Hello All
There are many stories of lost goldmines and gold reefs from Northern Australia. One such region is the Palmer gold field.
The Palmer river goldfield was first discovered around the early 1870's. Hundred's of Europeans and thousands Chinese prospectors made the hazardous journey over the ranges to the gold field.
They were bitterly opposed by Kaladoon tribesman who saw the gold rush as a invasion of their land.
Many died in clashes with natives and many massacres happened. Many prospectors died of thirst and many others died of disease. Three little gold rush villages blossomed along the Palmer river during the Rush. Maytown, Palmerville and Fome.
One such story of a mechanic from Cairns in the early 1960's who liked to spend his holidays prospecting the old gold fields. Many years ago on one such trip he camped on a large waterhole downstream from Palmerville along the Palmer river.
One day crossing to the northern side of the river heading north for several miles he came across a small grassy flat bordered on one side by a steep gully. At the gully's edge he saw a crude wooden log structure very similar to the early American log forts.
on closer inspection he discovered several skeletons, rusted tool and firearms lying scattered around. He made back to came and drove to the nearest farm station and reported the matter to the Cooktown Police.
In the mechanic's haste he never to accurate bearings and due to Rain delay the departure of the police he lost the bearings to the exact area he made the discovery. They searched extensively but found no remain of the fort or remains.
Was this story a hoax? I am sure the mechanic reported something he found in good faith. Even the police thought so as they never laid charges for wasting the laws time.
For several years the mechanic searched for the old log fort and maintained till his death that some where out there on the Palmer was a log fort with skeletons lying about with in the fort. He speculated that the miners may of had found some good gold and were ambushed by and overran and killed by natives?
Several areas of Palmer can be visited today by a rough 4 wheel drive track. The towns are mere ghost towns of rusting relics and foundations and grown mine sites.
An interesting place to explore if you have water and good bush skills.
Hardluck
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