The OTT is a rough and tight 4WD track, totally unsuitable for caravans, no matter how 'offroad' they may be. It is suitable for true off-road camper trailers, and we took our home-made camper trailer with us.

The first challenge we came across was Palm Creek, just a few km from the junction. There was a decent queue waiting at the main crossing, so we drove a few hundred metres east to an alternative track. The exit was steep, rutted and muddy, and a group of other cars were winching/towing out when we arrived. We decided it looked drivable, so we put some Maxtrax into one of the ruts and gave it a crack. Both the 200 and the front-locked GU Patrol travelling with us managed to make it through unassisted, although the last climb had the 200's traction control system scrabbling for grip for a few seconds before it found traction and powered out.

Continuing up the OTT on the first day, there were several other creek crossings to negotiate, but none were difficult, and we spent the night camping next to Bertie Creek.

We had heard that Gunshot Creek was particularly bad, so the next morning we detoured around it, but then doubled back for a look from the Northern side. After watching a number of 4WDs come through without a problem, we decided to go through from the North, then turn around and come back. ....A trip to the cape just doesn't seem right without a Gunshot crossing!.... This was the first of the deep river crossings, with the North-South run taking us up the creek through clear water around a metre deep. Coming back through from the South, the well-known vertical drop seemed a little too much, particularly with the trailer in-tow, so we elected to take the 2nd-steepest entry. The crossings, entries and exits didn't present any serious problems, and we were soon on our way North again.

The next crossing at Cockatoo Creek looks quite difficult and wide, but it has a solid rock base, so it's just a matter of taking the correct line. This turned out to be straight up alongside the creek bank for fifty metres, then across the creek. Unfortunately, our travelling companions sliced open a tyre on this crossing after hitting a sharp submerged rock.

Not long after this creek, you briefly join the Bamaga Road, which is fantastic if you happen to love corrugations. A few kilometres later, we turned onto the OTT again and headed to the Canal Creek campground for a couple of nights. The Eliot falls campground requires pre-booking, and Canal Creek is a great alternative. It's less than 1km from the falls, so even though it lacks toilets, they aren't far away if you need them. Eliot Falls and Twin Falls are a highlight of the trip, and worth staying for a couple of days. In case you're wondering, we didn't skip Fruit Bat Falls, we left that one for the trip back, as the turnoff is right next to the Bamaga Road.

Continuing our journey up the OTT, the next interesting crossing is Sam Creek. The entry was quite steep and eroded, but the creek itself and the exit wasn't a problem and we we quickly on our way again. Just North of Sam Creek is your last chance to leave the OTT for the Bamaga Road before the deep crossings of Cannibal, Logan's and Nolan's. If you continue to Nolan's, then decide it's too deep, then it is very difficult to backtrack the 20km to Sam creek and cross over to the Bamaga Road, as the Southbound exit of Logan's creek is steep and muddy.

The next crossing, Cannibal Creek, had a steep entry with the track hair-pinning around to the right as you cross the creek. The water was quite deep for this one, around half way up the doors of the 200 and deeper during entry. We followed a group of other vehicles through, so the sandy base was a little churned up, but other than a little bit of wheelspin, we had no problems.

The next challenge was the Cyprus creek log bridge, which is in a constant state of collapse and repair, with new logs added as old ones  break or are washed away during the wet season. This year, it was barely wider than the 200, but strong and stable, so it was just a matter of getting a guide so we didn't slip off!

The next major crossing we came to was Logan's Creek, a long silty crossing with a steep and muddy initial entry into bonnet deep water. While deep, this was a relatively easy crossing heading North, with good traction and a gentle exit. However, if travelling in the other direction, it would likely require winching, meaning you'd be sitting for an extended period in deep, silty water. After leaving Logan's we came across a long swampy area which looked quite difficult, but proved to provide good traction and gave us no problems.

Soon after leaving the swamp, we came upon over a dozen vehicles lined up waiting to attempt the infamous Nolan's Brook. We watched as various vehicles attempted the four different entries with varying levels of success. Two diesel GU Patrols drowned their engines before being towed out. Most vehicles hooked up before entering, and were towed across one of the deeper courses. Then a group driving ex-Army Land Rovers found a decent line in deep water but with good traction. This was the line we decided to take, but as a precaution we hooked a strap to the front of the 200 and asked another vehicle on the other side to stand by for a tow if required. Hugging the bank, we attacked the crossing and made it through, with the only difficulty being a bit of scrabbling as we climbed out of the deepest section. We got some water in the storage area of the trailer, and the rear carpets got a bit damp in the 200, but otherwise made it through unscathed (apparently... See the starter motor aftermath below)!

Nolan's essentially marks the end of the OTT, and less than 10km later, we were back on the Bamaga Road heading for the Jardine River Ferry.