AUGUST 2005 Our CAPE YORK adventure:
Oz Tours 9 day air/overland camping safari, cost $1990 pp includes flight, ferry crossings, all meals (except three lunches) 1st August 05
We were presented with a certificate congratulating us for reaching the “Tip”. It states:
“In recognition of their spirit of adventure, unfailing good humour and bravery in enduring the bone jarring trek with five million corrugations, pot holes, washouts, bull dust traps and sand bogs and, in spite of crocodiles, mozzies, sand flies, green ants, snakes, wasps, blow flies and wild pigs, actually reached the northern most tip of mainland Australia.”
We might add to that:
rain for a couple of days
2 inch thick mattresses
at times, very basic toilet facilities
But, on the positive side:
Fantastic tour guides who really love their Cape and have great knowledge of it
A five star cook who could produce the most marvellous meals over a camp fire, for 21
Gorgeous beaches and lovely ocean colours
Water falls and pools in which to enjoy back massages and refreshing swims (croc free)
Camaraderie amongst all our fellow travellers
Sitting around the campfire in the evenings, bright starry skies
Varying landscapes changing constantly
Interesting history made real
Great variety of wildlife, including a close up performance of snake lovemaking
Perfect weather while at the “Tip”
Comfortable 4 x 4 bus and Landcruiser
Snake proof tents
A most enjoyable and unforgettable trip
Itinerary:
Day 1 Flight to Horn Island, ferry to Thursday Island, ferry to Punsand Bay (overnight)
Day 2 Travel to the “Tip” and Somerset, back to Punsand Bay
Day 3 Visit Bamaga, Seisia, several Aboriginal communities to Twin Falls, Eliot Falls
Day 4 Visit Fruit Bat Falls (swim), travel the Old Telegraph Track, cross Jardine River (barge)
to Moreton Telegraph Station by Wenlock River
Day 5 Travel Old Telegraph Track crossing Sailor Creek, Cockatoo Creek and Palm Creek and having lunch
at Bertie Creek (but not crossing). Short cut to Weipa
Day 6 Tour of Weipa town, Bauxite Mine, Scherger Air Base, travel to Archer River
Day 7 Travel Old Telegraph Road, visit Coen, lunch at Musgrave Telegraph Station, to Kalpower
in the Lakefield National Park
Day 8 Travel to Cooktown, via Old Laura, overnight at Lions Den Hotel campground
Day 9 Travel down the Bloomfield Track to Port Douglas (home, to our caravan) and Cairns
 |
| Getting to know fellow travellers |
Tuesday 2 Aug
Well, we've made it to the top of the Australian Continent today. The area around here is spectacularly beautiful. And the weather today has been perfect - in fact I've even gotten a little bit sunburnt.
Yesterday we picked Kay and Gary up from their accommodation and they dropped us off at Cairns airport for our flight to Horn Island, ferry to Thursday Island then ferry to PUNSAND BAY where our tents were already set up just up from the gorgeous beach. Unfortunately no swimming because of crocs. Our tent is closest to the beach and we had the windows rolled up (still had screens) and as I was closest to the window I put a bag between me and the window - just in case we had a visit from a croc! Here for 2 nights.
 |
| Punsand Bay |
There were 6 of us on the plane and also 12 people who had come up from Cairns by freighter. 18 plus 2 drivers and 1 cook.
Yesterday it was cloudy so didn't see anything from the air until we got close to Horn Is.
Our vehicles are a Mitsubishi Canter 4 x 4 18 seater and a Landcruiser and we rotate the seating every 4 hours.
 |
| Top of mainland Australia |
Today we travelled to the Tip and had photos taken etc. Had to climb (walk) over rocks etc. Our guide said it was the clearest day he has ever seen there. So now, back at camp, we're sitting having a beer and enjoying the view and watching fish jump.
We had to drink or give away all our beer tonight as it was full strength and tomorrow we're going through a ''dry'' area because the authorities are trying to limit the amount of alcohol available to the Aborigines. The ''bus'' has a special licence to carry a small amount of low alcohol beer and 2 litre casks of wine.
But on the road here we came across two mulgas, member of brown snake family, and were they having a good time in the middle of the road - wow - not sure how often they ''do it'' but they sure put some energy into it - twisting and turning for ages - in fact, we left before they finished but they were slowing down. Phew.
Thursday.
Today we've travelled the Old Telegraph Road to Moreton Telegraph Station, traversing several river crossings, some easy but one, the Cockatoo, was quite exciting - glad it's not our vehicle! And, of course, it's been raining, which makes the roads exciting and the vehicles very dirty. As usual, we're told it doesn't normally rain at this time of the year! Yea, right!!
We had to take a detour road as one of the crossings, the Gunshot Creek, is too steep for our vehicle.
We had to take a detour road as one of the crossings, the Gunshot Creek, is too steep for our vehicle.
When we get to our camp we ''claim our patch'' where we're going to pitch our tent and start unloading the vehicles. Get set up (between showers) then have a look around and before long it's time for drinkies (in our plastic cups) and nibbles. Chris, our cook, is busy cooking up our feast! And it’s always a treat!
Saturday 6th August
This morning, a hot sunny day, we had a 2 hour bus tour of Weipa township and a tour of the Comalco (Commonwealth Aluminium Company) Bauxite Mine. The bauxite is quite near the surface so there's no dynamiting etc. They scrape the topsoil off, take out the bauxite and then regenerate the mined area. Most of the Bauxite is shipped to Gladstone to the aluminium plants.
After lunch we called into the Scherger RAAF Base just outside Weipa. Only the second time it's been opened to the public. We saw F1-11 and lots of air force equipment. The air base is not in use but can be made operational within 48 hours. There are 3 such air bases in northern Australia.
Then we travelled to the Archer River Roadhouse for the night. The river crossings were not as exciting but the corrugations were just as bad on some roads.
As I’m writing this we have been back in our caravan for a night and my brain has gone to sleep - I think it’s still trying to get back into shape after all the jostling. (Defragment my hard drive)
The remainder of our trip was just as good as the first part - the scenery changed often, the friendships among the tourists grew. We saw varied bird and animal life and looked forward to our nice comfortable bed in our caravan - even though we slept well while on tour. It was quite interesting how often we (our cook) was able to stock up on fresh veges, meat etc throughout the Cape - there was even a shop “Croc Shop” quite close to the “Tip” - even though it was only a temporary tent. I bought a T shirt with green ants on it and wore it just about every day.
The whole trip was a wonderful success and showed us a part of Australia not too many people visit. The weather was kind enough to allow us to travel down the Bloomfield Track between Cooktown and Port Douglas - quite a controversial piece of road as there were many protests against it’s construction as it goes through the Daintree National Park. But it was an interesting drive, some parts having one lane concrete, some just mud (yes, it rained) and some water crossings.
We’re so glad we were able to do this trip but now need a week or two before we tackle the next journey.
 |
| Matt, Chris and John |
