The old telegraph track

 

Over a beer or three plans were made to travel with Pete and Mark onto the start of the Old Telly Track. The morning arrived and we all seemed to pack up at the same time and headed off to have a look at the first part of the track up to Palm Creek. One look at this crossing had me thinking about the bypass as the approaches in and out were very worn. It seems that with so much traffic on this track some of the crossings have become very difficult. So we watched a group of motor bike riders take the plunge and 3 cars on their way back down the track. We all enjoyed watching how diff locks work.

found our first telegraph pole... on the tele track, with Pete and Mark

Sam's first taste of the action

 

We doubled back and headed up to the ranger station bypass and headed into Gunshot Creek. It is not until you see the “Gunshot” creek entry do you realise why this part of the track has such a reputation. It is steep! We had a look at all possible tracks and I settled on one of the chicken tracks (as they are called) in order to make our first camp on the track (there was no way I was going back on that long slow section again). It was a nice steep drop into some water and mud then over the creek up the other side ready to camp… oops got a bit carried away with all the excitement and left Mandy and the kids on the other side of the creek. Having a piggy back across the stream was just as fun. We left Pete and Mark here as they thought better of taking the drop in their cars (thanks for your help getting across fella’s). Very excited we set up the tent and the kids took care of the interior decorating – beds made, but 5pm was too early to turn in kids! It took no convincing for bedtime tonight!

Gunshot - chicken run

our new set up

 

Day two and we were off and running. Not long into the trip we came to Cockatoo Creek, time for morning tea and a quick walk through to check the line.  Another car approached from the other side so I backed up to let them pass and to our disappointment we managed to pick up a tec screw in the front tyre. Our first flat. Thank goodness for the TJM tyre repair kit, it worked a treat, plug in and off we go. The track was great fun and before long we hit Fruit Bat Falls for a well-earned swim. What a glorious place – wide waterfalls, clear water and a depth that the kids could manage well.  Sam and Nick dived in to explore the falls and rocks.  We pushed on after lunch and approached a ‘Ford’ that looked deep and nasty, with no chicken track. There were lots of onlookers trying to gather courage to go across. Lots didn’t, but we decided to push forward. Check out the video below. Note to self, check the hand break before entering water next time. Another few creek crossings before we arrived at camp number 2, Sam Creek and wow what a spot. Beautiful shady sites tucked away under trees, crystal clear drinkable water, a small water fall for our shower, and more swimming holes to explore. This was a 2 nighter, time to relax and soak it all in. Next day we drove back to Elliott Falls and Twin Falls, both beautiful spots to relax in the water.  The deep water was an incredible green, and we were somewhat mesmerised by it.  Great fun crossing 3 creeks again too. That evening when the kids had crashed, out came a Western DVD that Mandy had brought along. It was Dads birthday and is a great way to remember him each year. By the way it was a great pick with The Duke and Kirk Douglas staring in The War Wagon. (The laptop battery only just made it to the end – lucky!)  Next morning we were off to the Jardine…

Fruit Bat Falls

Twin Falls