Umagico

It is the second community (after Injinoo) on your way in the Northern Peninsula Area.


It is a bit off the main road to Bamaga, so you don't drive right through it, unless you turn in.


   

There is a football oval, a supermarket, an art and coffee shop, and a beautiful beach with a camping ground.

And on the beach, there are some magnificent sunsets :-)

Thupmul Art and Coffee Shop

Behind the supermarket is the Thupmul Art and Coffee Shop, run by a young local family.

They sell some local indigenous art, as well as coffee, milkshakes, frappes, sweets and more.

Camping Ground

A bit further, down the beach, is a camping ground.

It is a beautiful spot with a casuarina beach, and the sunsets can be beautiful.

Boats can be launched off the beach, the reef is only 200 metres away.

And on a quieter section of the beach, you might see a crocodile basking in the sun.
   

A Bit of Umagico History

Right next to the oldest community - Injinoo, Umagico was first settled by the Williams family, who wanted to live outside the Injinoo community. George Williams was working for Frank Jardine from Somerset, and was given a home here by Frank, with permission by the Injinoo people.
   
 
Later, in the late 1920s, when the people of the communities of Lockhart River and Port Stewart were forced from their home lands, they were given permission to settle here by the Injinoo people as well as Jardine and Williams families.
   

Umagico means "black headed python place", and another name often used is Alau, which was a Williams family's name, and today is the name for the camping ground.

Today, about 300 people call the community home, and about 90% are Aboriginals or Torres Strait Islanders. Originally mostly Aboriginal people, later there have also been additions from Mabuiag, Moa and Badu Islands.

About 90% of people speak Lawlau and Yumplatok at home.

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This complete 300 pages travel guide is all you need before and during your trip. Besides the background chapters on the peninsula's history and wildlife; and the comprehensive detail about all the places (down to prices, opening hours and full contact detail), it has invaluable information on at least 10 four wheel drive tracks, at least 30 guaranteed FREE camping spots on the Cape (and at least 150 on your way to the Cape), at least 40 best swimming holes, all mapped; as well as practical things - from fuel, roads, wireless internet and mobile phone reception, how to deal with the national parks booking rules; and Aboriginal land entrance and camping permits and alcohol restrictions - to vehicle preparation and accessories and necessary recovery gear by my vehicle-recovery-guy partner). Not to mention locals' tips on how to spot that croc and palm cockatoo ;-)

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