Gulf Trip in August- GPS tracks

Hi Bob
We travelled the Gulf Track this time last year.2 vehicles 80 series L'Cruiser/ct &
100 series/double boat trailer. We spent a month travelling from Karumba to Roper River. We found Hema map "The Top End Western Gulf" to be more than adequate.Lawn Hill - Bowthorn Station easy run with both trailers. A must do is a
stop at Bowthorn Station, Kerry McGiness made us most welcome providing morning tea and signing her books which are a great insight to her life "Pieces of Blue" Track to Kingfisher across Bowthorn Station was ok with a few creek crossings. King fisher is a good spot to stay a couple of nights to re-charge the "old " batteries. Nice camping ground "Green Grass & Hot Showers" fishing
is good if you have a boat, river is quite picturesque. Track to Wollogorang was
corrugated down to about 50-60klm/hr comfortable.Station track out to Tully &
massacre inlets is not maintained a bit rough slow drive ok with two trailers.
Tip 1 don't buy fuel at Wollogorang Stn it was a lot cheaper at Hells Gate R.H
if you are travelling that way.
Tip 2 we were charged $50.00/vehicle rubbish deposite at Wollogorang Stn
refundable on exit interestingly nobody wanted to see our rubbish !!!
Track to Roper River was very corrugated to about 40 klms out of Borroloola
which is maintained for the locals.Fishing great at Borroloola locals are helpfull
worth a trip out to Bing Bong especially the fishing,good fishing around West Is.
Quite rough through to Roper River but no problems taking it easy.No Alcohol at
Roper River G.S limited supplies fuel avail;able.nice camp ground a lot of history
a good read "Leichhardt's journal overland expedition in Australia 1844-45"
available from Westprint.
The Gulf track is almost the exact route, another good source of info is "Explore Wild Australia with the Bush Tucker Man" ABC shops.
The is how we found the Gulf Track last year, we all Know things change but
the one thing that stood out after talking to people along the way and seeing those that had trouble is "Take your Time - Drive To The Conditions" and even though there are signs at either end of the track we did see several caravans doing the track and at one creek crossing we noticed that he had a lot of trouble clearing the bank dragging the caravans arse up the bank. One has to ask "Why are the signs there in the first place" To ignore, silly me ???
Hope this is a help to you and anyone else who happens to read it.
My best advice "GO and ENJOY" take your time don't punish yourself or your vehicle.
If you wish any further info or photos drop us your E-mail.
More than happy to help.
Cheers
Barry.

Bob
Q1, no you don't have to book ahead the track goes right past her front door and there is a small sign out front welcoming people for morning tea I guess it all depends if she is home. We had a great chat and morning tea with Kerry she was as much interested in our city lifestyle as we were with her life.
Q2, Tyres - both vehicles/trailers were running New BFG's AT both trailers were about same weight 1400kgs as mentioned before we had the luxury of time and found the tyres were great.
Q3, We stayed at Massacre Inlet,Tully is the nicer of the two but you do have to watch the tides accessing the camp area quite soft sand. Fishing is quiet from the bank much better from a boat, we didn't fish Tully, the Gulf is quite shallow for some distance off shore but we found fishing the incoming tide around any gutters you can find from the shore the best ,nothing to boast about though.
We found the sand flies to be horrendous at massacre the limited camp sites were
full when we first arrived and we camped closer to the water in the sand probably not the smartest idea but we had no choice,the best spot is up on a small rocky
high bank easy to find when you get there hopefully it won't be taken if you decide
to camp at massacre.
The drive across the station is quite good passing a couple of billabongs with plenty of bird life "The feathered kind" !!
Hope this helps, have a great trip.
Barry.