Bamaga is a small town and locality about 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the northern tip of Cape York in the north of Queensland, Australia.
Bamaga is a small town and locality about 40 kilometres (25 mi) from the northern tip of Cape York in the north of Queensland, Australia. It is within the Northern Peninsula Area Region. It is one of the northernmost settlements in continental Australia and is the administrative centre for the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council.
In the 2016 census, Bamaga had a population of 1,164 people, of whom 957 (82.4%) identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
History
The original site for the township of Bamaga was at a site known as "Muttee Heads" some 20 kilometres (12 mi) south of the present Bamaga township. The present site was established after World War II by people from Saibai Island in Torres Strait, after Saibai Island was devastated by abnormally high tides. It is named after Saibai elder Bamaga Ginau, who envisaged the site but died before it was established.In 1947, the Bamaga township was moved to its present site as a result of a need by the founding people for a larger supply of fresh water. With local industries and the Northern Peninsula Airport Bamaga became the administrative centre for the Northern Peninsula Area, which was made up of the three Aboriginal communities of Injinoo, Umagico and New Mapoon, and the Islander communities of Seisia and Bamaga. All five are Deed of Grant in Trust — communities with their own community councils.
Bamaga Post Office opened by September 1951.Bamaga State School opened on 28 January 1964. On 23 March 2005, it was renamed Northern Peninsula Area State College.Some 20 years later, another community, "New Mapoon", was established. It was set up for the forced relocation of people of "Old Mapoon" community, located some two hours north by road from the township of Weipa for bauxite mining.
Bamaga State High School opened on 30 January 1973, but closed on 9 December 1994.At the 2006 census, Bamaga had a population of 784.
Weather
Bamaga has a tropical savanna climate with constantly high temperatures throughout the year. The dry season runs from early June to late November, with the wet season running over the course of the rest of the year.
Things to do
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 Scrub rainforest; visiting World War II aircraft wrecks in the Bamaga area and also at Horn Island and photo shoots at the "Tip of Australia".The area is shrouded in history with culture and war memorabilia.
Muttee Heads is a fishing/camping spot with access to Jardine River mouth and is 30 kilometres (19 mi) west on Cairns road.
The abandoned ruins of the Pajinka Wilderness Lodge is 35 kilometres (22 mi) north on Pajinka Road is the most Northerly part of Australia.
Twin Falls/Fruit Bat Falls is 65 kilometres (40 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 (16 mi) north.
Somerset is 35 kilometres (22 mi) north of Bamaga and the historic ruins of the Somerset Homestead. It is a good camping area and day trip for barbecue.
