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Bourkes on Wheels, Long Way Home
Cape York, Old Telegraph Map.

Video of Ed, Gaye and Mark riding along the Overland Telegraph Track

Overland Telegraph Track, Cape York

Gaye and Mark on the Overland Telegraph Track

Ed and Mark, Overland Telegraph Track, Cape York

Ed and Mark on the Overland Telegraph Track

Ed Bourke. Overland Telegraph Track, Cape York

Ed exiting a dry creek bed on the OTL

Gaye Bourke. Overland Telegraph Track. Cape York

Relaxing touring with a minimum of traffic and interesting riding. Sandy patches could be challenging. Our BOB trailers handled the rough terrain well. We rode a lot more of the sand than we expected

Creek crossing on the Overland Telegraph Track.

Cooling the feet of at another creek crossing. While pleasant for us the bikes didn't take too well to regular water immersion.

Mark and Gaye in the Heathlands National Park. OTL. Cape York Peninsula

In the Heathlands National Park. Beautiful scenery and the sand wasn't too bad to ride. Overland Telegraph Track. Cape York Peninsula.

Ed crossing Dulhunti River. Overland Telegraph Track. Cape York Peninsula.

Ed crossing the beautiful Dulhunti River on the Overland Telegraph Track. There's some nice camping on both sides of the river but it's a popular spot.

Gaye, turtles at Sheldon Lagoon. Overland Telegraph Track. Cape York Peninsula

Gaye feeding turtles at Sheldon Lagoon on the OTL. These friendly little fellas were obviously familiar with the opportunies presented by passing travellers.

Mark and Gaye passing 4wd  on the OTL.

We kept running into this couple for several weeks on our travels around Cape York Peninsula. It was always nice to bump into familiar faces and have a chat along the way.

Gaye crossing Cockatoo Creek. Overland Telegraph Track. Cape York Peninsula.

Gaye crossing Cockatoo Creek on the Overland Telegraph Track. Our bags were fairly waterproof so it was always a bit of fun to see if we could ride across the streams. With deep water the trailers would float, wagging from side to side like ducks tails. With running gear and hubs immersed, it's best to keep the maintenance up to the bike. Good hubs, forks, bottom brackets etc don't let in much water but eventually it get's in.

Gunshot Creek, OTL, Cape York Peninsula

The infamous Gunshot Creek. Left: The extreme dropoff shows signs of recent use. Centre: Mark negotiating Gunshot with bike. Right: Vehicle taking one of the less diabolical routes.

Gaye Bourke entering the Northern Telegraph Track.

Gaye entering the northern section of the Telegraph Track.

Scrubby Creek. OTL. Cape York Peninsula

Gaye determining the best route across Scrubby Creek on the OTL near Eliot Falls and Twin Falls. It was considered poor form not to at least attempt riding through the creeks and rivers.

Mark crossing Canal Creek. Cape York Peninsula. Australia

Mark crossing Canal Creek on the northern section of the OTL

Canal Creek. Cape York Peninsula

The sights around Canal Creek on the northern section of the Overland Telegraph Track

Eliot Falls. Cape York Peninsula

Eliot Falls

Twin Falls

Twin Falls

Mark and Ed crossing Sam Creek. OTL. Cape York Peninsula. Australia

Mark and Ed crossing Sam Creek on the northern section of the OTL. The clear pristine waters of these creeks was magic. The hot weather made a dip at each creek compulsory

Gaye. Sam Creek. OTL. Cape York Peninsula

Gaye crossing Sam Creek on the OTL.

Bridge Creek. OTL. Cape York Peninsula

Crossing the belly button deep Bridge Creek. Many a vehicle has come to grief here by sucking water into the motor.

Cypress Creek Bridge. OTL. Cape York Peninsula

I think it'll hold the bike but....4wds? Cypress Creek Bridge on the northern section of the OTL. Vehicles still cross this. As the logs fall away you just throw a few more on.

Main road...corrugations, sand

Our least favourite type of road...heavily corrugated and sandy. This is the main bypass road south of the Jardine River

Jardine River Ferry. Cape York Peninsula. Australia

Crossing the Jardine River on the ferry. This signifies the final leg to the tip.

Mark with his prize damper. Jardine River. Cape York Peninsula

Mark showing off his prize damper at our Jardine River Camp. Done on a Trangia stove, these were much looked forward to each afternoon.

Camping on the Northern banks of the Jardine River

Camping on the Northern banks of the Jardine River