Things to see around Bamaga.

19/11/13 today Zef is arriving by air. Just in time too. We have been having a few storms and some of the cars arriving from the south have mud on them. One bloke we spoke to said that the road was wet but frequently graded, and he got here in his 2wd station wagon, yesterday. But still we are not rushing away.

Bamaga has a number of beaches with beautiful white sand, and blue water. Of course you can't swim because of the crocodiles and stingers. Last night we camped at Muttie Head beach. This is a beautiful little beach with a Rocky headland. Joe walked around the headland to the mouth of the Jardine River. There were camping and fishing spots at the mouth.

On the way back he saw these tracks on the beach about 50 m from where we were camped. There was a small pool on the beach, and there were entry and exit tracks.

We couldn't estimate the size of this fellow, but we are glad we didn't go for a walk on the beach last night. 

Seisia camp ground is a well maintained camping area on a yellow beach. It has great views of the islands, and covered camp kitchen areas, with fish filleting areas. There is a cafe there too, but the owner is not too friendly. He refused to make me mushrooms on toast despite having mushrooms and toast both listed under "sides" on his menu. He stated that only what he has listed on his menu is available! We won't be going back there! 

I thought these toilet block labels at Seisia were original!

Just North of Bamaga is Loyalty Beach campground, also on a pleasant west facing beach.

Further north is Pundsand Beach Resort. 

This a privately owned camping resort, with the best beach in the area, with absolute beach front camping areas, a pool, a restaurant and bar (Corrugation Bar). This cost us $12 per person per day, and was well worth the cost. The new owners were very obliging about our vegan diets and whipped something up. Notice the rain on the islands in the distance in this photo! Hmmmm! - Gives us thought for when to leave. 

Even nicer is Cable beach with only one camping spot. 

This is the site of the end of the old telegraph line. Here the cable can be seen entering the ground before running under the beach and ocean. Eventually it gets to the UK.

Somerset beach is almost at the "Tip". It is a small sheltered beach looking across to Albany Island, and has free camping. 

At this time of year all of these beach camping areas are almost deserted, and in fact the Seisia one is closed. 

Near the airport is the wreck of a DC 10 aircraft, wrecked in 1945 with the loss of 6 people. The pilot worked for "ANA" (Australian National Airline),  the precursor to Ansett Airlines (now defunct). 

Bamaga Tavern has a live band tonight. We haven't tried that yet but maybe we'll treat Zef to it. 

Of course a trip to the actual tip of Australia is a must. This is at Pajinka, and requires a walk across a Rocky headland to the very tip. 

The Croc Tent is a souvenir shop! with T shirts, stubby coolers etc to commemorate your trip to the Tip.

Of course there is the bird watching and spotlighting at night to see the unique fauna. We camped in both rainforest and eucalypt forest but did not see the Cus Cus, the striped possum, or the Palm Cockatoo! 

Last time we were here we went to the East coast -Usher Point. We are told that the track is now overgrown and suitable only for a quad bike. So we have given it a miss. 

We have also given the tour to Thursday Island a miss at $200/ person for a full day. The ferry alone costs $120/person.

The sky continues to grow more stormy and we are starting to get a little nervous, and planning to head south slowly tomorrow (22/11/13).