Day 12 - The Old Telegraph Track (OTT)

We decided that it might be best to leave the tent set up at Bramwell and have a crack at the OTT without towing the trailer, and head back around the main road to stay at Bramwell for a second night.

We ventured into the OTT and managed to get ourselves lost and on the wrong track within 3km's! The track is very rough, washed out in places and rocky. We came to the first river crossing after about 15 minutes. The entry into the crossing is almost verticle and the exit not much better. We watched other vehicles being winched up out of the creek (not much actual water in the river crossing!) We decided this wasn't for us and proceeded around to the "chicken track", a much gentler entry and exit point. Unfortunately for Nick, Robbo and Jack, this was also completely insane and our better judgement took over and we chickened out completely and went back the other way to the main road.

The "Gunshot" is the notorious creek crossing at the far end of the OTT so we took a side road in to have a look. This crossing is even more insane than the first one. We watched 2 guys do the crossing. the entry in is basically a verticle drop and once the vehicle is nose deep in the water at the bottom a second vehicle is needed to winch the first forward so that it can get the wheels back on the ground and move forward again. These guys are completely insane even attempting this crossing, but they got it done. - check out the photos.

We decied we should attempt the final 20 or so km's of the OTT for a little adventure - It took about an hour to complete with a fairly deep river crossing.

Next we headed into Fruit Bat Falls. It was beautiful with clear blue water. We swam here for a while, the water was quite warm.

To get to the next waterfalls we needed to cross a very deep crossing. We took a deep breath and hoped the snorkel would work. We made it through, but not before the water leaked onto the floor in the front and the back! We pulled up on the far side and opened the doors to let the water out. Just after this we were told that there is actually a "chicken track" and we could have crossed in water no deeper than your ankles! - We decied this was the best course for the way back.

Eliot and Twin Falls were amazing and the kids had another swim before we headed back around the main road to Bramwell.

After a days adventure we treated ourselves to the "buffet BBQ" at the restaurant and a few beers.