We drove about 65 K on the black top then the road changed to Gravel.
Now and then the road would turn back to a sealed surface with a sign stating passing area, but in the main its been gravel all the way. a lot of road works are being done, but overall the gravel surface has been very good. we drove about 400 odd ks before camping overnight at a road house called archer River. From that stop we decided to visit Weipa.
The road between 50 to 40 K out of Weipa was really bad, and when we hit just about every pot hole, due to the shade of trees covering the road, we were pleased to get back on a well graded section of the road. Just pass this bad section the road was just about blocked off with a Police sign that stated lost of points if you disobey the closed road sign. Weipa itself is a nothing town. they did have a woolworths supermarket and a few other shops including a Chemist. The Chemist had hot water bottles for sale and Teresa asked if there was much call for them here in the tropics, to which he laughed and said no.
From weipa we took a short cut through a road that did not have any traffic, it was very bush track like, with lots of deep ruts and dips river/creek crossings. I hit a rut at speed and it threw all the jerry cans full of fuel and water out of their position, and Teresa had to walk back to pick up a mat and a few other Items that got thrown out on to the road. This had me checking the road and taking more care as I just couldn't stop for that rut in time.
We got back on the main road north and passed a few stations stops etc. the road was quite good in most places, We were looking for a place to stay and on the Map Elliot Falls had a camp area. we drove this very bad single track and about half way down we meet two 4WD vehicles towing campers each inching there way back up. I managed to get off the track enough for them to squeeze by, we continued down to see why they were coming back out.
The track led to the river which looked very deep and the drop of the road into the river looked horrific. Teresa demanded that I turn around also. As we turned around and started back up the track we could just see the rear of the second camper disappear, the two campers decided to use a day use area at another set of falls. we decided to drive on the the Ferry crossing at the Jardine River about 90 k's away. The car ferry across the river runs till 5 pm daily ,we arrived at 520 pm. and there was not a single sole in sight. They have a camp area that is for people like us so we set up for the night. As soon as we got out to set up the camper we were attacked by very small black flys, the type that bite and try and get in the corner of your eyes. As the sun set in came the mossies they got that much blood from us we both needed a blood transfusion the next day. about a hour after we arrived another ute came in with a couple who also set up camp for the night.
The most expensive ferry in the world starts at 8 am, but not the day, we were there, as the operator who lives in Damage was late getting to work and we finally got on the ferry at about 9 am. They charge is $88 return, this ferry price, is all rubbish as its operated by the local community and they tell you part of that fee is a permit to visit the aboriginal area. The ferry operator said it was a camping fee, but all the caravan camp parks all charge their own fees?
Teresa asked about any discount for Seniors and we paid $66 after we produced the seniors card
We got to know the other campers well while we sat and waited for the operator go arrive. The woman said that another bloke had just walked in after getting his vehicle stuck about 30 K out, off on some other road, he had walked all night to get there. he would need to be winched out as he was that stuck, but we did not have that equipment so could not help.
T and M
Now and then the road would turn back to a sealed surface with a sign stating passing area, but in the main its been gravel all the way. a lot of road works are being done, but overall the gravel surface has been very good. we drove about 400 odd ks before camping overnight at a road house called archer River. From that stop we decided to visit Weipa.
The road between 50 to 40 K out of Weipa was really bad, and when we hit just about every pot hole, due to the shade of trees covering the road, we were pleased to get back on a well graded section of the road. Just pass this bad section the road was just about blocked off with a Police sign that stated lost of points if you disobey the closed road sign. Weipa itself is a nothing town. they did have a woolworths supermarket and a few other shops including a Chemist. The Chemist had hot water bottles for sale and Teresa asked if there was much call for them here in the tropics, to which he laughed and said no.
From weipa we took a short cut through a road that did not have any traffic, it was very bush track like, with lots of deep ruts and dips river/creek crossings. I hit a rut at speed and it threw all the jerry cans full of fuel and water out of their position, and Teresa had to walk back to pick up a mat and a few other Items that got thrown out on to the road. This had me checking the road and taking more care as I just couldn't stop for that rut in time.
We got back on the main road north and passed a few stations stops etc. the road was quite good in most places, We were looking for a place to stay and on the Map Elliot Falls had a camp area. we drove this very bad single track and about half way down we meet two 4WD vehicles towing campers each inching there way back up. I managed to get off the track enough for them to squeeze by, we continued down to see why they were coming back out.
The track led to the river which looked very deep and the drop of the road into the river looked horrific. Teresa demanded that I turn around also. As we turned around and started back up the track we could just see the rear of the second camper disappear, the two campers decided to use a day use area at another set of falls. we decided to drive on the the Ferry crossing at the Jardine River about 90 k's away. The car ferry across the river runs till 5 pm daily ,we arrived at 520 pm. and there was not a single sole in sight. They have a camp area that is for people like us so we set up for the night. As soon as we got out to set up the camper we were attacked by very small black flys, the type that bite and try and get in the corner of your eyes. As the sun set in came the mossies they got that much blood from us we both needed a blood transfusion the next day. about a hour after we arrived another ute came in with a couple who also set up camp for the night.
The most expensive ferry in the world starts at 8 am, but not the day, we were there, as the operator who lives in Damage was late getting to work and we finally got on the ferry at about 9 am. They charge is $88 return, this ferry price, is all rubbish as its operated by the local community and they tell you part of that fee is a permit to visit the aboriginal area. The ferry operator said it was a camping fee, but all the caravan camp parks all charge their own fees?
Teresa asked about any discount for Seniors and we paid $66 after we produced the seniors card
We got to know the other campers well while we sat and waited for the operator go arrive. The woman said that another bloke had just walked in after getting his vehicle stuck about 30 K out, off on some other road, he had walked all night to get there. he would need to be winched out as he was that stuck, but we did not have that equipment so could not help.
T and M
No comments:
Post a Comment