Dirty feet after playing at Gunshot

Crossing Cockatoo Creek

Crossing Mistake Creek

Exiting Palm Creek
Entry to Palm Creek

Old Telegraph Line

We traveled this track for 5 nights. It was rough and suffered some good washouts after the wet. The boys were kept busy looking for insulators on the old line after we told them we’d pay them $100 for everyone found. We thought that we were on a pretty safe bet, and sure enough, none were found. After talking to a few travelers along the way, we decided to camp at a select few creeks and then do parts of the track without the trailers attached.

The water crossings along this track are crystal clear, with waterfalls dropping into beautiful little swimming holes. Every time we got out of the car it was another opportunity to jump in the water or play in the mud.

First though, we had to cross the Palm Creek. By the time we arrived there was a tag along tour of about 11 vehicles ahead of us. We began to settle in for a long wait until it was our turn to cross. The team were preparing the exit by shoveling dry sand on the mud, and it was a continuous and arduous process but it did the trick. They were making the exit with ease. Fortunately for us, they asked if we wanted to go through in between. We jumped at the opportunity although felt a bit guilty that we were taking advantage of all their hard work without putting in. They were good about though, realizing we would travel a lot quicker than their group. Both Steve and Terry crossed with ease – so much for all the thought of needing the winch!

Next crossing was Ducie Creek. Not a difficult crossing but this is where we started having problems with our 4WD mechanism not disengaging. Steve crawled under the car again, sprayed everything with some WD-40 and fixed the problem.

We camped our first night at the Dulhunty River. Another beautiful water spot. Steve drove the car down to the river and set up the Power Shower, so it was hot water showers for all that night.

Next day we came to Bertie Creek which was a nice little drive along the river bank before crossing. We stopped the night at Cockatoo River. One we de-hitched the campers at Cockatoo River, we drove down to gunshot to see what all the fuss was about. Again, we had heard many stories of carnage and grief. Steve wanted to see for himself before deciding whether to attempt a crossing or not.

All was quiet when we arrived, so we set up for some lunch and a beer. A few lads crossed that were on a pig shooting expedition. Their pig dogs were fully geared up in chest armour and GPS trackers, and were quickly put back in their cages as we came down to the creek. As we finished lunch another couple of trucks turned up and before long there was a queue of about 20 cars waiting to try the crossing.

Gunshot itself seemed like a newly cut drop and wasn’t much different to any other boggy mudhole we’ve ever found ourselves in. This made Steve’s decision quite easy – he wasn’t going to do it as it didn’t really live up to the expectation of the “ultimate challenge”. This doesn’t mean we didn’t have a lot of fun helping all the others get through. A crowd of spectators ready with cameras and videos lined Gunshot and the usual “experts” from the peanut gallery became vocal. These included: the nobs who really should keep their mouths shut, wives reluctantly letting their husbands re-live their childhood, families like ourselves who were just out for a great day, and idiots who should know better. It turned out to be a great day, and it was interesting to note as we traveled further up the track it always seemed to be the same guys helping out.

Next day we crossed Canal Creek. Another pretty little creek with a very rocky exit. This was a popular spot for campers, but we decided to push on to Sam Creek. What a fabulous decision that was! We had the spot all to ourselves, a beautiful water hole and water fall within 20 metres, raging campfires each night and in close range to Fruitbat Falls, Eliot Falls and Nolans Brook.

Fruitbat Falls were fabulous. On a clear, sunny day they would be even better. The weather to date had been cloudy, overcast and threatening rain since we left Cairns but this didn’t stop the kids. Their favourite part was jumping on the Wahu’s and riding the currents along the river.

Steve and Terry also wanted to cross Nolans Brook without the campers continued the Tele Track up to Nolans and spent the day. Again, another brilliant water hole that had the kids swimming and riding the currents while the Big Kids drove their cars through. When we arrived we found one car with all its belongings strewn about trying to dry everything out. Not a good omen. After walking the crossing, the boys decided to take a different entry and they made it easily. (Maybe the previous car should have dropped his tyre pressure below 29psi – der!). I must say though, the water was over the bonnet of the Pajero, so it probably just looked easier than it actually was. After another swim and lunch, we took the bypass track back to Sams Creek for our last night. Having “done” the Tele Track and the Frenchmans Track it was now time to head to the Tip.