We meet up in Cairns and greet our fellow travellers, excited for our 12 day tagalong! Heading over the range we travel north alongside the magnificant rainforested mountains.
We have lunch at The Gateway before we journey into Quinkan country. The collection of rock art galleries in the area are listed by UNESCO as being among the top 10 rock art sites in the world and we take a look at one of them.
We camp on a working cattle station and spend the evening getting to know our new friends.
Today our journey is entirely on the Peninsular Development Road (PDR). A patchwork of bitumen and dirt sections, we keep our fingers crossed that the grader has been along recently! Contrary to popular belief, the PDR goes to Weipa on the west coast and it’s actually the Telegraph Road and Bamaga Road that will take us to The Tip in days to come.
We call in at a couple of iconic Roadhouses along the way and learn about the history of the telegraph line.
Stopping at a shady river crossing for lunch, we have the chance to paddle in the cool water.
We setup camp by a lagoon and have the chance to do some wildlife spotting.
Our first stop today is at one of the historic goldfields of The Cape. We have the chance to see some of the original machinery and learn how gold helped to shape the region.
We continue our drive North and check out some amazing views before arriving at camp around lunchtime.
Once setup and replenished we spend the afternoon at Palm Creek, either watching others or participating ourselves, in attempting the first crossing of the OTT!
Today we will traverse sections of the southern half of the Old Telegraph Track (OTT) at a leisurely pace giving us plenty of time to size up the crossings, and watch others attempt them too.
We will help the group negotiate each creek together and will always have the recovery gear at the ready!
There are options to bypass some crossings if needed.
Our camp for the next two nights is next to some amazing waterfalls.
Today we have a free day so no need to pack up camp!
Your
guide will take those who want to, out to some of the beautiful sections of the northern
half of the Tele' Track.
You might want to take yourself for a swim and explore around Eliot and Twin Falls or take the short drive to Fruit Bat Falls. There are plenty of swimming holes in the area and an abundance of flora and fauna to seek out.
You could try and do all of the above, or none at all. It's your choice today!
Crossing Scrubby Creek we are on the Bamaga Road and heading north once more. We come to the Jardine River and cross on the ferry to the Northern Peninsula Area.
We drive to Mutee Head and gain an understanding of the Aboriginal and Islander communities in the NPA. There is plenty of WWII history in the area and we seek out radar installations, gunning placements, fuel dumps and a couple of plane wrecks!
We head to Seisia to set up camp for the next few nights overlooking the Endeavour Strait.
Taking some of the lesser used tracks, we head to Pajinka. First stop is the Croc Tent to pick up those souvenirs.
We aim for the coast and drive the beautiful Five Beaches Loop before heading off to Somerset to explore the ruins of the Jardine family home.
The last push north sees us parking up at Frangipani Bay. A short walk across the headland before we finally make it to The Tip!
Tonight, we are provided a hearty meal and celebrate having made it to the Northernmost Point on mainland Australia!
We have a free day in Seisia!
You could take a fishing charter to catch those big pelagics. Or how about a trip to Thursday Island?
There’s also plenty more to explore in the NPA and of course you could just take in the sea views whilst relaxing at camp.
Beginning our journey south, we cross the Jardine before we head to the east coast where we enjoy lunch at Captain Billy Landing.
Back onto the bypass road we head to Moreton Telegraph Station where we camp for the night next to the Wenlock River.
You have a chance to explore the property, taking a walk along the river searching for Palm Cockatoos, Antilopine Wallaroos and the Common Spotted Cuscus. Or you could try your luck fishing at the Barra Hole!
Departing Moreton, we head over the Wenlock and get some km's behind us before stopping in at the Archer River Roadhouse.
Feeling refreshed we continue our journey south. Passing some familiar sights, we make a couple more stops before getting into camp early.
We relax at Artemis Station for the afternoon. You might want to do some wildlife spotting or maybe go looking for the very rare golden shouldered parrot!!
Today we head east into Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, a favourite with guests.
We see the termite mounds of the Nifold Plain, cross numerous rivers and creeks, explore some beautiful lily lagoons and try to spot some Brolgas.
We will camp at Kalpower Crossing where you can enjoy a forest walk or try some croc spotting in the Normanby River!
After packing up camp we continue through Lakefield National Park spotting the abundant wildlife as we go. We explore Old Laura Homestead which is a superb example of early property in this area.
Exiting the park we travel back to Laura for a look around and our morning tea stop.
Back on the bitumen we make tracks to Mareeba where we say stop to say our goodbyes and reflect on the amazing trip we've just had!
Please contact us if you have any questions and we'll be able to help!