Weipa in the 70's

by Ian
(Brisbane)

Weipa in the 70's was an amazing place and very, very isolated. It was a 3 day drive from Cairns with lots of rocky creek crossings and soft sand between Archer River and Batavia Downs.

From there the road wound around the trees down through York Downs, the jump up and then out across to the Weipa township. It was also a closed lease, if you had no employment you were not permitted to enter. There was an Alcan lease out towards Stones Crossing/Tent Pole creek.

Nothing much happening there and I think never did but a German fellow with one hand called Fred was the caretaker and his T.I. girlfriends' name was Pauline. Fred has passed but I understand Pauline may still be alive. Fred was an amazing man, roll a ciggie while drinking from a stubby and driving his old beat up 4x4 all with one hand.

Fishing around Billy's Lagoon and the Wenlock was just great as it was everywhere. The Pennefather River was almost always deserted, even on weekends.

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