Continuing on the Old Telegraph Line, including Fruit Bat Falls & the Jardine River campsite

An 8am start had us on the OTL doing another 5 or 6 river crossings which continue to be interesting to say the least.  

Fruit Bat Falls

Our first stop was Fruit Bat Falls, which is a magnificent sight to behold and so tempting to go for a swim in that lovely clear free flowing river on such a deliciously hot day, that most of us succumbed, some of us jumped in clothes and an all. I think we all felt so much more refreshed after a good soak or even a water massage directly under the falls themselves. 

Sitting under the Fruit Bat Falls

Soon we must get back on the road and it is not long before we started getting into  some tough spots again. We all managed to get the vehicles and camper trailers through the extreme parts, sometimes with some assistance of a snatch rope. Mistake Creek was a reasonably clear stream with a firm base but with a very rough exit.  In Canal Creek we had to drive along the creek  a bit then navigate a difficult exit. Cannibal Creek had steep, eroded banks with sandy banks . Terry was talking everyone through step by step.  Cyprus Creek is partly covered by a log bridge. It was time to stop for lunch before we continued on.

Bob on the log bridge on Cyprus Creek

 Nolan’s Creek was the last one and a very, very deep creek with a deceptively soft sandy bottom!! The guys went in to check and then it was on with the water bras to protect the radiators, air down in tyres and seal up any gaps that may let in water in the camper.Bob managed to make it through to everyone’s surprise without the need of a snatch rope but the bonnet took a bit of a dunking here and smoke poured out the exhaust on his exit. He stopped up top, leaving the motor running to investigate. Apparently the dust bowl under the air filter must have fallen off somewhere on the rough tracks earlier and this left a relatively large hole some 3 x 2 inch for the water to get into the air filter and into the motor. We were lucky he got through the creek without stalling or else much more serious damage could have easily occurred to the motor itself.   At least we didn’t join the reputedly over 40 4WDs this season that Nolan’s had laid claim to already.  

Bob's initial bow wave in Nolan's Creek

Bob driving through Nolan Creek

Most of the others got through without too much drama, but Wes got about half way across the water and lost traction in the treacherously soft sand and got stuck in the middle with his camper trailer floating at a 45 degree angle to his car.  Terry had to snatch Wes out. Unfortunately a lot of water got inside the car but thankfully no real damage was sustained by Wes. John also met with a watery fate however he popped a tyre as he was snatched out. It took days for the cars to dry out and the contents within.

Wes in trouble on Nolan's Creek

 

We soon left Nolan’s after John’s tyre was changed, arriving at the Jardine River campsite.  Our camp tonight was on the banks of the river in nice natural bushland. This is in a national park and once again, Rob & I as well as Dave and Glen did not have bookings. The stupid sign gives you a number to call but there is no reception out there and they take far too long to take a booking back in Brisbane that we weren’t going to even try to use the stat phone we had with us. So we separated from the rest of the team and camped separately on a lovely riverside spot we found. John even had a shot at trying to catch a fish (or a croc!)

 

Dave fishing at Jardine River - maybe for a croc?