Cape York - part 2
After leaving Lakefield National Park, we headed up the developmental road towards Coen.
Although the road was straight and free from 4x4 obstacles and with the bonus being we could actually get our cars out of second gear (unlike the first part of our trip) it was highly corrugated, with numerous potholes and I didn't rate the road very highly.
With every surprise pothole I found myself repeating to myself quietly in my head...
"Its all part of the adventure .."
Then BAM!!! (Another pothole...) Grrrr....
"Its all part of the adventure...."
BAM!!!! (That's another one!)
Hahahaha!!
Don't get me wrong... I LOVE my 4x4 drives! They are the best! And I lovely the challenges that can be presented and eventually overcome (so far!!) What I don't always love is lonnngggg... straight... boring.. corrugated roads with numerous potholes! But hey... I'm not whinging! Its all part of the adventure right...????? ;) ;)
Arriving at Archer River we had soon set up camp on a great little spot along the river. Better still, it was completely crocodile free and we were able to cool off in the water.
Being late August, the weather has been quickly heating up, and the further north we have headed, the warmer it has been getting!
For everyone back home.. I know this sounds strange.. (August is still usually freezing in Adelaide...) But up north this time of year can start to get hot quite quickly!
From Archer River we headed up to the very beautiful Chilli Beach.
We spent the next two days relaxing on the beach under palm trees whilst drinking from the many coconuts found in the palms and eating dozens of Oysters straight of the rocks!
At night we watched as thousands of birds put on one amazing aerial display, flying in a huge tight knit bunch and forming all kinds of shapes before landing on a small island just off the beach. It truely was an amazing sight, and something none of us had ever encountered!
After a few lazy days on the beach we headed off to challenge the Frenchman's Track!
Little more than a goat track, we spent the next 5hrs negotiating the many hurdles along the track.
Crossing the Pascoe River and rock climbing up the other side would have to be my highlight of the day. The river crossing was simple enough, but the steep rock climb afterwards got a little tricky right at the top due to a large hole and not a lot of traction.
Determined as usual, I wasn't keen on been winched up and insisted on taking a few more shots at it. Afterall... I had done the rest of the crossing and climb unaided... I was determined to do this last bit that way also!
Finally I managed to make it up! I was thrilled! Especially as a a few others that were there at the time needed to be winched!
After a few lazy days on the beach we headed off to challenge the Frenchman's Track!
Little more than a goat track, we spent the next 5hrs negotiating the many hurdles along the track.
Crossing the Pascoe River and rock climbing up the other side would have to be my highlight of the day. The river crossing was simple enough, but the steep rock climb afterwards got a little tricky right at the top due to a large hole and not a lot of traction.
Determined as usual, I wasn't keen on been winched up and insisted on taking a few more shots at it. Afterall... I had done the rest of the crossing and climb unaided... I was determined to do this last bit that way also!
Finally I managed to make it up! I was thrilled! Especially as a a few others that were there at the time needed to be winched!
That afternoon we stopped for lunch at the Wenlock Crossing before finishing off the Frenchman's track and heading towards Weipa for the night.
After a 2 day stop in Weipa where we stocked up on supplies we headed out to Pennyfather Beach.
After talking to some locals we were soon told about a great little campsite away from the main stretch that most people camp on.
Complete with hammocks, rope swings, a trampoline, and a treehouse all made from nets, ropes and other items that had been washed up on the beach, the kids and us, were in paradise!!
Paul and Gary soon added a flying fox and an even bigger rope swing to this secluded beachfront playground. Tina and I added our touch by decorating a fishing net with shells to hang off the treehouse.
For Father's Day we had a "castaway" themed day where we all pretended tone stranded on an island and some of us even made our own "designer island wear" from things we found along the beach.
The boys spent their days fishing and Gary managed to hook a 1.3m black tip reef shark which made for a fun night!
After 3 days of "Castaway" fun we packed up our camp and after a quick stop in Weipa to pick up some last minute supplies we headed off for our next part of our 4x4 adventure...
Conquering the famous Overland Telegraph Track....
Xx
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