After first unloading excess contents of the camper (including the tent, too vulnerable in crocodile country) we finally set off for Weipa and Cape York. 

We opted to take the by pass road directly to the tip, then work our way back via the various camp sites and river crossings, so that we were not under any time pressures. This turned out to be a sound decision as Avan missed a refuel stop and we had to hope the diesel outlet at Jardine Ferry would be open, just to make it, let alone do side trips. All went well except for picking up a nail in the rear tyre, just as the front ones hit the bitumen (After 1000 odd kl of gravel - unbelievable!) and we made it to Bamaga.

From there we travelled to the tip, took the obligatory photos, then moved to Sommerset Beach (the original administration town for Cape York and Thursday Island, but now abandoned) for several days relaxed camping. 

We then returned to Bamaga and arranged to take the next days ferry to Thursday Island. This proved to be a very enjoyable, albeit we thought, expensive trip.

Feeling that we had finished with the tip, we headed off to try and catch the Jardine Ferry before it closed for the evening. We arrived to find a large group of vehicles on the south side and just us on ours and the ferry broken down. After much shouting across the river and disagreement with local aborigines (they were concerned the travellers would not pay the $88 crossing fee but after I suggested they write down the number plates all was OK) we agreed to tow a vehicle across on the ferry with our 4wd which we did. They in turn then towed us back across and we left on our way, amidst many cheers.

We then worked our way down the old telegraph line visiting many scenic spots such as fruit bat falls and twin falls. We also conquered all the river crossings except the infamous gunshot crossing which we opted to take about a 30k bypass. After several days we arrived for a well earned caravan park stop in the larger town of Weipa.
 
While at Weipa we took the road up to old Mapoon, where we had an entertaining time swapping yarns with an old aborigine elder and also tried our hand at some fishing.