Page 89 - Port Douglas Magazine 36

PHOTO CREDIT: Tropical North Queensland

Kalpowar Crossing

It’s a rough road with many twists and turns, deep sand patches and river Back on the main Bamaga road, we continue north until we hit the Jardine
crossings. For that reason, it’s only accessible during the dry season, usually River Ferry, the only way to cross the large croc-infested river. There is a fee

from May through to October, but check conditions before you set off. to cross the ferry, which you pay on the south side, but it also covers camping
It’s extremely important should you tackle the Telegraph Track that you access in the national park.
prepare your vehicle. It must be a large four-wheel-drive able to cross water Further north, our next camping destination was at a place along the mouth
Fruit Bat Falls and you should also be prepared for some damage, as the road is full of deep of the Jardine River called Mutee Heads. Right along the beach are multiple
rivets and a lot of corrugation. spots to camp, although regrettably we followed the track too close to the

Cape York local, Ben Fletcher, told us it was important to get out of the car beach and all three cars got bogged, which took a lot of time and effort to get
out of, so watch where you drive. But finally, we set up camp overlooking the

PORT TO PENINSULA hidden below the water.
and walk each crossing before driving through as you never know what’s
beautiful beach and sunset over the east coast of the peninsula.
“I’ve seen a lot of cars written off because people are too lazy to get out and
check,” Ben warned.
Now you don’t have to do the Telegraph Track to get to the tip as any car
could use the main Bamaga Road, but you would really miss the experience

of the trip to the tip and you’ll skip all the best parts hidden off small goat “Fruit Bat Falls, the huge natural crystal-
A trip to the tip of Cape York Peninsula is a bucket list item for many tracks along the way. However, there are bypass tracks that allow you to get clear pool and waterfall is a must-see stop.
to some of the best parts along the Telegraph Track without hitting the most
an adventurous traveller. Karlie Brady makes the four wheel drive treacherous sections.
pilgrimage to the most Northerly point of Australia And while there is no camping here it is a
Along the Telegraph Track, there are numerous spots to camp, usually close

to a river. Our first camp was at the Dulhunty River in a small site just off great spot for a picnic and a cool off.”
the main path right along the river bank. It’s in the middle of the bush and
y whole-body rattles as we drive the corrugated dirt road, My journey began a little further down the coast in Port Douglas, where we had the place to ourselves so we set up camp for a couple of days. With a
dodging potholes and bumps in the road, that if you aren’t myself, my partner and a few friends set off in a three-car convoy headed shallow creek metres from our camp, it was the perfect spot to spend the day

Mquick enough to avoid, send the whole car ying o the ground. north up along the Peninsula Developmental Road where you just keep in the water with some food and beverages. It’s also great to have some fresh
We follow the dusty track for what feels like forever, driving further and going up and up and up. water when your camping to top up your water supply and it also doubled
further into the wilderness. An entire day driving is what you’ll face next with the only pit stops being the as our shower. After days without fresh water at Mutee Heads, we were all pretty dirty

You’d be forgiven for thinking the outback of the Queensland peninsula is roadhouses along the way. Each boasts their own famous burger, fuel, and Not far from the Dulhunty is the infamous Gunshot Creek crossing which is and craving a hot shower and a bit of civilisation. A great spot for this is
nothing but a hot dustbowl filled with human-sized termite mounds and accommodation if you need a break. at the top of the bucket list for many four-wheel-drivers. The almost vertical Cape York Camping Punsand Bay, just a little further up the road. This is

dead grass. However, while it certainly has its fair share of red dirt, mounds Our first stop is Bramwell station roadhouse where we fuel up amongst muddy drop was a bit too much for us but there is a small bypass around the the northernmost campground in Australia and boasts flushing toilets, hot

and sunburnt plants, it is also full of many hidden treasures just off the the cattle that roam the car park. This stop also marks the start of the Old crossing that might just save the life of your vehicle. showers and a bar, which after a week in the wilderness was most welcome.

beaten track. Telegraph Track. Continuing along we soon re-join the main Bamaga Road marking the end The campground, cabins and restaurant overlook the white sandy beach

Cape York Peninsula, North Queensland, the tip of Australia, is where I If you thought the track before was bumpy it’s nothing compared to the crazy of the southern half of the Old Telegraph Track. Another 10 or so kilometres and aqua waters of the Torres Strait Islands. The wood-fired pizzas from the

found myself this past September, on the trip of a lifetime. This picturesque, Telegraph Track which is a four-wheel-drive enthusiast’s dream. The track up the road, a detour on a side track brings you to the ultimate gem of the restaurant here are also another must-do on your trip.

largely undeveloped wilderness showcases some of the best natural follows the original telegraph line that ran from Cooktown to Bamaga from Cape, Fruit Bat Falls. The huge natural crystal-clear pool and waterfall is a From Punsand Bay it’s just a short drive to the main attraction of the trip,

attractions Queensland has to offer, from the typical iconic Australia outback 1885 to 1987 and many of the old telegraph poles can still be seen as you must-see stop. And while there is no camping here it is a great spot for a “the tip.” From dirt and dust, the last few kilometres up to the tip is actually
countryside and hidden crystal-clear waterfalls and swimming holes to pass by. picnic and a cool off. rainforest, which is odd after all the red dirt all the way up.

untouched beaches and rainforest.