Day 9 & 10

Day 9 (Destination - Punsand Bay and the Tip)

We set off from Eliot Falls early and 'did' the remainder of the Old Tele Track as far as the turn to the ferry. Some of the creek crossings north were a bit tricky and required walking first. The last one being Nolan's Brook which is also quite notorious for being challenging and can be deep and sandy. Being dryer and having watch dozens of Youtube video's before our trip, Brett knew what to do and kept to the right.

Cannibal Creek

The log bridge over Cypress Creek

Mistake Creek(?)

Sam Creek (?)

Nolans Brook

As we pulled up at the ferry to buy a ticket, a guy approached us asking if we'd give him a hand. He'd reversed into a ditch while trying to show his kids a wallaby. Brett was happy to christen his new snatch strap and even happier in the knowledge that a Rodeo had pulled out a Hilux.

Alcohol restrictions meant only 1 carton of beer and 2 ltrs wine

Jardine River ferry

Jardine River

We got the ferry across the Jardine River ($125 return) and continued on our way. We stopped at Bamaga to fuel up and buy some more groceries and make a couple of phone calls at a phone box, then continued on to the Croc Tent - the souvenier shop. There was a tiny pademelon piglet in a fenced pen with a huge stuffed crocodile which looked quite funny.

Pademelon piglet and friend

We decided to head straight to the tip, parking and then in typical Cape fashion finding no signs to tell which way to walk. It wasn't too hard to work out, we just walked up the rocks toward the only area sticking out further than the beach. Finding there was a bit of a track worn by the many fellow walkers before us and several piles of rocks along the way. I think the idea of the rock piles was that you are supposed to add a rock of your own to the pile. The walk is almost 1km from the carpark but we made it and found the familiar sign declaring that we were standing at Australia's most northern most point. Took the obligatory photos and enjoyed the views from the area. The woman at the Croc Tent had said someone had caught fish there recently with a pink lure, so of course Brett decided to take his fishing rod with him.  He got a good bite but that was it before snagging the lure and giving up. We watched a huge sea turtle swim by and enjoyed the fabulous views abit longer before heading back to the carpark.

The beach by the carpark at the tip

Walking to the sign declaring we were at the 'tip'

One of several rock piles on the walk to the tip

Waiting for me to set up the camera

views from the tip

Fishing at the tip

Sea turtle

Views from the tip

Views from the tip

Leaving the tip, we drove the short distance to Punsand Bay camping grounds. Soon discovering we had some Optus reception so took advantage catching up on news back home. The reception was a bit sketchy and seemed to be best standing out on the beach.
We decided to stay 2 nights here. There is a nice rustic bush style bar and restaurant area which Brett was very pleased to learn had Great Northern beer on tap. They also do wood fired pizza's so that took care of dinner.

Day 10 - Punsand Bay

I was able to ring Megan (my daughter) for her 16th birthday today which was good. She has been spending a week in Brisbane with friends and going to the Rhianna concert.

Today was a relaxing day. Attempted some fishing off the beach first in the morning but had no luck. After talking with the fellow who owns Punsand Bay camping grounds who recommended walking further along to where some rocks are, and to go around 4pm when the tide is coming back in. Yay success, caught a couple of small cod and a grasse emporer. All too small to keep but it was fun trying just the same.  It was dark by the time we stopped fishing and so it was a late dinner (curried sausages again) by the time we got back to camp.

Our campsite at Punsand Bay

Fishing at Punsand Bay

We were intending to spend longer here but decided 2 nights was enough. As we hadn't taken the legs for the camper, we couldn't use the Rodeo to get around. Time to pack up and move on again. We had heard that the fishing at Vrilya Point was pretty good so that is where we're heading tomorrow.