Olsen's Tours and Training Blog

With regret we left our great campsite on the Dalhunty, but looking forward to the adventures ahead. The first would be Gunshot Creek. Despite what many beleive Gunshot isn’t always Gunshot, just as oils aint always oils. Every year it changes, and several times throughout the year it changes. When you arrive at it, the mutiple entry points used in years past may be completely unsuitable. In the last few years the south-bound traffic has dug away at the bottom of each bank entry/exit, and the resulting bog-holes are bottomless. Prior to our arrival, a vehicle had been recovered from there at considerable cost to the unfortunate owner. I had a go after many hours of earthworks but got bogged and had to winch out. Not wishing the same outcome for my clients, we elected to do the bypass.

I continued along the OTL and many adventures later we met at Cockatoo Creek, our camp site for the night. Cockatoo creek has always been a favorite campsite. In the past careful bathers could find small pools to swim in. New crocodile warning signs deter swimmers now.

In the morning we progressed up the track to Fruit Bat Falls always a favorite and beautiful place, where we enjoyed a swim under the falls. From there it was on to Twin Falls/ Elliot Falls, another favorite. As tour operators we have less rights than Joe Public- we pay a fortune to National Parks for the priveledge of being told where we can’t camp, and Elliot Falls is one of those places.

The rest of the OTL is always a blur of creek crossings and very interesting 4wding, and then comes Nolans Brook……

Olsen’s 4WD Tours and Training
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From Kalpower we journeyed through the Lakefield National Park across Hann crosing where we stopped for morning tea and a bit of exploring. Across the Nifold Plains where the magnetic termites mounds abound, we continued, eventually to Musgrave where we had a lunch break.

Now on the PDR we travelled northwards. This is perhaps the most boring part of the trip, travelling long dusty miles on a gravel road. Still we made our fun along the way, arriving at Moreton telegraph Station campground in time to set up relax, have showers and enjoy a cold beverage. A few went fishing in the Wenlock while others did some exploring of the history of the telegraph station. The grassy campsite was welcome, and we had a good campfire in the big fire circle.

Next morning we were off again up the PDR to Bramwell Junction, the beginning of the OTL. We made a short stop for photographs before setting off on the famous track. Palm Creek is the first creek crossing and often has a difficult entry. we did some earthworks to ensure no vehicle damage and all negotiated it easily if tentatively. Ducie Creek was her usual self. Deep and dark, but all negotiated it easily despite bonnet deep water.

We continued up the track negotiating washouts and creeks all the way until I, playing silly buggers with my hat and a termite mound, slipped into a washout. A short recovery operation ensued, using a high lift jack and a hand winch to pull the car sideways.

Once moving again we wound our way to our camp site on the Dalhunty River. A nice little swimming hole provided some entertainment while others fished.

Come join us on our next tour of Cape York. Book at www.djolsen.com