Menu
  • Home
  • Expeditions
      • Fat Outback – East – West across Australia
        • FAT OUTBACK

          • An East - West crossing of Australia from Byron Bay NSW to Steep Point WA. To be completed in two stages
          • Part 1: 2019 Alice Springs NT to Steep Point WA
          • Part 2: 2021 (planned) Byron Bay NSW to Uluru NT
          • The route includes the Simpson Desert, Alice Springs, Uluru, The Gunbarrel Hwy
          • fob_IMG_4397Part1: Looking down the gunbarrel – Alice Springs to Steep Point WA
        • The Americas – Alaska to Patagonia
          • THE AMERICAS

            • Alaska to Ushuaia
            • 2016-2018
            • 15 countries in 22 months covering 38,000km
            • Anchorage, north to the top of Alaska(Prudhoe Bay) then south through Canada, USA, Central America and South America finishing at the southern most point in Ushuaia(Patagonia)
            • Alaska Canada
              • Americas_2000x900_IMG_6447The Americas – Overview
              • Alaska_2000x900_0990Alaska, you go alright
              • Alaska_2000x900_2365Denali, the tall one
              • IMG_2733sVideo: To the Arctic (Dalton Hwy)
              • Alaska_2000x900_1523Down and dirty on the Dalton
              • IMG_3974_bannerVideo: Alaska – thank you and farewell ….
              • Canada_2000x900_3544Canada – Searching for a silver lining
              • IMG_3481Video: Canada – just add maple syrup
            • North America
              • Cascades_2000x900_3517All the Volcanos – The Cascade Mountains
              • Cascade Mountains videoVideo: USA – The Cascade Mountains
              • sequoia forestVideo: USA – Sierra Nevadas
              • Death ValleyCycling the Sierras
              • img_5863Utah & Arizona – Canyon Country
              • Canyon CountryVideo: Utah & Arizona – Seeing Red
              • IMG_6847_bannerMexico – A very Baja Christmas
              • IMG_8496featureMexico: the full enchilada
            • Central America
              • IMG_7331featureCuba: Pedalling the Revolution
              • IMG_7865_featureGuatemala, Honduras & El Salvador – Central America’s ‘Northern Triangle’
              • IMG_0092featureVideo: Southern Mexico and Central America
              • IMG_0938featureNicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama – The Fatigue Factor
              • IMG_8729_featureVideo: Costa Rica and Panama
            • Sth America Pt1
              • Americas_Columbia_8988Colombia: Feeding the addiction
              • IMG_1397featureVideo: Colombia
              • IMG_2189featureVideo: Ecuador – land of volcanoes
              • Americas_Ecuador_9833Ecuador: the only way is up
              • IMG_9926Peru: Part 1 – river deep, mountain high
              • IMG_0320Video: Peru part 1 – Ain’t no mountain high enough
              • IMG_1135Peru: criss-crossing the Cordillera Blanca
              • IMG_1134Peru: the hills are alive with the sound of GRRIINGO!
              • IMG_1197Video: Peru Part 2 – The road to ruin(s)
              • Bolivia_2000x900_3364Bolivia: with a sprinkle of salt and a dash of Chile
              • IMG_1575Video: Bolivia – Blown away
            • Sth America Pt 2
              • Argentina2000x900_5820Mendoza to Salta (Northern Argentina)
              • IMG_2046Argentina/Chile: From mountains to sea
              • IMG_2393Chile: Oh, hello Patagonia
              • IMG_2754Chile: The Carretera Austral
              • IMG_3127Southern Patagonia: Ice is nice
              • IMG_4423featureVideo: Carretera Austral – A watery world
              • TBWA5136_featureTierra del Fuego: El Fin del Mundo (the End of the World)
              • IMG_2911featureVideo: Fin del Mundo – Patagonia
        • Long Way Home – London to Melbourne
          • LONG WAY HOME

            • London to Melbourne
            • 2005-2006
            • 30,000km and 19 countries over 15 months
            • Starting in London and finished in Melbourne, Australia.
            • Europe
              • bannerKyrgystan1London to Melbourne – Overview
              • England_2000x900_0584England
              • LWH_France_0734France
              • LWH_Switzerland_0915Switzerland
              • LWH_Italy_1327Italy
              • LWH_Greece_1890Greece
            • Central Asia
              • LWH_Turkey_2302Turkey
              • LWH_Iran_4082Iran
              • LWH_Turkmenistan_4831Turkmenistan
              • LWH_Uzbekistan_5051Uzbekistan
              • LWH_Kyrgyzstan_5589Kyrgyzstan
              • LWH_Kazakstan_6015Kazakhstan
              • LWH_2000x900_IMG_7362China
            • Sth East Asia & Oz
              • LWH_Laos_8840Laos
              • LWH_Vietnam_0155Vietnam
              • LWH_Cambodia_1147Cambodia
              • LWH_Thailand_1752Thailand
              • LWH_Malaysia_2122Malaysia
              • LWH_Singapore_2231Singapore
              • Australia_Alice_2000x900_2634Australia
              • LWH_Australia_P7150082Epilogue
        • Around Australia – Cairns, Top End, Kimberley, Nullabor
          • AROUND AUSTRALIA

            • 2000-2001
            • 23,000 km (inc 8000km of dirt)
            • The journey covers 23,000km (8000km on dirt) over 18 months and includes Cairns, the gulf country, Top End, Kimberley, Karijini and Nullabor Plain
            • bannerOzGulfAround Australia (Overview)
            • s1_edgaye_nsw_borderMelbourne to Brisbane
            • s2_hinchinbrook_viewBrisbane to Cairns
            • Around_Oz_15Cairns to Darwin
            • s4_gaye_canoeDarwin to Broome
            • s5_gorge_karajini1Broome to Carnarvon
            • s6_ed_kalbarriCarnarvon to Perth
            • s7_gaye_cliffsPerth to Adelaide
            • s8_pushingAdelaide to Melbourne
          • Spain Morocco – Spain, Morocco, Portugal loop
            • SPAIN, MOROCCO, PORTUGAL, FRANCE

              • June – Sept 2012
              • Starting Barcelona and heading south, this ride takes us through Spain, Morocco, Portugal and a bit of France.
              • Approx distance 6000km with 80,000 meters of climbing.
              • Spain_2000x900_0758Spain Morocco Portugal – Overview
              • spain_calesparra_IMG_5247Barcelona to Calasparra
              • spain_riff_IMG_8529Calasparra to Chefchaouen
              • spain_morocco2_IMG_9445Morocco 2
              • spain_backin_IMG_0110Back in Spain
              • IMG_1124widePortugal
              • P1000031bannerNorth West Spain
            • Cape York – Cairns to Cape York, Australia
              • CAPE YORK

                • August – September 2007
                • Cairns to Cape York and back.
                • 2400km
                • Highlights included various national parks, rivers, lagoons, wildlife(crocs), rainforest, tropical coastline. The route followed mostly minor tracks and roads with many creek crossings and lots of great swimming spots.
                • CapeYork_2000x900_1012Cape York (Australia)
                • CapeYork_2000x900_P1090133Daintree
                • CapeYork_2000x900_P1090331Cape Melville and Lakefield
                • CapeYork_2000x900_0517Main Road North
                • CapeYork_2000x900_0761Iron Range National Park
                • CapeYork_2000x900_1078Overland Telegraph Track
                • CapeYork_2000x900_P1090819Seisia and Pajinka
              • Argentina – Argentina, Chile, Uruguay loop
                • ARGENTINA-CHILE-URUGUAY

                  • Date: Sept – Dec 2010
                  • Started and finished in Buenos Aires
                  • Visited Argentina, Chile and Uruguay
                  • Distance ridden approx 6000km (not including about 1300k of busing)
                  • Argentina_2000x900_5278Overview and map
                  • Argentina_2000x900_4942Buenos Aires to Santa Rosa
                  • Argentina_2000x900_5025Santa Rosa to Nequen
                  • Argentina_2000x900_5196Neuquen to San Martin de Los Andes
                  • Argentina_2000x900_5512Bariloche and across to Chile
                  • Argentina2000x900_5820Mendoza to Salta (Northern Argentina)
                  • Argentina_2000x900_6749Salta to Buenos Aires
            • Trips
                • Events
                  • edgaye_birdsville_hotelSimpson Desert Bike Challenge 1999
                  • 1995-rock_ride_28The Bourke and Wheels Story
                  • simpsondesertsunriseA Day in the Life
                  • gaye_bannerAudax Sydney – Melbourne Alpine 1200k
                  • Gaye on the roadThe Everesting Experience
                  • IMG_1110cutAudax Snowies 600
                  • epic_bannerAudax Alpine Classic Ultimate 320
                  • donnablog1Ride Like a Girl: A Mass Everesting Event
                  • easter_bannerNo Place Like Home – Hells 500 Epic
                  • IMG_3257wideSo long Canberra – it’s been epic
                • Hells 500
                  • Gaye on the roadThe Everesting Experience
                  • donnablog1Ride Like a Girl: A Mass Everesting Event
                  • easter_bannerNo Place Like Home – Hells 500 Epic
                  • IMG_3257wideSo long Canberra – it’s been epic
                • Weekenders
                  • IMG_1229Long Weekends are CXy – in the Snowy Mountains
                  • IMG_1273aRide to the Coast – A Canberra Classic
                  • IMG_3257wideSo long Canberra – it’s been epic
                  • IMG_5786Attack of the (Easter) Buns
                • Hikes
                  • Banner_308Mont Blanc Hike
                  • 1998-pakistan_072Trekking in the Karakoram Ranges
            • Blog & Latest
              • blog_everythingFull Blog
              • Banner_308Mont Blanc Hike
              • IMG_5786Attack of the (Easter) Buns
              • 1998-pakistan_072Trekking in the Karakoram Ranges
              • 1995-rock_ride_28The Bourke and Wheels Story
            • About Us
            PREV Iron Range National Park
            NEXT Seisia and Pajinka
            Date: August 31, 2007September 7, 2019Section: Cape York

            The Overland Telegraph Track

            Cape York

            Chapter 6

            Bramwell Roadhouse to Jardine River

            Map, The Old Telegraph Track

            The real fun part of the trip. The OTL is a narrow unmaintained track with frequent river crossings, washaways, ruts and sand.

            It provides two days of challenging, interesting and just plain fun riding. The pictures tell it all….

            Moreton Telegraph Station
            img_0887
            Gaye and Mark on the Overland Telegraph Track
            Ed and Mark on the Overland Telegraph Track
            Ed exiting a dry creek bed on the OTL
            Relaxing touring with a minimum of traffic and interesting riding. Sandy patches could be challenging. Our BOB trailers handled the rough terrain well. We rode a lot more of the sand than we expected
            Cooling the feet of at another creek crossing. While pleasant for us the bikes didn\'t take too well to regular water immersion.
            Ed crossing the beautiful Dulhunti River on the Overland Telegraph Track. There\'s some nice camping on both sides of the river but it\'s a popular spot.
            img_0930
            img_0931
            Bertie Creek
            Mark doing a damper at Bertie Creek
            img_0943
            Heathlands National Park
            Heathlands National Park
            Heathlands National Park
            Gunshot Creek
            The big drop at Gunshot Creek showing some signs of recent use
            img_0982
            Gaye crossing Cockatoo Creek on the Overland Telegraph Track. Our bags were fairly waterproof so it was always a bit of fun to see if we could ride across the streams. With deep water the trailers would float, wagging from side to side like ducks tails. With running gear and hubs immersed, it\'s best to keep the maintenance up to the bike. Good hubs, forks, bottom brackets etc don\'t let in much water but eventually it get\'s in.
            We kept running into this couple for several weeks on our travels around Cape York Peninsula. It was always nice to bump into familiar faces and have a chat along the way.
            img_0995
            Gaye feeding turtles at Sheldon Lagoon on the OTL. These friendly little fellas were obviously familiar with the opportunies presented by passing travellers.
            p1090680-sheldons-lagoon-otl
            img_1005
            img_1008
            img_1009
            Gaye entering the northern section of the Telegraph Track.
            p1090686-bypass-road-otl
            Gaye determining the best route across Scrubby Creek on the OTL near Eliot Falls and Twin Falls. It was considered poor form not to at least attempt riding through the creeks and rivers.
            Scrubby Creek
            img_1019
            Jardine Falls
            Twin Falls
            Insect eating Pitcher Plants
            img_1063
            img_1066
            img_1069
            Mark and Ed crossing Sam Creek on the northern section of the OTL. The clear pristine waters of these creeks was magic. The hot weather made a dip at each creek compulsory
            Gaye crossing Sam Creek on the OTL.
            Mark crossing Canal Creek on the northern section of the OTL
            img_1093
            p1090737
            Cypress Creek Bridge
            I think it\'ll hold the bike but....4wds? Cypress Creek Bridge on the northern section of the OTL. Vehicles still cross this. As the logs fall away you just throw a few more on.
            img_1099
            img_1114
            Crossing the belly button deep Bridge Creek. Many a vehicle has come to grief here by sucking water into the motor.
            Crossing the Jardine River on the ferry. This signifies the final leg to the tip.
            Mark showing off his prize damper at our Jardine River Camp. Done on a Trangia stove, these were much looked forward to each afternoon.
            Our least favourite type of road...heavily corrugated and sandy. This is the main bypass road south of the Jardine River
            Epic Rides Blog Expeditions Cape York Overland Telegraph Track

            Copyright Ed & Gaye Bourke 2000 – 2020 ©