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UPDATES TO OUR GUIDE BOOKS
From time to time, as updates to the information in our books occur, we will post it here at our updates page. Keep an eye on this section for the very latest news and information that you will not be able to find anywhere else.
Updates to Current 12th Edition
CAPE YORK - An Adventurer's Guide book 12th edition
Page 50
National Parks Contact Details
The Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water, who manage the Qld National Parks, now have the following phone numbers for you to contact:
General enquiries on ph: 13 13 04, or
for enquiries on parks and forests, ph: 1300 130 372.
Web: http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/contactus/index.htmlThese contact details will relate to other pages found thorughout the guidebook.
Page 87
Hope ValeMunbah Cultural Tours
Is no longer operating.
Guurrbi Tours
A tour with Willie is a must do if you are in Cooktown. Willie Gordon, a Nugal-warra Elder, who runs Guuribi Tours in the hills above Hope Vale, just out of Cooktown. We were lucky enough to do his four hour tour and we have to say that you shouldn't miss the chance if you are in the area to do a tour with Willie. He is an amazing person with a wonderful and magical gift of story telling. Willie, the traditional story-keeper of the Nugal-warra clan, takes guests to his ancestral rock art sites. Here he shares the stories behind the art, and explains how the cave paintings speak of the essence of life and the lores of his people.
Ph: 07 4069 6043, Mob: 0417 305 490, web: http://www.guurrbitours.com/Maaramaka Tours
Also operates just outside of Hope Vale (see their info on page 82).
Hope Vale Arts & Cultural Learning Centre
The opening hours for the Centre are: 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, 9am to 2pm on Fridays and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays (Dry Season only) - phone first for Saturdays.
Web address is as in our book, (www.hopevalearts.com), and their email address is: hopevaleartscentre@bigpond.com
Page 107
Lakeland Caravan Park
The delightful Lakeland Caravan Park, in Lakeland, owned and run by the very friendly and hospitable Roka and Fred, has a brand new amenities block, which is a great addition to the park which is a quiet, green, shady oasis with powered sites, a large grassy camping area, a new Amenities block and a well equipped camp kitchen plus an open campfire area free for use by all park residents.There is also a modern Internet cafe. You can check out their web site at: http://www.lakelandcaravanpark.com.au/. They also have a very good Facebook page, look for 'Lakeland Caravan Park'.
Lakeland: Chris Engineering
is no longer the RACQ agent.
Page 200
Wrotham Park Lodge
The luxury Lodge at Wrotham Park has been pulled down and removed and all of it shifted to the Northern Territory. The station is now closed to travellers. The Lodge itself was bought by Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), and will soon become the Wildman Wilderness Lodge, Anthology's latest acquisition, on theMary River wetlands.
For more general information on Tour Operators and an extensive Biblography for Cape York, click on the links below:
General Tour Operators; Vehicle Guiding Services (tag-along tour operators); etc.Biblography - a comprehensive listing of books on Cape York for further reading.
Updates to Previous Editions
CAPE YORK – An Adventurer's Guide book - 11th
With our new and very updated 12th edition of our guidebook on Cape York now available, we have only listed some of the updates to the old edition. There is lots more information in the new book.
Cape York Alcohol Restrictions
Alcohol restrictions were introduced to improve the quality of life in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and help make them more enjoyable places to visit.Restrictions on the types and quantity of alcohol you can carry vary from community to community with many communities allowing small quantities of wine and mid-strength beer.
It’s important to note that limits apply on a per-vehicle basis and not a per-person basis. The Queensland Police Service strictly enforces the restrictions and heavy penalties apply for offenders.
Even if you don’t plan to visit these communities, you could inadvertently break the law and land yourself in hot water if you carry alcohol into or through a restricted area. So plan ahead and don’t get caught out.
With penalties starting for the first offence at $37,500 and possible confiscation of the vehicle it would pay to check the web site detailed below.
Given the amount of information, and its propensity to change, Tourism Queensland has found that a link to the appropriate web page is the best manner to deliver the correct and up to date information, or at the very least contact the Alcohol Management Program, ph: 1300 789 000.
For up to date info on Alcohol Restrictions that apply for some Indigenous Communities within Queensland and Cape York, visit the Queensland Government web site: http://www.atsip.qld.gov.au/everybodys-business/travellers-alcohol-restrictions/
Department of Tourism, Racing and Fair Trading, Liquor Licensing Division also has an excellent web site which details all the restricted areas and current restrictions, along with maps that can be downloaded outlining the communities affected, the restricted areas, and details of the alcohol restrictions in place:
http://www.olgr.qld.gov.au/indigenous/alcoholManagementPlans/index.shtml
Pg 68
Quinkan and Regional Cultural Centre
There is a new heritage and cultural centre at Laura is owned and operated by the local community. It is one of the best we have seen with well laid out displays and great pics showcasing all aspects of Quinkan Country including, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage, and the natural environment. There is something of interest for everyone!
Guided tours can be booked from the Cultural Centre, including tours to world famous Aboriginal art galleries such as Split Rock, Mushroom Rock & Giant Horse Gallery.
The Cultural Centre also provides information on other attractions within Quinkan Country and around Cape York Peninsula and also has a select range of regional Aboriginal arts and crafts available for sale.You can contact the Centre, which is located at Lot 2 Peninsula Development Rd, Laura, Qld 4871, on ph: (07) 40603457, fax: (07) 40603470. They also have a great website: www.quinkancc.com.au/
Pg 70
Mary Valley Homestead
This station has closed it doors to travellers and there is no longer camping or accommodation.
Pg 75
Coen - Halfway Service Station
What was the old Clark's Cash Store & Garage is now the Halfway Service Station. This small store offers a small but good range of groceries, all fuels and limited tyres.Pg 84-85
Access to Temple Bay
The former pastoral leases of Bromley and Boynton are now managed as the Olive River Environmental Reserve. Access to the remote Temple Bay area of this reserve is allowed but numbers are strictly controlled. For more information contact the Parks and Wildlife Service in Cooktown, ph: (07) 4069 5777, web site: www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks_and_forests/
Pg 92
Bramwell Station
Up on Cape York, Bramwell Station has been upgraded with even more facilities being put in for four wheelers to be able to use. They have moved facilities out to the junction of the OTL and the Southern Bypass road, where you'll find the Bramwell Junction Roadhouse. You'll find fuel, drinks, take-away food can camping at the Roadhouse, ph: (07) 4060 3230. For more info on the Station and accommodation, call on, ph (07) 4060 3300.
Pg 100
Captain Billy Landing
The old tin shed has been removed by NPs and in its place is a new picnic shelter and pit toilet.Pg 101
Shelburne Bay Dune fields
National Parks has taken over the management of Nixon Station, including the Shelburne Bay Dune fields. Access is currently not available.Pg 124
Hope Vale Community
This Community is home to 32 traditional clan groups which have been divided up into 13 Land Trusts. These trusts give them legal right over the area and they are responsible for the management of the areas. There is a new Arts & Cultural Centre and visitors are welcome. A permit is required for access to Elim Beach.
Elim Beach Coloured Sands
Day permits to the area are required and people must stop at the service station in Hope Vale to get their permit.
Camping at the sands is only possible at Eddies Camp where you’ll find toilets and showers.
Check out the web site of the Cook Shire on: www.cook.qld.gov.au//visitors/ElimBeachSands.shtml
Pg 106
Noah Beach - Camping
To camp at Noah Beach you must book in advance by calling the National Parks on 13 13 04. The camping area is closed in the wet season and after heavy rains. The maximum stay is seven nights. The only facilities at the designated camping area at Noah Beach, 8 km south of Cape Tribulation, are toilets. There are no shower facilities or water available.Pg 126
Battlecamp Rd - Old Laura HS to Cooktown
There have been some major road improvements on this road and it is now a good dirt road.Pg 128
Cape Flattery - Access Permission
You no longer need to get permission of the mining company at Cape Flattery to camp at Connie Beach. Contact the Ranger at the Hope Vale community, ph: (07) 4060 9130, for access details and permits.
Pg 129-130
Kalpower Station
Much of Kalpower, which adjoins Lakefield NP, is now Aboriginal Land. However a Recreational Reserve has been established along the access route to Bathurst Head and camping is allowed in designated places including on the beach at the track’s end just south of Bathurst Head.
Pandanus Park – Normanby River
A Vietnam veteran’s park and wilderness retreat has been established on the banks of the Normanby River south of the Kalpower Station. This has been a unique co-operation between Vietnam vets led by the ‘Bush tucker Man’ Les Hiddins and the local Aboriginal land group.
The retreat is open to all past and present servicemen and their families and friends and with 10km or more of Normanby River to enjoy the camp is a beauty.
For more details, access maps, etc, check out:
http://veteransanctuary.tripod.com/pandanus.htm.
Pg 144 Weipa
Merluna Open for Travellers
The 400,000 acre Merluna cattle property south-east of Weipa now offers accommodation, camping, fishing, bow hunting and 4wdriving on the network of station’s tracks. For more info ph: (07) 4060 3209 or check the web at: www.merlunastation.com.
Pg 161/163
Arukun Fishing Charters
A new live-aboard fishing charter boat has started working in the vast waterways of the Archer, Watson and Ward Rivers close to the Aboriginal community of Aurukun.
The custom built cat can accommodate eight people in air conditioned comfort. There’s barra, threadfin salmon and mangrove jack as well as reef and blue water species as well as mudcrabs.
To fish these remote near virgin waters, ph: (0407) 575 618, or: www.aurukunfishingcharters.com.Pg 164
Access to Iron Range & Portland roads
Please note that the trek notes in the book use what was once the main track to Iron Range that left the main Developmental Road some 22km north of the Archer River.
The latest Iron Range Portland Roads access track is via what was the second access track, now sign posted and 36km north of the Archer River.Trek Notes (from new main junction):
0.0 Road junction 36km north of Archer River. TL to Iron Range. PSA to Weipa or Cape York.
3.9 Creek crossing
10.3 Creek crossing
16.0 Creek crossing
16.4 Track on left leads to small bush camp above river.
16.5 Wenlock River crossing. GPS 13° 5’ 44”S 142° 56’31”E (WGS84).
Pg 168
Portland Roads - Accommodation
There is now another beach house available for travellers wishing to get out of the tent and into something a bit more comfortable for a day or so. The Portland Roads Beach Shack overlooks the ocean and is available for holiday rental. Check out their web site:
http://www.portlandroadsbeachshack.com/
Accommodation is also now available at the community run, fully self-contained, Iron Range Cabins, located 5km west of the Lockhart River township. Ph: (07) 4060 7147, web: www.lockhartriver.com.au
Pgs 138 & 143
Maytown Access
The route from Palmerville to Maytown has now been opened by the Cook Shire.CDMA on the Cape
The CDMA mobile phone network has been extended and now includes the Weipa area, TI, Lockhart River with Coen, Laura, Aurukun, Bamaga Kowanyama and Pormpuraaw.
Pg 182
Loyalty Beach Campground & Fishing Lodge
Update of contact details:
Ph: (07) 4069 3372, fax: (07 4069 3770
Email: fishcapeyork@bigpond.com
Web site: www.loyaltybeach.com
Pg 239
Croydon - Tourist Information Centre
There's a new Tourist Information Centre and visitors will find plenty to keep them occupied visiting the Information Centre and having a chat with Savannah Guide Chris Weirman. There are also a number of the old buildings that have been restored, with some interesting displays. Allow yourself a little more time to explore the town and surrounds.
For more general information on Tour Operators and an extensive Biblography for Cape York, click on the links below:
General Tour Operators; Vehicle Guiding Services (tag-along tour operators); etc.Biblography - a comprehensive listing of books on Cape York for further reading.
