Telegraph Track — Cape York to Bamaga via the Old Overland Telegraph Line
The tip of Australia. Earn every metre.
The Telegraph Track follows the route of the 1886 overland telegraph line up the spine of Cape York Peninsula, running roughly 580 km from just north of Musgrave to Bamaga near the tip of Australia. It’s not one road — it’s a series of decisions. Nolan’s Brook, Gunshot Creek, and Bertie Creek are the checkpoints that sort the prepared from the hopeful. Gunshot, with its near-vertical entry and rocky scramble out, has bent more chassis and broken more pride than any other single obstacle in Australia. Some parties bypass the worst sections on the bypass tracks; the honest ones go straight down the main line and deal with whatever they find.
This is a Difficult-to-Expert route depending on the line you take and the season. A well-set-up 4WD with a snorkel, dual batteries, recovery gear, and a minimum 200L of fuel capacity is the baseline — fuel is limited and expensive at Coen, Musgrave, and Bamaga. Run it dry season only: June through August is the sweet spot. Crocs are real in the river crossings — don’t linger. The payoff is genuine: standing at the tip of the Australian continent, surrounded by torres strait blue, having earned every metre of it.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 360 mi / 580 km |
| Duration | 7-12 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 1150 ft |
| Best season | June-August |
| Minimum vehicle | Snorkelled 4WD with recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Coen, Queensland |
| Land manager | Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | qld.gov.au |
| 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 4Runner or Land Cruiser run the Telegraph Track stock, or do I need serious mods?
A snorkel is non-negotiable — creek crossings like Gunshot and Nolan's Brook can swallow an engine bay without one. High clearance, a locker or two, and a full recovery kit (MaxTrax, snatch strap, hi-lift) are the baseline. A stock lifted 4Runner without a snorkel has no business on this track.
Is the Telegraph Track open year-round?
No. The wet season (November–April) closes the track entirely — crossings flood to uncrossable depths and the red dirt turns to axle-deep mud. June through August is the prime window: dry, cooler, and the creeks are at their most manageable.
Do I need a permit to drive the Telegraph Track?
No permit is required for the main track itself, but you'll need a permit to enter some adjacent national parks and Aboriginal land along the route — particularly for Pajinka (the Tip). Check Queensland Parks and Wildlife and the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council before you leave. Some camping areas charge a small fee.
How bad is Gunshot Creek, and can I bypass it?
Gunshot is a near-vertical 6–8 metre drop into a creek crossing — it has rolled and destroyed plenty of vehicles. There is a bypass track around it if you're not confident, and there's no shame in taking it. The crossing itself requires precise line choice, low-range first, and ideally a spotter; one wrong move and you're on your roof.
Is there any fuel or resupply between Coen and Bamaga, and how much range do I need?
Fuel is available at Coen, Moreton Telegraph Station, Bramwell Junction, and Bamaga, but don't count on consistent supply or reasonable prices at every stop. Carry a minimum 200-litre fuel capacity — a long-range tank plus jerry cans — and treat every fill-up as essential. There are zero service stations on the track itself.
Trail track
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