QHA_March 2018_Electronic_s

FEATURE
QHA REVIEW | 22
is bigger than the whole of South East Queensland.
A sealed road from Cairns through to Weipa is well
underway and it’s such a massive project. It’s state
and federally funded and won’t be finished till 2021.
With our fascination growing about this intriguing town
we asked Mark about the lure of Weipa from a tourist
perspective. His affinity for the region was evident.
“It’s a very spectacular part of Australia and one of
the most remote places on earth with untold beauty.
The region offers a terrain and landscape that is very
rare. The only similarities being the Northern Territory
and Western Australia. There are pristine lakes and
waterfalls. You could be swimming around and there
wouldn’t be five people within 200km of you.
“With people increasingly seeking unique holidays,
it’s appeal to campers and grey nomads in caravans,
hunters and fishermen is undeniable. The Barra fishing
and mud crabbing is incredible.The fish you can catch
up there is something else – Mangrove Jack, Marlin,
Barra. I mean Barra is not only exceptional eating, it is
such an exciting way to fish. Sometimes we will take
a boat out and even catch Bluefin Salmon with a little
lure. It is a beautiful part of the world.”
With the mention of fishing we couldn’t help but
enquire about the crocs.
“Yes, there are a few big lizards in the water and a
couple of noahs too but if you use your common
sense you don’t have too much to worry about.
Boating around these parts is wonderful and a lot of
people enjoy its unique aspects.”
Our conversation turned to travelling to Weipa by road
and what challenges this presents from a logistical
perspective in keeping the hotel well stocked.
“It’s about an 11-hour drive from Cairns but it is
dependent on the condition of the roads. When you
are in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne it is nice to talk
about the weather as a conversation starter but in the
Cape, it is vital information.
“Some periods you can’t get through or its largely
dependent on the type of vehicle you drive. You may
need to wait a few days or leave immediately. It is a