We stayed a couple of days at Childers to have a break from driving. Childers had the unfortunate tragedy of the Palace backpackers burning down, killing two Aussie (twin girls) and thirteen overseas kids. (see our story July 2nd 2000 Fraser Island) The site now houses a very tasteful memorial to those who died.As we were leaving Childers we happened on an electricity transformer (80 ton?) lying in the main street. It had fallen from the back of a truck, which on...

Back in Cairns we again caught up with Graham & Rach, and enjoying several meals together. Graham also down loaded his photo's to disc on our computer. They were also responsible for putting us on to travelpod, as our own site had just corrupted. With the 7 weeks to spare we decided to take the opportunity to plan an Overseas trip and use up our FF points. This proved to be frustrating, but eventually we received some invaluable help from Flight Centre and we...

The photos tell the story. We were travelling along quite slow when a large wash away, collapsed, dragging one rear tyre into the ditch, tipping us over. The engine could not be turned off, as the motor began to burn sump oil, instead of diesel. The result being the motor revving until the oil was used, then overheating and this blew up the motor. We broke a back window to get out, with the vehicle revving out of control, choking black smoke was everywhere and we...

On leaving Weipa we cut across the track again and took the not recommended Frenchmens track (as it is very rough and Pascoes crossing can be impassable) over to the east coast and one of our most favourite spots Chilli Beach near the Lockhart River Aboriginal Community. Here we met up with Graham and Rachel an English couple, travelling in a vehicle the same as ours. We set up the porta-bote and Avan and Graham spent a couple of days going out fishing. A shark ...

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, jus...