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.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: CAPE YORK / KIMBERLEY– An Adventurer's Guide books - update to previous editions
Cape York book - page 274
Kimberley book - page 270

Marine Stingers: Information Box -
If Somebody is Stung:
3. If the sting is on a limb apply a constrictive bandage.

DO NOT APPLY A CONSTRICTIVE BANDAGE

3. If the sting is on a limb apply an PRESSURE IMMOBILISATION BANDAGE.
In fact, according to the Tropical Australian Stinger Research Unit of the James Cook University in Queensland, "The use of pressure immobilisation bandages (PIB) has been shown, by research conducted by TASRU, to potentially cause more harm than good. As a result PIB has been discontinued as apart of the first aid treatment of box jellyfish stings."

The Tropical Australian Stinger Research Unit of the James Cook University in Queensland has an excellent brochure on Irukandji Syndrome, which you can download from their web site at: www.jcu.edu.au/interest/stingers/irukandji%20brochure1.pdf

 

CAPE YORK – An Adventurer's Guide book - updates to previous editions

Cape Pipeline Delayed
While rumour had it that the gas pipeline would be built this year, the earliest anything will happen is early 2007. That all depends on approval and finance – neither of which are signed or sealed at present!

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: "Meeting Challenges, Making Choices" (MCMC), under Community Information, Alcohol Restrictions: at: www.mcmc.qld.gov.au/community/search/restricted.php

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:
www.liquor.qld.gov.au/Indigenous/Alcohol+Management+Plans

 

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 75
Coen - Halfway Service Station
What was the old Clark's Cash Store & Garage is now the Halfway Service Station, run by Dennis & Sandra. It is open 7 days, with friendly service and a workshop (RACQ) with 24 hour towing. There is a small but good range of groceries.

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/

Pgs 88 & 89
Skardon River Coast Closed
The remote Skardon River region on the west coast of Cape York has been closed to adventurous travellers. Reached by a rarely used track off the Overland Telegraph Line, north of the Dulhunty River, the Traditional Aboriginal Elders of the area have closed the track and the beach completely.

Pg 90
New Managers & Facilities at Moreton
For those heading north to the Cape there's new managers and more facilities at Moreton Station on the north bank of the Wenlock River.
There's homestead accommodation, camping and a brand new semi-permanent safari camp, while Wet season accommodation packages are now available. There will also be wood-fired pies, all day billy for tea/coffee and hot chocolate (donations to the RFDS) as well as dine in & takeaway meals.
Mechanical repairs, fax & internet facilities, a general store along with eco night tours spotlighting for the elusive cuscus will also be available. For more info contact Steve and Angela, ph (07) 4060 3360.

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. For more info call on, ph (07) 4060 3237.

 

 

 

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.
Permission and a permit is required. Visitors must stop at the Rangers Office to receive a permit and will be directed to pay at the nearby service station.

Elim Beach Coloured Sands
Day permits to the area are required and people must stop at the rangers office.
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

Hopevale Shire Ranger
Ph: (07) 4060 9130 or (0427) 404 934

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 Wetland 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: http://www.aurukunwetlandcharters.com/contact.html

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/

Pgs 138 & 143
Maytown Access
Access to the old ruins of Maytown, once the booming gold town of the Palmer River, north west of Cairns, is now only via the Whites Creek Road, north of Mt Carbine, or the old coach road from Laura. It makes a great thru trip – but challenging! All other access routes are closed off with locked gates.

 

 

 

 

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 187
Jardine Tour / Cape York Horse Rides
Up on Cape York the historic gardens planted by Frank Jardine at Lockerbie are again open for travellers to enjoy. Along with horse rides, there’s an historic display and a small store selling hot snacks and cool drinks. You’ll find them across the road from the famous ‘Croc Tent’. For more info contact Phil or Kerry, Ph: (07) 4069 3000.

Feel like going for a horse ride on your next trip to Cape York? Located at Lockerbie, just north of Bamaga and on the way to the very northern Tip, Phill and Kerry Byers can take you on short or long horse ride in the surrounding area and thru’ the famous Lockerbie rainforest. For more details, ph: (07) 4069 3000.

 

Pg 239
Croydon - Tourist Information Centre
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.
 

 

 

 

 

 

The KIMBERLEY – An Adventurer's Guide book – updates to previous 5th & 6th editions

Book Early for Broome
If the last few years are anything to go by finding accommodation and camping in and around Broome on the spur of the moment will be difficult. While most of the camping grounds in Broome don’t take bookings those north around Cape Leveque and Middle Lagoon do. It pays to book!

Pg 52
Permits for Aboriginal Land
There’s a new web site to get your permits to travel through Aboriginal land in WA. The new site is: http://www.dia.wa.gov.au/Land/Entry-Permits/

Kimberley Closure - pages 178 & 179 - 4th edition
The track past Tablelands HS and through Bedford Downs station in the central Kimberley has been closed and a locked gate has been erected. It seems early travellers winched their way through Teronis Gorge and destroyed this private station track thereby making it all but impassable, except with the use of a winch and that hasn’t pleased the local landowners!
Access from the Gibb River Road end to the delights of Old Mornington Station and the nearby gorges are still possible.

The Purnululu Pass is no longer current. You must pay a one-off entry fee and a camping fee for every night you are there.

Pg 110
Wyndham Museum contact number has changed and you can now phone them on (08) 9161 1857.

Pg 112
Map - no track access to Spillway Creek or Ord River, as shown on our map. This track actually leads to Roy's Retreat and is private property.

Pg 133
No camping at the Drysdale River crossing itself, as in our trek notes, but there is a range of accommodation and camping at the Drysdale River homestead and very pleasant camping at Miners Pool.

Pg 134
Theda Station is closed to the public – in fact, they don’t want to see the public on their land at all. With that in mind forget going across through Old Theda to the Carson River Escarpment (pg 141).

Pg 140-141
Theda Station is now owned by the Dunkeld Pastoral Co, and no longer caters to tourists.

Pg 155
After the 2001/2002 wet season the facilities at Jacks Waterhole are no more and it is closed. The river is still there but not much else!

Pg 156
Ellenbrae Station, like Theda, is now owned by the Dunkeld Pastoral Co, however it is open to passing travellers with camping and accommodation.

Pg 158
Manning Gorge - The delightful Manning Gorge camping area, one of the most popular sites on the Gibb River Road is open with new toilet facilities.

Pg 160
Galvans Gorge - You can no longer drive to the parking area, 1 km in from the Gibb River Road. You must park your car on the GRR and walk the 1.2 km to the main pool.

Pg 162
Adcock Gorge is now a DAY USE AREA and travellers can access this gorge for the day.

Mt House Station no longer caters to tourists.

Pg 176
Mornington Wildernes Camp (previously Old Mornington Camp) - The former Kimberley cattle station of Mornington has become a private reserve owned by the Australian Wildlife Conservancy. The 300,000 spread takes in four major river systems as well as the impressive gorges cut through the King Leopold Ranges by the Fitzroy River.
There’s pleasant camping at Mornington Wilderness Camp and accommodation in African-safari type tents is also available.
For more info ph: 1800 631 946 or (08) 9191 7406 or check the web at:
www.australianwildlife.org/mornington4.asp

Note: the phone number detailed on page 179 of the 6th ed is incorrect and should read: (03) 9191 7406.

 

 

Pg 177
If you wish to visit Lake Gladstone, you must first obtain permission from Mt House station.

Pg 216
Just north of Beagle Bay, via Broome, is a new spot for tourists to stay called Natures Hideaway Middle Lagoon. Office hours are from 9am -12pm - 1pm - 4pm, or E-mail it to: middlelagoon@telstra.easymail.com.au. It’s a lovely spot and well worth staying a night or two.

If you intended going up to Cape Leveque you would need to book in advance. It is a delightful spot, but very popular, being in close proximity to Broome.

Pg 237
The Ord River - Canoeing there is no vehicle access or canoe pickup point upriver from where Spillway Creek enters the Ord River. The road just past the Spillway Creek bridges goes to Roy's Retreat only and is private property.

Pg 238
Ord River Canoe Trek - No. 19 - (28km from the Ord River Dam Wall) there is no vehicle access / canoe pickup point to the Ord River.

Pg 280
Northwest Regional Airlines has put on hold for 12 months its regular passenger service between Karratha, Port Hedland, Broome, Fitzroy Crossing and Halls Creek.

The FLINDERS RANGES – An Adventurer's Guide book

Pg 133-140
There is no fire wood collecting allowed in the national park. Wood can be bought at Wilpena otherwise it's gas fires only.

There have also been a couple of more camping areas established in the park. One just south of Aroona and another just north of Bunyeroo Gorge.

 

 

 

 

Camping at Warraweena
The former sheep station of Warraweena in the Flinders Ranges, 32km east of Beltana roadhouse has now been made into a private conservation reserve and has opened its doors to camping and four wheel drivers. With 130 km of tracks to enjoy, some superb scenery as well as historic ruins such as Sliding Rock the property is a great spot to spend a few days.
For more info, ph: (08) 8675 2770 or check the web at: www.warraweena.com.

 

 

4WD Track in the Flinders Ranges
Another property in the Flinders Ranges has opened its doors to four wheelers.
This self-drive 4WD track climbs the Stirrup Iron Range giving great views of the surrounding country including out to Lake Frome and the impressive peak of Mt Chambers. There's a range of great camping on the property.
For more information contact Mulga View Station, ph: (08) 8648 4859.

Page 144 - 5th edition
The Horseshoe Rim & Horseshoe Range Tracks
Self-drive 4WD Tracks
The Horseshoe Rim and Horseshoe Range tracks, east of Quorn have now been opened up for self-drive four wheelers to enjoy – and they are very good! For info on these two tracks, or the excellent 4WD tracks on Argadells or around Mt Arden, contact Ron Cunningham at the Austral Hotel in Quorn, ph: (08) 8648 6017, email: austral@ihug.com.au.
You can also check out the web site of the Horseshoe Range Top 4WD Track or the Horseshoe Rim 4WD Adventure Tack at: www.thehorseshoe.com.au