Cape York - Tuesday 6/9/11

Woke up a bit late this morning 7.30am, Jim & Evelyne were already up going for a walk along the beach & bird watching.  We had a relaxed/slow morning compared to Jim & Ev, who were all done, packed up and ready to go by about 9.30am.  They were off to Seisa to book a day trip to Thursday Island and have a look around at Loyalty Beach etc.  We had showers & put a load of washing on - shouldn't take long to dry, it was hot & windy.  Ended up having a chat for about 45mins with Tony the Manager - we mentioned that he looked familiar and turns out that he does some work for 4WD Action magazine which we have subscribed to for years.  Tony & Roothy did a DVD last year when they were the first to tackle the Frenchmans Track after the wet, they had to turn around at the Pascoe River.
We set off about 12pm - destination today with Jim & Ev was the Northern Most Tip of Australia.  First   stop was the bakery in Bamaga to get a couple of pies for breakfast, fresh bread, bacon & cheese rolls for lunch and 2 Vanilla slices to share.

The road up to the tip is as pretty as what we remembered it to be. 




Road to The Tip

Road to The Tip

Arrival at the new car park at the tip was 1pm, right on time, with Jim & Ev there to greet us.  After lunch, then vanilla slices & a chat, we all (including Boris), set up to stand at tip.  We walked across Frangapani Beach (Boris had a runabout the beach on the way) there was even a Fusion 40 anchored off the beach (they couldn't have picked a nicer spot really), we climbed up the rocks and descended to the tip.  It's very pretty, Boris had a swim in a rock pool & we took numerous photos.  Wondered back down to the beach & let Boris loose again, he chased birds on the beach, jump in the water pools & generally had a fat time.  Frangapani Beach would have to be one of the prettiest beaches in Australia, so pristine.


Frangapani Beach

Boris paddling at the Tip



At the Tip

Looking at Frangapani Beach









We set off south toward the "The Croc Tent", a must stop for t-shirts, stubby holders, information, etc.  Of course we bought a couple of t-shirts & stubby holders.  At this point we parted company with Jim & Evelyne, they were going back to Umagico for the night as they had booked their Thursday Island day trip for the next day and we were heading to Mutee Heads for a couple of nights, where they will join us.
Firstly we did some grocery/alcohol shopping in Bamaga, then headed south west to Mutee Heads.  Arrived around 5pm, checked out the main camping area, then Craig wanted to see what else there was.  Followed one track to a secluded campsite, but it was occupied, then followed another & found the WWII Radar Tower.  The whole area was a base for the Americans in WWII and there are a number of remains scattered around. 


WWII Radar Tower at Mutee Heads

WWII Relic (maybe gun turret)




WWII Relic at Mutee Heads

We then started down the track that leads to the mouth of the Jardine River, not sure what we'd find this late, so Craig decided it best to turn around before I clocked him and we headed back to the main camp area.  Found a good spot with a bit of shade, complete with firewood already collected - score!



Outlook from Camp - Mutee Heads



Camp at Mutee Heads

Boy headed off to fish, as he felt that was best for his health and left me to organise the groceries & fart around.  Craig got the fire going for ambience and just after dark fell, 2 cars came in and stopped at our campsite.  They wound down the window and asked if we were enjoying their firewood - Craig had a laugh and said yes thanks.  These people had collected it the night before when they camped in this spot, they weren't going to come back tonight but ended up doing so, only to find us already camped there.  We said to them they were welcome to share the fire with us, so they put up camp beside us and shared the fire.  Craig didn't catch any fish again, he even tried casting out to the stump remains of the old jetty - just as well I had already organised dinner!  After dinner I went to bed to catch up on some journal writing and Craig stayed around the campfire to chat with our neighbours.