The Trek - the first few days

Lakefield National Park would be beautiful in the early dry. For us, in the late dry, it was a place to breeze through fairly quickly. But historic homesteads, loaded mango trees and lagoons teeming with bird life, as well as the European tourist crashing his motorbike in the bulldust pit right in front of us, made for an entertaining day of driving.

Up through Coen and out to Chili Beach in Iron Range NP we drove. CB has to be one place most people would consider 'paradise' to look at. White sandy bay lined with coconut trees, clear water lapping oyster-laden rocks….very nice! But who knew paradise could be so windy??? Mum and Dad had to do a 2.30am shift of their tent just to get a break from the constantly flapping fly. But we really enjoyed the 2-day break out there on the east coast.

Next it was a 5 hour drive across the state to the other side…Weipa in the west. We arrived to smoke-filled skies and a really hot Sunday afternoon. But there was a pool….ahhh! Relief! A one night stay in town was followed by Maureen’s wonderful town and mine tour. We got to see the bauxite mining process ‘up close’ and see where the raw material that Jon works with in Gladstone every day comes from.

Back on the Peninsula Development Road and with the Old Telegraph Track firmly in our sights, we could feel the excitement building. The real adventure was about to begin. The dream was about to become a reality. And the question we had asked as we left Cooktown was about to be answered.....

Old Laura Station in the middle of Lakefield NP. Looks mighty dry now, but lots of green mangoes on the trees.

Kalpowar Crossing in Lakefield NP. The brave fishermen took on the barra and crocs....

and lost.

Day 2 and the UHF antennae is stuffed. Oopps. The rot that started in Kakadu has truly set in. Fortunately we were still able to be in contact with our 4WD buddies 'TC2'....that'd be the 2 in the Terracan.

The boys get into the oysters at Chili Beach in Iron Range NP on the east coast opposite Weipa.

Chili Beach....windy but beautiful.

Strange critters in the NP up this way:))

Our campsite in Weipa.

Bauxite mining near Weipa.

A memorable day in Weipa....Nathan calls to tell us he is getting married to Tatiana.