First Contact

(4WD)

The Western Cape is the destination for many as the fishing is legendary. For those heading to The Tip, the Western Cape can offer a great diversion. Northbound vehicles are best to continue up the PDR to Weipa, but when heading on to The Tip, join the Telegraph Track via Batavia Downs. Alternatively, to visit the Western Cape coming south from The Tip, turn right through Batavia Downs.

Weipa

Weipa is an oasis boasting comprehensive facilities. It is a great place to stock up on supplies and an opportunity to enjoy the first class fishing.

On the shores of the Gulf of Carpentaria, Weipa is the site of the world’s largest bauxite deposit. With a population of 3,500 the town enjoys a tropical climate, with the wet season from November-April and the dry for the rest of the year. The dry season has temperatures ranging from 16-30˚C, providing an escape from the southern winter.

Weipa has a supermarket, specialty shops, credit union (ATM) and service facilities. Accommodation options include a resort hotel, 2 motels, a dedicated fishing lodge and a camping ground with self contained cabins. A modern hospital and pharmacy cater for any health issues. As well as fishing, other leisure activities include a nine hole golf course and bowls club, pistol range, squash courts, motorcycle and speedway racing. See a detailed street map at the bottom of this page or CLICK TO DOWNLOAD PDF STREET MAP.

First Contact

The first recorded contact between Aboriginals and Europeans in Australia occurred near the Pennefather River about 50km north of the township in 1606. Here, the Yupangati people first sighted sailors from the Dutch vessel “Duyfken” under the command of William Jantz.

Weipa township development began in 1965 when Comalco began to mine the extensive bauxite deposits.

Heritage

The Aboriginal heritage of this area dates back thousands of years, probably to the very beginnings of Aboriginal occupation of Australia around 40,000 years ago.

One of the features of the Weipa area are the midden heaps, made almost entirely of cockle shells. These are located adjacent to the Pine, Mission, Hey and Embley rivers. They are among the largest in the world and were formed over 400 years ago. These sites are protected.

(Extract, for more information see, ‘Cape York - An Adventurer’s Guide’ by Ron and Viv Moon.)

Western Cape Cultural Centre

The Western Cape Cultural Centre is open 10am-3pm weekdays, entry is free. Light refreshments and a great view of the harbour are offered.

Camping

Permits and information on areas surrounding Weipa can be obtained from Aurukun Shire Council (07 4060 6800), Napranum Council (07 4069 7855) and Mapoon Aboriginal Council (07 4090 9124).

Dining Out

Weipa offers many options to dine out: Albatross Bay Resort, Weipa Bowls Club, the Golf Club, Heritage Resort and a few takeaways. There’s a fish fry at the Weipa Camping Ground every Sunday evening.

Fishing

Fishing in the Western Cape is great! Fishing can be shore-based (eg. at Evans Landing, Kerr Point, Red Beach and Wallaby Island) or on the banks of the many creeks and rivers.

With a boat the Mission, Hey and Embley river estuaries and Port Musgrave (Mapoon) provide opportunities.

Boat ramps are located at Rocky Point and Evans Landing near Weipa, and Cullen Point and Cloughs Landing, Mapoon.

A small boat can also be launched in more remote areas such as the coast near the Pennefather River and Stones Crossing.

There are boats for hire and fishing tours (see Directory, Pages 78-79). Fishing tackle, camping supplies, mechanical and marine repairs are available.

Rio Tinto Mine Tour

Contact Weipa Camping Ground 07 4069 7871.

Birdwatching and Nature Walks

The Uningan Nature Reserve covers an area of over 2,800 hectares and includes habitats such as open woodland, palm forests and mangroves. There are large shell mounds (middens), canoe trees have been found and there is good birdwatching.

Mapoon

Mapoon is 90km north of Weipa. Indigenous residents of the area were relocated to New Mapoon near Bamaga in the 1960’s due to the bauxite mining. Many people have moved back to ‘Old’ Mapoon since that time and it’s now a thriving community. The local store provides food, fuel, ice and permits to camp.

Cullen Point and Port Musgrave

There’s good camping and there are pretty basic toilets and showers as well.

From this spot there’s good access to Port Musgrave and the estuaries of the rivers and creeks on its northern and eastern side.

Back at the end of the Blacktop at the T-Junction, turn left onto a soft sandy track which quickly hits the coast at the “She Oaks”. It is definitely 4WD! Its about 10km along the beach from where you first hit it to the northern shore of Janie Creek. There are a couple of spots to camp.

Port Musgrave itself is a vast stretch of water with the Wenlock River coming in at its southern end and the Ducie River and others coming in on its eastern and northern shores.

Small boats can be launched from a number of spots along the shore, Cloughs landing being the best and easiest, but only on the top half of the tide.

(Extract, for more information see, ‘Cape York - An Adventurer’s Guide’ by Ron and Viv Moon.)

Pennefather River and Duyfken Point

You require a permit from the Napranum Aborginal Council to visit the area around the Pennefather River 07 4069 7855.

The camping along the southern bank of the Pennefather is delightful.

Special permission may be given if you wish to visit the historic Duyfken Point. Contact the Nanum Land and Sea Management Centre
07 4069 7855.

The cairn celebrating the discovery of Australia and the west coast of Cape York, by the Dutch ship Duyfken in early 1606, is on the point named by Mathew Flinders in 1802.

(Extract, for more information see, ‘Cape York - An Adventurer’s Guide’ by Ron and Viv Moon.)

Stones Crossing

Situated on the Wenlock River, Stones Crossing is about 71km north-east of Weipa and located on Napranum land.

You pass through Rio Tinto mining lease for most of the way, but by the time you get to Stones Crossing you are on Napranum DOGIT land. There are a number of excellent camping sites located around this area and they are popular with the locals.

Below Stones Crossing the river is muddy and more tidal the closer you get to Port Musgrave. Gibson Waterhole and The Barrage are close together and accessed off the Stone Crossing road. Tent Pole Camp is located on Tent Pole Creek, a tributary of the Wenlock River.

(Extract, for more information see, ‘Cape York - An Adventurer’s Guide’ by Ron and Viv Moon.)