by Day 8. Cooktown to Kalpower Crossing 178kms 3 hrs driving time.
We packed up in what appeared to be fine conditions, but right in the middle there was a heavy downpour. After a quick dry we finished the pack and we were on the road to Lakefield National Park.
Along the way we went past Endeavor falls
Williams Creek
Isabella creek and a short walk to Isabella Falls
Then we hit the bull dust!
Creek crossings
And then the Hansens drove into a dry creek bed and got bogged! Of course the helpful comments from the Toyota drivers were flying!
Maxtrax and shovels came out, tags were cut off snatch straps and the birds started circling!
A double snatch was deemed appropriate as we did want to get stuck as well. The fully laden disco and trailer were pulled free, and the Chilli Caperz were in formation again.
We continued along battlecamp rd and onto the Old Laura Homestead for lunch.
Along the sides of the road there are massive ant hills many over 2m high.
The ant hill stop provided us with some respite from the bull dust
We arrived at Kalpower Crossing Campsite. A lovely spot with the sound of rushing water in the background. As the children ran down to look at the river a fisherman told us he had seen 3 crocs there that afternoon! No swimming kids!
Day 9. Kalpower Crossing to Weipa. 488kms. 6 hrs driving time.
Big dirt road day today. We were away at 8:21 for our long drive.
A quick stop at musgrave roadhouse along with everyone else up here, and then we continued north along the Penninsular Development Road.
We lunched at Archer River Roadhouse before continuing our journey to Weipa.
Once out of the national park we looked for firewood. We stopped along the main road into Weipa, on a small stretch of bitumen, to avoid the dust and watched our resident lumberjack to fell a dead tree, while we imitated road kill.
The drive into Weipa was kinda pretty in the dust cloud as we entered the Rio Tinto Alcan mining lease area.
Of course we are now on the western coast of Queensland and while Kate and Nat who grew up with the sun setting over the ocean, the water sunset seem to turn the others a little crazy!!
Day 10 Weipa
Today we had the day in the mining town of Weipa to get clean and wash all our clothes and sheets.
The big boys, including Wills went fishing and by all accounts had a fabulous day.
Check out this croc video
The Day was ended with a great meal of Fish and sunset over the Gulf of Carpentaria
Day 11 Weipa
Another low key day, restocking supplies and a mine tour. Interestingly the mine tour included a town tour – of course, if it wasn’t for the mine there would not be a town!!
Tomorrow we head to the tip! a long red road awaits!!!
