Telegraph Track to the Tip – Tassie2Tip

< Inspiration / Category: Featured Bloggers / Tags: Queensland Travel with Kids

Tassie2Tip continues along their trip up the Tip! The boys travelled nearly 6000k to get to the start of the Old Telegraph Track.

The Telegraph Track

That morning when we turned left at Bramwell Junction to take on ‘The Tele’, excitement was in the air. Jack was looking forward to ‘getting bogged and swimming in the rivers’. Jack and I oozed anticipation!

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I know that not everyone enjoys 4x4ing and bush camping. Hey, that’s why my wife stayed at Cairns, but I love it. I don’t mind getting a bit dirty, not having a shower for a few days and enjoying the scents of camp fire cologne.

The Tele Track was awesome. It wasn’t as hard as I expected it to be but it wasn’t that easy either. Each creek crossing had its dangers but we savoured every moment. The first afternoon saw us reach the famous Gun Shot Creek. We didn’t want to take the long bypass road round it but when we got there, it was a lot steeper than I expected. Most of us traversed it without issue and it seemed like a great spot to set up camp for the arvo and watch everyone else either have a crack at it or turn around. The water was crystal clear and warm – who needs a shower when these creeks are like this.

Wild Showers

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The following day was a highlight- Fruit Bat falls and Elliot Falls. I want to go back there already! They are unbelievable. The water is just so clear and inviting. It is action packed yet relaxing in the same breath. Jack has no fear and followed me in as we jumped in into the deep crevasse of Elliot Falls. (Not just once either).  If you are lucky enough to come up to the far north, the falls are a must. Do not miss them. There is no better feeling than sitting under the flow of the cleanest shower in this land. For me, they were the highlight of the trip and Jack certainly did not want to leave. There is no camping at the falls but you can camp a short drive away.

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To the River

The next day saw us cross the Jardine River and inch closer to that northern headland. It cost us $100 return on the ferry and covers camping fees outside of the caravan parks north of the Jardine River.

On the way to Bamaga there is an old plane wreck that crashed there many moons ago, somewhere around 1945. It’s still in good condition and Jack thought it was pretty cool. It’s only 5 minutes out of Bamaga and is certainly worth the stop.

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You can get most things in Bamaga – We stocked up on groceries, diesel and water. Beer was a bit pricey but remember that it’s a fair distance away from the nearest brewery! We camped beachside at Seisia in the caravan and camping park near the main wharf area. The wharf was abuzz, full of people fishing, diving and swimming although the locals never stayed in the water too long. There is a ship wreck across the bay that is a perfect back drop for a photo in the afternoon.

We headed north the next day and stumbled across an absolute beach front camping spot at Roonga Point, just south of Punsand Bay. It was hot, the sun was out, the water was clear and camp was free! All Jack wanted was a swim – it was tempting but the threat of snapping handbags kept us out of the water.

The next day was what we had come all this way for – The Tip. The camp spot that we landed was that good we decided to return after the venture to the tip.

The Tip!

Just before lunch we arrived. It actually shocked me how many other people were there. Perhaps I had been a bit naive and thought that we would have it to ourselves – I was wrong. There was a steady flow of people walking up and over the hill to that northern point of Australia.

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It was an incredible feeling knowing that we had made it and were about to stand in front of that famous sign. Boy did we savour it. Our group had a photo, enjoyed a laugh and a beer then lined up for another photo or 17. As I reflected on how much of an epic adventure it had been for the last 10 weeks and especially the last 10 days, Jack had his photo and said ‘can we go now?’

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Back to Cairns

The next day I realised that we had achieved what we set out to achieve and Kye was starting to miss us so we pointed the car to the general direction of Cairns. We were not in a rush, and just as well because we struck the ferry at a busy time. There was a bit of a line up and it also gets shut down for an hour lunch break at 12 midday. 2 hours of DVDS in the Hilux and a few games of eye spy and we were on our way but ouch, had those corrugations got worse in a few days. It was tiresome stuff watching the road, trying to pick a good track and avoid the worst of the lumps. It was hard going, neither I nor the Hilux enjoyed the beating we got. However, the further south we went, the better the corrugations became. We could not pass the falls again without one more visit and Fruit Bat is the easiest to get to only 5 minutes off the Development Road.

That night Jack had had enough of bouncing from one side of the back seat to another so we stopped at Bramwell Junction and rolled open the roof top tent. The campground behind the road house is a great spot to stop over. Cheap and flat, showers and coffee – Perfect.  We had a kick of the footy with Jack and I basically followed him to bed.

For those who might be wondering the price of fuel or diesel, it’s not too bad. I was expecting a lot worse but we filled up at Bramwell Road House for $2.08 a litre diesel. Prices ranged from $1.47 to $2.20

The second last day bought us south again and now Kye was really missing Jack. It was too far to haul in a day but we made it back to the end of the gravel and the start of the bitumen at Laura. We were given some local knowledge at the hotel about a great little camp spot just down the road. We turned off and went under the bridge that spans the Laura River, just on the southern end of town. What a different spot to camp – in a river bed. The trees 5 meters above us showed signs of debris hanging in them, a sign of how Mother Nature treats this place in the wet. It was a perfect place for Jack and me to spend our last night away from the rest of the family, toasting the last of the marshmallows over the fire.

I had an unbelievable time in those 12 days from Cairns to The Tip and back to Cairns. I was real moved that Jack wanted to come and be a part of it too. I don’t imagine that there would be many 6 year olds from Tassie who can say they have been to the Northern Tip of Australia. I enjoyed what Far North Qld had to offer and urge others to get up that way and see it for themselves.

I really did miss Kye, Charlie and Elkie. 12 days is the longest I have been away from them. But we still have another 4 weeks together piled in the car and caravan on the trek back south towards that place we call home. This holiday is far from over.

Until next time!

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