Access to Cape York closed

Thanks Ozi

Once again idiots have buggered it up for everyone

It is just plain wrong that i cannot see my own country with my family

Folks, don't get your knickers in a twist. I am up on the Cape at the moment, & there is a fair bit of frustration about this news story which has come from the infamous Cairns Post , and is a mix od deliberate lies & distortions of the truth. The paper is apparently known for much the same on an annual basis. Pic below shows the front page of yesterdays 'local' Cape York Weekly . Why the Cairns Post behaves in this way folk can decide for themselves, but I think it clearly has an agenda, part of which is to elicit responses similar to some already posted here. Be assured that the article in the OP takes things out of context, twists facts, & omits to tell the whole story in favour of an inflammatory headline.

I attempted some enquiries on this to try to resolve the conflicting reports - the OP's and Cuppa's.

The Cape York Land Council is aware of the Cairns Post report but had no first hand info. They said ask the local tribal council referred to in the Cairns Post report. That is Gudang/Yahaykenu Aboriginal Corporation, website at this link.

After some investigation I also found the Corporation’s phone number. They don’t answer the phone, contact is by email only via the website, so no quick answer is available.

Perhaps if you're intending to travel, an email query via the website might be appropriate.

The Cairns Post article says in the body of its report:
[quote]
At an annual general meeting last Wednesday, Gudang/Yahaykenu Aboriginal Corporation chairman Michael Solomon said a proposal to pull the trigger on denying access was on the agenda, but a decision could not be reached, the Cairns Post reports.
[/quote]

Note the words "proposal to pull the trigger on denying access was on the agenda, but a decision could not be reached"

Presumably some Corporation members have proposed denying some access, while others have not agreed. You can't blame them, they're between a rock and a hard place. They need the tourist $$, but too many of those tourists are bogan crappers and environmental vandals. So no decision. It follows that the status quo remains, for the time being at least, as reported by the Cape York Weekly, front page and Page 7 at this link, and referred to by Cuppa.

In the absence of hard information, the screaming headlines in the Newscorp press that the Cape is closed would seem to be a misrepresentation of its own reporting and not indicative of the real situation.

It's crazy that people think that just because they're Orstralian, they can go anywhere - any time! As posted earlier, virtually all land is owned and access is limited. This includes Aboriginal land. Or try getting into Pine Gap, mining leases, etc., for a look-see!
When there was a prohibition on climbing Ayers Rock, someone said they had no right to close it. It is Aboriginal land (which they share with us). They have a right to protect it. Some farmers allow restricted access to outback properties under their conditions, so why not indigenous owners.
Smacks of bigotry, selfishness and disrespect, methinks.

These stories just reinforce our way of doing things!
Picking a what rubbish we can and leaving places cleaner than we arrived!
There’s always going to be the part of society making a F’n mess, but if others clean up , we can all look after our country .
Even though it’s not nice cleaning up others mess, once you get into it, it becomes satisfying to leave a place better!

I don't in any way condone people trashing places and leaving rubbish where the drop it, but after living in and working on a few aboriginal communities I think that the First Nation people should clean up their own backyard and show some respect for their communities, and other people land, before wielding a big stick over the majority of travelers doing the right thing as well as adding to the coffers of the traditional owners.

If this did happen I wouldn't blame them, on our current trip across the Eyre highway every road side stop and places we checked out to camp in has had heaps of toilet paper, rubbish and faeces strewn about.

Unfortunately most of the current crop of travellers are just lazy, dirty and don't give a dam and the situation is only going to get worse with the huge influx of new caravans and campers etc onto the roads.

This arrived in my inbox yesterday.

And this today.

THE TIP WILL REMAIN OPEN

I know that a lot of people have already heard the news, particularly the locals. But I am still getting lots of questions from hesitant travellers saying they have been starting to make alternative plans. There is no reason to do that as it has been confirmed by the local authorities that there is no aim to close the Tip.

Sorry that some wrong-doers have made this needing a mention: These newsletters are subject to the Law of Copyright - the only way to legally spread them is a link to this page or a proper Facebook share (cropping text and photos out of it to use them to build one's own Facebook post is ILLEGAL).

Traditional Owners raised their voice about disrespect, as there are no amenities at the Tip, and that was easy to turn into a media frenzy that not only confused the travellers but also threatened to damage local businesses. None of the locals want that, and facilities are being planned to be built at the Tip. Rest assured that it will not be closed so you will get to the sign and everywhere else as before.

I receive it as a newsletter. I have copied it..More info at botto of the pages. Its a hany e-book for anyone wanting to travel to the cape with a lot of info. Hope it helps. The author lives at the cape and has a fantastic network throughout the region.



Hi Everyone,

The Tip will remain open, including for the tourist season, so there is no reason to change your travel plans :-)

Below is also a bit about this wet season and the fact that the Trailer Guide 2021 is out.

=============================================

In This Issue:

• The Tip Will Remain Open

• Weather and Season

• Trailer Guide Updated

• Feedback Always Welcome

=============================================

THE TIP WILL REMAIN OPEN

I know that a lot of people have already heard the news, particularly the locals. But I am still getting lots of questions from hesitant travellers saying they have been starting to make alternative plans. There is no reason to do that as it has been confirmed by the local authorities that there is no aim to close the Tip.

Sorry that some wrong-doers have made this needing a mention: These newsletters are subject to the Law of Copyright - the only way to legally spread them is a link to this page or a proper Facebook share (cropping text and photos out of it to use them to build one's own Facebook post is ILLEGAL).

Traditional Owners raised their voice about disrespect, as there are no amenities at the Tip, and that was easy to turn into a media frenzy that not only confused the travellers but also threatened to damage local businesses. None of the locals want that, and facilities are being planned to be built at the Tip. Rest assured that it will not be closed so you will get to the sign and everywhere else as before.

cape york tip closure

Most people always do the right thing, but we wouldn't have the problems if everyone practiced proper bush toilet habits, and brought their rubbish out, remembering, this is the Tip of Australia, not a Rubbish Tip :-)


WEATHER AND SEASON

So, we are in the end of March, and looking back - even though there have been better wet seasons, this one has not been too bad.

2021 wet archer river
Archer crossing 2021 by Troy Walker, thank you :-)

Definitely better than the last year, with a fair bit of rain, rivers up; and a good few - albeit weak - cyclones, but they are the ones that bring more rain than the strong ones.

2021 wet season archer riverArcher crossing 2021 by Troy Walker, thank you :-)

The weather has been a little drier lately but the wet season is not finished yet and it's still cyclone season until the end of April.


TRAILER GUIDE UPDATES

And last but not least - the Trailer Guide 2021 is out, with everything that has changed since last year, updated:

* FREE camping spots on your way here from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Northern Territory that suit a trailer

* Should you bring your trailer

* The reasons why you should consider not bringing your trailer (so you can make an informed decision)

* The condition of the roads

* The timing of the gradings

* Where to leave your trailer at the bottom of the Cape – there are several FREE storage places, there are also the locked / undercover spaces, and the ones in a shed (each place with their exact prices, and whether they have conditions such as time limits or if you need to stay a few nights to use the storage service)

* Bring your trailer

* Hire a trailer

* How to avoid the damage

* How towing capacity changes when you are off road

* How to do the best adventure without your trailer: places where to leave your trailer up the Cape and go off to do the tracks (closest places to different tracks specified)

* What mechanical workshops fix trailers up the Cape, and what are the stores that have trailer accessories

* What roads and tracks are you going to get through with your trailer

* Where are the FREE camping spots on the Cape that are large enough for trailers

* Dump points – where are the public ones, and also which commercial camping grounds have them (not nearly all have one up on the Cape!)

* What commercial camping grounds / caravan parks have large / extra large sites – for each park

* And last but not least - what places actually have powered sites – the majority do not up the Cape!

All for the very cheap price of $7

Completely unique information found nowhere else.

Put together inside the Cape, based on local knowledge and first hand research (not from other books or web information - just like the full Destination Guide itself!).
destination cape york trailer supplement
If you already have the Trailer Guide, please give me an email and I will send you the latest version :-)

If you don't - the Trailer Guide (just like the Doggie and Caravan Guides) is a supplementary guide to the main Destination Guide and available inside it, as explained on this page (because of the amount of updating work involved, no other way would be viable).




FEEDBACK ALWAYS WELCOME

I really appreciate any kind of feedback on the Destination Guide.

Please let me know if you enjoyed it while planning before the trip, and while using the information once on the trip.

If you get any questions about anything, please feel welcome to contact me.

That's all for this time - happy planning, and happy travels to those on the road!!

Have a great day :-)

Katrin.

P.S. If you cannot see the photo banner in the top of this page, instead of photos you only see photo texts, and instead of links you see url addresses throughout the text, you are using email software that only reads text. Consider getting an email account with Yahoo or others that can read HTML (and remember to change your email address, which can be done in the end of every newsletter.


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