Random Adventure #1 - Isabella Falls, Cape York, Queensland



The Cape York Road

The customary morning rain had finally let up. Even the locals had remarked on this dry season's uncharacteristic wet spell – normally by mid-July they'd have the sprinklers going to kill the dust and save the lawns. But 2010 was an aberration. Of course!

Now the sun turned every drop to sparkles in the Endeavour Falls Tourist Park, almost (but not quite!) dissipating our cabin fever. The only real antidote was to get out and about.

We'd already been to nearby Cooktown.  So ... where to go?  Up the road and round the corner into absolute virgin territory*, of course!

Isabella Falls marks the first of countless river crossings en route to Cape York via Lakefield National Park. This 1000+ km trek** up the Cape where extensive red mud coverage is a vehicle's badge of honour is the ultimate Aussie 4WD adventure – and a pleasure that still awaits us.


But it's not all moonlight and magnolias on the Cape York road – in fact it's more like beer and skittles. 

 

Isabella Falls



Leaving empties in the fireplace and carving initials on the tree at the Isabella Falls campsite; and driving like you're in the lead on an imaginary road race is apparently de rigueur! Unfortunate pedestrians – and even other vehicles – under the illusion that they're sharing the road may find this 'take no prisoners' driving technique a little disconcerting!!



The spectacularly beautiful setting makes a perfect vantage point to be amazed by the brutally entertaining anarchy that is a tacit part of the Cape York experience.

 

Low Loader crossing above Isabella Falls



But the pièce de résistance? This low loader laden with a couple of bulldozers navigating the deep and uneven crossing without a) significantly slowing down; b) toppling over the falls; or c) taking out any pedestrians or parked cars!!

Cabin fever?  What cabin fever??



And as an extra bonus, it's the closest we've yet come to Australia's northernmost point!

One day we'll go all the way!!

* absolute virgin territory – where neither of us has ever been before

 

** depending where you start from!