Packed up camp this morning where we stayed overnight by the banks of the Coen River. A great place made all the better after we had a swim to wash away a few days of accumulated dust from Lakefield NP. First stop after departing was the Quarantine Station about 24kms north of where we camped. We wanted to be sure of what we could / couldn’t bring back from the Cape. Seems the limitations are focussed on plant, bugs & disease minimisation / transmittal. We’re not sure the frog we found in the Tvan annex had read his quarantine obligations very thoroughly.
The road continued from the Quarantine Station to the Archer River Roadhouse. This is a place where you can get a bit of everything from fuel and basic repairs to snacks, souvenirs, a shower and a chat. It was also popular with the locals who were obviously planning a party based on the amount of XXXX they bought up at 10.10am! There is also a memorial here to one of the women pioneers who helped deliver mail to the local communities over many years.
Next up was the run into Weipa – about 60kms north from Archer River to the Weipa turnoff, then about 120kms northwest to Weipa. The road from north of Archer River was pretty good with long stretches where we could sit on 110kph (until Wendy would notice and remind me to stick to the speed limit). The mining operations extend quite a few kilometres inland and there was a dedicated road for the massive bauxite trucks to use, controlled by traffic lights that were inevitably turned red as we approached.
We are in Weipa for 3 days so we will have a decent chance to look around and report on what we find. At least tonight we will be able to enjoy the first hot shower since Cooktown!