Telegraph Track — Bramwell Junction to Bamaga via the Old Telegraph Line
Gunshot Creek doesn't forgive the unprepared.
The Telegraph Track is the original Cape York run — the track bulldozed alongside the old Overland Telegraph Line in the 1880s and left largely raw ever since. From Bramwell Junction north to Bamaga the route crosses roughly 30 creek crossings in 220 km, with the notorious Gunshot Creek descent (a near-vertical red clay wall) and Nolan’s Brook (a deep, rock-bottomed channel crossing that turns brown and fast after any rain) as the defining obstacles. Every wet season the jungle reclaims the banks, drops new trees across the track, and rearranges the creek beds. The track you drove last year is a different beast this year.
Dry season only — June through September is the window. Even then, recent rain upstream can make Nolan’s or the Wenlock River crossings genuinely dangerous. You need a snorkel at minimum; a raised air intake and waterproofed electricals are assumed. Most people run it north in 3–4 days with recovery gear, a MaxTrax set, a good hi-lift, and a travel partner. Fuel from Weipa or Coen; no resupply on the track. The payoff is reaching the tip of mainland Australia at Cape York Point — a milestone that means something after what the track puts you through.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 137 mi / 220 km |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 820 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Snorkelled 4WD high-clearance, two vehicles recommended |
| Nearest town | Bamaga, Queensland |
| Land manager | Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Queensland Parks — Cape York info Queensland Gov — Cape York travel info |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted Hilux or stock Land Cruiser 200 Series handle the Telegraph Track, or do I need serious modifications?
A stock LC200 or Prado will get eaten alive at Gunshot Creek and Nolan's Brook without a snorkel, long-travel suspension, and a quality locker front and rear. Most rigs that successfully complete the full track are heavily modified — skid plates, dual batteries, onboard air, and a winch are not optional extras here. If your rig isn't snorkelled and locked, take the bypass tracks and skip the main creek crossings.
When does the Telegraph Track open and close each year?
The track is only viable in the dry season, roughly June through September. Wet season (October to May) turns the entire corridor into impassable mud and the creek crossings become genuinely life-threatening flood channels — Queensland Parks has recorded fatal incidents during wet-season attempts. Don't gamble on an early or late window; conditions can deteriorate overnight.
Do I need a permit to drive the Telegraph Track or camp along it?
No specific track permit is required to drive the Telegraph Track itself, but camping at designated sites within Cape York national park areas requires a Queensland Parks camping permit booked through their online system. Some sections cross Aboriginal land — check current land access permissions with the Cape York Land Council before you go, as requirements can change.
What actually happens at Gunshot Creek and how bad is the hardest section?
Gunshot Creek features a near-vertical descent of around 4–5 metres into a rocky creek bed — drivers have rolled vehicles, snapped chassis rails, and been pulled out by winch or other rigs on this single obstacle. The bypass line to the right is less brutal but still serious. Plan on ratchet straps, a winch-equipped spotter, and at minimum 30–45 minutes per vehicle to get the group through safely.
Is there any fuel or supplies between Bramwell Junction and Bamaga, and how much range do I need?
There is no fuel between Bramwell Junction and Bamaga — the full 220 km must be covered on what you carry, factoring in the low-range crawling that will destroy your fuel economy. Carry a minimum of 50–60 litres of spare fuel on top of a full tank, and stock food and water for at least 5 days in case a recovery situation pins your group. The nearest mechanical help is Bamaga or Cairns, both a very long way from the deep track.
Trail track
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