Portland Roads and Lockhart River

 

Further north, after Archer River roadhouse, is the turnoff to Portland Roads and Lockhart River Community, a few ks before the actual turn off is a track, which is marked on the map as the old Portland Road. It just cuts the corner for 10 or so ks. As we do, we decided to follow the track. It had not been used for some time and soon deteriorated to a single line through the scrub, but we persevered and enjoyed the drive.

Back on the main Portland Road, we hoped the traffic would disappear, it didn’t, although it did thin out a bit. First stop was Lockhart River Community established in 1924, it was named the Lockhart River Aboriginal Mission at that time. We then went on to the beach a few ks further on.

Large boulders and rock formations dominate the beach, a small stream carves its way through the sand to the ocean, sea birds hang on the strong breeze coming from the east. There is no camping allowed in the area, a shame, what an idealistic location. The local aboriginal council is making improvements to the foreshore and installing picnic shelters and upgrading the roads, it will look good when finished.

Back to Lockhart River and past the Ranger Station up the road, next stop Chilli Beach. This beach is in the national park and the campground is right on the palm fringed beach. We weren't camping as there were no vacancies for weeks, this is a remote campsite, yet it is very popular. We had lunch at the beach then moved on. 

Portland Roads is a small fishing village out on the point, consisting only of a few houses, as well as a café which is popular when open and it was packed when we went past, so we didn’t stop. The trip out to this isolated spot is well worth it, on the way you drive through coastal savanna woodlands then pockets of coastal rain forest and the views over the mountains of the Iron Range national Park are spectacular

It was getting late, so on our way out we found a car park for a walking track a little off the road in the National Park and made it our home for the night.

On the way back out to the PDR the next day we found a camp on Browns Creek, another clear, fresh, pristine watercourse. Taking advantage of this top spot we stayed for a couple days and cooked up a roast in the camp oven and counted our blessings.

 

Moving on a couple of days later, we arrived at Wentlock River crossing, where we had camped on the way out. After setting up camp, we were relaxing, when I heard a snapping and crackling sound from the bush behind us. On investigation, there was a bush fire over the road from us and advancing towards us. Without delay, we packed up and headed down the road away from the flames. Putting the drone up, we could see the fire all on one side of us. We moved on, away from the smoke and flames. Later we heard the local indigenous people were burning off some country as they regularly do to manage the area.