Eliot falls to Loyalty Beach (New Mapoon)

The well placed advertisement just before Nolans Brook!

Today saw us leave Eliot Falls to complete the rest of the telegraph track and cross the Jardine River for our final journey to the tip.

First crossing we came to today was Canal Creek and guess who drove it! George guided me through with the handheld radio. There was not too much water, but full of pot holes and very uneven surface so required a walk thru first to work out the best way across.

This creek is just north of Fruit Bat Falls and Twin Falls and is the first creek crossing on the northern half of the Old Telegraph Track (which is more difficult than the southern half).

Nolans Brook is another difficult one on the track, which we weren't overly excited about! For the past week or so all we have heard about is how many cars have been towed out of there or been filled with water while crossing. One guy said that 8 cars crossed while he was there and only 2 made it, not great odds! Another Suzuki got stuck half way across and by the time they got out to get help and came back, the water was spilling out of the windows of the car. A family we met a few days ago also got stuck in their landcruiser and now the car won't run (computer wet or something) - apparently insurance will write the car off!

Anyway, while in Weipa we spoke to a local who had done the track 2 weeks ago and he gave us instructions for all the more difficult crossings - Nolans was "take the third entry and keep close to the tree" - spot on!!

Nolans Brook

Nolans Brook

Nolans Brook

Arrived at the ferry at 12.05, only to find that they are closed for lunch between 12pm and 1pm - great timing on our part!!

After our hour wait, we filled up with petrol (this one hurt!), purchased our barge ticket and permit and we were on our way. What a good deal that barge is for the operators, $129 to travel 40 meters (for about 1 minute, if that!). Don't have much choice though, and they know it! The water is very deep and infested with crocodiles so definitely not safe to drive across it anymore.

Prices are going up!! This is what we paid at Jardine River!

The Jardine River barge crossing

Our little friend found in the toilet bowl at Jardine River