Bustard Head Lighthouse

Pelican was anchored close inshore at Pancake Cr and soon the tide would recede leaving it high and dry. I set off across the sand dune and tidal flats and commenced the climb up to Bustard Hd Lighthouse. Along the way Black Cockatoos screeched as they fed on the small cones of the She Oak trees. A goanna watched me casually as I walked by and I paused to take some photos. Most of the 2.4k climb was through sheltered tea tree groves which kept the hot sun off me. I paused at the lookout high over the beach at Aircraft Bay and talked to a lady there for some time, it was pleasant to have a complete stranger stop and talk.
 
http://www.lighthouse.net.au/lights/qld/Bustard%20Head/Bustard%20Head.htm
 
As I approached the lighthouse the little graveyard was a stark and lonely reminder of how isolated and dangerous this place was a hundred and thirty years ago. High on the windswept head land the Lighthouse stood out with its coat of brilliant white. I met the volunteer lighthouse keepers Dennis and Sharon and they took me on a tour of the restored keepers house with all its historical memorabilia.
 
Soon I was on the downhill 1.6k walk to Jenny Lind Creek past the windswept southern face of the headland growing thick with Grass Trees. The panoramic view over the ocean stretching to the Town of 1770, Jenny Lind Cr and Pancake Cr was nothing short of spectacular. I waited at Jenny Lind for the LARC amphibious tour vehicle to cross so I could get a few photos.
 
As the tide was going out I set off around the mangroves and walked a couple of kilometers looking for finds amongst the flotsam washed up on the dunes. Soldier crabs in their hundreds scattered ahead of me frantically digging into the sand to avoid being trodden on. Soon I had to head back as the tide was turning and would be rushing in over the flats, trapping me in the mangrove thickets.
 
At the Lighthouse Dennis and Sharon offered me dinner, a friendly gesture and most welcome as I only had a muesli bar and an apple to eat all day. We talked about the Lighthouse, their yacht back at home and I promised to email on some repair details for their yacht we had discussed.
 
An easy walk down hill and the most welcome sight of Pelican came into view after a 12k walk. Three young female German backpackers were sunning themselves on the beach next to Pelican and I was soon asked if I would take them sailing which was an attractive proposition indeed.
 
With my young sailing companions gone I cooked Scaloppini Chicken for dinner, had a glass of red wine as the sun put on a brilliant display melting into the ocean leaving a trail of liquid gold over Pancake Crk.