A Cape York adventure is the number one destination on every adventurous travellers’ bucket list. And why not? With beaches, fishing, the opportunity to stand on the most northerly tip of Australia, plus the chance to travel the Old Telegraph Line, what more could you want?
The Old Telegraph Track
The Old Telegraph Line is one of Cape York’s greatest adventures. There are many pretty creek and river crossings, waterfalls, challenges galore and the track itself is always interesting.
The Overland Telegraph Line was built in 1887, linking Brisbane through Cape York with Thursday Island and the rest of the world. The line was in use for over 100 years before it was finally closed. During the time it was in service, gangs of linesman regularly maintained the line.
Some of the original galvanised iron poles remain, but all the insulators have gone. Musgrave and Moreton feature historical reminders. But now, what remains is one of the toughest and best 4-wheel drive tracks in Cape York.
On the Old Telegraph Line, the adventure begins soon after leaving Bramwell Junction – at Palm Creek – only 3 kilometres away. This immediately sorts the keen adventurers from the more circumspect travellers. Those towing campers and caravans use the Development Road.
Palm Creek features a lumpy entrance and mud before the water. The creek crossing is easy, but then there is a steep climb out up the other bank. Time to use low range second and a useful amount of accelerator.
Palm Creek is only the first of many similar challenges and each creek crossing has a trap for the unwary. It might be a deep hole, it might be a rocky crossing, it might be a soft, sandy bottom or a difficult exit ramp, and it might be Gunshot Creek with a steep entrance/drop off down to the water.
But there are many highlights – the Dulhunty River, Canal Creek, Cockatoo Creek, and the beautiful Twin Falls and Fruit Bat Falls. All are great swimming spots, especially at the falls. Those using the Development Road can negotiate the track into the falls to enjoy a swim too.
The Old Telegraph Line is narrow and thickly vegetated and the track can have washouts or trees down. Take care when driving the Old Telegraph Line and you will have a wonderful experience. And be aware that conditions change from year to year so always seek advice from locals.
More Cape York adventures
But the Old Telegraph Track is in the northern part of the Peninsula. There are many more highlights in the southern section as well.
Cooktown has a distinctive character of heritage buildings, palm-fringed waterways, fishing, a feeling of a slower pace and loads of history to explore.
From Cooktown, travel inland to Laura and stop on the way to admire the stunning Quinkan country rock art, a large body of locally, nationally and internationally Aboriginal rock art.
After Laura, there is only the township of Coen before the mining town of Weipa. But there are several roadhouses along the way at Hann River, Musgrave and Archer River. The roadhouses supply fuel and camping with all meals available. Archer River was well-known for their layer-upon-layer Archer River burgers.
Weipa, apart from its bauxite mine, offers fishing tours on the several river mouths that flow here. The Peninsula Development Road has longer stretches of bitumen each year, and in-between the dirt road is regularly maintained. Those towing caravans or trailers can enjoy a Cape York adventure too.
From Weipa, the northern roads are also maintained, but too much speed will bring the unwary undone. So take care as there is still much to see here too.
Apart from the already mentioned Twin and Elliott and Fruit Bat Falls, there is also the mighty Jardine River.
The Jardine River is the most northern river in Australia and the last gateway to the top end. Once here, use the ferry to reach the other side. Bamaga is the main township here with all services available for travellers. Not far away is Seisia where the top end port is located. Several camping areas with access to the beach are also available.
Travellers can choose to visit Thursday Island with its snug port and Horn Island which features history from the second World War.
And finally, the reason that everyone travels Cape York Peninsula – a journey to the Tip. After the adventures of reaching the top of the Peninsula, there is nothing quite like standing below the sign to celebrate this great adventure.
We shared our Cape York adventure with a group of experienced and not so experienced travellers. You can see the adventures of our convoy group in the video Cape York – Still the great adventure.