Cape York Telegraph Track — Bramwell Station to Moreton Telegraph Station via Gunshot Creek and Nolan’s Brook (Classic Wet Season Attempt)
Gunshot Creek earns its name every time.
The Old Telegraph Track between Bramwell Station and Moreton Telegraph Station is where Cape York separates the serious from the sorted. Gunshot Creek is the gatekeeper — a near-vertical, loose-rock descent into a creek crossing that has claimed diffs, roof racks, and pride since the 1980s. You can bypass it on the PDR (Peninsula Development Road) if you’re honest about your rig’s limits, but those who drop in earn the story. Nolan’s Brook further north runs wide and fast in the wet, and the croc risk is real — you scan the banks, you cross quickly, you don’t linger. The track itself is a red dirt and sand corridor through scrub and palm forests, punctuated by creek crossings that change character every season.
Wet season (November–April) is when this stretch becomes genuinely expert territory — creek levels rise without warning, tracks turn to bog, and self-recovery gear is not optional, it’s survival equipment. Dry season (June–September) tames most crossings to Difficult level but Gunshot stays serious year-round. You need a modified high-clearance 4WD with snorkel, dual batteries, MaxTrax or equivalent, a comprehensive recovery kit, and a sat comms device — no cell service out here. Fuel at Bramwell Station (check hours in advance) and Seisia at the tip. This is remote Australia at its most genuine and most beautiful.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 93 mi / 150 km |
| Duration | 3-5 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 820 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified high-clearance 4WD with snorkel and full recovery kit |
| Nearest town | Coen, Queensland |
| Land manager | Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads / Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Queensland TMR Cape York page Queensland NPSR Cape York info |
| Verified | |
| 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 stock 4WD with a snorkel handle this section, or does it need serious mods?
A stock snorkelled 4WD will not cut it here. Gunshot Creek requires a properly built rig — reinforced suspension, a quality winch rated to at least 9,500 lbs, extended diff breathers, bash plates, and a full recovery kit as a minimum. Most rigs that limp out of Gunshot were underprepared.
Is this section passable in the wet season, and what's the actual window?
The classic 'wet season attempt' is a serious undertaking — Gunshot and Nolan's Brook become genuinely life-threatening when flooded, and the track can close without notice between October and May. The reliable window is June through September; outside that, check Queensland TMR road conditions before you even leave Coen.
Do you need any permits or entry fees to drive the Old Telegraph Track through this section?
You need a permit to cross Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land, which covers parts of this route — apply through the Cape York Peninsula Land Council before departure. There's no toll or park entry fee for the track itself, but don't skip the land permit; rangers do check.
What exactly happens at Gunshot Creek and how bad is the hardest descent?
Gunshot Creek's main descent is near-vertical — some lines drop 10–12 metres at extreme angles into a rocky creek bed, and rollovers are common for vehicles without a winch anchor and a spotter who knows what they're doing. Most groups winch down rather than drive it; the bypass lines exist but still require serious approach angles and clearance.
Where do you fuel up, and how far is the nearest reliable diesel between Bramwell Station and Moreton?
There is no fuel on the track between Bramwell Junction Roadhouse and Moreton — that's the full 150 km of this section with nothing in between. Carry all fuel you need plus a reserve; the nearest next option north is Bamaga, and the roadhouse at Bramwell itself has limited hours and stock, so fill completely before you leave.
Trail track
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