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On location, hunting for dinosaurs! While waiting for a massive Sauropod to wander across the barren...

Destinations > Northern Exposure

Northern Exposure

EARLY HISTORY

The original inhabitants of the Byfield area were the Darambul people who lived a bountiful existence on the many sources of food that were found there. Apart from spearing wallabies, kangaroos and bandicoots in the forests, these coastal aborigines had an incredible variety of fresh seafood available to them including fish, crustaceans, shellfish, turtles and dugong. This rich larder was supplemented throughout the year by an array of wild fruits, tubers and honey. Unfortunately the coming of European settlers spelt the end of the tribe's peaceful existence with nature and today the only visible sign of their passing are the sun-bleached midden heaps that can be found behind the frontal dunes.
The first Europeans in the Byfield area arrived during the 1860s and started clearing land and running cattle. These early settlers lived in small isolated groups and often came into conflict with the local aborigines over land disputes. These clashes usually ended with the death of the native people who had little or no defence against modern weapons. Even though it was only 70km from the rapidly growing town of Rockhampton, the Byfield region remained something of a backwater due to the flooded creeks, swamps, high sand dunes and other rugged terrain.

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AROUND AND ABOUT

Make sure that you check out the quaint little hamlets that stretch along the Capricorn Coast between Yeppoon and Emu Park to the south. There are lots of good, reasonably priced restaurants and caravan parks to stay in that wont cost you an arm and a leg.

THINGS TO DO

Great 4WDriving though the sandy tracks in the national park and along the beach. Bush walking at Upper Stony Creek and Waterpark Creek as well as great beach strolls along the sand near Five Rocks. Birdwatchers will be amazed by the wide variety of species at Byfield so don't forget to pack the binoculars. Fishing, both from Nine Mile Beach and in amongst the mangroves around at Corio Bay.