Walcott Inlet

Is that the way via Mt Elizabeth station? Or the other way?

Michael ,

I have been out as far as the Drysdale River ( or 10 kg past that ) and the track was rough in places , but quite OK .

I managed to get bogged once at the furthest point as the road was still closed because of the late wet last year .

I suggest you ring Mt Elizabeth station and ask them what it will be like when you get there , as they maintain the track 9 to a certain extent ).

Phone 08 91914644
Email mt.elizabeth@bigpond.com.au

Great rock art out there .

Have a great time

Willie

The hema map I have (6th edition) shows a track from Mt Elisabeth and also one from Beverley springs. They both end up in the same place though. I can't see Charnley River Station on the map I have, only the pastoral lease area and there are no tracks through it.

As willie has said, contact mt elisabeth and get some info from them.

You can also try to contact the tour operator that ran a tour there, well they did when we went in 2004. try www.bushtracksafaris.com.au/index.html

Road conditions were pretty rough when we went. The trip from mt elisabeth to walcott is two days. Stay there at least one or two nights and then two days drive back out to mt elisabeth. The drive is too long just to drive in have a look and drive out again. There is more info and pics on the bushtrack site listed above. Mt elisabeth or bushtrack will sort out permits for you. Don't take a trailer, road is too rough for that. Along the way there is a camping spot set up, or there are a few other creeks to camp alongside too, but can recommend the Bachsten Bush Camp. Again see the above website for more pics.

I loved the drive in, mostly 20 to 30 km/h tops. Go slow and enjoy it.

Do a search of this forum on "walcott" and see what has been previously written by me, willie and others.

cheers

sdr00y

Track is rough, rocky (in places) and slow but not hugely tricky. As the above folks said for permits plus Beverly Springs Station if you want to go that way. We went in & out in 2004 via Mt Elizibeth. Beverly Springs track was still closed after the Wet. Country is fantastic. One of our favourites. Well worth doing. Ask Bush Track Safaris for their trek notes. You'll find heaps of cool stuff & spots. Look up side tracks. Don't rush if you've got the time. We took 5 days in and 3 days out but we are easily amused.

Cheers

Dodgin

As above, slow going

We went a fews years ago, the track was over grown and was hard to find at times, I think no one had been out there for a season.

Plenty of creek crossings with water

One section was appropriatly named 8 hour bogg, we done it in about 4hrs with 7 vehicles

Once out there from memory it is mainly tidal mud banks with the odd croc

got plenty of pics if you want.
not sure how to put them here.

ric

yep, slow going, and you'll need good ground clearance on the jumpups, which are usually very washed out and rocky.
It's a 2-day drive from Mt Elizabeth, using Bachsten Creek as the midway camping spot. Bachsten is worth staying several days, as the surrounds there are brilliant; rock art, waterfalls, etc. A week is worth it there.
The track in to Walcott follows the Calder river for some distance. I am told that salties go a long way up that river, probably right up to the crossing at the top end.
Walcott is tidal, with muddy water racing in and out. Full of salties, but have seen people put a tinnie in for barras. Count me out! No fresh water there, and shade is limited - a few boabs at Lone Dingo. We camped about 20km back on Brockman River, which did have fresh water and shade. Thought I heard a croc during the night, but it was hopefully a freshie!
Walcott (Munja landing) looks like it was a port once for Pantajin station to the north, as there is evidence of a ferry/lighter, etc, and assume boats came into the inlet. Also there was a leprosorium there till the 50's.
It's a magic trip, and the drive in and out is part of the adventure, passing thru some fantastic country. Just make sure you're prepared for anything, getting stuck or bogged, things breaking, and have enough fuel.
Mt Elizabeth arranges the permits etc and charges a fee. You once could get in from the south via Charnley River station (was Beverley Springs), but not sure about that access now.
cheers,
Gerry

Thanks for all the replies.

This sounds like a great trek. I will definitely be going at least as far as Bachsten Camp. Planning to leave Gosford NSW on 02/06/07.

Michael