Cape Trip 2021: Part Two - From the Tip to Weipa

Day 5, Friday 25th June, 2021

As we made it to the tip on Thursday, a full two days before we had planned to be there, we had a whole extra day and no idea what to do. So we took the opportunity to do some washing and enjoy spending two nights in one spot. We are camped right on the beach front, which is beautiful.  It is so warm and the water is very tempting, but the threat of crocodiles and sharks keeps us firmly on the sand. The boys spent a lot of time in the park swimming pool while Tim and I attempted to re-plan our itinerary. All the charters and tours we tried to book either couldn't accommodate 6 people or were booked until August. So we rested. And it was good.

Day 6, Saturday 26th June, 2021

With extra time up our sleeve, we decided to go back to Bramwell Junction (via a swim at Fruitbat) and plan to tackle the southern part of the OTL. We got to Bramwell around 2pm, and set up next to a camper with no vehicle. We figured they were doing what we plan to do tomorrow  - leave the trailer set up and do the track and come back to sleep. We were spot on. Our neighbours (Tim & Elise, plus 2 teenage daughters) pulled in around 5pm, full of stories and videos of their day on the OTL. This was very encouraging as they were also travelling on their own. We had lots of friendly banter between camp-sites as the evening wore on. We discovered that they have family in Toowoomba, at Darling Downs Christian School. Small world.

Waiting for the ferry

Bramwell Junction

Day 7, Sunday 27th June, 2021

We woke up full of nervous energy. After we had breakfast and prepared our
recovery gear, we set off to check out the first creek crossing, Palm Creek. Reportedly the hardest on the southern section. We met another couple, who were also alone and nervous

After inspecting the first crossing they decided against the track. Tim was nervous but also desperately wanted to have a go. Another group rocked up then, 8 kitted out vehicles with all the 4wd equipment and experience. We watched as they swung into action. They walked the crossing, then took their places. One bloke at the decent into the creek, one in the creek to mark the optimal line and one at the top of the exit (which was pretty steep and hairy). As their vehicles powered through, I asked if we could join their group for the drive. They welcomed us and slotted us into the middle of the pack. The little MUX they called us, making sure we got through before the Utes with the 35 mud tyres chewed up the tracks. Still scared but willing to give it a crack now that we had a support crew, we took on the first creek. We almost made it under our own steam, but got stuck just before the top of the exit. We bent the side step and dinted the rear panel, but only a little. Hard to tell if we lost any paint, there is just too much dust and dirt all over everything.

We travelled with the "Off-Road Concepts" crew until Dulhunty, where they set up camp for the night. As we had to get back to Bramwell before dark, we kept going. We crossed the Dulhunty and hooked up with a Father-Son camping trip. We re-tuned our UHF to their channel and followed along until Bertie creek campsite for some lunch. After lunch, we put our togs on and lay in the creek to cool down. Some of their group went spear fishing in the deeper water. After lunch we got back onto the track, crossing the Bertie and Cholmondeley Creeks, and continuing until we reached the infamous Gunshot. Not willing to do the suicidal drop off the cliff into a mud pit, Tim took the deeper but more gradual descent of the "chicken" track. This took more skill than simply falling off the cliff and driving across the shallow ford, but seemed like the safer option for people and vehicle alike. I stood on the bank and videoed while my car got a wash, water coming up over the bonnet just briefly before turning and driving up onto the rugged and slippery mud bank. Our new friends (some chickens and some plain crazy) also made it across Gunshot and then we parted ways. They planned to camp at the next creek crossing and we needed to save time for the two hours back to Bramwell along the PDR. As it was 3.30pm by this point, we took the Bypass Road back out past the ranger station to the PDR rather than crossing the last two creeks on the OTL. At first, smooth sand driving but deteriorated into severe corrugations for more kms than I'd like to remember. The track was very narrow and I would hate to meet someone travelling the other direction.

Lunch at Bertie Creek campground

Once on the PDR, travelling improved a little, the way familiar road always does. Our third time driving this particular stretch, we can begin to anticipate which sections are rough, how long to the bitumen and recognise the abandoned cars along the side of the road (graffitied with witticisms like "drive carefully"). Exhausted and with adrenaline fading, we were glad to shower and eat dinner early before collapsing into bed.

After Gunshot Creek - cleaner than it was

Day 8, Monday 28th June, 2021

We decided to head to Weipa as part of our journey home, and set out after breakfast. We had used our last jerry can of fuel on Sunday, and Bramwell’s fuel delivery which was expected Sunday night had not yet arrived. No worries, it's only 95km to Weipa and we have two thirds of a tank. As we drove past the turn to Batavia Downs and notice Weipa on the sign, we discuss what we have heard from fellow travelers regarding the condition of that track and whether we should head that way. Tim wants to stick to the PDR, so we continue on. When we reach the fork in the PDR where we turn for Weipa we read with growing concern "170 km to Weipa". At this point we have just over a quarter of a tank and the car suggests our range is 180 km. We press on, and begin praying. Maybe a station between here and there has fuel for sale. Concern turns serious when the fuel light comes on 40km from town. Worry fades a little as we realise we have returned to the land of phone signal, and know there is RACQ in Weipa. Our UHF on for the mine trucks, we consider radioing for fellow campers to see if anyone has and diesel in a jerry we could buy. The fuel light begins to flash and we see the first traffic light we have seen in a week. We make it to Weipa on fumes, putting 62 litres into our 60 litre tank. We also fill all three jerry cans. We stop at Woolworths for bread and cereal, sausages and a few snacks. Then we head to the only camp ground in town. They are very full, no vacancies at all, until the group ahead of us say they had one less vehicle than they expected and could give up a site for us. Bless them. So here we are in Weipa for two nights. We do a load of washing, eat some sandwiches and then sit by the pool as they boys quickly make friends with the other camping kids. Much excitement!! Isaiah and Toby have found a friend of a friend. Hudson, friend of Matt (in their class at school) and Oli (from youth group) is here. The boys are suddenly less sullen and have stopped whinging that they just want to go back to the O'Connor's house. Excellent. Tomorrow is looking up.