After conquering Nolan’s Brook and returning to Sam's Creek for one last night, we packed up the following morning and head to the Jardine River along the Development Road. We stopped at the Jardine River Road House and fuelled up, buying our Ferry ticket and permit for camping North of the Jardine River. The ticket and permit are just a sales receipt.
Down to the Ferry we drove and awaited for it arrival, which didn’t take long. Both Steve and I drove up onto the Ferry with the trailer in tow. Before we knew it, we were off across the Jardine River.
Within seconds we were stopping at the other side, where we disembarked, driving to Bamaga, before we stopped at the Bamaga Bake House. They have some great pies, sausage and salad rolls, not to mention sweat pastries. We found the local supermarket very good for supplies
We also visited the local pub, opposite for a carton of XXXX Gold ($60) cans. Next stop was Loyalty Beach Caravan Park, where he had booked in for 3 nights.
Deb and Viv were straight up to the washing machines to catch up on some washing. Steve and I started to set up the campers for the stay.
On the way in, I noticed, Barry, Chad and Brett with their respective families were camped right on the beach, beating us to the punch by a few hours. It was good to catch up with those guys again.
During our stay here, we chillaxed even more. Next to Steve's camp site were some very, very loud snorers. This kept him up most of the night. After three nights, I thought he was going let their tent down.
The following day, we set forth to the Top of Australia, with the Young’s & Frost Cape York shirts on. On our way to the tip, we stopped at the iconic Croc Tent, for the usual souvenirs, shirts, stubby holders, stickers and magnets. He had the customary photograph and then made our way through the rainforest to the car park at the top of Australia. Parking was at a premium, with 20-30 vehicle parked along the road and into the bush. Now for the 20 minute’s walk up and over the bluff to the tip. It was a great view from the top of the bluff, but the wind was howling from the south east. There was the usual wait for photographs, as there were lots of people making the some trek. It was out turn to get the photographs with the Young’s and then celebratory drink was done. We talked about how far we had come and how long we had planned to get to this point. It was a great day. After about 1-2 hours, we walked back to the vehicles, before setting sail for the Caravan Park.
The Frosty's and Young at the Croc Tent
A pano of Punsand Bay, which is west of the Tip.
A long time coming, but Frosty's & Youngs Standing at the Tip.
Frosty's Standing at the Northern most point of the mainland.
That afternoon, I decided to do a bit of fishing off the beach, below the caravan park, but once again, not much was bitting.
Terry fishing, not catching much at all, with Steve delivering the refreshments.
The following day, we decided to head out to Somerset and do the 5 beaches drive, along the east coast of the tip. Somerset was once a British out post from 1864, when Jon Jardine, followed by his son Frank Jardine turned it into a Cattle Station. There are still remnants of their houses located near the roadway and also their graves. Sumerset was a nice place, with a very nice beach to camp at, but you would have to be self-sufficient.
The grave of Fank Jardine, who was appointed magistrate and cheif constable of the area.
Great beach at somerset - I believe well worth camping at. Unfortunately we didnt have time.
The cannons that were believed to have come from a wrecked ship at Ashore reef, located by one of Jardines Pearling ships. The homestead is believed to have been built further up behind the cannons
We headed back towards Bamaga and went in search of a number of World War 2 planes that had crashed landed near the Bamaga Air Port. Not before long, we had found the DC-3, then the Beauford Bomber. We went looking for the Kitty Hawk fighter, but would only locate a small amount of remaining metal, which could not be recognised.
The remains of the DC 3
The rear section of the Beauford Bomber
We returned to the caravan park, before i went to Seisa to have a fish from the wharf. At the wharf there was a little local boy, no more than 8-9 years old, he was running from one end of the wharf to the other, catching live hearing. No soon he had caught the herring, it was thrown into the water as live bait. He caught more live bait than anybody else on the wharf and there were about 20 of us. He was magic. And no, I didn’t catch anything there either.
During the time at Caravan Park, a couple of Banidcoots came out to play. They came into camp and stayed around, happy to let the kids pat them, before the scurried off into bush.
The following day, we packed up camp and headed to Vrilya Point, which is just south of the Jardine River. Everything was going well, until we got off the ferry and we saw that Steve's trailer wheel, was weaving all over the road. I quick radio call to Steve and we were pulled off the road, with the jack, tarp and new bearings out. I quick change of the bearings and we continued onto Vrilya Point.
I surprise along the way, was a nice log bridge, about 5 km's from the main road. The water in the creek was crystal clear. It made for a great swim when we came out from Vrilya Point.
The crystal clear creek below
Crossing the log bridge
We continued out to the point and head north along the beach, up past the Light house ship, which had been blown ashore many decades ago during a cyclone. We made camp close to the Unnamed Creek, kicked back and relaxed. This was another nice camping spot. Over the next few days, we cooked roast dinners, damper and bread. Little did we know, but this was going to be our last bush camp with Steve and Viv.
I tossed lurers in every patch of water I could find and the best I came up with was an 8 inch flathead. Oh well, better luck next time.
After a few days, we packed up camp and made our way down the development road to Bramwell Cattle Station, where we did a one night camp, before continuing further south.
About 40 km's south of Coen, Steve called me on the radio and quickly told me to come back. I wasn’t sure what was happening, but turned around and came back to see Steve and Viv on the side of the road, looking disillusioned. Steve had dropped an idle pulley and he was going nowhere.
With 4WD and caravans hooning passed, not even slowing down, which P1ssed both Steve and I off, we tried to fix the pulled or at least bypass it. After about 2 hours of cursing, we managed to bypass the broken pulley utilising my extra Nissan Patrol Fan belt, which was smaller than the Paj belts. This enabled Steve to limp back to Coen and get some professional help. They wanted us to continue with our holiday, telling us to drive on. Steve had the part brought up from Mareeba and was back on the road in 3-4 days. We continued onto Port Douglas.
