Indigenous Homelands

Indigenous Homelands

Aboriginal people who moved off their traditional land, or who were removed or "gathered into Missions" during European expansion into their country, began to return to some of their homelands as early as the 1960s. The development of "Outstations" progressed gradually with government assistance in the 1970s, and accelerated after the return of traditional lands in later years. In the Coen region, the formation of the Coen Regional Aboriginal Corporation in 1993 spurred on this development by providing support and assistance. Seven different language or clan groups had been brought together in the Coen Mission and in the early settlement, and they still remain in the town. The descriptions below are of some of the larger Homelands near Coen, each established on part of their traditional lands.

Peninsula Road Junction

20 mile crossing (Stewart River)

Unloading at Mojeeba

A house at Thethinji

Some residents of Thethinji and Mojeeba

The land is low-lying and sandy, with mangroves hugging the waterways and covering the mudflats. Mosquitoes and sandflies can be very troublesome, but fishing is good, and so is crabbing, hunting for turtles (and dugong in earlier days) or digging for their eggs (in season). Having a boat is ideal, but it is possible to fish off the sand, watching for crocodiles! Note the warning sign displayed (left). Please respect the adjacent indigenous landowners who will willingly give help and directions.
Read here about alcohol consumption and the Homelands.

Camping is allowed on Cook Shire land near the river mouth, but there are also camping areas set up by the local people. One of these is just being developed (see picture on right). There is a Community Hall which may one day become a school (see below); at present it is used by a commercial tour company for fishing and pig-shooting groups and for occasional accommodation. Most electrical power is now generated by the sun, supplemented by diesel motors. Communication is via satellite telephone, also solar-powered (see below).

Water is pumped from the river and rainwater is collected in tanks. Sanitation is into septic tanks. The road into Port Stewart is presently maintained by Cook Shire but may be taken over by Queensland Roads. In 2005, cyclone Monica caused severe damage, cut road access and flooded both settlements, nearly washing away some house foundations.

Land has been cleared on higher ground for construction of an airstrip, which will make the homeland less isolated especially in the Wet season.

Silver Plains (Maramba)

Silver Plains (Maramba) is cattle station on the coastal plain North-North West of Port Stewart (Yintjingga) which has now been acquired for the indigenous people who still run cattle on it. It is a large property about 20 km. off the road to Port Stewart. The mostly flat land is sparsely treed except for creek and river beds which have denser cover, and towards the ranges rainforest persists. Some of the creeks run year round, and there are also isolated lagoons. Much of the area is prone to flooding after rain, but there is an airstrip.

The homestead is large with open verandahs and is flanked by other buildings occupied by residents or contractors working on the property. As in other homelands, outdoor living is preferred whenever possible, usually under large shady trees.

This homeland hosts tours for feral pig hunters and fishermen who arrive either by road or air. Camping at Massey Creek offers a rainforest experience and good birdwatching. A small lodge was built there beside the creek by a group of birdwatchers which offers scope for development.

Puntimu is 44 km. South -East of Coen and was once part of the Silver Plains lease ( the original cattle station). It is now owned by an Ayapathu clan group headed by Philip Port. It still operates as a cattle station, using some of the original mustering yards which have been maintained and even extended. Cattle are mustered and taken out on road trucks. The homeland is just a short distance off the road to Port Stewart, but Coen can be reached on horseback via a shorter route along the original and more direct road between Port Stewart and Coen. One of Philip's family, Barry Port, is still employed in the Queensland Police Force. He is the last of those once called "black trackers".