Cape York Trek--News

　　At the top of Australia a finger of land points towards New Guinea. This is the Cape York Peninsula and in 1983 I joined a small group for a four day trek into scrubby wilderness that prevails there. Our mission was to find the elusive freshwater crocodile that makes its home these parts. Also to visit the aboriginal rock paintings just out of the small township of Laura.
　　
　　

　　
　　This harsh territory is relieved by billabongs and in September it was not inhospitable. We swam in crystal clear streams and spotted the tracks of the crocs on the riverbanks but never spotted one. The rock paintings were, however, less elusive and in splendid condition.
　　
　　

　　
　　At night we slept in the open under a dazzling roof of stars.
　　
　　The birdlife was prolific and emus were often seen. Like the girl pictured here on horseback, I could breathe easy in this approachable wilderness.
　　
　　