Great Northern Adventure

Trip up East Coast from Coffs Harbour to the Cape, over to Darwin then down the centre Read more

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Trip start
May 8, 2023
Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 1
Monday, May 8, 2023 at 9:00 PM
Altitude: 11 m
Australia Coffs Harbour -30.291883, 153.10951630°17’31” S 153°6’34” E
Coffs Harbour start
May 8, 2023 in Australia
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 2
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 8:30 PM
🌙 17 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Australia Fingal Head Beach -28.195242, 153.56501228°11’43” S 153°33’54” E
Fingal Head 8-10th May 2023
May 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 17 °C
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 3
Wednesday, May 10, 2023 at 4:00 PM
☀️ 23 °C
Altitude: 27 m
Australia Myrtle Creek -25.648384, 152.61540925°38’54” S 152°36’55” E
River Run FarmStay - Mary River 11 May
May 10, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Great place to Camp with open fire. Only spent one night here but could easily have stayed a couple more.
Julies first sighting of the Brahminy Kite (Red Backed Sea Eagle)
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 4
Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 4:30 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 16 m
Australia Woodgate -25.110069, 152.56620625°6’36” S 152°33’58” E
Woodgate 11-13th May
May 11, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 6
Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 4:30 PM
🌬 22 °C
Altitude: 12 m
Australia Monument Point -24.161769, 151.88495224°9’42” S 151°53’6” E
1770 13-15th May 2023
May 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 22 °C
1770 & Agnes Waters. 13 to 15th May, 2023
1770 Camping Ground
Great little camp ground with spectacular beach and ocean views, good walks
Enjoyed the 4wd track (Wreck Rock Road) from Agnes Waters through Deepwater National Park - Flat Rock, Midd Rock and Wreck Rock (see Video)Read more
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 9
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 4:30 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Australia Rotary Park -23.120063, 150.74944323°7’12” S 150°44’58” E
Yeppoon 16-19th May 2023
May 16, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Great spot
E-scooter
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 13
Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 4:00 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 7 m
Australia Mount Bassett -21.113174, 149.20582221°6’47” S 149°12’21” E
Mackay 20-23rd May 2023
May 20, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
Not a bad place, not a super amount of stuff to do here. Caravn park was good, seemed to be quite a few mining families staying here as Mackay is a service base for the Bowen Basin mines.
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 16
Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at 4:30 PM
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 18 m
Australia Clump Point -17.864664, 146.10907117°51’53” S 146°6’33” E
Mission Beach 24-25th May 2023
May 23, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 23
Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 8:06 AM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 9 m
Australia Dicksons Inlet -16.484598, 145.46362916°29’5” S 145°27’49” E
Port Douglas Day trip 31st May 2023
May 30, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
A day trip up the Dickson Inlet (Port Douglas estuary) in a hire pontoon boat. No fish, but did see a big croc and assorted birdlife. Great way to see a bit more of the area.
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 23
Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 5:17 PM
☀️ 21 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Australia Ellis Beach -16.726098, 145.64641516°43’34” S 145°38’47” E
Ellis Beach 26 May -2 June 2023
May 30, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Ellis Beach Caravan Park
Small Park between Cairns and Port Douglas where we based ourselves for a week. Nice beach with no fish ;( but excellent ameneties and good swimming pool. Bt of road noise but not too bad.Read more
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 25
Thursday, June 1, 2023 at 1:00 PM
🌬 25 °C
Altitude: Sea level
Australia Low Island -16.378937, 145.54222516°22’44” S 145°32’32” E
Port Douglas Low Island 1st June
June 1, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 25 °C
Had a great day out on the Low Island just off Port Douglas. 15 mins out by The Reef Sprinter (3 x 300 horsepowerengines!)
Amazing coral and tropical fish, guide says reef is in really healthy condition. Visibility under water was excellent.
Glass bottom boat tour was also very good. Overall, great day and well worth it! Not as "touristy" as I expected.Read more
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 26
Friday, June 2, 2023 at 11:35 AM
⛅ 27 °C
Altitude: 11 m
Australia Mooroobool -16.938165, 145.74231616°56’17” S 145°44’32” E
Cairns 2-4th June 2023
June 2, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
First City Caravilla
Getting ready for Cape trip!!
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 28
Sunday, June 4, 2023 at 9:59 AM
⛅ 25 °C
Altitude: 358 m
Australia Balancing Rock -17.154115, 144.52317417°9’15” S 144°31’23” E
Day 1 of 4wd Adventure
June 4, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
From Cairns up the Kungala way to Mareeba.
Then follow the Wheelbarrow way thru Dimbilah to Chillagoe, where we spent our first of 18 nights in the swag and tent.
Wheelbarrow way got its name from all the Chinese pushing their Wheelbarrows to the Chillagoe tin mines.
Lots of sugar & coffee plantations. All they need is the odd diary farm and we'd be right!
Chillagoe also has the Balancing Rock and a great cave system (Chillagoe-Mungana Caves)Read more
TravelerYou sure you've taken the right vehicle
6/3/23Reply
Michael SharpeNo, but will make the best of it...
6/3/23Reply
Hello this is Amy and Nancy 😃 [Nancy]
6/4/23Reply
Michael SharpeHello Amy and Nancy, hope you're enjoying the travel log!
6/4/23Reply
Certainly am Keep them coming. Enjoy 🥰 [Nancy 🥰]
6/4/23Reply
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 29
Monday, June 5, 2023 at 4:11 PM
⛅ 26 °C
Altitude: 426 m
Australia Douglas -16.107696, 144.77728616°6’28” S 144°46’38” E
Day 2 4wd Cape Adventure
June 5, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Day 2 - Chillagoe to Palmer River Roudhouse.
A good day started with a visit to the Tom Prior Ford museum in Chillagoe, which was a bit underwhelming. (Nice Ford XW Gt though!)

We dropped tyre pressure down to 30 psi to tackle dirt, dips, grids and the odd water crossing.
On to Mt Mulligan Coal mine, site of the 3rd largest mining disaster, where 75 poor bastards lost their lives in a coal dust explosion in 1921.
It would have been a tough life in the mines up here.

After lunch at Mt Mulligan, we continued the dusty 4wd track to the Mitchell river, which was a very pleasant stop after the heat & dust.
Tonight, we stay at the Palmer River roadhouse and have been promised a "bbq with all the trimmings, the best feed of the tour." Looking forward to it!
Ps: bbq was a bit overrated..Read more
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 30
Tuesday, June 6, 2023 at 3:03 PM
🌬 31 °C
Altitude: 145 m
Australia Hope Vale -15.495309, 144.26767215°29’43” S 144°16’4” E
Day 3 4wd Cape Adventure
June 6, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 31 °C
First up, happy birthday, Julie!
Have a great day🎂🥳

Left Palmer River for James Earl lookout. Spectacular views but a bit overcast.
Still on a mix of dirt and bitumen as we made our way to Split Rock.

After a steep one km walk, we arrived at indigenous cave paintings. Plenty of them, I'm no artist but I reckon I could do better.

Morning tea at Laura, famous for sending an indigenous tracker down to Victoria that led to Ned Kellys capture.

On to the Hahn River for Lunch, then to Musgrave Roudhouse for an early finish.
Saw the fresh water crocs being fed, I think the turtles were more aggressive. Thanks to Trev for thecroc video.)

Julie's birthday dinner consisted of ;
Julie- chicken kiev
Tevor- barramundi
Michael- seafood basket
A couple of beers and sauvignon blanc rounded out another good dayRead more
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 31
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 2:05 PM
🌬 31 °C
Altitude: 77 m
Australia Merluna -13.062812, 142.44795913°3’46” S 142°26’53” E
Day 4 4wd Cape adventure
June 7, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 31 °C
Up early and left Musgrave Roundhouse for Merluna Station
Still on a mix of dirt and bitumen, about 60/40%
Stopped at Coen for a break, then onto Archer River for possibly the worst coffee ever made. Note to self: if they advertise their coffee is instant, that's a bad sign...
Straight onto Merluna station, a 416,000 acre cattle station. A nice camp with grass and 3 differently bird watching tracks. We'll be taking advantage of that, while keeping an eye out for the 3m salty crocodile said to inhabit the creek... will post a picture of him if we see him first..Read more
Roads look reasonable I only remember tracks most of the way That’s a nice spot to camp Hope you see more birds not crocsxx [Mum]
6/7/23Reply
Michael SharpeRoads are pretty good! After Weipa they get worse!
6/8/23Reply
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 32
Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 4:06 PM
⛅ 31 °C
Altitude: 10 m
Australia Nanum -12.638477, 141.86072312°38’19” S 141°51’39” E
Day 5 4wd Cape Adventure
June 8, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Left Merluna Station this morning. The late start allowed for a brisk 6 km walk this morning, the first for a while. Plenty of cockatoos up early as well as a wallaby, sleeping in the middle of the road that had some personal hygiene issues.
Only a couple of hours drive to Weipa where we went on a boat ride into the Port and up the estuary system. Plenty of crocs and birds.
Tonight's meal is at the caravan park Cafe at Weipa called Barramunchies!
Can't wait...
Anyway, Weipa is renown for the Bauxite mines and fishing, but we ignore them and head of to Morten Telegraph Station in Wenlock tomorrow .Read more
TravelerThose crocs are huge! Also, barramunchies 😆😆
6/8/23Reply
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 33
Friday, June 9, 2023 at 4:53 PM
⛅ 30 °C
Altitude: 51 m
Australia Spring Creek -12.665747, 142.06541512°39’57” S 142°3’55” E
Day 6 4wd Cape Adventure
June 9, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Spent the morning in Weipa with a good walk, bit of shopping, and a look at the community centre/ museum for a bit of kulcha.
On the road by lunch with a move thru Batavia Downs station. It's here we dropped tyre pressure down to 26psi as we get closer to the old Telegraph track. The roads are still pretty good, but the recovery gear comes into the car tomorrow for easy access!
While today was a pretty quiet and uneventful day, tomorrow promises to be more interesting....
Spent the night at Moreton Telegraph Station.Read more
Nice site for camping 🥰 Nancy [Nancy]
6/10/23Reply
More photos please [Nancy]
6/11/23Reply
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 34
Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 7:21 PM
🌙 26 °C
Altitude: 51 m
Australia Spring Creek -12.665747, 142.06541512°39’57” S 142°3’55” E
2 1
Day 7 4wd Cape Adventure
June 10, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌙 26 °C
Left Moreton Telegraph Station after a sprinkle of rain last night. Was very refreshing after sleeping with the flaps open and waking up to a mist of rain coming on....until got hot heavy.
The real 4wd started today we hit the Telegraph track after passing through Bramell junction and Batavia Downs Station.
The highlight was Cockatoo Crossing, Trevor maiden Creek crossing. He did beautifully as 2nd car thru (after our illustrious leader) see video.
A couple of more crossing and some pretty horrendous washouts we rolled into Elliot Falls. We'll spend 2 nights here in a dodgy campsite, but spectacular falls.Read more
Traveler Did u go left or right out of the creek?
6/11/23Reply
Michael SharpeRight 😄
6/12/23Reply
Traveler Now that looks fun 4x4
6/11/23Reply
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 35
Sunday, June 11, 2023 at 1:17 PM
⛅ 30 °C
Altitude: 49 m
Australia Northern Peninsula Area -11.386125, 142.41323611°23’10” S 142°24’48” E
Day 8 4wd Cape Adventure
June 11, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Day 2 at Elliot Falls.
Trev & I did the Saucepan, Elliott falls and the Twin Falls by noodle last evening. Was spectacular, with Elliott Falls proving a bit hairy if you took the wrong line.. (seeTrevs injury pics).
Got the drone up today at the saucepan, but was too windy for the rest. Will try this evening.
It's hot today, would be over 30, plenty of ants & flies.
Tomorrow, we are off to Seisha for 3 nights!Read more
Awesome track Now that’s as I remember I it Fantastic driving but don’t get a swelled head just yet You will be looking forward to Seisha 🥵 [Nancy]
6/12/23Reply
Michael SharpeIt's 33c and humid this afternoon. Beach looks beautiful but can't swim 😞🐊🦈🦈🐊
6/12/23Reply
TravelerLooks stunning!! Poor Trev, I feel you - I’ve still got scars from Sticks River 😆🫣
6/12/23Reply
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 36
Monday, June 12, 2023 at 2:43 PM
⛅ 30 °C
Altitude: 14 m
Australia Red Island Point -10.846689, 142.36657410°50’48” S 142°21’60” E
Day 9 Cape 4wd Adventure
June 12, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
From Elliott Falls up the old Telegraph track thru Canal and Sandy Creeks to Barmaga and finally Seisia.
Here for 3 nights.
Tomorrow we head off to the tip of the Cape and 4wd the 5 Beach run. Should be great after today's mud!Read more
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 37
Tuesday, June 13, 2023 at 8:39 AM
🌬 26 °C
Altitude: 18 m
Australia Cape York -10.69, 142.53166710°41’24” S 142°31’54” E
Day 10 - the Tip! 4wd Cape Adventure
June 13, 2023 in Australia ⋅ 🌬 26 °C
Well, after all that, we all reached the tip this morning.
It was a good effort and a lot of fun.
Another beautiful day in the low 30c's as we finished the tip and had smoke at Somerset Beach. Picturesque beach, just no swimming 😡
We then did the 5 Beaches 4wd track, which was good solid 4wd driving, but nothing too challenging.
Back to Punsand Bay which is like a tropical resort for lunch and a couple of beers.
Tonight will be Loyalty Beach fishing club for dinner.Read more
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 38
Wednesday, June 14, 2023 at 9:56 AM
☁️ 27 °C
Altitude: 15 m
Australia Thursday Island -10.586667, 142.21166710°35’12” S 142°12’42” E
Day 11 Thursday Is 4wd Cape Adventure
June 14, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
Boat trip over to Thursday Island (TI) from Seisia this morning on Peddles "Torres Magic".
A good look around Thursday Island on the bus tour, rich history of WW1 & WW2 involvement. Neighbouring Horn Island was the 2nd most bombed part of Australia after Darwin.
Had a big pearl and shell industry until plastic was invented for buttons.
Lunch at the Torres pub then back home (Seisia)Read more
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 39
Thursday, June 15, 2023 at 4:00 PM
☁️ 29 °C
Altitude: 64 m
Australia Napranum -12.139847, 142.62261112°8’23” S 142°37’21” E
1
Day 12 4wd Cape Adventure
June 15, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Left Seisia this morning for Fruit Bat falls, stopped off for a refreshing swim.
Needed it after we were woken last night by a wild horse rummaging through our camp-site.
Apart from making a noise, it left us a fairly large present. Do you know how big a horses arse looks from a swag?? ( pretty big...)
Crossed the Jardine River by ferry and didn't pay the ferryman until he got us to the otherside.
Into Bramwell Station for an early finish.
Tonight we have dinner and a show, so looking forward to that
Dinner show was excellent, both Trevor and I showed them how to sing along to some golden oldies...Read more
“Wish I had a video of that but on second thought s maybe night🥰 [Nancy]
6/16/23Reply
Michael Sharpe🤣
6/16/23Reply
Traveler Bay of of the line today were u speeding 😂
6/16/23Reply
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Great Northern Adventure Michael Sharpe
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Day 40
Friday, June 16, 2023 at 5:36 PM
☀️ 26 °C
Altitude: 107 m
Australia Archer River Roadhouse -13.436667, 142.9413°26’12” S 142°56’24” E
Day 13 4wd Cape Adventure
June 16, 2023 in Australia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C
Left Bramwell Station late this morning after lovely egg and bacon Muffin.
Drove to Octavia Goldfields, which was abandoned in the sixties and is littered with rusty old equipment. It's still a popular spot for fossikers
Drove onto Archer River roadhouse, where we will be sampling the famous burgers tonight, before heading off thru Lakefield national Park tomorrow.Read more
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