Page 88 - Ebook Explore Cape York

Explore Cape York 82
New Mapoon (Mandingu)
New Mapoon, another of the five Northern Peninsula Area towns
with a population of around 300, is located between Bamaga
and Seisia.

Approaching from Seisia, the first thing you’ll come across is
Cape York Ice & Tackle which is very much a one stop shop
when it comes to fishing gear, a range of outdoor clothing, boat
hire and charters. Cheryl and Bully, with over twenty years in
New Mapoon, are great hosts and have a huge knowledge when
it comes to fishing the area.

Venture a little further and you’ll find the Historical Centre,
where you’ll learn much more about the history and forced
relocation of the people from Mapoon, north of Weipa, to New
Mapoon.

History of New Mapoon
Through government arrogance, indifference, and the quest for
profits the story of Mapoon and subsequently New Mapoon
needs to be told. New Mapoon was formed when the people of
Mapoon, north of Weipa, were forcibly removed in the early
1960’s and relocated to a number of QLD towns - allegedly for
their health, in reality, for the rich bauxite deposits on their
land.

The people of Mapoon still have very strong ties to their
homeland, and some have moved back to resettle in the area of
their original community. They still practice culture through
telling the stories of their ancestors and homelands through art,
song and dance. You can be forgiven for travelling past it and
not realising there’s a village there as it doesn’t jump out at you
yelling “Look, I’m here” but it’s certainly worth a visit.

Cape York Ice & Tackle

Accommodation: 3BR house, 2BR cabin & 2BR lodge
Facilities All fully self-contained with ensuite, full kitchen
swimming pool with shaded entertainment area, BBQs