The Western Cape region consists of the communities of Weipa, Napranum, Mapoon and Aurukun, culturally rich communities with a deep connection to country.
This vibrant and diverse region serves as the economic hub of Cape York. It boasts numerous strategic and logistical advantages, including the northernmost deep-water port in Queensland, many freight and logistics opportunities, skilled workforce, a strong tourism industry, as well as abundant natural resources.
Weipa is the unofficial capital of the Cape, and has the best and most comprehensive facilities on Cape York Peninsula.
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Mapoon is on the traditional lands of the Tjungundji people and covers 1,839 square kilometres. It is home to around 200 residents.
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Approximately 1,000 Indigenous people who are descended from as many as 40 different groups from around Cape York Peninsula, live in Napranum.
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Aurukun has a population of approximately 1,200. Most residents are Traditional owners of the shire and surrounding lands.
More InfoWhile our population is small, our contribution to the national economy is huge – with the Western Cape generating $2 billion in mining wealth.
In future years mining operations will be scaled down in our region and we must focus on sustainable ways to maintain our economy and enrich our communities. By working together we can create a shared vision for a sustainable and diverse economy, which is based on the aspirations of the people who call the Western Cape home. This is one of our priorities at the Western Cape Chamber of Commerce and we will continue to drive a number of initiatives to increase participation, collaboration and membership with the Chamber, to enable more engagement between community, business, industry and government.
Please note that as the majority of land around Weipa and on the Western Cape is Rio Tinto mining lease or under indigenous control, visitors need to ensure they observe access and alcohol restrictions, and have all the necessary permits required when venturing out.
Middle [fishing] photo thanks to Weipa Sports Fishing
The land of the Western Cape belongs to local Traditional Owner groups. Waypundun or Waypa is the original name of this area and is home of the Alngith people. The surrounding areas belong to a number of different groups.
The township of Weipa is just one of the communities in the greater Western Cape area, which also includes the three Aboriginal Shires of Mapoon, Napranum and Aurukun. Aurukun Shire is the largest of the three, and is home to more than 1,300 people and some beautiful wetland areas. The community at Mapoon consists of around 200 residents, while over 1,000 people live at Napranum. The Traditional Owners have lived on this land for some 35,000 years and you can learn more about the history and culture of the region at the Western Cape Cultural Centre, in Weipa. Admission is free and the centre – Achimbun – plays an important role in preserving traditional language and culture from the region, through its informative displays and artwork.
The Western Cape region has a rich and unique Aboriginal Heritage. The first contact the people of Western Cape York Peninsula had with Europeans probably came with the voyage of the Dutch ship, Duyfken in 1606. Further contact with Europeans came about in the last 1800s when exploration of the region’s natural resources began. In 2001 an Indigenous Land Use Agreement between 11 Traditional Owner Groups and the operator of the Bauxite Mine in the region (currently Rio Tinto) was signed, this is the Western Cape Communities Co-Existence Agreement (WCCCA). You can read more about this on the The Western Cape Communities Trust website.
Photos thanks to The Western Cape Communities Trust
© Western Cape Chamber of Commerce 2024
