redback
Active Member
PART 1
This trip had been in the planning for over 12mths, it was an AULRO Forum trip, not unlike the MySwag Cape Trip, the itinerary was completed by JohnR and Discostew the offical trip leaders about a month before we parted.
We had been prepared months earlier and only needed to do food shopping and minor things done to the car and camper and a pre trip inspection and we were off to meet the group.
We all had various departure dates depending on where we were coming from, most leaving on or around the 27th of June for a 3 day drive to our “Official meet up point”, Upper Liverpool Creek South West of Innisfail, we left on the 24TH.
The Group consisted of:
JohnR: John, Alison, Jessie(5), John(2) & Ben (Also 2) in a 07 Defender with Camel camper behind
DiscoStew: Paul & Loretta in a 1999 TD5 Disco II also with Camel camper behind
Icefyre: Anthony & Torrin(9) in a 1999 TD5 Disco II
GuyG & Pohm66: Guy & Paul in a 1990 Range Rover Classic V8 petrol!
Redback: Barry & Kerry 2001 TD5 Disco II with a Redback camper behind
Greynight.aus: Bob & Shirley 2001 TD5 Defender (Tomb Raider Edition)
And last but not least, Blknightaus; Dave in his 1971/76 series III LandRover running on cooking oil (support vehicle)
We departed at 8.00am the 24TH of june, first stop Tarriaro Res Narrabri, a very nice spot just out of Narrabri, a local fishing spot according to the locals.
Early departure again 7.30am bound for Chain Lagoons 15k north of Taroom and another great spot.
From here we were going to be stopping at Belyando crossing, but one of the members from the forum Brian (bearman) offered us his backyard for the night in Mackay, so we decided to hit the coast early and take up his kind offer, what a top bloke and we sat down early after setting up for a few rums around his fire pit, later joined by his lovely wife Ruth, the first highlight of the trip, many thanks for a great night.
Next stop Liverpool Cr arriving early only to meet a couple in a 130 Def travelling around for 6mths, what made this amazing was the bloke only had one leg.
The group we going to be arriving on the 30th so we settled in for a couple of days of exploring the area, visiting the local winery and Paranello Park and just kicking back swimming in the creek.
Tuesday morning we headed off together, going up and over the tablelands visiting a few notable tourist spots on the way. For the group they visited Paronella Park, we went to Ma Mu Rainforest Canopy Skywalk were the group caught up with us then, Curtain Fig Tree and down to the Mossman Gorge where we met up with Anthony’s (Icefyre) parents Gwen and John who were driving a Toyota Troopy, very nice people and John had a very good sence of humour.
The following day we crossed the Daintree River via ferry taking the Bloomfield track our first real dirt road. This track was well graded but if wet I can see it could get a bit hairy.
That night we stayed at The Lion’s Den. An absolute must do, great camp site and a pub with awesome atmosphere, good meals and walls that you were encourage to sign!
The next day we went on to Cooktown (some great museum’s dedicated to Captain Cook) which still retains the charm of a small sea side town. We also met up with Steve (roverescue)in his 130 Dual Cab along with his tinnie whom accompanied us up to Lakefield National Park where we camped for two nights at Mick Fienn Water hole where we fished and relaxed, Steve was another top bloke and with him and his tinnie made this the next hilight of the trip, lucky cause the campsite was a bit ordinary.
Cooktown
Mick Feinn
We left Lakefield National Park and headed northwest to Musgrave Roadhouse, north to Coen where we had our first puncture (side wall, big stick).
Some of the group camped in the roadhouse campground while we camped with the other 4 vehicles along side the locals in the Archer river itself, this was another great spot.
Next morning north east to Lockhart River and a two day Camp at Iron Range Cooks Hut, a lovely spot set deep in the rain forest. A day trip out to Chilli Beach a swim in the ocean. Some of the group continued onto Portland Roads, we went back back to Cooks Hut campsite for a shower and the customary sit around the campfire.
The next day saw two of our more challenging roads. We headed west on Frenchmans track to Batavia Downs which entailed a crossing of the Pasco River,
water up to the bonnet followed by a steep rutted rocky climb out on the other side, we all made it through no worries, spectacular scenery along the way.
We continued on to Bramwell junction Roadhouse then turned north on the famous Old Telegraph Track and our first crossing on the OTL was Palm Creek
.
We had four creek crossings to get to our evening camp spot on the banks of the Dullhunty River near the water guaging station with no problems at all on any of them.
A big days drive leaving at 8am and not getting into camp until 8pm a very long day, some of the day was spent getting unbogged at a lunch spot on the Wenlock river, me being one of them, corse river sand and a camper on the back don't mix.
We headed off early back out onto the Old Telegraph Track eager to get the infamous Gun Shot. We spent about half an hour assessing the “drop” into the creek deciding the best course of attack, for me this was way to long, but most of the group weren't that experienced at this so I bit my tounge. First up was Anthony in the D2, slow and steady in then drop into the mud and easy through the actual creek and up the other side, no dramas. Then it was Guy’s turn in the double locked Rangie once again slow and steady in then drop into the mud and floor it……. Stuck! this was not the way to do it and hence he was stuck, unlike Anthony he had dug some nice big ruts which left us sitting on our bellies. So a quick snatch recovery and he was away. JohnR was next in the Defender & trailer the story was the same, as too with me but the difference for me was I bulldozed all the mud in front of me & Dave also got stuck. Paul and Bob however, took the “slightly” easier route and made it through no dramas. From here we continued on with many more creek crossings then onto the Twin Falls. The camping here is at a premium and arrival close to lunch time is recommended. Here we camped for two nights. We enjoyed several of the most wonderful swimming holes you will ever come across. Elliot & Twin Falls were spectacular and a short drive took us to Fruit Bat Falls an equally spectacular swimming hole.
END PART 1
This trip had been in the planning for over 12mths, it was an AULRO Forum trip, not unlike the MySwag Cape Trip, the itinerary was completed by JohnR and Discostew the offical trip leaders about a month before we parted.
We had been prepared months earlier and only needed to do food shopping and minor things done to the car and camper and a pre trip inspection and we were off to meet the group.
We all had various departure dates depending on where we were coming from, most leaving on or around the 27th of June for a 3 day drive to our “Official meet up point”, Upper Liverpool Creek South West of Innisfail, we left on the 24TH.
The Group consisted of:
JohnR: John, Alison, Jessie(5), John(2) & Ben (Also 2) in a 07 Defender with Camel camper behind
DiscoStew: Paul & Loretta in a 1999 TD5 Disco II also with Camel camper behind
Icefyre: Anthony & Torrin(9) in a 1999 TD5 Disco II
GuyG & Pohm66: Guy & Paul in a 1990 Range Rover Classic V8 petrol!
Redback: Barry & Kerry 2001 TD5 Disco II with a Redback camper behind
Greynight.aus: Bob & Shirley 2001 TD5 Defender (Tomb Raider Edition)
And last but not least, Blknightaus; Dave in his 1971/76 series III LandRover running on cooking oil (support vehicle)
We departed at 8.00am the 24TH of june, first stop Tarriaro Res Narrabri, a very nice spot just out of Narrabri, a local fishing spot according to the locals.
Early departure again 7.30am bound for Chain Lagoons 15k north of Taroom and another great spot.
From here we were going to be stopping at Belyando crossing, but one of the members from the forum Brian (bearman) offered us his backyard for the night in Mackay, so we decided to hit the coast early and take up his kind offer, what a top bloke and we sat down early after setting up for a few rums around his fire pit, later joined by his lovely wife Ruth, the first highlight of the trip, many thanks for a great night.
Next stop Liverpool Cr arriving early only to meet a couple in a 130 Def travelling around for 6mths, what made this amazing was the bloke only had one leg.
The group we going to be arriving on the 30th so we settled in for a couple of days of exploring the area, visiting the local winery and Paranello Park and just kicking back swimming in the creek.
Tuesday morning we headed off together, going up and over the tablelands visiting a few notable tourist spots on the way. For the group they visited Paronella Park, we went to Ma Mu Rainforest Canopy Skywalk were the group caught up with us then, Curtain Fig Tree and down to the Mossman Gorge where we met up with Anthony’s (Icefyre) parents Gwen and John who were driving a Toyota Troopy, very nice people and John had a very good sence of humour.
The following day we crossed the Daintree River via ferry taking the Bloomfield track our first real dirt road. This track was well graded but if wet I can see it could get a bit hairy.
That night we stayed at The Lion’s Den. An absolute must do, great camp site and a pub with awesome atmosphere, good meals and walls that you were encourage to sign!
The next day we went on to Cooktown (some great museum’s dedicated to Captain Cook) which still retains the charm of a small sea side town. We also met up with Steve (roverescue)in his 130 Dual Cab along with his tinnie whom accompanied us up to Lakefield National Park where we camped for two nights at Mick Fienn Water hole where we fished and relaxed, Steve was another top bloke and with him and his tinnie made this the next hilight of the trip, lucky cause the campsite was a bit ordinary.
Cooktown
Mick Feinn
We left Lakefield National Park and headed northwest to Musgrave Roadhouse, north to Coen where we had our first puncture (side wall, big stick).
Some of the group camped in the roadhouse campground while we camped with the other 4 vehicles along side the locals in the Archer river itself, this was another great spot.
Next morning north east to Lockhart River and a two day Camp at Iron Range Cooks Hut, a lovely spot set deep in the rain forest. A day trip out to Chilli Beach a swim in the ocean. Some of the group continued onto Portland Roads, we went back back to Cooks Hut campsite for a shower and the customary sit around the campfire.
The next day saw two of our more challenging roads. We headed west on Frenchmans track to Batavia Downs which entailed a crossing of the Pasco River,
water up to the bonnet followed by a steep rutted rocky climb out on the other side, we all made it through no worries, spectacular scenery along the way.
We continued on to Bramwell junction Roadhouse then turned north on the famous Old Telegraph Track and our first crossing on the OTL was Palm Creek
. We had four creek crossings to get to our evening camp spot on the banks of the Dullhunty River near the water guaging station with no problems at all on any of them.
A big days drive leaving at 8am and not getting into camp until 8pm a very long day, some of the day was spent getting unbogged at a lunch spot on the Wenlock river, me being one of them, corse river sand and a camper on the back don't mix.
We headed off early back out onto the Old Telegraph Track eager to get the infamous Gun Shot. We spent about half an hour assessing the “drop” into the creek deciding the best course of attack, for me this was way to long, but most of the group weren't that experienced at this so I bit my tounge. First up was Anthony in the D2, slow and steady in then drop into the mud and easy through the actual creek and up the other side, no dramas. Then it was Guy’s turn in the double locked Rangie once again slow and steady in then drop into the mud and floor it……. Stuck! this was not the way to do it and hence he was stuck, unlike Anthony he had dug some nice big ruts which left us sitting on our bellies. So a quick snatch recovery and he was away. JohnR was next in the Defender & trailer the story was the same, as too with me but the difference for me was I bulldozed all the mud in front of me & Dave also got stuck. Paul and Bob however, took the “slightly” easier route and made it through no dramas. From here we continued on with many more creek crossings then onto the Twin Falls. The camping here is at a premium and arrival close to lunch time is recommended. Here we camped for two nights. We enjoyed several of the most wonderful swimming holes you will ever come across. Elliot & Twin Falls were spectacular and a short drive took us to Fruit Bat Falls an equally spectacular swimming hole.
END PART 1
