If you love a 4wd adventure like us, The OTT is no doubt on your to-do list. In June 2021 we spent 4 days adventuring along the 350km Old Telegraph Track to Cape York. Here's what you have to look forward to...!
Day 1
We left Weipa early and headed to Bramwell Station via Batavia Downs Rd. This is the last opportunity for fuel before tackling the OTT. We took the obligatory photo at the sign at the start of the track and then we were on our way with the hope to complete the Southern half of the track.
*Be mindful if travelling in peak times, this fuel & photo stop can take hours, we saw the line up on our way home.
Not far along is the first major creek crossing, Palm Creek, and it definitely had the adrenaline pumping. A steep entry into a creek (water over the bonnet) and a steep exit out. The biggest challenge of the day.
We decided to camp at Dulhunty River, we enjoyed a swim and the first fire of the trip.
*Bertie Creek would be a nice camp too, it is the next creek along.
Day 2
As soon as we left camp we came to the next challenge, a tight uphill corner just after crossing Bertie Creek. A few track modifications to get our friends through and we were on our way again.
Next up was the famous Gunshot Creek, we definitely didn't drop into the original track but had fun with the long crossing and steep cornered exit. Once again adrenaline pumping as everyone made it through.
Along a bit further to Cockatoo Creek - this one was an uneven rocky, slippery bottom with fast flowing water, with a deeper hole at the exit - as the photographer it was sketchy!
We made it to Fruit Bat Falls for lunch. Such a beautiful spot, we loved swimming here! (Washing the dust off and cooling down).
We set up camp at Sam Creek which was an absolute highlight. We had a big campsite to ourselves and a magical waterfall...heaven! The kids enjoyed jumping off the cliff into the waterhole. We camped here for 2 nights.
Day 3
We went to Elliot & Twin Falls for the morning, so beautiful! We swam in the Twin waterfalls and some of us jumped into the gorge of Elliot Falls, so much fun. We went back to camp for lunch and spent the afternoon swimming at the Sam Creek waterfall and the boys/kids collected firewood for our first camp oven dinner.
Day 4
We said goodbye to Sam Creek and aimed to complete the northern half of the tele track - we drove past the bypass road so we were committed! This half of the track was definitely rough!
We came to Mistake Creek first - a narley track and deep hole at the start of the crossing - over the bonnet.
Cannibal Creek next - corner crossing down a steep drop off.
Cypress Creek Log Bridge - this was the first time we were worried, the log bridge was the least of our worries once we crossed over there was a sharp turn with a rise on the opposite side, if our car was to roll it would have been here but fortunately hubby made all the right decisions to get us through safely! (I think his exact words were: I'm just gunna send it!) Friends were next, their camper is longer than ours so that had our hearts racing more! Too many wheels off the ground for my liking!
Shortly after we came to a tight corner along the track with a drop off into a mud hole, I don't know what we looked like going through but our friends camper was sideways.
Next up was Logan's Ford - I started to walk across so I could film but it felt very croccy so I turned back! We all actually floated across with momentum.
Then we finally make it to the last crossing!! The notorious Nolan's Brook - this was the first time we'd seen other travelers all day and thankfully so! After walking all the tracks hubby picked where he was going and we decided to get the kids out of the car for this one, they swam across the creek with me so I could film. It was a steep drop into a deep hole...and that's where our car stopped. The car & camper flooded but luckily we had already lined someone up on the other side to snatch us out! We decided it was best to hook the other 2 cars/campers up before entry so they could be pulled out asap. We ended up having to camp the night here as our car lost all power - thankfully our beds were dry. Other campers helped hubby diagnose the issue, and the car finally started later that night. Running rough, but running.
The kids had a fun afternoon playing in the creek and watching other cars cross the creek.
Our daughter came very close to standing on a little black snake here too.
What a day!! Our mate made sure to cook hubby a nice juicy rib fillet steak to make him feel better. So much adventure and so much mateship, a day we will never forget.
Day 5
We left Nolan's camp area with our car running a bit better than the night before.
We crossed the Jardine Ferry about 3hrs later - Woo hoo, we completed The Old Telegraph Track and made it out!! We set up camp at Alau Beach, Umagico, Cape York and spent 5 nights here before starting the trek back south.
As you can see, things may not go exactly to plan and it's wise to be prepared for anything. Plenty of food and water, recovery gear is a must and a first aid kit! You also need to be croc wise, there have been sightings (albeit not often) along The Old Telegraph Track. The wet season changes the terrain each year so what we have experienced may be different for you. If you haven't already, check out our Cape York Itinerary and start planning your adventure!
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