Cape York Tip access: Wait times of up to two hours reported at ‘running hot’ Jardine River ferry

Waiting times of up to two hours and lines stretching for 1.5km have resulted in impatient campers taking on a croc-infested crossing in their bid to get to the Cape York tip. WATCH VIDEO

WAITING times of up to two hours and lines stretching for 1.5km have resulted in impatient campers taking on a dangerous croc-infested crossing in their bid to get to the Cape York tip.

The Jardine Ferry has been overwhelmed throughout the school holiday period and into July with many motorists skipping the queue and driving through the old “Telecom crossing” where a man was taken by a saltie in the 70s.

More than 5700 vehicles were recorded heading north through June – around 1600 more than last year – and the rush is showing no sign of slowing down.

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It has prompted Gudang Yadhaykenu Aboriginal Corporation chairman Michael Solomon to caution against “desperate” tourists putting themselves in harm’s way at the crossing.

“We’ve seen many people getting desperate and using the old Telecom crossing and there are a lot of big crocs there,” he said.

“I remember when I was a boy and a croc ate a man at that exact spot. It’s how the crossing got its name because it happened when Telecom workers were going through it.

“It has definitely been busy, running hot, the same number of tourists going out as coming in.”

Mr Solomon dismissed any talk of the construction of a bridge to alleviate congestion, first debated before the Covid-19 pandemic in 2019, but welcomed plans to replace the current ageing and unreliable ferry.

Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council received $1.74m last month in Queensland Government funding for a new, larger vessel.

“We don’t want to hear any talk about a bridge, but maybe a brand new ferry could be good,” he said.

“There would be a lot of activities after hours and more police needed if there was bridge.”

Archer River Road House manager Modena Allan said there had been no shortage of fuel for motorists despite the crowds, and welcomed the possibility of a new ferry.

“Everyone has just embraced it was going to be a busier year,” she said.

“People are just happy to make it to the tip and there has been a lot of smiling kids.

“We have slowed down a little bit post school holidays but it’s still busy.”

Morton Telegraph Station owner Mike Hinz said he’d seen a noticeable increase in caravans and campervans this year.

Brad Allan (L) and Hugh Atherton, owners of the Archer River Roadhouse near Aurukun on Western Cape York.

“I think there has been a lot more people with caravans and trailers hooked up than there has ever been,” he said.

“Some travellers have commented on the long waits to the Jardine River ferry, but with more caravans and more campervans you can’t fit as many cars on it.”
Trish Wells from the Bramwell Tourist Park said it had been “a continuous flow of tourists” since June.

“It hasn’t stopped,” she said.

“Our buffet dinner has been booked out two or three nights in advance.

“We were sitting here waiting for the dust to rise last year because of Covid.”

It comes as plans for a $10 fee to access the Cape Tork tip has been shelved until 2022.

Originally published as Cape York Tip access: Wait times of up to two hours reported at ‘running hot’ Jardine River ferry