Bamaga, Queensland
Encyclopedia
Language
The community languages of Bamaga are Kalaw Kawaw Ya, Brokan (Torres Strait Creole), and English, particularly for education and government business.Industry
All of Bamaga's internal and main roads are sealed. The major industry is tourismTourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
mainly during the drier months of the year. This runs from May – October (The Developmental Road is impassable during the wet season and the ferry across the Jardine River does not operate).
The Community owns Resort Bamaga, an accommodation house for the corporate visitor. There is some cattle production, small business retailing and a concrete batching plant. Bamaga Island Council is the biggest employer with 200 staff. Modern supermarkets can be found at Seisia and Umagico. There is a general merchandise/clothing store, a video store, Post Office, Service Station/workshop, snack bar, pub and bakery in Bamaga as well as an Anglican church store and thrift shop.
Education
Bamaga is the location of the Northern Peninusula Area State College. It is made up out of the Bamaga P–6 Campus and Bamaga 7–12 Campus within the Bamaga township and the P–5 Campus which is located in the Injinoo Community.The standard of schooling is reflective to any found amongst most Aboriginal/Islander communities however in recent years standards have improved. There are now 50+ teachers and teacher aides through all schools.
The Bamaga and New Mapoon Communities have established Child Care Centres for early childhood schooling.
In recent times, the Cape York Campus of TAFE was established at Bamaga. The campus provides a wide range of tutorial courses from seamanship to practically any other course. The campus is a branch of the Far North College of TAFE situated at Cairns.
Electricity supply
There is a local Ergon Energy generator powerhouse at Bamaga which continually supplies 240 volt power to all communities. There are two local Ergon linesman stationed at Bamaga. Most lines are antiquated and subject to breakdowns causing blackouts on occasions.Powercards are an innovative idea for electricity supply to all residences in the Bamaga area. These are similar to phonecards and are inserted into the powerboards at each residence. The cards are available only in A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
20 amounts. There are therefore no issue of power bills as responsibility remains with each household to maintain power by the use of the cards.
Water supply
The quality of the town drinking water has improved of late with the introduction of new community reservoirs and the newly completed water treatment plant by Sunwater. The town water is sourced from the Jardine River supply.Sewerage
Sewerage for all communities except Seisia is by underground sewer. Seisia is proposing to remove all septics in favour of sewer in the coming budgets. Garbage collection is twice weekly (Mon-Thur) and should this not suffice, the local waste depot is only 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) away from the police establishment.Leisure
Fishing and camping is very popular. A boat and 4WD vehicle would be handy. There is the Bamaga Tavern open Monday-Saturday and Seisia Fishing Club which serves food and drinks on Fridays with live music. There are restaurants at the Seisia Village Resort, SeisiaSeisia, Queensland
Seisia is an area north of New Mapoon and west of Bamaga at the tip of Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia. At the 2006 census, Seisia had a population of 165....
; Resort Bamaga; Loyalty Beach Fishing Lodge, and also Punsand Bay Lodge, Punsand Bay. There are also take-away shops at Seisia, New Mapoon (Loyalty Beach camp ground and local store) and Bamaga communities.
The sporting facilities at Bamaga have undergone a recent facelift and there is now an established Olympic Basketball courts, Volleyball courts & Tennis courts. Football has again emerged as a strong sport in the region and councils have constructed night lighting of the fields for cooler night games. There are five organised football teams in the communities.
To assist sporting ventures in the region, a newly constructed Gymnasium at the Basketball courts will assist with health and training.
There are also established Darts; Pool; Fishing and of course, Hash House Harriers running clubs.
Tourism
The adventure of a 4WD trip to Bamaga through very rugged terrain is the main catalyst for tourist activity by road. There are many sights, towns and other points of interest during the journey. Tourist activities whilst at Bamaga include Sight-seeing tours to Thursday Island, Guided fishing and pig hunting tours; bird watching in the nearby Lockerbie ScrubLockerbie Scrub
Lockerbie Scrub is a 230 km2 area of closed forest and woodland, surrounded by open tropical savanna woodland, at the northern tip of the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, Australia.-Description:...
rainforest; visiting World War II aircraft wrecks in the Bamaga area and also at Horn Island (near Thursday Island) and, of course, the obligatory photo shoot at the “Tip of Australia”. The area is shrouded in history with culture and war memorabilia. An extended stay usually has one adapting to the “time does not matter” days.
Muttee Heads
Muttee Heads
Muttee Heads is about 20 km West of Bamaga at the tip of Cape York Peninsula.During World War II the No 52 Radar Station moved from Mascot in New South Wales to Townsville in north Queensland and finally to Muttee Head on Cape York in far north Queensland.No...
is a fishing/camping spot with access to Jardine River mouth and is 30 kilometres (18.6 mi) west on Cairns road.
Pajinka Wilderness Lodge is 35 kilometres (21.7 mi) north on Pajinka Road is the most Northerly part of Australia.
Twin Falls/Fruit Bat Falls is 65 kilometres (40.4 mi) south on the Peninsula Developmental Road to Cairns and a great swimming spot.
Punsand Bay Resort is a great camping spot some 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) north.
Somerset
Somerset, Queensland
Somerset is a historical ruin of Somerset homestead, a station established by John Jardine in 1863 and is 35 km north of Bamaga on Cape York in Queensland, Australia. It is a good camping area and day trip with facilities for barbecues....
is 35 kilometres (21.7 mi) north of Bamaga and the historic ruins of the Somerset Homestead. It is a good camping area and day trip for barbecue.
Medical
The Bamaga Hospital has an establishment of three medical officers and nine nursing officers who can capably handle most cases presented. Emergency cases are assessed and patients are either helivaced to Thursday Island Hospital by Australian Helicopters under contract to the Department of Emergency Services or by RFDS to Cairns.There is a Queensland Health employed dentist at the local hospital.
The Bamaga and surrounding communities are also serviced by the Queensland Ambulance Service. The QAS at Bamaga has two permanent officers which are of paramedic standard and have one of the most modern ambulance in use in Queensland today.
Veterinary services are limited but accessible. At present, a visiting veterinary specialist attends the premises of the Torres Shire Council, Thursday Island on a regular basis. Notification is usually in the local newspaper the Torres News. To attend for appointment will necessitate a ferry ride with your pet to Thursday Island. Usually this trip can be completed in the one day unless overnight care for the pet is required. This specialist can also be contacted at her surgery in times of emergency.
Government departments
The Australian Quarantine and Inspection ServiceAustralian Quarantine and Inspection Service
The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service is the Australian government agency responsible for enforcing Australian quarantine laws...
has a base in Bamaga.
Shopping
The Bamaga township has one major supermarket/variety store which is operated by the Islander Board of Industry and Service. The IBIS service most islands through the Torres Strait. The store at Bamaga is air-conditioned and has a comparable food line with major retailers in Cairns. The store does have frozen meat from Cairns butchers. It is however advisable to purchase in bulk, both grocery and meat when in Cairns and restock from the local store when required. The Bamaga and surrounding communities are well serviced by Sea SwiftSea Swift
Sea Swift is a regional sea freight company, operating from Cairns, Queensland to Thursday Island. The company ships dry and frozen cargo to 12 different islands. This includes a vital supplies of food to remote islands-Services:...
and Jardine Shipping companies twice weekly. Freight charges are minimal and delivery by Jardine Shipping is to the door.
Air-conditioned supermarkets are also at Seisia and Umagico Communities. Shopping around at all supermarkets will usually find an item.
The Seisia Meatworks has recently commenced operation which provides a range of meat products. Meat is sourced locally as well as grain fed regions such as Atherton Tablelands and Gympie. The quality is of a good standard and is found locally at the Seisia Supermarket.