Wed, 1st Aug, 2018 Bush camp by Laura River to Bush camp by Archer River, Qld (exploring)

Chorus of birds woke us up early. Complaints from the Tassie’s about the cold morning 12.6 degrees – we all laughed as that would be a summer day in Tassie!! Will get up to 33 degrees today so that should warm them up.

Packed up and continued north on the bitumen – so different to our days of zooming over corrugated, dodging bull dust holes in the dark to go barra fishing.

Across Little Laura River.

Back on the dirt following someone else’s dust.

Still narrow bridge over a dry Kennedy River.

Back on the dirt – red dusty trees.

Another bitumen section then dirt again. Good so far except for a couple of big bull dust holes but as I am warning them on the UHF they are all doing well.

Bitumen again as we head over the Hann River – should have taken the track down and crossed the water way to give them some more adventure!!

Into the Hann River Roadhouse – it was part of the Overland Telegraph Line. Steve checked the tyre pressures – all part of the Gecko Adventures service.

Met ‘Aussie’ a female emu who is very nosy.

Dead Horse Creek – will have to tell Charles there is another one. Not much of a creek.

Passing lots of vehicles heading back from the Cape – all dirty. Ran over a big black snake that was spread across the road.

Across Morehead River which had water in it.

Across Saltwater Creek.

Around the bend is Musgrave Roadhouse which has a big airstrip beside it.

Made a cuppa and watched a few whistling kites are circle above us.

The building was the Musgrave Telegraph Station so we went in a checked out the history info. It was named after Sir Anthony Musgrave (1828-1888) who was Governor of Queensland from 1883 to 1888. Called a repeater station, it had great banks of batteries and a generator to boost the power in the telegraph line. The telegraph pole is one of the few original remaining poles erected when the line went through.

The distances from here to the Top or back to Cairns on the end of the fuel tank.

Spotted a grave under the dead tree but didn’t stop to check it out – will do that on the return trip.

More vehicles heading south as we head north on the dirt again.

I remember this section being very corrugated when we came up with Steve and Suzanne years ago. Now it is being surfaced with bitumen. Won’t be long and anyone will be able to drive to the top of Cape York with comfort – where’s the fun in that.

More bitumen as we climb up Bamboo Range which is part of the Great Dividing Range (270m elevation).

Travelling along on top of the range for quite a while with long section of road works. Another wedge-tailed eagle – never realised they were on the east coast.

Slowly descending off the range towards Coen on more bitumen. Keeping an eye out for wandering stock.

Very hilly as we head into Coen then across the Coen River.

Stopped at ‘The Bend’ for lunch by the Coen River – nice and shady. Bob soaked his feet.

I wandered down further to where vehicles crossed to camp on the other side.

Back into Coen for a look around and top up the fuel tanks. Checked out the SExchange Hotel – someone added the S years ago and it has never been removed.

Lots of old photos and other information around the walls.

Thought this one was great.

Walked down the road to the Mein Telegraph Station building that was moved here and used as a private residence.

Thought of Steve when I read this sign about the prospector putting gold in his mouth. Steve does that with every nugget he finds and he has a jar to put it in!!

Interesting reading about the Coen Flood boat.

Under the house there is a lot to see and read.

Upstairs there was heaps more to see and read.

 Great history information.

Info about the police.

Checked out another display cabinet.

Cyclone information.

A book and display board about Toots.

Outside there was lots of machinery on display.

Back past the Town Hall with lots of louvers to keep the townsfolk cool.

Malcolm enjoyed a cold one in the Sexchange Hotel.

I noticed lots of holes in the glass but a closer look showed they were stickers to look like bullet holes.

Great trespassing signs.

Next door is the mechanics workshop where we had our Toyota Dual Cab fixed on our first trip up the Cape in 1986. The engine mount broke so we got it welded here.

Bit of old machinery outside the General Store.

Headed back out across the Coen River again. Mt Croll is very pointy.

20km north we stopped at the Quarantine Station – inspections on the way south. I checked what they were looking for – only mangoes as there is a bad caterpillar in the ones north of here they are trying to keep out and driftwood or plants. I asked about coconuts as Margaret wanted some and they said ok if they have been dehusked. Malcolm and Bob found some big ant hills to take photos beside – I told them bigger ones are coming up soon.

Back on the dirt again. Driving in the table drains to avoid the corrugations. The others thought that was different. They were grateful to have me telling them if there was any oncoming traffic. The dips are still bad but the old signs have disappeared ‘Gherkin Dip’ etc. A semi full of cattle passed us then we found the other trailer by the road. He must only be able to get one at a time up and down the dips.

Old ute and someone’s boot at the turn off to a camp spot Kerry found on Wikicamps on the banks of the Archer River.

Down a narrow track to a turnaround area above the Archer River. Decided it was ok for the night and set up camp.

A short walk down to the river where we took out chairs to enjoy Happy Hour.

Malcolm went exploring.

Our route for today.

Boys got the fire going as the sun went down to heat our Archer River shower water.

Malcolm is having issues with his kettle – every time he heats it on the fire or his BBQ it takes forever to boil. Quite funny listening to him complain about it. Kerry got out the marshmellows again and everyone was entertained with Malcolm’s cooking style!!

Spotted two satellites, Kev!!

By bedtime the clouds had come over. Lovely temperature.