🚗 Theme: 4WD Adventure, Cape York, Off-road caravanning (base camping)
☀️ Best Time to Visit: Dry season (approx. May–October)
⭐ Highlights: Old Telegraph Track (OTT), Palm Creek, Gunshot Creek, Fruit Bat Falls, Nolan’s Brook
💰 Cost: Bramwell Station accommodation fee + free camping options
Overview – Why This Matters
What this guide solves: How to experience the famous Old Telegraph Track (OTT) on a Cape York trip without towing your caravan on the notoriously tough track itself.
What you will learn: How to set up a caravan base camp and tackle the OTT in sections as a day trip, covering key crossings like Gunshot and Nolan’s.
Best For:
- Caravanners wanting to base camp
- Families with lightly modified 4WDs
- First-time OTT adventurers
Key Takeaways
Base Camp is Key: Not all caravans suit the OTT. A great method is leaving your caravan at a base camp like Bramwell Station or the ‘Gravel Pit’ near Fruit Bat Falls.
Day Trips are Achievable: The southern and northern sections can be tackled as separate, full-day 4WD trips, allowing you to return to your van at night.
Know Your Limits: Famous obstacles like Gunshot Creek are often for spectators but bypass tracks make progress possible for most vehicles.
Water Levels Vary: We visited in late September when water levels were manageable, but crossings like Nolan’s Brook remain deep and challenging.
Words and Photos: The Adventuring Pals
We have just come back from an epic caravanning trip up to the Northern most point of the Australian mainland, Cape York. And even though we had no intentions to do so, we ended up driving a fair chunk of the Old Telegraph Track (OTT) on our way up. We still had all the comforts of our caravan every night without taking it onto the track. Here’s how we did it:
Days 1-2: Base Camp at Bramwell and the Southern OTT
Once on the Peninsula Development Road (PDR), we spent our first night camping at Bramwell Station. We stayed two nights, leaving our vans behind and giving us a whole day to tackle the southern section of the OTT.
We were rolling out by 8am with 6 cars in convoy. All just lightly modified touring cars and like-minded families with the aim to have a good time rather than challenging ourselves and our vehicles on the notoriously tough lines.
Tackling Palm Creek
After posing for pics at the OTT sign we set off, the first obstacle: Palm Creek. Being late September, the creek itself was dry but the main line, however, was a sheer drop, thankfully, there was an alternate chicken track, and with a bit of planning and guidance from the convoy, we all crossed and continued north.
Most of the drive was easy going with some difficulty at the creek crossings, all of which had running water we could have a quick dip in to cool off. We then reached the infamous Gunshot Creek.
Viewing the Spectacle at Gunshot Creek
No alternative track seemed drivable for us, so we walked down and watched braver and bolder vehicles attempt the sheer drop. It was quite the spectacle!
Gunshot having bypass tracks on either side made it easy for us to exit onto the PDR and be back home by 5pm, in time for happy hour.
“Gunshot having bypass tracks on either side made it easy for us to exit onto the PDR and be back home by 5pm, in time for happy hour”
Days 3-4: Fruit Bat Falls and the Northern OTT
The next day we moved our caravans to the gravel pit near the entrance to Fruit Bat Falls, an off grid free camp. Here we spent a whole day enjoying Fruit Bat, Eliot and Twin Falls.
After a day of relaxation, we were eager to have crack at some of the highlights of the northern OTT.
Taking a bypass track which brought us in between Mistake Creek and Sam Creek, we ventured to check out Sam creek as it was famed to be the prettiest of all the creeks on the OTT.
We moved on north again across Cypress Bridge and onto Mistake Creek. It was still running deep and as we contemplated on whether to cross, another couple came down and swiftly crossed, making it look easy.
Navigating the Northern Creek Crossings
We were also told that this is the deepest crossing until Nolan’s and so we mustered up some courage and one by one made it across.
Beaming with confidence and excitement, we adventured on northwards. However, contrary to what we were told, the creek crossings got deeper and more challenging, yet we managed to safely navigate them all. Until we reached Nolan’s Brook.
We were hit with the grim realisation that the bypass track is on the northern side of the creek and were faced with the dilemma of backtracking or driving through the deep, water crossing.
“We were hit with the grim realisation that the bypass track is on the northern side of the creek”
Conquering Nolan’s Brook with Help
After much debate, frenzied chatter and strategic planning amongst the crew we watched a couple of other vehicles cross unhindered. They kindly offered to help recover us if things went wrong, so with this assurance we crossed Nolan’s.
Final Thoughts: Experiencing the OTT Without the Tow Rig
The first of our crew crossed and made it look easy. Then the next and then the last vehicle who didn’t have a snorkel fitted, required a bit more prep, but it too made it through without an issue.
Now we could all relax in the refreshing creek relieved and reflect back on how we managed to drive most of the Old Tele Track, without having the intentions to do so at the start of our trip, all while staying in our caravans.
Highlights & Practical Info
| Top Experiences | Practical Info |
| Driving the southern OTT from Bramwell Station. | Road Accessibility: The OTT is 4WD only and challenging. Bypass tracks are available for some obstacles. |
| Watching vehicles attempt the drop at Gunshot Creek. | Proximity: The southern section is accessible from Bramwell Station. |
| Conquering the deep crossing at Nolan’s Brook. | Happy Hour: Departing early gave us time to return Bramwell Station for Happy Hour. |
| Seasonality: Creek levels vary. This trip was in late September when Palm Creek was dry, but northern creeks were deep. |
Cape York Day Trip Checklist
Before leaving your caravan for a day on the track, make sure your 4WD is equipped:
- Full tank of fuel
- Recovery gear (snatch strap, rated recovery points, winch)
- Tyre deflator and compressor
- UHF radio for convoy communication
- Ample water and food for the day
- First-aid kit
- Vehicle snorkel (highly recommended for northern crossings)
Related Reads
- Find more Holiday Parks to plan your trip [/plan/bramwell-station-review/]
Q: Can you take a caravan on the Old Telegraph Track?
A: Yes, but only if you are fully prepared. Towing on the Old Telegraph Track (OTT) is an extreme undertaking and not suitable for most caravans. It requires a dedicated, compact off-road van, extensive 4WD experience and advanced recovery preparation.
The far more common and recommended approach is to park your caravan at a base camp, like Bramwell Station or near Fruit Bat Falls, and tackle the track as a 4WD-only day trip.
Q: What is the hardest part of the Old Telegraph Track?
A: The OTT is famous for challenging obstacles. Gunshot Creek features a sheer drop, though bypass tracks are available. Nolan’s Brook is a notoriously deep water crossing that requires careful planning and often a snorkel.
Q: Where can you camp with a caravan to access the OTT?
A: You can base camp at Bramwell Station to access the southern section of the OTT. For the northern section, you can use the off-grid free camp at the gravel pit near the entrance to Fruit Bat Falls.
