G’day all,
Latest Videos below:
Northern Section of Telegraph Track_Start
Mistake Creek_Telegraph Track_QLD
Log Bridge_Telegraph Track_QLD
Cannibal Creek_Telegraph Track_QLD
Deepest Crossing on Telegraph Track_QLD
Nolan Creek_Telegraph Track_QLD
Jardine River Crossing_Telegraph Track_QLD
Jardine River Ferry Crossing_QLD
Leaving Mutee Heads the plan was to travel South to the Jardine River to have a look at the crossing, make a decision to cross their or back track to the ferry. We wanted to complete the Northern Section of the Telegraph Track from the Jardine River down so that we had completed it in its entirety.
Back onto the corrugations and we headed towards the ferry crossing. Once we got there (with the aid of Ozi Explorer running live in car) we back tracked to find the vehicle crossing. We checked many camps that were on the Jardine River on the way. These campsites were nice but I think that there are so many better ones around the Cape and Telegraph Track.
We eventually found the vehicle crossing and the size of the crossing is staggering. It is at least 200m across the Jardine here with a rather big hole on the Northern bank which has crocodile written all over it. Looking at the crossing, you would be crazy to attempt this on your own. The river has a soft sandy bottom and is deep enough in places to cause flooding of your vehicle. Add the presence of crocodiles to that equation and without real thought, recovery gear and a good team of people and cars you would be asking for trouble.
Perfect recipe, why not give it a go then hey…no chance!!
Damn, retrace our steps to the Jardine Ferry, cross the river and back track on the Southern side of the river to the crossing. It was only this way that we could complete the Telegraph Track in fullness. So that’s exactly what we did, other than having to wait for lunch to finish before the ferry resumed operation. That took 45 mins of waiting and was a pain.
Over the river and down the Developmental Road until we picked up the Jardine River bypass track approx 15 klm South of the ferry. The track eventually comes out near the National Park camp areas and by taking the right hand fork in the track you will find the Southern crossing of the Jardine River.
The crossing is a good place to visit for a couple of reasons, one you can do the crossing (if stupid), two, it completes the Telegraph Track. Yeah for all of those reasons but most of all to get a feel for what the crossing is like. It is enormous and full of danger as a 4WD enthusiast would know.
After experiencing the Jardine River crossing we now headed South along the soft sandy track, picking up the rest of the Telegraph Track. The first real challenge on this section of the track heading South is Nolan Creek (also a nice place to camp). The creek use to be bridged by a log bridge which has now been washed away. This crossing is a vehicle swallower due to the very soft sand hole in the middle of the creek. The creek also has two exit points, looking South the one on your right is the shallower and easier exit of the two. Use a bit of momentum on this one and keep driving through the bog hole in the middle. Be ready for water over the bonnet and let the bottom settle before crossing straight after another person. This way you should easily do the crossing. We survived the crossing with trailer in tow, exited on the right hand back with a bit of a phew and kept going. Nolan Creek is a great crossing and fun for a swim.
Your next challenge is probably the deepest crossing on the Telegraph Track. This one is definitely over bonnet height for a standard vehicle so strap on the tarp and wish you had a snorkel. In fact if you don’t have a snorkel around here you will probably go home without your vehicle.
You are then in for a bit of a drive before the next crossings. When you get to Cannibal Creek, the next crossings come quickly and seem like a blur. As far as camping is concerned, camp at Elliot Creek or Canal Creek if running late in the day or Nolan Creek, there isn’t much in between and in takes some time to get from Canal Creek to Nolan Creek.
The first up is Cannibal Creek. Cannibal Creek has been washed out big time and has steep entry and exit points which need to be carefully negotiated. The entry is also very windy so if towing you have to be really careful that you don’t lose your trailer down the steep and very deep washouts. This creek bends back on itself you look right around the corner for the exit which goes up, up, up and is steep and rutted.
Carrying on you get to the log bridge. The bridge was in really good condition and has been reinforced considerably from photos I have seen over the years. The real challenge here is getting in, over and out of the crossing. From the North side the track drops suddenly at to the right. You basically follow a big washout down to the log bridge. However just before you get to the bridge there is a tight 90 degree bend and then straight onto the bridge. This turn becomes difficult because the side angle on the track needs care and attention. If you are towing a trailer like us then it becomes an even greater challenge to line yourself up nice and straight to get over the bridge. Check out the video xxxx. It is good fun and gets the heart rate up. You certainly feel relieved being at the other side. The Southern exit is straight and easily negotiated. With a trailer this crossing is better approached from the South.
Next is Mistake Creek and probably represents the steepest and most rutted entry and exit points. The creek itself is easily crossed once you get to the water (and fairly shallow). The challenge is finding traction to get up and out of the creek from either side. Careful wheel placement is the key and is made harder with a trailer in tow. Saying that, with the right tyre pressure (yes let your tyres down and look after the track for all) you should get up either bank easily.
Now you should be in a real spin and just down the road (bypass to the Developmental Road inbetween) you reach Canal Creek. This creek has so many entry and exit points that you have to search for a way through. Park your car at the top and go for a wander to pick your line. The major things to look out for with this crossing are the slippery white clay, big pot holes in the crossing itself and water depth. Because the creek is so clear and has a sandy bottom it is easy to misjudge depth and find yourself in trouble. You can walk this creek with little risk of crocs so do so!!
We entered the Creek on the far right, driving down the creek before exiting left. This was totally different from our earlier crossing but a lot easier. We did however almost make a big mistake by first following another set of vehicle tracks into the crossing in the wrong place. Closer inspect found a deep drop off and a definite recovery. This would have been ridicously hard on our own with the trailer and whilst we would have recovered the vehicle the likelihood of damage to the trailer or car would have been high…so look first!!
By the time we had crossed Canal Creek it was late in the day and we needed to find a camp quickly. We knew Elliot Creek was just down the road so we raced down there for a spot. Turning up late for a camp spot at Elliot Creek is a no,no, so back to Canal Creek where we squeezed in. We did however save ourself a camping fee. Canal Creek is free whilst Elliot Falls is $5 per person…hey another round of icecreams for us…you beauty.
What an absolutely awesome day. The Northern section of the Telegraph Track is my favourite. The creek crossings are more of a challenge and you get the old log bridge thrown in for good measure. Saying that we leave the Telegraph Track behind with lots of fond memories and great 4WD experiences…add that to the family adventure we all enjoyed and you have a winning recipe. We have the Cape bug and will definitely be back. The good thing about the Cape is there is so much to explore and the tracks are always changing…therefore so do the challenges.
Dinner and sleep and onto the Frenchman’s Track tomorrow…another day, another great adventure…life is great!!!
Bushman Bud…Enjoying Australia