This is part of a series of articles about how to have TWO EPIC WEEKS IN THE CAPE FOR $1500! If you haven’t read the first part we recommend heading back to Part 1 and reading through for an absolute cracker of a time up in wild and wonderful Far North Queensland!

DAY 8: FRENCHMAN’S TRACK TO BRAMWELL STATION

From the campsite on the banks of the Wenlock all the way out to the PDR is relatively easy going, but there are a few swampy sections of track to navigate your way through. Use the logic that if it looks boggy, it probably is, so tread carefully. Back onto the PDR and it’s high-range dirt all the way up to Bramwell Junction, which is where the Telegraph Track splits from the main dirt highway. You can camp at the back of the roadhouse, but we reckon a good bet is Bramwell Station which is about five kays south. The campsite’s a bit quieter owing to the fact that you’re not camped on the main track. The majority of campers at either Bramwell Roadhouse or Station, will be heading north up the Tele the next day, so if you are looking for a travel mate, just say g’day to whoever’s camped!

Distance travelled: 120km

Rough fuel cost: $40

Camping fees for the night: $10/person per night

DAY 9: BRAMWELL STATION TO CANAL CREEK CAMPSITE

Now it’s time for the Tele Track! It’s the iconic track that 4WDers travel all over the country to experience. Fuel up at Bramwell Roadhouse and then it’s time for a pic at that iconic brown sign before putting the transfer into low-range. The perfect timeframe for the Tele is two days in our opinion. If you’ve got more time up your sleeve then even better, you can travel less and camp longer but two days and a night is pretty spot on. The Tele comes back onto the PDR about halfway up, just before the famous Fruitbat Falls. Camping here is paid and needs to be pre-booked, but have a swim and then continue a couple of kays down the road to the smaller but stunning Canal Creek. This campsite’s better, and it’s free! There’s heaps of free camping on either side bank in your Adventure Kings Swag or Roof Top Tent, and there’s nothing like sinking a couple of coldies from your Adventure Kings 60L Fridge/Freezer in the crystal clear water as the sun sets. Plus, if you need a dunny when nature calls, the long-drops at Elliot Falls are less than a kay up the road.

Distance travelled: 70km

Rough fuel cost: $80 (remember there’s a lot of low range driving to be done)

Camping fees for the night: $0

DAY 10: CANAL CREEK TO JARDINE RIVER CAMPSITE

The second half of the Tele Track is every bit as enjoyable as the first. You’ll even cross the infamous but incredibly pretty Nolan’s Brook. Just take your time, let the sand settle for at least 10 minutes between vehicle crossings, drop your tyre pressures with a Kwiky Tyre Deflator to 10psi and idle across. Have the recovery gear ready and ideally have another vehicle on standby but unless you panic and spin your tyres you’ll be fine. After Nolan’s you’ll come across a small sign that indicates a left turn to the Jardine River Ferry, note this turn-off for tomorrow. Continue straight for another 10km or so to come to the beautiful grassy campsites right on the banks of the Jardine River. By now it’ll be about beer o’clock so this is home for the night.

Distance travelled: 80km

Rough fuel cost: $100

Camping fees for the night: $0

To be continued…