We thought maybe a drive to see the plane wrecks in the region would be a way to pass on the history of the place to the boys. After struggling to the find the first one, we came across a Bristol Beufort. It would have been no more than 5 kms from Bamaga airport. Explaining how the plane came to be there and why it was there was an interesting experience. Something about war time hasn't clicked yet.
Something that you did notice it the piles of empty barrels left in the bush. These were fuel drums dumped at the end of the war. These were in lots places and we only saw them from the road, can't imagine how many there would be around the place. Each flight of the Bristol used about 12 drums and it was a busy airport for 10 year or so, there must be lot somewhere!
Next was a visit to a DC3 crash where 6 people died. If you lined up the plane, it is directly in line with the runway just 300 metre away or so. It didn't say what went wrong but the crash was at 05:20 or so after a long flight from Brisbane.
For lunch we thought we might head to Mutee Head which is on the coast just south of Seisa. It was the landing site of Chief Bamaga who left their island Saibai in 1946 after a high tide flooded most of the island. They stayed here for a number of years before moving to the current site of Bamaga. This explains the stronger islander influence in Sesia than Bamaga. Although the beach was open to the SE trade winds, it was a massive step up from inland Bamaga. Nevermind I am sure that there was a reason.
We also stopped by the radar installation above Mutee Heads. The area was a major supply route and base for military during the pacific part of World War II. They say there were hundreds of soliders placed here and a major supply area for transporting and stockpiling. The remains of the wharf imply something was there, but not the 600 feet wharf they said was in place. The sea/earth is reclaiming it rather quickly.
Mutee heads beach and campground
The plan was to make our way back to Seisa via Bamaga's swimming pool, the only safe water around that the little ones can swim in. Unfortunately it wasn't to be, closed with a rather large gate! An example of opening hours in Bamaga. Sign says : Open 7 days; however when you look at the hours inside the pool area it says it's closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday and Thursday 10:00 - 5:00 open Friday - Sunday 11:00 - 5:00. Rocked up to the gates at 1:00 on Wednesday, gates all shut up. Where hear that Tom who runs the pool is less than consistent with opening hours, something the local mothers groups is working to find solutions too. The boys were really disappointed but we tried to make it up to them with a slushy for the gift shop.
All was quite after the slushy and the evening meal came and went. The only excitement to the evening was a visit but the wild horses to our garbage bag during the night. Head in trough he got quite a shock by a bang on the tent, he also ate the flowers that were in a glass (Andi had picked them for mum earlier in the day).
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