Punsand Bay

Submitted: Wednesday, Dec 01, 2004 at 22:24

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Roger from Tassie

Someone posting feedback on the Cape York Trek Notes says that Punsand Bay is about to change hands. On our trips up there Gary & Sue have been running the place. Does anyone know who the new managers are going to be?

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Reply By: Patrol22 (Queanbeyan - Thursday, Dec 02, 2004 at 09:10

Thursday, Dec 02, 2004 at 09:10

Hey Roger
I was at Punsand in mid-August and it was on the market then and had been for some time. From memory the asking price was about $280,000 which seem pretty reasonable to me until I learned of some the caveats relatiing to the lease which I gotta admit turned me off somewhat. Beautiful spot and somewhere I could've retired to but SWMBO reckons it's too far from the kids.

I don't know who ended up buying the place but I sure they will be every bit as friendly as the previouse operators - after all in such an idyllic place you can't not be friendly.

Cheers
Pete

AnswerID: 86918

Follow Up By: Austravel - Thursday, Dec 02, 2004 at 10:43

Thursday, Dec 02, 2004 at 10:43

Hi,

What were some of the caveats?? I'd imagine they'd be quite broad.

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Follow Up By: Roger from Tassie - Thursday, Dec 02, 2004 at 11:19

Thursday, Dec 02, 2004 at 11:19

Thanks for the reply Pete

Likewise we love the place and the people. We nearly went back again about the time you were up there but went to to the Kimberley instead. We're now sorry we didn't. I won't repeat what SWMBO just said upon hearing that it was on the market. Very unlady like. She is also convieniently forgetting that I had suggested we go back there but she was the one that said lets go somewhere new (ie the Kimberly - were also had a great time). Oh well thats life.

Austravel asked what the caveats were. I'd also be interested. I had heard a storey that in a few years (can't remember how many) the lease expires and the land reverts to local ownership.

Was Bat (the jet sky guy) & Sal still there?

Roger

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Reply By: Well 55 - Thursday, Dec 02, 2004 at 11:24

Thursday, Dec 02, 2004 at 11:24

The way things are going it will have to be a day trip to the tip from Bamaga. No more camping north of there. Thats the buzz I heard.

AnswerID: 86943

Reply By: Patrol22 (Queanbeyan - Thursday, Dec 02, 2004 at 14:15

Thursday, Dec 02, 2004 at 14:15

Yeah like Well 55 says there are some doubts about camping closer to the tip in the future and also on the ability of the Injinoo to reclaim the lease. I gotta say however I didn't take a legal opinion on the lease but there there are strong moves for the Indigenous Councils to take over ownership of all commercial facilities North of the Jardine - but like I said it might well be more rumour than fact.

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Reply By: beatit - Thursday, Dec 02, 2004 at 15:29

Thursday, Dec 02, 2004 at 15:29

We were up there 2 years ago and Garry was telling us this story about wanting to spend a couple of $mil on improving the place but wanted an extension in the lease to make it worthwhile. Apparently the lease expires about 2015 (don't quote me on this) and the locals said no. I suppose it will go the way of the Wilderness Lodge and what a shame that will be. We've been to Punsand Bay a couple of times and reckon it's the best place to camp, great facilities and location. Wouldn't take much to change that so not looking forward to the day when we can't go there any more, which is the way it's heading. Hope I'm wrong!?

Kind regards

AnswerID: 86995

Reply By: bbuzz - Friday, Dec 03, 2004 at 21:21

Friday, Dec 03, 2004 at 21:21

Was up there in October. Gary and Sue have gone to Lotus Bird Lodge, 26 kms down the Lakefield National Park road from Musgrave Roadhouse. They have bought just the Lodge not the station. The aim is to make it into a luxury , 5 star, attraction. A local has bought Punsand, not sure of the name, but he lives down the beach. Not Bat, the fisherman (he has a new charter boat business) to go with the croc behind his shack!
Not sure of all the details but will be in touch with the charter boys and may find out details. Will post if I get them.
The Injinoo are part of the problem with the tourist industry under threat.

AnswerID: 87211

Follow Up By: Roger from Tassie - Saturday, Dec 04, 2004 at 07:52

Saturday, Dec 04, 2004 at 07:52

Thanks heaps. Amazing how things can change in a year. Gary & Sue seemed pretty entrenched at Punsand. I quess the uncertainty got to them. Glad to know where they are now. We will definately pay a visit, even though we generally steer clear of luxury 5 star accomodation. I remember when we were last there, sitting at the bar with Bat while he dreamed of buying a boat and starting a charter business. Glad to hear his dream came true. Sounds like he's still in his shack at Punsand and therefore runs his charter boat from there. Am I guessing right here? Any details would be appreciated.

Thanks again

Roger

FollowupID: 345970

Reply By: bbuzz - Sunday, Dec 05, 2004 at 18:57

Sunday, Dec 05, 2004 at 18:57

Yes he is down the beach. Although he seemed to spend most of his time at the Resort! Gary and Sue were leaving by end pf October, all going well and they can get the trucks down in one piece. Gary was going to use the tractor to fix up some of the creeks, so the trucks would fit, so he may have done everyone a service! The Lodge would not be up to their standard yet so you probably won't have to worry about the 'knobs' being there.
They have a 'wild' bull that visits from time to time so I think the first job was to stock the freezer with some steaks!
Thats all I can remember.....

AnswerID: 87364