Ninian bay, Cape Melville

Submitted: Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 14:21

ThreadID: 17471 Views:7021 Replies:2 FollowUps:3

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Austravel

I hope to head back to Cape Melville next year. Last time was a short visit and I hope to spend more time this round. I notice on the map roads leading to Ninian Bay, Bathurst Bay and Princess Charlote Bay. Can you acess all these areas? Can you please give me some details of other areas to explore up there or along the way in from both Cook Town and Kalpower. Also, were can you camp for free up there??? I note a couple of threads talking about free camping, last time we camped at Bathurst Bay in the NP.

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Reply By: Bros - Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 19:06

Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 19:06

Austravel,
Heading north from Cooktown to Bathurst Bay along the Starcke Station track the only four places i know of are 1.Cape Flattery (operating silica sand mining, been there quite a few times, beautiful secluded bay, not sure about access now).
2. Starcke River. (camping near the river or at the front beach, sandies, mozzies).
3. Jeannie River mouth. (never been there, someone else may know).
4. Ninian Bay.(part of Cape Melville National Park, been there once, fished pretty well, fresh water in lagoon, don't know how reliable).
If you have been to Bathurst Bay (Cape Melville) before just head straight onto the beach (left) when arriving for free camping. Don't know how long the free camping will last as that part of the beach is part of the now defunct ? Kalpowar Station, which is awaiting a decision as to who gets what. Fresh water aplenty.
On the way to Bathurst Bay via Kalpowar Crossing you can go straight ahead after crossing the Marriott River to Bathurst Heads. (never been there but friends say no fresh water).
As to Princess Charlotte Bay i have no knowledge whatsoever
Hoping this helps in some way.
Cheers,
Bros.

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Follow Up By: Member - Meggs - Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 20:40

Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 20:40

Bros is pretty switched on in this area but you may want to visit another site where there are a couple of write ups on this area.
This bloke has been there a couple of times so you may wish to look at his reports and photo's. He also went up there this year and I saw his reports but they aren't on his web site. You might want to email him about it.

Big Red

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Follow Up By: govo - Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 22:16

Monday, Nov 01, 2004 at 22:16

hiya bros..l hear nissan's have strong diffs and never break...lol

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Follow Up By: Austravel - Tuesday, Nov 02, 2004 at 09:44

Tuesday, Nov 02, 2004 at 09:44

Thanks Bros and Meggs. I checked out the trip reports and also emailed him, with the this info and his I should be able to check out a few more sites up there. When I was up there we only looked around the Cape Melville section, the fresh water creek, the Palms, plane wreck and the monument.

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