Australasian Touring Caravan, Motorhome & Camping Club, Inc.

Two years ago sitting under the shelter at the Townsville Showgrounds a member asked the question "why doesn't the club do a trip to Cape York as a tag a long", all fellow members there readily agreed that it would be a great idea and so now two years later this is the report on the clubs tagalong to the top of Australia and back to Townsville

July 21st saw the two years of Arthur and his sub committee of helpers great work and dreams awaken as members from most states arrived to make ready for this great trip As members completed the registration form they were handed a booklet which gave them all the itinerary for the trip as well as phone contacts etc and this great booklet that will be a sought after keep safe was just so well put together by Dennis Jorggensen that words cannot thank him enough for his efforts. Arthur was of course  busy answering questions from members whilst our Medic was put to work checking members first aid kits and well as all this happening Nigel Watson was quietly checking vehicles for recovery gear etc.

Finally the 1st of August arrived and members lined up in their groups to start this journey that many of us had only dreamed of doing. Groups left the showgrounds at 15 minute intervals and headed of for Mt Carbine Hotel our first chance to hone our tent pitching skills knowing full well that we would spend many more afternoons pitching tents followed by packing up the next morning. Mt Carbine Hotel put on a great camp oven meal for us cooked by local folk who were good for a story or two and before we left the following morning some of us enjoyed a great barbeque breakfast.

Our next stop was a deserted site of an old gold mining town called Maytown and the 75 km trip into this site gave many members their first real taste of 4wd driving as it took around 5 hours to reach the site of this once thriving town which is now only a memory. On our arrival the station owner gave us a talk on the history of the old town and also gave us an insight on some of the problems that station owners have to contend with and it was interesting to learn that his wife had not been to town for 7 years with most of their supplies etc arriving on the mail plane each Monday. We were invited to take a tour through his property next morning to make out way out to Laura our next stopover but somehow 2 teams found the turnoff to this road whilst the other 2 teams failed to find the turnoff so after putting the suggestion that we make our way back out to the road to a vote we slowly made our way back onto the road and headed for Laura and getting our first taste of corrugations that would shake us for the next few weeks.

We made our camp behind the Laura Hotel with every one enjoying a hot shower to wash a bit of dust of before enjoying a great meal cooked by the pub owner on a fire out the back of the pub, the meal consisted of Barramundi, hamburgers and plenty of vegetables and we were told that the next night's meal would be roast pork with all the trimmings at a cost of $10.00 per head. Members took the chance next day to explore around this old town whilst some took a tour to discover rock art which was many hundred's of years old.

After two nights at Laura we were back on the road again and heading for Archer River Roadhouse our next camp site and on the way yours truly suffered a massive blow-out which gave all members a talking point. We were to stay on the banks of the river but when Arthur checked it out he was shocked by the mess that people had left behind and had booked us into the camp ground behind the roadhouse .Some members went up to the roadhouse to try one of the famous Archer River Hamburgers for their evening meal but by all accounts some were a little disappointed. Next morning we were back on the road by 9.00am heading for Bramwell Junction and by now we were well and truly into Cape York country with great views mixed with dust and corrugations.

During Happy Hour the manager of the junction gave us a talk on the Old Telegraph Track and what to expect with drop offs and river crossings his words were to take it slow and there would be no problems. Next morning there was mixed feelings as to take the track or take the alternative route which was the development road. One team took the development road whist the rest of made our way to the first challenge which was a little daunting but out came the shovels and after a bit of road work all vehicles made this drop down safely and across the first river there were many more challenges in front of us but we all made the trip safely thorough putting behind us famous crossings such as Cockatoo Creek, Gunshot and many more before reaching the Twin Falls National park where we to stay 2 nights so as to enjoy the waterfalls and swimming holes, we were all pleased to find out for ourselves that all the stories that we had read and heard of this region was true.

Then we moved onto the Jardine River where we had a overnight camp waiting for the ferry next morning to take us across and let us make our way to Seisia where we were to camp for 5 nights at the top of our great land, members were pleased to know that they had 5 free days of taking down and putting up tents. Whilst there some of us took the chance to go out to Thursday Island to enjoy the life of staying in a motel or hotel for a couple of nights and all agreed that  it was a most welcome change after 2 weeks of tenting . All members were impressed with the island folk and there relaxed way of life and I'm sure that most of us will return there one day in the future. We also travelled to Horn Island which amazed us with the history of the war days that are still there to see and learn about and this is another place to return to as there is much we didn't have time to see and learn about of our country's history.

Our day trip to the tip of Australia was marred by buckets of rain which fell just as we made the trek to the tip. Photos were taken as members stood by the sign and we have the story to tell that out of the blue when we got to the tip the skies opened upon us. But of course in true traveller's spirit we all saw the funny side of it and mad the best of it This was the climax of the trip that many of us had only dreamed about and suddenly our dreams and plans had come true. From here members had a free choice where to travel to around the Cape area and we were to re assemble at Bramwell Station before making our way across to Weipa where we were to stay for 5 nights to enjoy the sights and visit surrounding areas. Members also took the chance to take a tour of the mine where we were most surprised to learn that they only dig down approx 6 to 8 feet to collect the bauxite.

At Weipa it was once again decided that members could go there own way for a few days and get together once more at Endeavour Falls a lovely spot just out of Cook Town Some members took the chance to stay at Kalpower Crossing in the Lakefield National Park where one lucky member got a great photo of a snake chasing a lizard and enjoying the meal after the kill , other members spent time searching for the crocs that had been seen around the crossing and at night time in torch light the eyes of the crocs could be seen. Some of us also took the chance whilst in this park to take the trip out to Pandanus Park a veteran's camp where we were all touched by the stories that were there to read. After signing the visitor's book and a moments silence we made our way back to camp with our own thoughts thankful for our time out at the camp.

After leaving this National Park we made our way on the worst road for the trip to meet up with fellow members at Endeavour Falls and we were all delighted that here at last we had green grass and lovely palm trees in abundance. After a night at the falls we made our way into Cooktown a distance of only 30 kms., where once again Arthur had secured a lovely park which would have the best amenities that I had seen in our travels around our land. Cooktown was a town of great history and we al know that it was named after Captain James Cook  and it was something special to stand near the spot where so many years before Captain Cook had stood on Australian soil for the first time. Finally it was time to leave Cooktown and make our way down the Lions Den Hotel at Helensvale where a good night was had by all.

The Lion's Den Hotel is on the start of the Bloomfield Track and this was our last 4wd track for our great trip and usually this track is a little muddy but for us it was back in the dust again. The track was good and we all stopped at the Bloomfield Falls which were great to see after this we drove across the new ford on the Bloomfield River as we made our way down to the beautiful Daintree Rainforest area and here we were put a little aside by all the tourist cars and buses which after weeks of 4wds were a bit strange to meet on the road. We were booked into the Daintree Forest Village which was a great base for our trips around this area. Many took the chance to take a boat trip on the Daintree River as well as a visit to the artist that produces beautiful works from a blob of molten glass and of course this was capped of with a visit to the ice cream factory.

From here we made our way down for our last camp at Kurrimine Beach and I'm sure that most of the ladies were sad that this was to be the last night in a tent (ha ha). A great night was had here with a last night dinner and entertainment with most members up dancing or skylarking as usual and this was truly a great way to spend our last night of this great trip. Next morning we made our way back to Townsville and our caravans which had been so well looked after by Terry and Enid along with Ridley and Pat.

To Arthur & Heather along with your team a thankyou is not enough for a job so well done in arranging this trip of a lifetime for many of the 78 members in 38 cars that enjoyed this trip so much. Thanks must also go to the HF Radio Club and Ray Lawson for the great service that was provided to us with daily contacts and emergency contact setup that worked so well when it was needed, most emergency messages were delivered to members within 30 minutes which was really a fantastic service.

Of course there is much more that could be written about this trip and in the current issue of the traveller you will find details to how you can order a booklet being produced about the trip along with a DVD so if interested you can do a mile or two with us.

Till next time.