The Top End

My first trip to the Cape was to Fruit Bat Falls. I caught the ferry to Seisia, and then travelled south through Bamaga stopping long enough to capture a photograph of a Palm Cockatoo - an endemic species to the cape and my first tick for the day. 

Palm Cockatoo

Coming through Bamaga you have to be aware of all the wild horses that roam freely throughout the town and surrounding areas and are likely to decide to cross the road at any given moment. Take care not to hit one - because they are locally owned and, it will cost you. We got lunch at the Bamaga Roadhouse .... 

Our next stop was at the old DC3 crash site. The wreck is a RAF plane that went down during WW2 carrying staff and supplies. The wreck site is quite well maintained and you can still see the scars on the land where the aircraft came down in a heavily forested area.We then continued south along the Bamaga Road to the Jardine River Crossing. 

Give yourself plenty of time in the peak season due to the queues and make sure you avoid the lunch break because the ferrymen do stop for their breaks despite the numbers waiting.There is a camp ground here if you wish to stay as well as many others along the way. It should be noted that most guides give instructions for the drive heading north starting at Bramwell Junction.  So if it seems a little confusing bear that in mind. 

Bamaga Road heading south towards the Jardine River Crossing

One of the most satisfying parts of the day for me was being back on the red roads of the outback. I think I am at my happiest in the bush and to leave the island for a day and spend the day driving and exploring the cape was a treat. The terrain is quite spectacular - alternating between heathlands and banksia forests with some of the largest termite mounds I think I have ever seen. The road had been recently graded on this trip with minimal corregations present.

Junction to Fruit Bat Falls

Take the sign posted turn off into Fruitbat Falls - which has a picnic area and toilets available. This is a day area only so no camping. It is an easy walk down to the falls for some spectacular views and a refreshing swim. There are a few options here - you can swim under the falls or in the plunge pool above. Quite refreshing on a warm day.

Fruit Bat Falls

Board walk from day parking area to the Falls

The plunge pool

The bush here is worth spending time to explore too with - carnivorous plants such as pitcher plants and sundews. If you have an eagle eye you can also spot black ordchids amongst the banksias and eucalypts.

Banksia

Pitcher Plant found along the boardwalk at Fruit Bat Falls

An interesting little billabong we spied along the way. There were heaps of sundew on the ground.

Elliot creek was too high to cross this day so we were unable to visit Twin and Elliot Falls and so we took the time to stop in at Injinoo - (One of the communities that make up the Northern Peninsula Area) on our way back to meet the afternoon ferry back to Thursday Island.

Injinoo Cemetery

Injinoo Waterfront