Cape York Trip – Post 16 – Moreton Telegraph Station

Moreton Telegraph Station

 

 

From Weipa we headed for an overnight stop at what was once the Moreton Telegraph Station. All that remains of the actual station is a very cracked concrete slab.

Not sure if this telegraph pole is original of if it has been replaced-restored for us. Still I tried to get a bit arty. The Pole under the Southern Cross connecting Australia to the rest of the world at a time long before the internet.

Cave Creek

 

 

There is a small "nature" walk along which I found this little gem. The creek disappears in a small water fall under a natural bridge that you can walk across.

I think I was also lucky with the time of day and lighting when I was there.

 

The Barra Hole

 

 

 

The walking track also directs you to the Barra hole. A small water hole in the Wenlock river. But it is true to name I did catch this little Barramundi. The hole did also claim this lure and another one. 🙁

 

 

 

 

 

Toilet Closed

 

 

 

Looks like the toilet is closed, and might be longer than normal cleaning. Just as well we have our own in the motorhome now days 🙂

(The camp ground does have toilets, showers and power)

 

 

 

 

Cape York Trip – Post 17 – Moreton to the Jardine

Bramwell Roadhouse

 

While I am having misgivings about the road and the torture I am putting "Clifford" through; have a look at the caravans up here. This is at Bramwell Road house. The junction with the Old Telegraph Track and the Southern bypass road. I don't think these vans were heading up the Old Telegraph Track.

No Gunshot

 

 

I was hoping to use this road to get into the infamous Gunshot creek crossing for a look and camp the night. We did get into the "Old Telegraph Track" about 5km North of Gunshot. The scrub encroaches so much onto the track, and we are tall and wide and didn't want all the extra pin striping down the side. Not to mention the solar panels and air conditioner on the roof. We turned around and headed back to the development road and up to the Jardine Ferry.

 

 

 

 

 

Fruit Bat Falls

 

 

While no Gunshot we did get into Fruit Bat falls. They are really on the Bypass road so no great exodus down the old telegraph track.

Pitcher Plant

 

 

These carnivorous plants are growing near the walkway at Fruit Bat Falls.

Cape York Trip – Post 18 – Jardine to Mutee

North Jardine National Park

 

 

At the Jardine Ferry we had phone reception so time to put plan B into action. Where were we going to spend the night? We booked a camp site in the North Jardine National Park campground.

Paid our $100 for the ferry. This is return and includes camping at some sites North of the Jardine.

Next to find the campground.

This shot, as it turns out is  not on the way into the National park campground. We did find some camping at the end of this road but we couldn't get the motorhome down the track - "Clifford" is too tall.

Gravel Pit

 

It was now time for plan c, our first gravel pit stop over. In the end it turned out to be a pretty good camp spot.

 

 

 

 

 

North Jardine

 

Heading North the next morning we found the signed road to the North Jardine National Park. We still did not find our booked site number 6. We did however find sites 1 and 2 here at the northern side of to the old Jardine river ford.

The sign warns that this crossing is no longer in use, there are crocodiles, and its doubtful that anyone will retrieve your vehicle when you get stuck.

 

 

 

 

 

Mutee

 

 

Saw the sign into Mutee beach it was only 10km so decided to go and have a look - we had time.

Turns out it was a nice beach and a nice free camp ground right on the beach. So we decided to stay. It looked like it was going to be a nice peaceful night.

We were then inundated with a group of about a dozen grey nomads travelling together. It was still fine just not the solitude it  looked like at first.

 

 

 

 

Cape York Trip – Post 19 – Mutee

Mutee Headland

 

 

Sunset over the Mutee Headland.

Radar Tower

 

Mutee was the sight of one of a number of radar installations on Cape York during world war two. According to the plaque here, this is the last one that is still standing, While the whole area is covered by 6ft high grass I couldn't see any evidence of the support buildings.

 

 

 

 

 

Mutee

 

 

The decaying posts in this sunset photo are what is left of the jetty used during the war. I imagine to supply the radar installation. Apparently it was an important port for the whole area as well.

 

 

 

 

Mutee soft plastic

 

 

While not huge, still fun. The soft plastic is a bit worse for wear but still did the job.

 

 

 

Mutee - sunrise

 

 

Sunrise at Mutee beach. It may not be as spectacular as the sunset but I didn't have to get up at an unreasonable hour, the temperature would have been about 24 degrees - certainly didn't need a coat. You have to love winter on the Cape 🙂

 

 

 

Cape York Trip – Post 20 – Around the tip.

Ian Collard
June 11, 2018

The tip - Loyalty Beach Campground

 

 

Our home while we explore the area around the tip - Loyalty Beach Campground. As you can see it is right on the beach.

The setting at the "restaurant" is idyllic as you watch the sunset over the sea while ordering and eating tea.

DC3 Crash

 

The now Bamaga Airport was once the Jackey Jackey airforce base in World War two. There are still a couple of air craft wreckages near the airport. This photo is of a DC 3 that crashed on approach early in the morning. All on board were killed.

 

 

 

 

 

DC3 Crash

 

 

This section of plane is located away from the main fuselage. To me it looks like it was ripped off when it hit a tree.

 

 

 

 

Cable Beach

 

 

This is where the undersea cable linking the telegraph line to the world came ashore. This is the junction box where the undersea cable connected to the overland telegraph wires. This is the remains of that junction.

 

 

 

Somerset

 

 

Somerset was at one stage the administrative centre for North Queensland. Jardine had these canyon at the front of the Magistrates house. Unfortunately the house burnt down and there is nothing remaining.

 

 

My Tea

 

 

My tea. Only a small cray but I couldn't eat it all and had to have some cold for lunch the next day.