Parks and reserves Visitor guide Featuring Annan River (Yuku Baja-Muliku) National Park and Resources Reserve Black Mountain National Park Cape Melville National Park Endeavour River National Park Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL) Heathlands Resources Reserve Jardine River National Park Keatings Lagoon Conservation Park Mount Cook National Park Oyala Thumotang National Park (CYPAL) Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) Great state. Great opportunity. Cape York Peninsula parks and reserves Thursday Possession Island National Park Island Pajinka Bamaga Jardine River Resources Reserve Denham Group National Park Jardine River Eliot Creek Jardine River National Park Eliot Falls Heathlands Resources Reserve Captain Billy Landing Raine Island National Park (Scientific) Saunders Islands Legend National Park National park Sir Charles Hardy Group National Park Mapoon Resources reserve Piper Islands National Park (CYPAL) Wen Olive River loc Conservation park k River Wuthara Island National Park (CYPAL) Kutini-Payamu Mitirinchi Island National Park (CYPAL) Water Moreton (Iron Range) Telegraph Station National Park Chilli Beach Waterway Mission River Weipa (CYPAL) Ma’alpiku Island National Park (CYPAL) Napranum Sealed road Lockhart Lockhart River Unsealed road Scale 0 50 100 km Aurukun Archer River Oyala Thumotang Sandbanks National Park Roadhouse National Park (CYPAL) A r ch KULLA (McIlwraith Range) National Park (CYPAL) er River C o e KULLA (McIlwraith Range) Resources Reserve n River Claremont Isles National Park Coen Marpa National Park (CYPAL) Flinders Group Port Stewart Lama Lama National Park Cape Melville National Park National Park Cliff (CYPAL) Islands Howick Group National Park Turtle Group National Park Lizard Island National Park Musgrave Roadhouse Rinyirru Starcke National Park Pormpuraaw (Lakefield) Jack River National Park National Park Three Islands Group (CYPAL) National Park Alwal National Rinyirru Park (CYPAL) Hann River (Lakefield) Endeavour River Errk Oykangand Roadhouse Resources Reserve National Park National Cooktown Kowanyama Park (CYPAL) Mount Cook National Park M Laura Normanby River i tc h Annan River National Park e er l iv l e R and Resources Reserve R Alic iv e r Palmer Goldfields Keatings Lagoon Lakeland Resources Reserve Conservation park Palmer River Black Mountain Roadhouse National Park Daintree Staate n River Port Douglas Mossman Staaten River National Park Cairns Mareeba Chillagoe Chillagoe Mungana Atherton Caves National Park Karumba Bulleringa Normanton National Park Legend for brochure symbols These symbols are used throughout the brochure to organise information. Be crocwise Culture Wildlife viewing Places to visit Camping Boat access Safety Nature Walks Fishing Car access 2 Travelling the wild north Cape York Peninsula features landscapes of unsurpassed beauty and immense diversity, rich with Aboriginal traditions and customs, and European history. Travelling in this vast and remote area requires detailed preparation and planning. is higher in rough conditions and the time Parks and reserves Driving taken to travel distances is also longer. Parks and reserves throughout the peninsula Roads There are many unmarked tracks and side roads protect diverse landscapes and provide The main access route through Cape York on Cape York Peninsula. Some are on private opportunities for visitors to enjoy these special Peninsula is the Peninsula Developmental property; others are management roads and not places. Recently, a new class of national Road, which is sealed to Lakeland Downs for public use. Keep to the main roads and carry park was created—national park (Cape York and most of the way to Laura. North of Laura, the latest edition of a Cape York Peninsula road Peninsula Aboriginal Land)—in recognition of a well-formed gravel road extends north map for detailed information. Indigenous connection to the land. All national to the Moreton Telegraph Station. Further parks on the peninsula, and some offshore north, the Telegraph Road, which follows Gear and supplies islands, are being changed to national park the now-dismantled telegraph line through Fuel, most standard supplies, and some repair (CYPAL). Some parks have already changed. the peninsula, is not maintained. Bypass services are available at towns and roadhouses These new parks will be managed jointly by roads provide alternative access to ‘the tip’ but spare parts are not always available. Visitors the Aboriginal Traditional Owners and the of the peninsula, avoiding numerous creek need to be self-sufficient with adequate food, Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS). crossings and rough sections. water, fuel and basic vehicle repair equipment. QPWS ranger bases do not supply any of The inland route to Cooktown (from Lakeland When to visit these items, or drinking water. Downs) is sealed while the coastal route (via The dry season (May to October) is the best Cape Tribulation) is unsealed. Communication time to visit Cape York Peninsula. May, June and Mobile phone coverage is generally not July are usually cool dry months with maximum For travelling on unsealed roads, a four- available in Cape York Peninsula, although day time temperatures averaging 28–30 °C. wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. some networks may have service in major From August to October, temperatures increase, Road conditions vary throughout the area and towns. It is essential to travel with other lagoons dry up and many rivers stop flowing. the seasons. Dust, pot-holes, creek crossings, communication equipment, such as a satellite During the wet season (November to April) roads corrugations, livestock and wildlife are phone or UHF radio. It is also advisable to carry become impassable and parks are closed. potential driving hazards. Fuel consumption a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Visitor facilities and opportunities # Park/Reserve Page Camping Toilets Drinking water Day-use area / Lookout platform – Walks short – Walks long Boating Fishing** Generators permitted Alwal NP (CYPAL) - Annan (Yuku Baja-Muliku) River NP 7 Black Mountain NP 6 Cape Melville NP 10 Endeavour River NP 7 Errk Oykangand NP (CYPAL) - Flinders Group NP - Jardine River NP and Heathlands RR 14,15 * Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) NP (CYPAL) 12,13 * Keatings Lagoon CP 7 KULLA (McIllwraith Range) NP (CYPAL) - Lama Lama NP (CYPAL) - Lizard Island NP - Oyala Thumotang NP (CYPAL) 11 Marpa NP (CYPAL) Mount Cook NP 7 Palmer Goldfields Resources Reserve - Rinyirru (Lakefield) NP (CYPAL) 8,9 * * specified camping areas only ** subject to marine park zoning and # Treat before drinking fisheries regulations, see page 5 3 Camping Camping at parks and reserves on Cape York Peninsula is a great way to experience ‘the cape’. Adam Creed, EHP Creed, Adam Where can I camp? 65 dB(A) at a distance of 7 m from the When should I book? generator, between 8 am and 7 pm. Many camp sites in popular parks and reserves Camp at: Generators cannot be used at any other parks. are in great demand during peak periods, such as long weekends and school holidays. It is • Cape Melville National Park Fires advisable to plan your trip and book your camp • Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park Fuel stoves are recommended. Open fires sites well in advance for these times. For non-peak (CYPAL) are allowed in all camping areas (except periods, it is still advisable to book camp sites before you leave home or before arriving on the • Jardine River National Park/Heathlands when fire bans apply). Fire rings or existing fireplaces must be used where provided and peninsula as communications on the peninsula Resources Reserve can be unreliable. • Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) firewood must be collected from outside the park or reserve. Can I book along the way? • Oyala Thumotang National Park (CYPAL). In some instances, you may need to make Detailed information about camping areas is Camping permits camping bookings along the way or you may want available online at <www.nprsr.qld.gov.au>. to alter or cancel* an existing booking after you Camping permits are required and fees apply. reach the peninsula. Visit an authorised booking The way that visitors obtain camping permits agent; or make use of the touch screen camping Camping requirements for Cape York Peninsula parks and reserves booking facilities provided at the ranger bases at has changed in 2012. All camping must now Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL), Kutini- Camp sites are generally not suitable for be booked in advance, and camping permits Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL) and caravans and campervans. Camping areas (e-permits) purchased, before arriving at the Heathlands Resources Reserve. Touch screens cater for vehicle-based camping and tents. camping area. Self-registration for camp sites are also provided at the QPWS offices in Coen, In some cases, camp sites may be suitable upon arrival at the camping area is no longer Cooktown and Weipa. Credit card and camping for off-road camper-trailers. possible. E-permits will help to sustainably credits are accepted as payment but no cash manage the growing demand for camping at facilities are available. Generators parks and reserves on the peninsula. Booking The use of generators is permitted at all a camp site in advance also ensures that you What are touch screens? have a guaranteed site upon arrival at the The touch screen camping booking facilities camping areas in Rinyirru (Lakefield) National camping area. Park (CYPAL) except