Day 18-21 Coen to Bamaga

Early start in Coen as our car showed some issues (metal over tyre flipping back on the tyre) we needed to solve. So we stopped at Archer River Roadhouse for a coffee and some hint on how to repair it. Got not only an answer, but the repair with cable ties included & some advice how to move on as well - very pleasant surprise for the morning.

Arriving earlier than planed due too this fast repair, we went past Bramwell Junction not to the Bramwell Junction Tourist Park for the night but to Fruit Bat Falls further north for swimming - for Stuart it was too cold, so he just enjoyed the sun & break from driving. We also went further to the turn off to Elliot Falls, but the street wasn´t in a good condition, so to not further damage our car we turned around.

Back at Bramwell Junction Roadhouse we decided to have a burger (veg available!) and some chips before heading to our accommodation *yummy*

Bramwell Junction Tourist Park offered “basic accommodation”, which meant to our surprise a tiny room fitting 2 small beds and nothing more! Ok, one person was able to stand behind or inbetween the beds. Nothing more – no fridge (had to throw away all cold food), no sink, no chair, no nothing. Air conditioning was very loud and remote was not working, but the smell of some chemical was very strong & persistent. Door open was no option, as many flies and other insects due to the lights outside always on. There were showers and toilets available, but only 5 for all accommodation and everyone camping. Yes, there were basically always queues for going to the shower or the toilet. By the way, toilet and shower in one room, so even for toilet, a queue (and some decided not to wait, just to use the 'outdoor option' behind the accommodation containers, which didn´t make it less smelly). Only good thing: a wallaby with its joey was around in the evening and very early morning.

Unfortunately, we had to stay at this place 2 nights, as there were no accommodations available at Bamaga/Cape York. We tried to make the best out of it, sleeping in, having a shower when the campground was almost empty and reading & planning our trip to Drawin and around.

Next day we started early as there was nothing keeping us at this accommodation, the by far worst one on the trip. We were heading straight to the Jardine River to cross the river. The street after the ferry crossing was very rough and no easy drive at all.

After all the issues, we were relieved and happy to arrive at our next accommodation in Bamaga, which was considerably nicer and we could stay there unexpectedly 2 nights in a room with kitchen before having to move to another room just without a kitchen, saving us from one night at a 'basic accommodation' probably just like Bramwell. Stuart was also very relieved to be able to leave the car again and assisted with looking for better accommodations for the next trip.

On our second day in Bamaga, we started late and drove to Seisia for some beach pictures, eating ice-cream while the rest of the day was booking all the accommodations for our trip to Darwin and around.