Cape York 2014 - Archer River Roadhouse

We woke at 5am to the sound of rain on the tent. Not what we wanted on the day we were to pack up. Luckily it lasted only a minute or 2. Unfortunately it woke our neighbours who decided it was time to get up, make coffee and chat as if it were 9am in the morning .... not 5am and pitch black darkness.
We climbed out of our tent at 6, had a quick Brekky and packed up. We were all done by 7.40am which felt like a record time.
Today we head South to tackle the corrugations and spend a night at the Archer River Roadhouse. The roads are still breaking cars. We saw a late model Patrol with its rear dragging on the ground. No jack supporting it and a wheel laying in the grass not far away. We slowed to see if the family needed help. They gave a THUMBS UP so we figured they had a recovery plan.
We crossed the Jardine River on the super short ferry trip. Charlie and Amanda caught up to us here too.
We detoured into Bramwell Station for lunch - through the back gate. The GPS showed an entrance and the gate didn't say not to enter so we did. We later found out that we shouldnt have gone that way and needed to use the main entrance.

Bramwell Station

A Brawell Station Brolga

We rolled into Archer River Roadhouse around 3pm and started a basic setup for a sleep, dinner and Brekky. After setup we took a shirt walk to the River crossing which was a great site apart from the one area where someone decided to dump rubbish.

Road crossing the Archer River

TeamBray Camp

Exploring the Archer River

Archer River

Archer River Roadhouse Locals

Cape York - Punsand Bay

Four nights at Punsand Bay Resort meant plenty of time for exploring as well as some relaxtion. We decided to do a tour to Roko Island. Roko Island is a pearl culturing island. The trip out to the island on the Zodiac was heaps of fun and took us around Possession Island.

Possession Island

A quick trip in the Zodiac.

Roko Island

Growing Pearls

All a girl wants - PEARLS.

No sand on the beach - just theses little shells

The crocodile that was at the end of the stone jetty.

The Stone jetty

Roko Island Jetty

The resort had a great restuarnat cooking woodfired pizza. This was a must do for dinner one night. The kids also enjoyed a swim in the pool followed by hot chips and an icecream. Stocks were getting low by our last day there.

Our camp spot had views of the beach just across the road. It was very busy and noisy for most of our time there and you had to get in early if you wanted a warm shower. It really is a place about location, location, location.

 

Punsand Bay

Punsand Bay Beach - helicopter taking off.

Punsand Bay Camp

Brekky at Punsand Bay

 

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Cape York 2014 - Punsand Bay to The Tip

Our journey to the tip was completed today. After a relaxing morning at camp we loaded the kids into the car again and decided to take the short cut road up to the tip. We had been given several warnings that the road was boggy and to walk each crossing before driving them. We did what what were told and thankfully had no troubles at all. A 7km track took us 35 minutes to drive - not quite sure what was short about that.

Lots of mud along the short cut track. 

 On arriving at the Tip car park we set off up the rocky path with Nathan catching a ride on Colin's shoulders. We set a slow and steady pace being careful not to trip or twist ankles on the uneven ground. Eventually we clambered down the very last section of path to the northern most point of mainland Australia. We all had a sigh of relief and felt an amazing sense of achievement. The views were amazing.

Team Bray at the TIP!

The walk to the Tip.

Nathan conquering the Tip on his crutches. 

The view along the way.

Colin's shoulders getting a workout. 

Wally even made it as well. 

Nathan decided he wanted to walk back himself. Colin's shoulders weren't arguing. Slowly and carefully Nathan navigated his own path carefully using his crutches to support himself. He was very proud of himself when he eventually made it back to the car.

Driving on the beach at the TIP - Colin just had to do it. 

From here we drove out to Sommerset Beach. Stopped at a memorial site and headed to a beach. It was quite windy so we headed back to find a sheltered spot for lunch.

Somerset

Somerset Beach

After quick look around and a late lunch at the Somerset Camp groundand we headed into Bamaga to stock up on some groceries and a catch up with the Begg's camping out at Seisa.

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Cape York 2014 - Jardine River

After conquering the OTT we headed to the South side of the Jardine River to set up camp for the night. Even though we had only travelled a short distance we were keen for a good nights sleep.
Our camp spot was right on the bank of the river at the old crossing. We were wary of crocs when we went for a walk to get water from the river. The water looked refreshing and clear.


When it was time for bed we headed to the safety of our thin fly screen tent :). We soon heard a swooshing sound. The sky was filled with bats, some of which came in low to feed on a nearby flowering tree.  During the night we began to be paranoid at every splash in the water just behind us. Who knows what is out there?

TeamBray Camp Jardine River

Colin & Christian - carefully getting water - there are CROCS in there !!

Look at me ... I'm SO brave

Beautiful clear water - Jardine River

Jardine River

TeamBray - ready to roll

After an uneventful night we packed up a headed to the Ferry to cross the river although the boys were joking about trying out the old crossing.

Jardine River Ferry

Jardine River Ferry

Not the most exciting video ... but a quick vid at the Jardine River Ferry - Southbound

Posted by TeamBray

Cape York 2014 - Old Telegraph Track North

We woke up at Eliot Falls Camp quietly concerned about the day ahead of us. Today is the leg of the journey we'd eagerly anticipated. It was also the leg of the journey which has been destroying cars. Bridge Creek (Nolan's Brook) was claiming cars every day so we'd be told. Patrols / Landcruisers, it didn't matter. Not everyone was getting through. Well, they were the stories coming back from travellers who had been to the top already.

Colin nearly drove over this edge. A close call. 

With some smaller water crossings to start with we were gently introduced to the type of terrain we should expect. Either sandy or rocky bottom crossings but generally firm.

The deepest, an unnamed Ford was looking like being a challenge. Our plan was to let the cars cool and explore the best path to take. We were joined today by Charlie, Amanda and Matt from Hervey Bay in their chopped GU Patrol. Charlie took the short water crossing to the right which started with a quick drop into some slop ... but it worked.

2 guys on motorbikes were heading south here and required some winching to get them across.

Christian and I were keen to take on the length of the Ford to see how the cars handled it. We had walked a path - the bottom was sandy but firm enough. We dropped tyres to 25 PSI and both drive through without a problem.

Checking depth

The next crossing - Bridge Creek, Nolan's Brook. People has set up camp on the North side and were keen to watch the action. On the North side were half a dozen cars .. 3 of them dead cars. One of the onlookers offered to tow our first car if we got stuck. Colin headed for the fridge and grabbed a 'can of courage' in the mid-strength variety.
We all walked the Brook and agreed on the best path. There were plenty of deep dips with soft bottoms. After watching plenty of YouTube videos of this crossing we thought we knew it all. Things had changed, today's path was nothing like we'd seen on the net.
We placed Charlie's son Matt on the left at a strategic point in the water to indicate the route to take. Once we reach Matt we would turn right across the middle and head for the 'viewing area'. We lined up the recovery vehicle with enough straps to recover standed car from any point. One person stood in the water ready to attach it and any time.
We dropped out tyres to 15psi all around to give serious traction with fully loaded vehicles. I'd never run the Patrol this low but I'd never done a water crossing like this either. Each car used a water tarp over the front to help create a bow wave of water and keep the engine a bit drier....if that's possible.
Charlie lined up his GU and headed in. No problem, he drove the planned route without incident. The plan worked!!
Colin waited around 10 minutes for the sand to settle before following suit. Christian followed and all agreed this worked perfectly. The next car wasn't quite so lucky. After reaching Matt and the half-way point he drove straight for the exit and it was too soft. His rear sunk and he stopped. We quickly hooked him up and dragged him out. His engine stayed dry so no harm done.
We were all very relieved to have made it. Hi fives and hugs were shared before we prepared a quick lunch.

After getting each car through Colin lifted the bonnet of our Patrol to find it mostly dry. Amazing considering the depth we were in.
We were able to provide tools to a family in a flooded Patrol. The factory snorkel had not done its job. Luckily the owner was a mechanic and knew that he should now remove his glow plugs and pump the water out of his engine. I hope I see my long series 12mm socket again in a few days.
After lunch we continued North heading for our next camp on the south side of the Jardine River (Jardine National Park)

The not so lucky ones

Posted by TeamBray