Thursday 18 May 2017
Once again this was not going to be a big driving day, especially as we had talked to some guys who had come from that direction the previous day and stayed overnight at the same campsite.
They told us that the drive took them 3 hours, this was also overly pessimistic, as the drive took us just over 2 hours. There were a few creek crossings but nothing overly difficult at all.
Chili Beach and surrounding areas have an interesting WW II history.
During World War II, a large American bomber base was set up at Gordon’s Airstrip (aka Lockhart River Airport) with three airstrips operating. The US bombers would fly to PNG and be met by their fighter escorts based at Bamaga and Horn Island further north. Thousands of US and Australian troops did their jungle training, before being shipped to southeast Asia. Chilli Beach was the supply port during WW II with a large jetty which has since been removed,although you can still see parts of the piers and rail lines lying about.
A pretty area without anything doing as it was not yet the full on dry season, in fact the local café was still closed and was not scheduled to open until June.
On our way to the Chili Beach camping area, there was a sign from a local enterprising bloke, touting that he had fish, prawns and block ice. Ice was $10 per block made using tank water he claimed. The prawns were $20 per kilo, and the fish (Spanish Mackerel) was $30 per kilo. We bought all three
The camping site was in a great spot just about 50 metres over a sand rise to the beach. Another very warm day at about 30 degrees plus high humidity. Very warm at the campsite, but when we walked over to the beach, the breeze was very comfortable.
That night however the wind picked up, which is usual in these parts and this made it easier to sleep as there was air getting through the tents.
Chili Beach looking back to the campground
As is required for all camping areas in Queensland National Parks, a permit is required to camp. For the Chili Beach Camping Area we booked and paid online