Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 00:55
Hi there. I live at
Portland Roads about 45 minutes from
Lockhart River.
LOCKHART RIVER
Lockhart has a supermarket and an automated petrol station -- you need a card with a pin number to get petrol.
The indigenous Art Centre with the
Lockhart River Art Gang just as you drive into
Lockhart.
There is
Quintel Beach with spectacular large rocks in the water. This is a local
fishing spot and a jetty for the Barge brings supplies in.
CULTURAL TOURS
If you are interested in indigenous culture we could put you onto some local elders who would take you on a bush tucker walk.
CAMPING
There is no
free camping, though I hear it was listed in the NRMA or RACQ booklet, this was incorrect.
This is the Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park famous for it's tropical rainforest full of unusual birds and wildlife only found here and in New Guinea.
You need to book with National Parks over the internet, there is limited phone access once you get there, The
ranger station is near
Lockhart, I am not sure if you can get internet at the
ranger station. It is best to book before you get there as it can get booked out at the peak of the tourist season (July).
Before you get to
Lockhart there is a Y intersection you turn left down the road to
Portland Roads to find the campgrounds.
There is
Cook's Hut (with
toilet) and neighbouring
Gordon Creek and Rainforest camping areas in the rainforest popular with birdwatchers.
Further on their is
Chili Beach which has a long coconut lined beach which has very shallow (knee high) water much of the time so you can paddle in the water without fear of crocs.
It can be windy but beautiful if you get the right day, the
camp sights are set among the trees which keep you out of the wind.
Local traditional owners are working on setting up a couple of more campgrounds on their land as
well as cultural tours.
PORTLAND ROADSPortland Roads is past
Chili Beach
It overlooks Weymouth bay and is a favourite with fishermen.
If you want a break from camping there is ACCOMMODATION at
Portland Roads Beach
Shack, - one self contained shack/bungalow. 1 bedroom with a double and two singles and a deck with kitchenette and bathroom, (our place) with an amazing view over the Bay, there is also
Portland House which is larger and often gets birdwatching groups.
FOOD
There are no shops at
Portland Roads, you need to bring your own or get it from the Supermarket at
Lockhart River.
The Out of the Blue Cafe has exceptional seafood fresh from the fishing boats and legendary baked cheesecake (we are not affiliated with the Cafe, just love the food)
GETTING THERE
It is about 2 - 2.5 hrs off the Development road turning off near the Archer River Road house. Ask at 'The Archer' for road conditions if it has been raining a lot. Their are two river crossings the Wenlock has just been upgraded with a causeway. The Pascoe is a wide sandy crossing, it is a good idea to follow someone.
see our sites www.portlandroadsbeachshack.com.au www.capeyorkblog.com and also www.
lockhart.qld.gov.au
AnswerID:
514008
Follow Up By: grey_gypsies - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 01:00
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 01:00
If you want to go to the Cafe you need to book ahead for the evening meal. You can drop in for lunch, but it is closed between 2-6pm and usually on Tuesdays
FollowupID:
792862
Follow Up By: grey_gypsies - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 01:01
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 01:01
I see you are travelling in September, their should be no problem getting a camping spot then.
FollowupID:
792863
Follow Up By: Member - Stuart and Gunny - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 02:52
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 02:52
Hi Grey_Gypsies
Thanks for a very helpful
well written guide of things to see and do up there.Weather permitting I will certainly venture over there and look forward to having a chat with you.Is there any problems with bringing Gunny over there or do all the locals have dogs?It sounds like you have found your spot of paradise.Do you spent all year up there or just the dry season?Again thanks for your help.Bye Stuart and Gunny
FollowupID:
792864
Follow Up By: grey_gypsies - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 15:20
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 15:20
Hi Stuart
Yes we find the place beautiful and fascinating. We were travelling around and wanted to experience
Cape York and found this place to caretake. We were going to give it a year to experience a tropical Wet Season, but have been here nearly 3yrs now and expect to stay couple more. I work in
Lockhart River now and my partner Seamus manages the
Shack and builds websites.
We stay all year, it is very hot and humid in the wet but if you can handle it the water is perfectly calm (in between cyclones). It is the best for boating, fishing and bird watching.
The photo of Rocky Island in the header of our blog is taken in the wet.
Though the roads are usually cut so it wouldn't suit you and Gunny as you have to fly in.
We don't have air con as we are on solar and
generator power so we live with the elements.
The camping is in National Parks so that would be a problem with Gunny, you couldn't take him to
Chili Beach.
We take dogs at our place, but that is not camping. If you want to
camp and are self sufficient we could
check with the locals if they allow dogs at the campgrounds they are developing and you could have a shower and do washing at our place (for a small fee) if we don't have anyone booked in.
You can't buy alcohol, or take alcohol into
Lockhart but you bring your own to Chili and Port.
Portland Roads is sleepy hollow now, with about 10 houses and about 10 residents. It was very busy in the gold mining days. There was a jetty to load ships up with gold and bring in equipment. The jetty was also used in WWII, it was demolished in 1960's.
There are also lots of stories from the 70's and 80's when it was jumping with hippies and fishermen.
It is a regular stop for yachts going from
Cape York to Torres Strait
Cheers Cate
FollowupID:
792891
Follow Up By: grey_gypsies - Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 15:22
Sunday, Jun 30, 2013 at 15:22
I have been meaning to get on here and let people know what is available up here.
FollowupID:
792892
Follow Up By: bigfellabrian - Monday, Jul 01, 2013 at 16:28
Monday, Jul 01, 2013 at 16:28
afternoon
both lockart river and
portland roads are great spots, i was at
portland roads last novenmber and loved the place, good people and no dramas with anything , i met the people at the cafe and the people running the beach house,
shack the one half way up the
hill big walk with bags. anyway lovely place and better people, no dramas with the road over from
weipa as suggested just take it all easy, no rush.
im going in 2 weeks this time to
bathurst bay for a look as i am a mad diver and will photograph the reef i hope. we always wanted to buy a
shack or block at
portland roads cant find anything for sale, i hope this helps as
well, we also travel with a red cattle dog called rusty who stops us stsying many
places, most locals will help if you pay your way.
FollowupID:
792966
Follow Up By: grey_gypsies - Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 16:09
Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 16:09
Hi bigfellabrian
Thanks for the good wrap
There are blocks and a house for sale if you want to call Seamus at The
Shack, Cheers Cate
FollowupID:
793124
Follow Up By: bigfellabrian - Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 16:42
Wednesday, Jul 03, 2013 at 16:42
no worries cate, ill give him a call i want to build a carport shed on a block and visit a month a year if i can.
FollowupID:
793129