Day 16 – Musgrave to Bramwell Junction Road House (wed May 9^th)

This morning was our coldest so far, at only 18 degrees, the camper canvas was quite wet from all the dew.  Being in no rush, we waited for the camper to dry out a little before packing up.

Our first stop today was the sExchange hotel in Coen, we called in for a drink. It’s real name is The Exchange Hotel, but someone climbed up and added an s and the name has stuck.  We topped up our fuel here at $1.84/L (Diesel)

Inside the Sexchange Hotel

 

The road crosses the Coen River about 3kms north of Coen, we stopped here to check out the free camp spots along both sides of the river. This free bush camp is known as ‘the bend’ and looks like a great spot, i think we will camp here on the way back down from the Tip. They have a drop toilet, and no other facilities.

It was then onto the Archer River Road House for lunch, where we had one of the famous Archer Burgers, it was worth the wait and the $10.50 we paid.  The camp grounds here look really nice, with heaps of shade under big trees and nice green grass.  

Sienna sitting in Russ Hinze's Chair

The Memorial for Toots Holzheimer - A pioneering Legend of The Cape

We then crossed the Archer River, which many years ago, crossing was a real terror, but now spanned by a concrete causeway is a breeze.

Further north we veered of the PDR which goes to Weipa and followed the OTL towards the Wenlock river, Bamaga and the TIP.  

Not long after we turned of the PDR

On the banks of the Wenlock River near the Moreton Telegraph Station was the original site for Linda Rowe’s Croc Tent, before she moved it to Lockerbie near the Tip.

The Wenlock River

We camped at the Bramwell Junction Road House, which is at the junction of the southern bypass road and where the OTL track heads north.  The caretakers were so friendly and helpful. The campground is great, with real outback camping, surrounded by Anthills.  There are shelter sheds here, water, your own fire pit and power if you need.  Fees are $20/night for 2 adults, kids under school age free.

Our own Anthill at our campsite

 They switch their generator of at 8.30pm each night, so it was dead quiet apart from the cattle mooing in the distance. It was a beautiful clear night, the stars were magic!