Virilya Point Camping

[campdog]

I have been told that Virilya Point is in for some changes for the 2008 season. Story is that the Local communities are missing out on the tourist dollar as a lot of people dont go any further than Virilya and camp.(including me). Looks like the access road will be upgraded ant the bridge renewed and camping fees and restrictions will be enforced on the area. We were told this by the people running the Jardine ferry. I thought it would be only a matter of time.
I havent seen anything in writing yet, but probably wont until we go there next year.
I know that the fee to cross the Jardine covers camping at Virilya Point, but a lot dont go that far.I havent seen anythind in writing yet.

[rushy]

I would pay a small fee to camp at vyrila so long as they clean up the crap on the beach like what has happened at the pennyfather. Its not just terrible to look at , it cant be to flash on the enviroment either.But if they dont do anything well they can get stuffed.

[Scorcher]

Has anybody got any further updates on this as yet??

I'm happy to pay a fee to visit great places like Vrilya Point, but I agree with others that there has to be some level of service to warrant it.

To be truthful, I'd like it to go back to the way it was in the early 90's when the Crystal Creek bridge was out, and you had to do a 2 hour bypass around it to the south, just to come out a few hundred metres up from the impassable bridge. It made only the keen adventurers travel out there, and stopped the place looking like Pitt Street (Sydney joke !)

[campdog]

From what I have heard it wont happen, too much involved to set up rangers etc to police the place. If you cross the Jardine ferry you are paying camping fees for Virilya anyway.
It does get pretty busy and the road works going on it will only get busier.

[Scorcher]

From what I have heard it wont happen, too much involved to set up rangers etc to police the place. If you cross the Jardine ferry you are paying camping fees for Virilya anyway.
It does get pretty busy and the road works going on it will only get busier.

Just had to check my old records Camp Dog.

Back in 1993 when we went there (this years trip No.10 for me since 1987) the locals were set up there, with plans of upgrading it - toilets, sheds, restricted camping areas etc, but that only lasted for 12 months from memory. Whilst it's only a few hours away from "civilisation", it's still pretty remote.

Maybe we just blow up the bridge !! Then we can keep the place to ourselves :rolleyes: (joking......of course)

[campdog]

Just had to check my old records Camp Dog.

Back in 1993 when we went there (this years trip No.10 for me since 1987) the locals were set up there, with plans of upgrading it - toilets, sheds, restricted camping areas etc, but that only lasted for 12 months from memory. Whilst it's only a few hours away from "civilisation", it's still pretty remote.

Maybe we just blow up the bridge !! Then we can keep the place to ourselves :rolleyes: (joking......of course)

The sheds are still there and the toilet fell over, actually when we got there april last year the brighe was in pretty poor shape and took about 4 hrs or more to get into the camp.

[Lushy]

Whos rubbish is it?
Tourists?
4x4 ers?
Then we are the ones to clean up any site used for camping.
I am no greeny but it shits me to death to see our beautiful country fouled by human pigs
If it is the local community doing it then it is up to the Jardine Ferry mob to clean it up as this must come under their charter anyway as they are charging a fee, indiginous or not there is still whiteman law to cover these issues!
Thats my rant for the year, gee I hate rubbish in our scrub, our club expects us to clean up our rubbish and others as a must.

[Scorcher]

Whos rubbish is it?
Tourists?
4x4 ers?
Then we are the ones to clean up any site used for camping.
I am no greeny but it shits me to death to see our beautiful country fouled by human pigs
If it is the local community doing it then it is up to the Jardine Ferry mob to clean it up as this must come under their charter anyway as they are charging a fee, indiginous or not there is still whiteman law to cover these issues!
Thats my rant for the year, gee I hate rubbish in our scrub, our club expects us to clean up our rubbish and others as a must.

Hey Lushy,

From my observations, having visited Vrilya Point on numerous occasions since 1987, the majority of the "rubbish" is the flotsam and jetsam from fishing trawlers (largely Indonesian I understand) that washes ashore. Nets, crates, balls, light globes, left feet thongs, floats etc litter the western side of the cape after each wet season.

Makes for some fun exploration for those with that interest, but can be an eyesore.

Vrilya Point in particular doesn't tend to be rubbished too much from the 4x4 fraternity from what I've seen. And many people tend to be like our group, and have a big bonfire to clean up any rubbish left around the place anyway. Having said that, there's always the odd person/ group that spoil it for the rest of us.

[Nedly]

I'm planning on spending a couple of nights at Vrilya Point this year.
Will be our first visit to the area, hope it doesn't get too busy.

Any tips or advice on the place will be greatly appreciated.

Les

[campdog]

I'm planning on spending a couple of nights at Vrilya Point this year.
Will be our first visit to the area, hope it doesn't get too busy.

Any tips or advice on the place will be greatly appreciated.

Les
Les, it can get busy but for a couple of nights camping at crystal creek near the light ship is worth it. Great camping under the oaks, plenty of room and a lot of fun fishing from the banks in the arvo.Its an easy run down the beach from Virilya Point.

[Lushy]

Hey Lushy,

From my observations, having visited Vrilya Point on numerous occasions since 1987, the majority of the "rubbish" is the flotsam and jetsam from fishing trawlers (largely Indonesian I understand) that washes ashore. Nets, crates, balls, light globes, left feet thongs, floats etc litter the western side of the cape after each wet season.

Makes for some fun exploration for those with that interest, but can be an eyesore.

Vrilya Point in particular doesn't tend to be rubbished too much from the 4x4 fraternity from what I've seen. And many people tend to be like our group, and have a big bonfire to clean up any rubbish left around the place anyway. Having said that, there's always the odd person/ group that spoil it for the rest of us.
Now this a total different thing as we have no control on what boaties chuck over board, the tides and it sounds like we could have some stuff as souvenaires! I will do like wise and set up a bomb fire to get rid of the flotsem, I am glad to hear most of it is not from us.

[Scorcher]

I'm planning on spending a couple of nights at Vrilya Point this year.
Will be our first visit to the area, hope it doesn't get too busy.

Any tips or advice on the place will be greatly appreciated.

Les

G'day Nedly,

As Campdog said, there's a number of good spots up the northern end from Vrilya Point, near the old lightship & creek. At Vrilya Point itself, you can camp on the point, or the cnr of the bay.

If you turn left before going down the big hill (just past a gravesite), there's numerous camping spots on the beach to the south of Vrilya Point.

You shouldn't have too much trouble.

[Nedly]

Thanks for the advice.

I'll do a bit more research on the place but crystal creek and below the headland both sound like good options.
I suppose I'll have to wait until we get there and see which is less crowded.

From memory there are fisherman's huts South of Virlya, visitors not welcome.
Scorcher, how far are the beach camps from these huts?

Les

[Scorcher]

Thanks for the advice.

I'll do a bit more research on the place but crystal creek and below the headland both sound like good options.
I suppose I'll have to wait until we get there and see which is less crowded.

From memory there are fisherman's huts South of Virlya, visitors not welcome.
Scorcher, how far are the beach camps from these huts?

Les

I haven't visited the area where the fisherman's huts are. I've only seen it noted in Ron & Viv Moons Cape York guide as being a private fishing camp.

The beach camps are in the next bay south, no more than about 1km I guess. Easy drive through the woodlands, cross a creek (great for a tub & drinking water) then a bit further along you come out on the beach.

There's at least 5 good spots to camp under trees in this spot, but you can keep heading south as far as the Cotterill River (beach run) and camp anywhere where there are a few tree's & grassy area.

[campdog]

I haven't visited the area where the fisherman's huts are. I've only seen it noted in Ron & Viv Moons Cape York guide as being a private fishing camp.

The beach camps are in the next bay south, no more than about 1km I guess. Easy drive through the woodlands, cross a creek (great for a tub & drinking water) then a bit further along you come out on the beach.

There's at least 5 good spots to camp under trees in this spot, but you can keep heading south as far as the Cotterill River (beach run) and camp anywhere where there are a few tree's & grassy area.
Just be careful of the creek crossing on the way to the Cotteral. It is usually pretty boggy early in the dry.I like the look of the camp spots on the beack on the southern side of Virilya under the trees.

[tully]

I haven't visited the area where the fisherman's huts are. I've only seen it noted in Ron & Viv Moons Cape York guide as being a private fishing camp.

The beach camps are in the next bay south, no more than about 1km I guess. Easy drive through the woodlands, cross a creek (great for a tub & drinking water) then a bit further along you come out on the beach.

There's at least 5 good spots to camp under trees in this spot, but you can keep heading south as far as the Cotterill River (beach run) and camp anywhere where there are a few tree's & grassy area.

hi again, living in kalgoorlie now after the big move, its a bit different to north queensland. scorcher, those fishing huts are not there, we located the track last year with the gps and i had to walk in front with the misses driving to follow it. there is a nice open spot and sandy area right next to the beach but to rocky for a boat and lots of pig signs

[batesy]

iving in kalgoorlie now

Chasing the money, Tully?

Plenty of work over there I guess. Surprised they let a fella like you across the border though!

[plucker]

There used to be a croc called "Jurasic" that lived around in Creek 2 in the north of Virilya. It was an awesome sight to see such a large critter. I'd say 18 foot easy.
Anyone know if the croc is still there?

[Scorcher]

Hi all,

Just back from a 3 week trip to the Cape (trip No. 10 or 11??).

We spent a week at Vrilya Point, camping in the bay on the southern side, just past the freshwater creek.

Don't worry Campdog, no changes to Vrilya Point, yet.

Road in still pretty much the same. A fair bit of use so far this year, from the reports we received from everybody we bumped into. It still seems to be a popular destination, for some groups planning a long term stay (2 weeks +), who don't necessarily plan to go any further north.

The beach road north from Vrilya Point, up to the beached light ship, was like driving on a runway. We didn't go any further than that this year, as we wanted to just see how it is slowly degrading. When I get the chance, I'll pop on a few photo's showing how it was 20 years ago, comparing it to now.

The sheds on the southern corner of the beach appear to have been fixed up a tad. Very clean & clear around both of them. I suspect that they have had a bit of use early in the season. Last time we were up there (2006), they had been burnt around, which doesn't really make it a nice place to camp.

The beach drive from the south of Vrilya Point, down to the Cotterill River, was a bit more testing. The first 6km's or so, down to the small creek crossing, was hard work. Very chopped up soft sand, and the creek crossing a reasonable challenge - steep banks and tight cornering required. After that, it was a pretty good run down to the Cotterill River mouth.

We spoke to numerous groups that had visited Vrilya Point. As it is largely a fishing destination, many were dissappointed with the lack of fish over the past month. Very few birds working, very few bait fish around, mud crabs few & far between, and the impact of the SE winds that came across Heathlands from the East Coast (strong wind warning for the first 2 weekls of June) made fishing more than 500 metres offshore uncomfortable. Anyway, if you work hard enough, there was still a feed to be had most days.

We heard a few whispers north of the Jardine, of possible plans to try to capture the tourist dollar for those who don't venture any further north from Vrilya Point, but I suspect that it is in the "too hard" basket for now.

Scorcher

[Nedly]

Thanks for the update Scorcher.

We're looking forward to getting up there, though I hope the fishing improves before we head off.

[Scorcher]

Thanks for the update Scorcher.

We're looking forward to getting up there, though I hope the fishing improves before we head off.

Nedly,

Fishing is always a bit hit & miss anyway, but you may be lucky and be there during a "hot" period.

As I said, if you work hard enough, you will always get a feed.

We tried bottom bouncing around some of the rocky headlands, and picked up a variety of fish, including Coral Trout only 50 metres off shore. We also went for a long trolling session, and managed to pick up a few Spanish Mackeral and Cobia (no more than 100 metres off shore). The 1 mtr + wind swell (a lot of the time) made it a tad uncomfortable in a small tinny, so we kept pretty close to shore.

[Nedly]

Nedly,

Fishing is always a bit hit & miss anyway, but you may be lucky and be there during a "hot" period.

As I said, if you work hard enough, you will always get a feed.

We tried bottom bouncing around some of the rocky headlands, and picked up a variety of fish, including Coral Trout only 50 metres off shore. We also went for a long trolling session, and managed to pick up a few Spanish Mackeral and Cobia (no more than 100 metres off shore). The 1 mtr + wind swell (a lot of the time) made it a tad uncomfortable in a small tinny, so we kept pretty close to shore.

We'll be strictly land based, so close to shore is good.
Got the beach and creek, she'll be good.

[Scorcher]

We'll be strictly land based, so close to shore is good.
Got the beach and creek, she'll be good.

Nedly,

If you camp near the huts at Vrilya Point, try fishing amongst the pools around the rocks as the tide starts coming in, and move back with the tide.

You'll be surprised what turns up !!

Scorcher

[Nedly]

Nedly,

If you camp near the huts at Vrilya Point, try fishing amongst the pools around the rocks as the tide starts coming in, and move back with the tide.

You'll be surprised what turns up !!

Scorcher

Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a shot.

One more question, not sure if it's been asked/discussed elsewhere, is the beach run to the light ship and creek a low tide only run?

[Scorcher]

Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a shot.

One more question, not sure if it's been asked/discussed elsewhere, is the beach run to the light ship and creek a low tide only run?

Nedly,

The sand from Vrilya Point (south corner of beach) to the Light Ship is currently like a runway. Hard packed and an easy run at either tide.

We didn't go any further than the light ship this trip. Previously, the sand past this point has been fairly soft above the high tide mark, and there were plenty of fallen she-oaks onto the beach, but this may have all changed in the past 2 years since we visited the creek up north.

If you decide to do the beach run from Vrilya Point (south) to the Cotterill River, you will find the first 6-8 km's of sand pretty soft & will need to lower your tyre pressures.

Scorcher

[geoffjy]

Hi Campdog.

There has been a lot of rumours a lot up here of late in regards to what is going to happen at vrilya point. Last year i spoke to some the bigwigs from comalco which has a lease on the land. They were up here at the time to talk to the Injinoo elders. Basically what they wanted to do was put a cultural art centre out there and people would have apply for a permit to camp out there. I have not heard anything back yet from comalco in regards to this and personally i cant see it happening.

Another rumour i heard just recently is that Injinoo is thinking about closing off access to the Crystal creeks north of vrilya. Not sure if this is going to happen yet either.

Also, just to let anyone know who might be going out there, someone has cut away part of a log that goes across the bridge. Can be a bit tricky crossing it especially for those cars with narrow tyres.

Dont forget as well that you do have options when you get to vrilya, you can stay there, you can drive north to no.2 crystal and you can also drive south to the cotteral. You can tow a small trailer boat down there and it is really nice camping. There are 2 old sheds down there too if your lucky enough to arrive and find them vacant.

As soon as i find out anything else about vrilya, i will update the post

[Nedly]

G'day geoffjy,

Thanks for the update, we'll be heading that way in a couple of weeks, the info is of a help.

[geoffjy]

Hi Nedley,

I was down at the MacDonald River a couple of weeks ago. Took some friends down there fishing. Also fished a couple of reefs of vrilya. Fishing was really good then and its only going to get better until october. Best of luck.

[geoffjy]

There is a sign at the turnoff of the PDR and the Vrilya Point Road that says the road is closed. This not true and it has been fixed and is passable. Sorry i dont have any pics of it as it was late in the arvo when i was going down and dark when i was coming back.

[Scorcher]

Geoff,

I remember back in the early 90's when the bridge across Crystal Creek was out, and we had to take the track that heads south just before the bridge, and cross further upstream. From memory it added another hour or 2 to the trip, just to come out a few hundred metres past the bridge along the Vrilya Point track.

The good thing was that it discouraged people from going out there, which meant that we had the whole place to ourselves !

I wonder whether they have done any work to the bridge or track? Maybe some of our other correspondents up there at the moment might know?

Scorcher

[geoffjy]

I was out there weekend just gone and the road was pretty good but the corrugations had just started to form. I didnt go into Vrilya Point itself but went down to the mouth of the Cotteral instead. On the southern side of Vrilya there 3 camps.

Bridge is fine now and didnt have any hassles what-so-ever.

[geoffjy]

Here is a pic at the Cotteral mouth on the weekend.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq69/geoffjy/DSCF1708.jpg

[geoffjy]

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq69/geoffjy/DSCF1711.jpg

[geoffjy]

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/qq69/geoffjy/DSCF1735.jpg

[Scorcher]

We only did a little bit of fishing down at the Cotterill last year....I think I need a week or more to start working it out !

We camped in the bay just as you come out onto the beach.....a fairly popular spot. I took the tinny for a run down to the Cotterill, but it was an outgoing tide, and got hammered trying to get in across the emptying sandbar. Only got a chance to fish for a few hours before heading out of the river and north back to camp. The trip back was more rewarding, trolling up a few Cobia on the way home.

Certainly is nice country though !

[geoffjy]

This are little bits of reef as well inbetween the Cotteral and Vrilya. Also one very large bommy that is definitely worth a fish. Its a great spot and takes about a 3hr drive from Bamaga atm. As with anything i guess, one day is never enough and by the end of a week's fishing you still think its not enough time.

[Scorcher]

Here's a shot of the log bridge over Crystal Creek (in 2008) not far from the PDR.

[Scorcher]

Vrilya Point Lookout

[Scorcher]

Lighthouse wreck on beach north of Vrilya Point (2008)

[geoffjy]

The approaches to the bridge are a little different and there are one or two logs missing since that pics was taken. Still easy to cross though, just have to watch where you tyres go.

[bingham]

Hey All,

Just getting organised for another run up the cape and also doing some of the gulf this year for the first time. Any updated info on Vyrilia pt?? missed it last time but locked it in for this trip!

Any info on this and how things are looking would be great.:D ..

[Scorcher]

Bingham,

On our trip there last year, there was talk of restricting camping to a few identified places, due largely to planned exploration over the mining lease area.

I am interested to see if this has eventuated as yet !

It is a great place to spend a few day's....

Cheers

Scorcher

[geoffjy]

Hasnt happened yet Scorcher. They are still talking about it though. There are still a couple of nice shelters the council put up.

[Scorcher]

Geoff,

Yes, the shelters are great. I love camping on the point, but the trip down to the Cotterill has a lot of appeal to it as well.

Hoping to spend a week there on our trip up there next year !

Cheers

[bingham]

ok, Cheers for the updates... Just getting final bits put on the Patrol and its getting new boots tomorrow as the slicks wont help much.

Many more done the OTL yet?? am sure they would be testing winches out fairly well if they did??

[trakadda]

hi all, has any one got a road/track report into virilya point as yet. last year track was rough but useable and i was wondering how it is this year after the wet

[YOYO]

I went to virilya point July 2007 because campdog highly recomended it back then and obviously he still loves the place. I have done many a trip since then but nothing has compared to that memroable trip to Vrilya point. My wife cant understand whats so special about it but I just love the place.
I should be going back for a a week or so in September. I want to do a fair bit of fishing and don't really know what I'll be catching around that time in the creek. I will be taking a 3.7m tinny with a 15hp motor. Last time we did well along the mangroves but didn't venture to far from camp. Is the river mouth any good or am I better off going up into the creek. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[bingham]

I start my trip tomorrow!!!!. Townsville isa cammo lawn hill bourketown normanton/kurumba cowanyama musgrave weipa OTL to the tip then back frenchmans maybe mossman etc then back to sunny coast. 3 weeks fun ahead of me. Keen as to get to vyrilia so will keep you posted...

[Scorcher]

I start my trip tomorrow!!!!. Townsville isa cammo lawn hill bourketown normanton/kurumba cowanyama musgrave weipa OTL to the tip then back frenchmans maybe mossman etc then back to sunny coast. 3 weeks fun ahead of me. Keen as to get to vyrilia so will keep you posted...

Hey Bingham,

Have you made enquiries as to whether the Kurumba > Kowanyama > Musgrave track is open yet?? With the late wet, it can sometimes be a bit iffy as to when it is open to traffic.

If it is, you will love the trek !

Cheers

Scorcher

[geoffjy]

On my way back from my holidays down the coast, there were plenty of cars at the mouth of the Cotteral,Vrilya Point and also the mouth of N.o 2 Crystal. Some were towing tinny's.