Cape York et al. - August

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Thanks Troy, I reckon I will get a beanie, even off road around here it gets pretty dusty. The amount of dust in there was pretty crazy but remarkably clean on the other side (to the eye anyway).

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Day 17 - 16 August

Depart Punsand for Moreton Telegraph Station.

Two of the party back at work on the 22nd so need to make a move, a few k's still ahead. Had lunch at the Bamaga Resort, which was a $12 per head express lunch (cheaper for kids), nice tucker - good friendly service. Had a chat to the bloke at the reception and talked about the trip home. I asked him about the Artemis to Dunbar route and was advised not take it, The Mitchell was still too deep and soft and his mate got stuck quite badly in the last few days.

The plan was to get to Normanton soonish, I would hit the Barkly around Cloncurry and my mate would go up through Hells Gate and onto the Stuart Highway around Hi-Way Inn.

The revised route for now to Normaton was turn off at Faiview Station and head down to Gamboola. I called the owner at Fairlight (half way through) and had a chat and confirmed the track does not present any deal breakers.

On the ferry and on our way.





A good drive on the superhighway (I reckon the most corrugated was about 50kms out from the Ferrry down to Bramwell) Which reminds me, there was a lady at Punsand telling us that she put their car and bodies on the barge from Cairns because they cannot stand the corrugations. Thought that was very funny. She had a return ticket the same way of course. (sorry don't know what make of car, could be forgiven if it was a tarago or something)

Just as a I came onto the bitumen outside of Bramwell I copped a right trailer tyre puncture. Bit of multi tasking and tyre and refuel at the same time. Kids played tip on the great lawns.



Bit of light left would help with some extra k's. Off again and into Moreton at 6ish for dinner.

Not a bad joint to camp, heaps of room, no power, limited water between 9am and 5pm on the grounds (when the pumps operate from the river). Water in the bathrooms all the time though.

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Day 18 - 17 August

Early start from Moreton, though Archer (looks like a nice place to camp also) and into Coen for a refuel, ice and beer. On the road, through Musgrave and Hann River Roadhouse before the turn right at Fairview Station (well signposted). The track is about 150kms to the Burke Development Road.

The use of radios was great for safety during the entire trip - the lead vehicle can let you know conditions and what vehicles are approaching. Sadly there were two fatalities during our time at the top due to poor visibility. A motor bike was hit and a truck had a head on with a car. It is really important to make yourself visible (lights) and slow right down in poor visibility. The tracks around the top are quite narrow and you always need to watch for oncoming traffic. Most of us practice this stuff, but there are still a few that are a little less considerate. Be careful.

Lots of gates to open and close, I mean lots! Heaps of beasts as well, these are all working stations and maybe the numbers have been impacted by the recent export ban? Great for the kids (and parents).

The road to Fairlight was recently graded and in good nick.



The two main rivers on the track are the Palmer and Mitchell. Called in at Palmerville and said hi. Not a lot of people have come this way this year, reckon it has been pretty quiet. The Palmer has a good causeway and is a nice spot. The bloke at the station reckons there is a big croc living here, but hasn't seen him for awhile.

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Lots of easy water crossings and lots more dips (real dips, like roller coaster stuff accommodating the wash outs, none are signposted either)





A great track. Called into Mt Mulgrave Station late afternoon, said hello and asked permission to camp on their property on the Mitchell. A really lovely lady, Beverly, directed us to a nice camp spot near their homestead. She said it was good to swim here, the salties are not this far in (but I can't help but being cautious). She did warn us to beware of the Taipans, a few around at the moment. (the kids will be staying close tonight)

Had to drive past a no camping sign to get there. What a fantastic spot, and these people have this on tap 24/7. The dry sand was really soft, I went down to 18 psi, but it was all over when I lost momentum combined with the weight on the rear. Warn to the rescue again.



The Mitchell crossing was a causeway also - better than the Palmer, you could get across it on a segway.

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The Mitchell River was beautiful, you could easily spend days here relaxing and kicking back. Kids explored and found their own things to do. Unfortunately we needed to depart - the clock was ticking.

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Day 19 - 18 August

Mitchell River aiming for Normanton (yeah right!)

On the track about 24kms and hit the Burke Development Road. About 20kms along here I noticed a left wheel problem - I think I felt a little sick. Yep - confirmation - felt sick.



Quick radio message to my mate - 'better come back, there are issues!' All the studs were turning bar one. This trailer was not going anywhere.

130 to Chillagoe, about 400 to Normanton. Not sure how long this problem will take to solve?

I ripped the whole wheel off with the hub and bearings.



Chucked it in the car and some quick research and contact with the local stations. Nothing but unbelievable people and the offer of assistance was overwhelming. The council workers and the local stations workers were very supportive and besides that bloody great people.

I along with others reckon the studs were a bit dodgy off the brand new hub, it has come loose, rattled the nuts, shearing one and stripping thread across the rest. Oh well, build a bridge....

Some grinding, some hammering, the wheel was free. Studs extracted and the search for replacements began. Located 4 cruisers studs and 1 that was a good width and would do the job. Back into it and hammering the new studs in. A bit of custom work to ensure the heads were below the magentic brake drag and all good. About three hours later I was very confident of the workmanship and the result. What a relief.



Back to the trailer, new bearings and seal and back on the road.

During the repair work the Council workers cruised by again, offering a place to camp for the night at Gamboola, another working station. The offer was accepted!

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These 'out of sight' stations are beautiful. Great landscape and families; and tough workers.

The young fella at the station was stoked to see another 5 kids and they ran riot together having a ball. Chickens, calves, a litter of pupies, kookaburras - what more could you asked for. Oh yeah, a dunny and hot showers. I am a little nervous about getting too clean on this trip, every time I do I end up filthier. I have been a grot most of the trip, all part of the fun.





And to top off the day, my young fella offered me some poo on a stick!



Very grateful to the people around here for their generosity and assistance. Some beverages were arranged for these guys soon after for their next visit at the Chillagoe pub.

[Bidla Member Find all posts View Profile Close Bidla]

Keeper, a great write up mate. We're still 2 years away from going but the planning is underway thanks to great reports like yours. Well done!!

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Day 20 - 19 August

Gamboola to Burke and Wills RoadHouse (via Normanton), a quick 700kms

The little fella said goodbye to the killer puppies of Gamboola and at the same time they said goodbye to their food!



Had to take a detour and check out the Mitchell at Dunbar. Greeted by the gravity sign.



And maybe a taipan track?



A beautiful river. It is evidently remains difficult with a real soft sandy base. Recovery is common! There is a small bank to the left in the middle of the river that has a rocky base and shallow after (maybe .6 depth), the bit before may be the trouble. There is a channel of green water about 4 metres wide. I would love to have a go at this, but with all the other info I have heard and we remain in the domain of the estuarine I am not up to walking it. Maybe sit on a bonnet with a tent pole and read the fathoms like the old mariners (with this vehicle hooked up to a winch on a second vehicle just for insurance) Anyway time to move on, some other time Mr Mitchell.

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The Mitchell - a pretty decent crossing. You would have no choice but to have a go if you travelled from Artemis!

The earthmoving gear, I mean recovery equipment, is just behind us, and note the survey marks on the other side (they are on our side too) so maybe preparation for make shift road shortly?

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Bidla - a pleasure, preparation is everything on these adventures and it is good to know this experience will help fellow PPer's.

Good luck mate.

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Into Normanton, some lunch at the 'Gobble and Go'!! (good tucker), fuel, resupply (the local supermarket had block ice, like hens teeth). This block ice ended up lasting in the tropical until Wednesday morning (that is a record for my esky!)



Some pictures with the local attraction, the big boots and handbag.







A call from a parent with an invitation to a party on Sunday at 2pm back in The Alice - thanks, no worries, he'll be there with bells on = Timeline pushed forward.

A good bye to our great friends and off toward Burke and Wills Road House, couldn't stop thinking about taking the next chunk of leave and planning the next adventure.

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Day 21 - 20 August

Burke and Wills to Three Ways (another quick 900kms)

The road from Normanton to Burke and Wills wasn't too bad, single lane bitumen mostly.

Burke and Wills down to the Barkly Highway at Cloncurry across to The Isa. Refuel, caffeine and forward. Filled up at the Shell and when I pulled in I had to wait for this lady to hop out of the way, I though about it later - she was like the bowser hawk and her old man was at pump 6. Filled up from pump 5 and had 80 litres in the car and filled the two cans with 40 litres. Purchase of around $170. Cruised in to pay and the cashier requests $285. Yeah, don't think so. A reminder that I would like to pay for 5 and she informed me the hawk came in and already paid for it - they of course had since departed. May be totally innocent, but I am a suspicious type of guy! You could really take advantage of this type of behaviour and get some real benefits, because it would hardly ever get reported to the cops. I know the pension is tough, but come on! Anyway I wasted enough time here, disputed the transaction, left all my details and contact numbers and departed. The manager wasn't available. Bye bye.

Of interest I had to ring up the manager at Isa twice on Monday 22nd and chase him to pay the damn thing???? No issues, paid the amount I had taken. Interesting though and is good for general consumption so this audience doesn't experience the same problem.

Home Territory



I was tempted to turn off and head toward Lake Nash, hook up with the Sandover Highway instead of the bitumen, had the fuel, but maybe just not the time. It maight be good to sit on 130km/h on the black top for now - got to get to that party.

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Day 22 - 21 August

Three Ways to Alice

530 kms to go - seems like nothing now.

A quick stop into the Devils Marbles.



A great solid performance from the Prado and Trailer. Very impressed.



It was a great feeling coming over the last few hills and seeing the fantastic sight of the West MacDonnells again.

Home at 1230, made it to the party! Preparations for the little fellas 4th birthday tomorrow and first day of pre-school. Wife back to work, I on the other hand still have 2 weeks leave (luckily)

Lots of cleaning (still doing it now on the 30th August!), lots of lessons learnt, a great experience and adventure.

Here's to friendships, fellowships and adventure.

Enjoy

Next.....

[Melbo Member Find all posts View Profile Close Melbo]

Wow!!! what a fantastic report. i was truly immersed in the report and i Literally felt like i was doing the trip and seeing all the places....