Alcohol - Limit - Cape York

[Frostd]

Found this last night whilst doing a bit of surfing regarding alcohol limits on Cape York.
I also noticed, 1st offence could carry a $37,000 fine. :'(

Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) alcohol limits
Restricted area map: Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) (PDF 1.1 MB)Call 1300 789 000
for more information about the alcohol limits.
The restricted area covers the communities that make up the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council (Bamaga, Injinoo, New Mapoon, Seisia and Umagico). It includes all public and private places within these communities.
It does not include Injinoo land south of Cowal Creek or Cowal Creek waterway, but includes its northern banks.
Alcohol restrictions
The maximum amount of alcohol a person can have in the NPA is:
2 litres of wine (unfortified) and 11.25 litres (1 x 30 can carton) of any strength beer
Or
2 litres of wine (unfortified) and 9 litres (1 x 24 can carton) of premixed spirits of up to 5.5% alcohol/volume
This amount is per person on foot, or per vehicle, boat or aircraft regardless of the number of people in it.
It is an offence to drink in a public place.

There is also a map that can be downloaded of the area in question at the below site. 

http://www.atsip.qld.gov.au/government/programs-initiatives/alcohol-reforms/community-alcohol-limits/npa-limits/

[darren]

Don't worry at all about the tip... same cant be said about Hopevale. there are road blocks, especially on Thursday

[BigJules]

Darren, in your trip write up you talked of road blocks? $37K is a sizable fine.

[Moto Mech]

$37000 fine, that would put a dent in your holiday fund :'(

[NewcastleKnight]

37k is the maximum fine and would be reserved, if it was ever imposed to those who may be trying to smuggle large quantities into the area for resale.

[darren]

Yeah, that was hopevale.. up the tip no one seems to care, you can buy what ever you want from the pub if you can afford it. I was a bit nervous aound Lockart river but it was fine...
 Unless they had a blue hat and a gun they weren't looking in my car anyway

[darren]

By biggest concern at hopevale was getting charged and having to front the beak in cooktown some time in the future. I'm sure the fine would be negliable but the inconvenience would be huge

[Frostd]

Sorry to ask, but where is Hopevale?

[darren]

Sorry to ask, but where is Hopevale?

Just north of cooktown mate.

[NewcastleKnight]

Not sure but I imagine there would be on the spot fines.  For the more serious "offenders" then you would be summonsed and have to fact the beak....lucky you were nervous Darren....lol

[barneys]

having to front the beak at cook town would not be a prob . just think you would not have other better reason to stay away from work

[LC]

I think for memory that loyalty beach is designated "wet area". We just left all alcohol in the camper while we were there so that if on the day trips we ventured somewhere where the rules were enforced we didn't have any booze in the vehicles.

The community police and normal police regularly drove through the camping areas of an evening and paid no attention to people sitting around having a drink or two.

[speewa158]

Can you drink the evidence   

[McGirr]

The restrictions have changed over the years from carring mid strength beer to now being able to carry heavies.
One case of beer per vehicle only. That starts about 4 klms past the ferry when heading to Bamaga.

The pub will also only allow one case per car. They do not like people walking around drinking but this is ok in the caravan parks.

I have never been pulled over in Bamaga to have my car searched but have been pulled over for a breath test.

It is up to each person to decide whether they take the chance and go into restriction zones with excess alchohol.

Mark     

[McGirr]

This will explain it better

'Bona fide' traveller exemption
A 'bona fide' traveller is someone who can prove they're passing through a community on their way to another destination (for example, driving along the Savannah Way to get to Doomadgee). You'll be allowed to drive on some roads (see below) and use some public facilities while carrying alcohol over the set limit if you can prove you're a 'bona fide' traveller.

But you must have got the alcohol at a place outside the restricted area.

As a 'bona fide' traveller, your vehicle may only stop:

to use a 'prescribed public facility' (currently only the Doomadgee Road-House and the Bloomfield Falls car park are 'prescribed public facilities')
if ordered by police
in an emergency
It's a good idea to carry some proof of your destination, such as a camping permit or accommodation booking receipt.

Rules that apply to all vehicles
Whether or not you're a bona fide traveller, you must make sure that alcohol is:

not removed from the vehicle
not visible from outside the vehicle
locked in the vehicle if unattended
Roads are part of the restricted area and you will only be able to carry alcohol on these roads if you can claim the bona fide traveller exemption.

Roads that are currently restricted areas are:

The Savannah Way (within Doomadgee shire)
Bloomfield Track, Douglas Street and Rossville-Bloomfield Road (within Wujal Wujal)
the road, within the community area of the Wujal Wujal Shire Council, directly connecting the road known as Douglas Street and the Bloomfield Falls (excluding the service road)
Portland Roads Road and Frenchmen's Road (within Lockhart River shire)

[SteveandViv]

Excellent Frostd and McGirr. At the very least we have all we need to make our decisions for our Cape Trips next year which I suspect was the intension of the post. Not to see how much we can all get away with  . We have some of those rules up here as well with regards to travelling through.. Most of the cops will stop for a beers if they happen to be at the camp ground at night.. Will be interested to see how it goes with James Price Point oce the Gas Hub commences.

Darren... Did you guys hide Grog with GPS marks like I've seen on the 4WD Action DVD?

[darren]

Nah mate it stayed in the car and i said stuff them.... Ever tried to take a bone off an old blue dog.....
As i said, i wouldn't worry about it too much up the tip. I had a can where ever i wanted to... But then i may have just been lucky. I don't normally worry about rules, laws and stuff.. I tend to use them only as a guide, then make my own decsions..
 The traveler rule doesn't apply to Hopevale sorry,i tried to use it, we were told that there. Its a dead end..

[RichardW]

Worth checking this for the Northern Peninsular.
http://www.atsip.qld.gov.au/government/programs-initiatives/alcohol-reforms/community-alcohol-limits/npa-limits/
I have never been checked but even so follow the rules.
Prices are pretty exxy to keep topped up though.

[Frostd]

I can feel some geocaching coming on. Must keep Steveandviv, do you have a big shovel

[SteveandViv]

I can feel some geocaching coming on. Must keep Steveandviv, do you have a big shovel

Himmmmmm. That icon typifies ours trips Frosty . Anyway, thought you were bringing the excavator on the back of the camper   My shovel is rusting due to having to dig holes all the time to bury the kids   No really they love it.. When they least expect it I will dig a really really deep one - We do have a 15 yaer old you know...Hang on - he is 9..mmmmm I bet EVEYONE knows what I mean  

[GU_Thomo]

I have to agree with Darren, Hope Vale is not an area to flout the alcohol limits.
I dropped in and had a chat to the police in Cooktown before heading to Elim Beach.
They were very helpful and warned me about the Hopevale risks.
We had no problems anywhere else on the Cape or Gulf.
Check out this site for the alcohol limits.

http://www.atsip.qld.gov.au/government/programs-initiatives/alcohol-reforms/community-alcohol-limits/

Cheers
Parry

[krisandkev]

We loved these signs in NT on our last trip...

[JethroT]

Hi Guys,

When we were at the Cape in June a Carton of heavy was $58 and 2 Litres of wine was $18. 

I had a secret spot built into my Drawers for elicit alcohol but never used it.

Anyway at those prices the grog tastes real sweet and you savour every mouthful.

It was positively cheap compared to Fuel.

Regards
Geoff

[MarkGU]

looks like Bullfrog is well and truly banned from this place 

[darren]

You could try smuggling it up you ar$e, You may have to drink spirits but it will also stop people bludging off you..