to an end. We leave Chilli Beach and head back out to the Peninsula Development road and then south stopping for lunch at the Archer River Roadhouse. We take the opportunity for a group shower as we have now spent three nights in the bush with another one planned this evening.
We continue on to Musgrave Roadhouse and then turn east into Lakefield National Park and camp on the North Kennedy River.

Distance. 459km. Moving Time 6 hrs 36 min
   
    
 

Day 13 Chilli Beach

Another free day. A persistent on shore wind keeps temperatures in the mid 20’s. We walk the beach in the morning and for lunch the group make a booking at the ‘Out of the Blue’ cafe at Portland Roads. A real find given the town is a long way from nowhere and only has three houses!
   
   
   
 

Day 12 Lockhart River

We travel further east to the Coral Sea and pass through the aboriginal community of Lockhart River.
The local airport, Gordon Strip, was constructed in 1942 as part of the war effort. Nearby are overgrown ruins of several gun emplacements and bunkers. One had a colony of small bats.
We move further north to the small settlement of Portland Roads – originally the main wharf supplying the Batavia Gold Fields. We then set up a bush camp for two nights on Chili Beach
Distance 146km. Moving Time 3hrs 12 mins
  
   
 
  

Day 11. Wenlock River and the old Batavia Gold Mine

Friday is Cairns show day and it is a public holiday in Weipa. The mine never closes but the rest of the was shut. We take a quick drive around and then head southwest to the Wenlock River. 
We camp on a billabong and visit the old Batavia Gold Mine site. Gold was discovered in the 1890’s and mining continued on an ad hoc basis until the 1950’s.

Distance. 192 Kms Moving Time. 3 Hrs 16 mins

Nearest car wash please!

Day 10 Weipa

We leave the falls and make the remaining creek crossings on the OTT. Joining the bypass road we travel south to Bramwell Junction. 

We leave the junction after partaking of a well deserved and very expensive ice cream and travel west to Weipa. On the outskirts of town traffic lights stop us to allow monster bauxite trucks through. Our camp is on the beach and we watch a glorious setting sun.

Whilst Weipa is a mining town it also has a degree of civilisation, even a Woolworths!

Dinner – Chicken with tropical salad

Distance 336 kms. Moving Time 7 hrs 53 mins