Cape York 2014

• 3 VW Amaroks
• 13 people
• 2,908 kms
• 12 nights camping
• 4 casks of dodgy wine
• I lost count of how much beer..................

We have just completed a trip to Cape York which we had originally planned to do in 2003, pre-children, with the Jamiesons and then I got pregnant with Tess.  It's taken 11 years to re-organise and during that time we managed to recruit the Mennies.  What an adventure travelling to the northernmost tip of Australia on dirt roads with a few fantastic river crossings thrown in.  The highlight was the campsite at Punsand Bay which we weren't originally planning on staying at but after a wonderful lunch in their beachside cafe we upped sticks from our camp at Seisia and had 2 fantastic days lazing by the beach and pool - it was like camping in Fiji but sadly you can't swim in the sea.  In fact it's almost torturous visiting all these amazing beaches and not being able to swim at a single one of them regardless of the temperature.  Another highlight was the helicopter ride that the kids and Jules did at Punsand Bay - the doors were left off and the pilot finished the ride by doing a big dipper which looked very scary from the ground and had the kids screaming for more!  Although we did a fair bit of driving the kids all did brilliantly - thank goodness for the roadhouse stops where we were able to bribe them with ice creams and sweets - and loved being on a big adventure with their friends.  

Our trusty vehicles

The sign at our first night camping spot

 I'm not sure this is the croc we were being warned about - he was only little

 Lots of long straight roads and red dirt

 When supplies got low we resorted to coconuts ;)

A common sight and one which maddened me but when travelling in a group you have to go with the flow

For a countryside filled with man-eating crocs we managed a lot of creek swimming

A good time to catch up on some sleep

The Britz Team at The Tip!

 The 7 kids

Tom, Fletcher and Hunter looking clean because it was the first night

Sadly we weren't allowed to do much of the Telegraph Track but the little bits we did do were fantastic

 McPhersons at The Tip

 Jules & Craig with some fine facial hair

 Breakfast at Bramwell Station - another highlight

 Punsand Bay Camping - a beautiful spot

 A freshwater shower at Fruit Bat Falls

Tess looking dirty....

 Tom looking dirty!!