Nolan’s Brook Crossing — Cape York Telegraph Track Notorious Deep Water Ford

Nolan’s Brook sits on the Old Telegraph Track north of the Wenlock River crossing and is one of the crossings that separates the cautious from the committed. The brook runs through a steep-sided cutting with a rocky, uneven bottom. Depths vary wildly with rainfall — in a wet year it can run chest-deep on a standard GXL 200 Series with little warning. The entry and exit angles are steep and rutted from years of axle-deep abuse. You’ll find vehicles winched out here every season, and the tree stumps on the bank tell their own story.

Don’t rely on conditions from yesterday’s camp — Nolan’s can rise 300mm overnight after upstream rain. Check the bottom on foot before committing. Standard high-clearance 4WD is minimum; a snorkel is strongly recommended. Peak crossings happen June–August during the dry season run. If it’s running dirty and fast, camp and wait — there’s no shame in it.

The brook that's ended many a Cape York run.