Old Telegraph Track - Cape York FNQ

G Day Warrie
I guess the shear numbers that visit these places are going to bring change to track conditions. Especially in the past couple of years. Our first visit was in 2006 & we hardly saw another vehicle & tracks were much less eroded than now. You're never going to change that & as the numbers increase it's probably only going to get worse.
As for the stickers, I think they are only a minor problem & we would only leave one where there are already many. We normally only put them up at locations where you are invited to leave your mark. Usually for a donation to the RFDS
I still can't figure out why anyone would bend the old telegraph poles.........
On this trip most people we met were ok as far a I could see but there were a few cowboys out there also that seem to me like they are trying to prove something.
They are probably not the type to watch my videos........ Ha ! Don't really care anyway.
From our videos you can see our approach to these trips are relaxed. I found it a pretty easy drive without any real amount of effort but we did bypass Gunshot. As we travel alone & don't rely on back up we need to be sensible.
I hope you enjoy you future travels & don't let the numbers of visitors spoil it for you. Or find more remote places to visit........ as unfortunately things are only going to get busier as the access becomes easier. There are many sections of bitumen all the way to Bramwell now! Was none of that back in 2006!
Cheers
Paul
PMK3AUSTRALIA

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Paul,
People bend the telegraph poles to gain access to the insulators in order to steal them.

Thanks Allan
That makes sense
This was my second trip up there in 15 years & I don’t remember seeing any insulators back in 2006 either
I guess we can’t blame the current travellers for stealing them.
Cheers
Paul
PMK3AUSTRALIA

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No Paul, the insulators all disappeared long ago!

Hi Nick
Yeah I’m sure a lot of the action is created on some videos. Probably why they get more viewers than me
We did avoid the real serious crossings opting for the less adventurous way across the creeks
We took the van all the way to Siesia. Leaving at places along the way to explore the OTT without it.
The PDR & Bamaga rd were ok for the most of the trip
There were sections that were pretty corrugated but not for long. I found the whole trip pretty easy but take it easy & drop your tyre pressure.
We sat on 60 or 70kmh for most of the towing with no problem
A lot of people left their vans at Bramwell or even earlier & camped their way up. Many had serious off road vans, I don’t know why you would buy one & not do a trip like this
I think with a little care it’s easily doable
Cheers
Paul
PMK3AUSTRALIA

Hi Paul,

Agree totally with your sentiments with regard to people leaving their perfectly reliable purpose built off road van behind when travelling to The Tip. We went all the way to Punsand Bay with our Off Road van. We did however leave the van at Bramwell Junction when we did TOTT.

Macca.

Thanks Paul and Macca for your replys. Will have to start the covid-free planing.

When we went in 2018, we only stayed in two caravan parks, and that was in Punsand Bay, and Bramwell Junction. Everywhere else, we just pulled off the side of the road and camped off grid. Road construction gravel pits are good place to overnight, they are generally flat. Of course if you want to spend a few days somewhere, gravel pits may not be suitable. We did not have enough time to do much “sightseeing”, so plan on going back and spending a little more time in a few different places.

I would recommend Loyalty Beach over Punsand Bay, both offer similar levels of accommodation and facilities, but Loyalty Beach is less crowded.

Macca.