Day 8.
Our final day. I decide to go over to Thursday Island with the Guys and then onto Horn Island for lunch before they fly back to Cairns. We wandered around all over Thursday Island enjoying spectactular views from the gun emplacements that guarded the channel during the second world war. We caught the ferry for the short trip over to Horn Island where we had plenty of time to check out the very interesting Museum before lunch.
Finally said goodbye to the Czech Guys after lunch as I had to get back to TI to link up with the Ferry back to Seisia. All in all a very enjoyable tour with great company, I hope I see you again one day folks.
PS. Stayed at the Fishing Lodge that night as it was too late to catch the Ferry over the Jardine and headed back to Cairns next morning arriving that night.
Our final day. I decide to go over to Thursday Island with the Guys and then onto Horn Island for lunch before they fly back to Cairns. We wandered around all over Thursday Island enjoying spectactular views from the gun emplacements that guarded the channel during the second world war. We caught the ferry for the short trip over to Horn Island where we had plenty of time to check out the very interesting Museum before lunch.
Finally said goodbye to the Czech Guys after lunch as I had to get back to TI to link up with the Ferry back to Seisia. All in all a very enjoyable tour with great company, I hope I see you again one day folks.
PS. Stayed at the Fishing Lodge that night as it was too late to catch the Ferry over the Jardine and headed back to Cairns next morning arriving that night.
We left the Falls at 3.30 as we had to catch the Ferry over the Jardine River before 5.00. We took the short cut heading North through Sam Creek along the OTL before getting back out onto the Development Road in plenty of time to see Thelma and catch the Ferry at 4.30. We drove into Bamaga via Injinoo Township and then down to the warves in Seisia to confirm our fishing and croc spotting for tomorrow. It was also good to catch up with my son Jaryd who works as a fishing tour guide for Greg Bethune's Seafaris as they had just arrived in port after a 7 day fishing trip down the western side of the Cape
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One of the most interesting things about being a tour guide, apart from the incredible places we visit, are the wonderful people we get to meet. Our Cape York season usually winds down at the end of September, so I had been filling in doing day trips to beautiful Cape Tribulation for Billy Tea Bush Safaris. I was quite surprised when I came home from a daily tour on the 27 of October when Marilyn, the bosses wife said "Do you feel like doing a late run up to the Cape". " No worries when do we go" I said.
Well, it wasn't quite that simple. We have had an enquiry from three couples from the Czech Republic travelling together, so there may be a bit of a language problem, they also wanted to meet us and discuss things before they decide to go.
Well, after meeting them and finding out how much walking they wanted to do and seeing how big they were, there were concerns about the size of the vehicle for six people. I must admit I was beginning to think it could turn into the tour from hell.
Thankfully these guys decided to go ahead with the tour, and as it turned out they were the most fantastic people. Leos, Tania, Mirek, Marcella, Mirek(Mr.Burger King) and Marie were an absolute pleasure to travel with, really enjoying our diverse landscpes and the variety of places we were able to show them, and best of all they were great fun to be with.
Well, it wasn't quite that simple. We have had an enquiry from three couples from the Czech Republic travelling together, so there may be a bit of a language problem, they also wanted to meet us and discuss things before they decide to go.
Well, after meeting them and finding out how much walking they wanted to do and seeing how big they were, there were concerns about the size of the vehicle for six people. I must admit I was beginning to think it could turn into the tour from hell.
Thankfully these guys decided to go ahead with the tour, and as it turned out they were the most fantastic people. Leos, Tania, Mirek, Marcella, Mirek(Mr.Burger King) and Marie were an absolute pleasure to travel with, really enjoying our diverse landscpes and the variety of places we were able to show them, and best of all they were great fun to be with.
The view from our dinner table at the fishing lodge where we stay at Loyalty Beach, Seisia FNQ
A brief itinerary of our tour....
Day 1.
Pick up the Czech guys from thier accommodation, at this stage still not sure how things would work out, but quickly realised they were a fun loving group, keen to enjoy thier holidy in FNQ. We head north to the unique Mungumby Lodge at Helenvale just south of Cooktown, via Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, for a long walk through the beautiful rainforest, the Daintree River and cross on the Ferry, Lync Haven Resort at Cow Bay for lunch.
After lunch, on to Cape Tribulation, the Bloomfield Track, Bloomfield Falls, the Lions Den Hotel and finally our accommodation at Mungumby Lodge, with Hamish and Isabella, in the heart of the Rainforest.
Day 1.
Pick up the Czech guys from thier accommodation, at this stage still not sure how things would work out, but quickly realised they were a fun loving group, keen to enjoy thier holidy in FNQ. We head north to the unique Mungumby Lodge at Helenvale just south of Cooktown, via Port Douglas, Mossman Gorge, for a long walk through the beautiful rainforest, the Daintree River and cross on the Ferry, Lync Haven Resort at Cow Bay for lunch.
After lunch, on to Cape Tribulation, the Bloomfield Track, Bloomfield Falls, the Lions Den Hotel and finally our accommodation at Mungumby Lodge, with Hamish and Isabella, in the heart of the Rainforest.
Boyds Rainforest Dragon Mossman Gorge
Day 2.
After staying at Mungumby's cabins in ensuite accommodation and having a fine meal and breakfast it was time to do some serious walking up Mungumby Creek to the old Lions Den Tin Mine.
We saw lots of evidence of the mining including old Blitz trucks and even an old military tank that had been converted into a bulldozer. We found a beatiful waterfall and had a refreshing swim before heading back to Mungumby for lunch. Mirek, one of the guys on tour had a mobile phone GPS combo that was very handy.We walked 9 klms in total.
After lunch we checked out the infamous Lions Den Hotel in daylight and then headed over to Jim's Joint to check out his snakes and other "pets"
We then pushed on to Cooktown via the Black Mountains then the wharf followed by a trip up Grassy Hilll then on to our accommodation at the Seaview Motel overlooking the inlet. After a few cleansing ales and a swim in the pool, we wandered down to the Bowls club where Denise and the friendly crew cooked us up a great meal.
After staying at Mungumby's cabins in ensuite accommodation and having a fine meal and breakfast it was time to do some serious walking up Mungumby Creek to the old Lions Den Tin Mine.
We saw lots of evidence of the mining including old Blitz trucks and even an old military tank that had been converted into a bulldozer. We found a beatiful waterfall and had a refreshing swim before heading back to Mungumby for lunch. Mirek, one of the guys on tour had a mobile phone GPS combo that was very handy.We walked 9 klms in total.
After lunch we checked out the infamous Lions Den Hotel in daylight and then headed over to Jim's Joint to check out his snakes and other "pets"
We then pushed on to Cooktown via the Black Mountains then the wharf followed by a trip up Grassy Hilll then on to our accommodation at the Seaview Motel overlooking the inlet. After a few cleansing ales and a swim in the pool, we wandered down to the Bowls club where Denise and the friendly crew cooked us up a great meal.
Day 3.
We leave the Seaview and head south to Lakeland, they have a great coffee house there but the guys were keen to push on so we visited the Aboriginal Art at Split Rock just east of Laura. After the climb the guys decided they had earnt an icy cold beer at the Laura pub.
From there we headed out to Old Laura Homestead and I organised some lunch while they had a wander around.
After lunch we head off into Lakefield National Park. We try the 12mile first as I had seen lots of small crocs earlier in the season. On the way in we saw two Dingos worrying a cow and her very young calf.
I was surprised not to see crocs as there were so many early in the season and we were about to leave when Mirek spotted a large crocs head appear in the water. The head was at least a metre long so that probably explains what happened to the smaller crocs.
We found a big croc at Kennedy bend and there was a dead cow in the water. The croc swam repeatedly up and down the water hole, possibly protecting his impending meal from us.
We arrived at John and Mary McDowall's Musgrave Telegraph Station about 7.30pm for dinner and our accommodation for the night
We leave the Seaview and head south to Lakeland, they have a great coffee house there but the guys were keen to push on so we visited the Aboriginal Art at Split Rock just east of Laura. After the climb the guys decided they had earnt an icy cold beer at the Laura pub.
From there we headed out to Old Laura Homestead and I organised some lunch while they had a wander around.
After lunch we head off into Lakefield National Park. We try the 12mile first as I had seen lots of small crocs earlier in the season. On the way in we saw two Dingos worrying a cow and her very young calf.
I was surprised not to see crocs as there were so many early in the season and we were about to leave when Mirek spotted a large crocs head appear in the water. The head was at least a metre long so that probably explains what happened to the smaller crocs.
We found a big croc at Kennedy bend and there was a dead cow in the water. The croc swam repeatedly up and down the water hole, possibly protecting his impending meal from us.
We arrived at John and Mary McDowall's Musgrave Telegraph Station about 7.30pm for dinner and our accommodation for the night
Mungumby Lodge
View from the Seaview Motell
Locals fishing the Spit at Weipa
Day 4.
After spending a warm but comfortable night at Musgrave Station we went for a wander around the Station. Marcella is a real dog lover so I introduced her to all the Station dogs including a huge pup less than a year old. She asked me what breed he was and I said possibly a Great Dane X. She said in her country such muts were called "Street Mix". We headed in for some breakfast before heading off for the long drive to Weipa . We called in to the "Sexchange Hotel" at Coen before pressing on to Archer River Roadhouse for lunch. We checked into our accommodation at the Heritage Hotel Weipa and I tied to arrange a fishing\croc spotting trip for the next morning without luck.
A quick call to Seisia soon arranged fishing and croc spotting for day 7 so problem solved.
After spending a warm but comfortable night at Musgrave Station we went for a wander around the Station. Marcella is a real dog lover so I introduced her to all the Station dogs including a huge pup less than a year old. She asked me what breed he was and I said possibly a Great Dane X. She said in her country such muts were called "Street Mix". We headed in for some breakfast before heading off for the long drive to Weipa . We called in to the "Sexchange Hotel" at Coen before pressing on to Archer River Roadhouse for lunch. We checked into our accommodation at the Heritage Hotel Weipa and I tied to arrange a fishing\croc spotting trip for the next morning without luck.
A quick call to Seisia soon arranged fishing and croc spotting for day 7 so problem solved.
Day 5.
We had a great meal that evening at the Heritage, it took so long to arrive we managed to drink numerous bottles of fine wine, special thanks to Clint the Bar Manager who was kept on the hop.
After a big breakfast we headed off toward Bramwell Cattle Station, taking the short cut through Bavaria Station.
We called in to Moreton Telegraph Station on the way thru to say Hello to "Chook' and Tracey who are caretaking thru 'The Wet'
Wendy was at Bramwell Junction when we came thru as she had not been expecting us until the late afternoon. Wendy introduced us to Frank who was dressed in black from head to toe and was walking from NSW to the Tip. He carried nothing with him, no food, water or clothes. He told us on the way North he had walked out to Weipa and back across to Moreton Station where he rested under the Archer River Bridge for a few days.
Unfortunately the police picked him up for vagrancy and despite his protests took him back to Weipa. After checking he was released in Weipa and had to walk all the way back to Moreton again.
Wendy took us back to the Bramwell Station where she made us some lunch. After getting a mud map from Wendy we headed off for an explore of Olive River to the east of Bramwell.
We had a great meal that evening at the Heritage, it took so long to arrive we managed to drink numerous bottles of fine wine, special thanks to Clint the Bar Manager who was kept on the hop.
After a big breakfast we headed off toward Bramwell Cattle Station, taking the short cut through Bavaria Station.
We called in to Moreton Telegraph Station on the way thru to say Hello to "Chook' and Tracey who are caretaking thru 'The Wet'
Wendy was at Bramwell Junction when we came thru as she had not been expecting us until the late afternoon. Wendy introduced us to Frank who was dressed in black from head to toe and was walking from NSW to the Tip. He carried nothing with him, no food, water or clothes. He told us on the way North he had walked out to Weipa and back across to Moreton Station where he rested under the Archer River Bridge for a few days.
Unfortunately the police picked him up for vagrancy and despite his protests took him back to Weipa. After checking he was released in Weipa and had to walk all the way back to Moreton again.
Wendy took us back to the Bramwell Station where she made us some lunch. After getting a mud map from Wendy we headed off for an explore of Olive River to the east of Bramwell.
Tania, Marie, Marcella and dog at Moreton
Frank the walker at Delhunty Creek
Leos is 190cm tall
Day 6.
Things start to get really interesting today as we finally get into the serious 4wd tracks on the Old Telegraph Line. We crossed Palm Creek and Ducie River both completely dry. We stopped and spoke to some Telstra guys who were surveying a route for optic cable to the Cape. We finally caught up to Frank, he had started walking from the Junction at sunset and had arrived at Delhunty Creek 30 klms later, at midnight. We gave him a pie and bottle of water courtesy of Wendy. He accepted the pie and said he would probably eat it in a day or so but he refused the water as he wouldn't carry anything.
We wished Frank well and pushed on to Fruit Bat Falls where we had a swim and a sandwich lunch that Wendy had prepared for us. After a swim at Fruit Bat we headed off to Indian Head, these days known as Twin Falls. As these guys really enjoy walking I took them to a special Falls called Savo that not too many seem to bother walking to. It is my favourite and the Czech guys seemed to really enjoy it.
Things start to get really interesting today as we finally get into the serious 4wd tracks on the Old Telegraph Line. We crossed Palm Creek and Ducie River both completely dry. We stopped and spoke to some Telstra guys who were surveying a route for optic cable to the Cape. We finally caught up to Frank, he had started walking from the Junction at sunset and had arrived at Delhunty Creek 30 klms later, at midnight. We gave him a pie and bottle of water courtesy of Wendy. He accepted the pie and said he would probably eat it in a day or so but he refused the water as he wouldn't carry anything.
We wished Frank well and pushed on to Fruit Bat Falls where we had a swim and a sandwich lunch that Wendy had prepared for us. After a swim at Fruit Bat we headed off to Indian Head, these days known as Twin Falls. As these guys really enjoy walking I took them to a special Falls called Savo that not too many seem to bother walking to. It is my favourite and the Czech guys seemed to really enjoy it.
Possibly the tallest termite hill I have ever seen
Twin Falls
Savo Falls
Day 7.
As our fishing trip was late afternoon we had plenty of time to drive out to Somerset, on the Easten side of the Tip,where we bumped into Ben Cropp who was in the area filming a documentary. We then headed out to Fly Point, where I bumped into another friend, Steve Brown from Stay Upright who was doing a return to Cairns trail bike tour. He had also tried for a beach run but unfortunately we couldn't as the tide was too high. We headed to Pajinka and walked out to the most northerly point of Australia. From the high walking track we were able to see many sharks right in close by the mangroves in the shallows rounding up sea mullet. On the way back to Seisia we checked out the crash site of a DC3 that had gone down during the second world war.
Back to Pete's Fishing Lodge at Loyalty Beach for lunch before heading out with Hamish from John Charltons Fishing Charters for a fish and some croc spotting. Hamish took us down to the mouth of the Jardine River where we caught a couple of fish and saw some crocs lying on a sandbank. Pete from the lodge cooked up a Queenfish we had caught for dinner while we enjoyed a glass of wine and watched a magnificent sunset.
As our fishing trip was late afternoon we had plenty of time to drive out to Somerset, on the Easten side of the Tip,where we bumped into Ben Cropp who was in the area filming a documentary. We then headed out to Fly Point, where I bumped into another friend, Steve Brown from Stay Upright who was doing a return to Cairns trail bike tour. He had also tried for a beach run but unfortunately we couldn't as the tide was too high. We headed to Pajinka and walked out to the most northerly point of Australia. From the high walking track we were able to see many sharks right in close by the mangroves in the shallows rounding up sea mullet. On the way back to Seisia we checked out the crash site of a DC3 that had gone down during the second world war.
Back to Pete's Fishing Lodge at Loyalty Beach for lunch before heading out with Hamish from John Charltons Fishing Charters for a fish and some croc spotting. Hamish took us down to the mouth of the Jardine River where we caught a couple of fish and saw some crocs lying on a sandbank. Pete from the lodge cooked up a Queenfish we had caught for dinner while we enjoyed a glass of wine and watched a magnificent sunset.
Fly Point Albany Island in background
Sharks in shallows
Gun Emplacements TI
Czech Guys at the Tip
Split Rock Art Site
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