We were catching coral trout at Restoration Is, just out from The Roads itself , along with some big trevally, and you can see the close reefs from the beach.If you get the chance, go up to the Pascoe river community, nth of the roads, but its a bit "alternative", if you like.I always go to Portland roads on the way to the top. Great spot. Bill
-- Edited by bill12 on Tuesday 9th of July 2013 02:40:53 PM
Portland Roads is a small community that was a very important location during WW2 ,it was a strategic base for up to 50.000 American Military Troops, gun turrets and bunkers can still be seen enshrouded by the vegetation up in the hills.it is open until 7pm,now you do not even get that kind of service in a magor
Still today people go there to prospect for gold ...left over from the days when Portland Roads was a registered port to export gold.
The post office still operates three days per week,but what was different about this is that on Friday it is open until 7pm,now you do not even get that kind of service in a major town/city. There is also a couple of public pay phns as well.
There is no camping allowed inside this little community, but there is a tank with bore water that the traveller is allowed to use to fill their jerrie cans up.,this is near the public toilets.
It is amazing that this little piece of Paradise has a couple of bed and breakfast kind of shacks that you can stay in.
All this so far away from the what we call main stream Oz and it is only five nautical miles from the Great Barrier Reef.
We were catching coral trout at Restoration Is, just out from The Roads itself , along with some big trevally, and you can see the close reefs from the beach.If you get the chance, go up to the Pascoe river community, nth of the roads, but its a bit "alternative", if you like.I always go to Portland roads on the way to the top. Great spot. Bill
-- Edited by bill12 on Tuesday 9th of July 2013 02:40:53 PM
The locals were telling me that back in the 70s/80s this was a mecca for the hippy brigade .Don't know why they left a place like this.Maybe the law found their stash .???
The "cash" crop of "Marry your grandmother"was popular in those days as it is now. And being so remote made it harder to police. There is ample fresh water and a tropical climate, so you can grow anything. Haven,t been back for a few years- I wonder what they grow now? Land was very cheap as you can,t get out in the wet season.Would like to go back for a look , though. Bill
.If you get the chance, go up to the Pascoe river community, nth of the roads, but its a bit "alternative", if you like. Bill
-- Edited by bill12 on Tuesday 9th of July 2013 02:40:53 PM
I lived at Wattle Hill [on the Pascoe] when I went back up the Cape, in the mid-'90's Bill. Are you talking about that lot, or Fyfes ? Went to school with them in the '50's, down where I come from originally. Couldn't believe it when I came across them up there. You never know who you're going to meet in this small world.
Great to read your report on Portlands Road,sounds like paradise to me,my type of destination and will put it in my to do list.
Your living my dream Herbie,keep on enjoying and keep up the reports,Des
Thanks Paj74, I am a little slow at posting my latest travelling itinerary,but better late than never.I had a PM from someone off here asking had I died
