Cuppa's Blog - Mt Elizabeth Caretaking
Submitted: Tuesday, Mar 31, 2026 at 23:03
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Member - Cuppa
And in quick succession this is the second post of the four I intend to write to bring us up to date with our travels. This was not one I found easy to write & it didn't turn out quite as I as I had imagined it would in my head but I think it gives the warts & all account of a difficult situation without going overboard with detail. Had I not restricted myself it would have become a 'novel'. As it is I finished it feeling 'finished' & just wanting to leave it all behind & start again, because that's what we have done.
https://cuppa500.com/Blog/mt-elizabeth-station-caretaking/
Reply By: kevin c - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2026 at 07:01
Wednesday, Apr 01, 2026 at 07:01
We have been to Mt Elizabeth a number of times over the years. The Munja track & the
camp at Baxtons ( I think that’s what it was called) & the walk to the falls, was a highlight. Since the station changed hands you can certainly notice a change, not for the better.
I tried to write a more detailed reply in your blog but the “reply” button was greyed out.
Kevin
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Follow Up By: Member - Cuppa - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2026 at 08:20
Wednesday, Apr 01, 2026 at 08:20
Hi Kevin, Bachsten is currently being used as a fuel dump for helicopters only. Such a shame as it is such a beautiful place. The folk who have MTE now told us they had tried to set up Munja tours using TO’s as guides but the TO’s were not interested in working for them. Hardly surprising really! When we visited MTE in the past the Laceys had just sold to a Chinese company , but the manager they had there was very good & we found the place great. I’m guessing it will probably only be in the current hands for limited time & we won’t be returning so long as the current owners have it.
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Reply By: Member - McLaren3030 - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2026 at 08:50
Wednesday, Apr 01, 2026 at 08:50
Hi Cuppa,
Wow, that experience would put you off from ever caretaking again.
Macca.
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Follow Up By: Member - Cuppa - Wednesday, Apr 01, 2026 at 11:52
Wednesday, Apr 01, 2026 at 11:52
Hi Macca, we may be a bit more cautious about caretaking stations but generally we assume if you treat folk with respect that they will reciprocate.
Most of the time that holds true & it helps to prevent us from becoming cynical & treating strangers as a threat.
However when we do come across folk who are 'plain nasty' it inevitably hurts ( & brings up memories of previous similar occasions). It's not like we don't learn (although that is how it can feel at the time) but rather that we refuse to allow the 'nasty' events to shape the way we lead our lives.
It's fair to say that I find writing about such events , (whether shared or kept to myself ) a useful process in letting it go.
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