WORDS AND IMAGES BY BEN CARCELLER
TRAVEL: QUEENSLAND
The Temple, in Portland Roads, Cape York is a boutique accommodation destination for those that love a great view, music, and the chance to stay in a piece of WWII history!
The main bar area at The Temple is the main attraction, and the bar is built around a gun emplacement built into the side of the Iron Range high above the open sea! This particular gun emplacement housed a 60-pound gun, pointed at the sea. The bar isn’t the only thing open to the ocean, the main bathroom, and the shower in the penthouse room also being open to the wide-open views of the ocean. If you’re a bit of a WWII history buff, there are also several other observation posts, ammunition stores, and other remnants of wartime history in various states of restoration.
Portland Roads in general was an important part of Australia’s defence, with airstrips and jetties constructed by the defence forces, and many military personnel stationed here. Jayson Watkin purchases the block that The Temple is built on in 2014 from Gregor Hardy, who sailed to Portland Roads in the 70’s, had a mining lease on the area and eventually secured freehold over the land in the 90’s and had a basic residence built over the gun emplacement where the bar is today. Jayson and Katie built on what was there and opened the location up to travellers in the 2019 tourist season.
If the views and the history aren’t enough to attract you to The Temple during your travels through Cape York, you may want to go to experience the music. Jason happily picks up a guitar and microphone most nights to entertain guests. Jayson is an accomplished Country singer and can certainly keep you entertained as you relax in the bar while Katie sits behind the bar, has a chat with her guests, and ensures you don’t go thirsty. You can then retire to one of 5 unique rooms on offer. Rooms available are everything from ‘Glamping Tents’ to luxury rooms but book well in advance to ensure you’re not disappointed.
To get to Portland Roads, head up the Peninsula Developmental Road, past Archer River Roadhouse, make a right turn onto the Lockhart Road, toward Lockhart Riber, then a left at the fork toward Portland Roads, all the way to the end of the road where you’ll find a steep driveway taking you up the range and to the entrance to The Temple! While you’re in the area, it’s well worth checking out Chilli Beach as well, which has camping facilities and allows you to drive along the beach line as far as Chilli Creek. You can also rent dirt bikes or take a boat tour out to Restoration Island through Cape York Experience.
More detail on The Temple can be found at thetemplecapeyork.com.au
