Page 44 - Ebook Explore Cape York

Explore Cape York 38
Oyala Thumotang National Park
25km north of the Coen Quarantine Station is the turn off to Oyala
Thumotang National Park. The Park is closed each year for the wet
season December 1 to June 19 (these dates may vary according to
the weather). Fishing is permitted in all waterholes (except for
Peach Creek), where there’s a chance you’ll land yourself one of
the huge Saratoga residing in these waters.

Vardons Lagoon, among others, is a top spot for bird watching
including the often-elusive Palm Cockatoo. There are a number of
good camping spots, however, as Oyala Thumotang is a national
park, camping permits are required.

Archer River Roadhouse
Archer River Roadhouse, on the banks of the Archer River, is a
great place to pull over for a break or a night. Restaurant meals
and takeaway food are available. The famous ‘Archer Burger’ can
be washed down with a beer from the bar.

The Archer River, a mere 150m up the road, provides a cool dip
earlier in the season, however, the further into the dry season you
get the less the likelihood of finding water.

There is a monument to the late Toots Holzheimer, the first lady
truck driver, a pioneer, and a legend on Cape York. Toots’ daughter,
Donna Vawdrey, has written a book about Toots’ life, a great read
that will make you appreciate how lucky we are to be travelling
Cape York on the roads of today. Toots’ life sadly ended in an
accident on the Weipa wharf.

Accommodation: Basic rooms, camping
Facilities: Cafe, licensed bar, fuel, toilets and showers