Weipa #2

On one of our drives we went up to Mapoon & checked out the camping area & boat ramp, its looks interesting & could be a good fishing option, Mapoon is approximately 60klms north of Weipa you drive on a very well maintained gravel road that crosses a haulout road for the mines. On our return trip we found Clough Landing, a sort of boat ramp into the Wenlock River, it looks well used & people camp here.

Another stop on the Wenlock River was at Stones Crossing, once you drive over this crossing you pass through parts of Rio Tinto land, then Bertie Hagh which is the Steve Irwin conservation property & arrive at Bramwell Junction, we haven’t done this drive yet but its on our list to do. We drove to Billys Lagoon Station approximately 65klms east of Weipa on the Weipa Rd, which is now owned by the Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council & is full of abandoned buildings, there is a large lagoon not far from where the homestead was located – its really quite beautiful, I have heard they catch barramundi & cherabin here but I am also certain there would be some crocodiles there also. From here we drove down to another section of the Wenlock River, it was a nice spot, we then drove back past the homestead & took another track which brought us to yet another section of the mighty Wenlock River, this particular section is very popular with Weipa people for camping, swimming, fishing & picnic’s as its quite shallow & a large sand area – It was really lovely.

We went out in the boat (Striker) & went to Roberts Creek, put 6 crab pots in then did some fishing, I managed to catch a pan size bream (legal) & a very small bream & even smaller cod…..haha. We then went out through the ‘shipping’ channel & did some trolling, Peter actually caught a shark, never before have we caught a shark trolling, we released it & went back to collect the pots & go home. WOW! crabs galore, but we had 3 very good keepers, we released 8 jennies(females) & 2 just under sized bucks but were very happy with our keepers.

Went driving with Jenna, Mike & Harry to ‘Dead Dog Beach’ quite a long area of beach which can be reached from various tracks, of course the name has originated from the many small crosses of loved pets that are located here, but at low tide its a great play area for Harry & Dillan (tonka truck) – it was a lovely way to spend some time before the sun set.