Cape Melville National Park

• Introduction
• Fact file


Introduction

Some gruelling 4WD tracks lead to this national park on Cape York Peninsula, and at journey’s end is a wild and rugged coastline of rocky headlands and sandy beaches bordered by wetlands and eucalypt woodlands stretching inland to the Melville and Altanmoui ranges. This is the land of the Daarba, Junjuu, Muli, Bagaarrmugu, Wurri, Manyamarr, Yiirrku and Gambiilmugu people. The ruins of homesteads, testament to early European pastoral settlement, are scattered throughout the region.The vegetation, which includes tropical rainforest, mangroves, heathlands, woodlands and grasslands, provides a haven for plants and animals, many endemic to Cape Melville. These include the foxtail palm, with its brush-like fronds and bottle-shaped trunk, the Cape Melville boulder skink, and two vulnerable frog species – the Cape Melville tree frog and the Cape Melville nursery frog. The creeks and rivers in the park provide good fishing but watch out for crocodiles. The coastal waters off the cape are part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and fi shing is prohibited in certain sections.While bush camping is allowed in the park, it is recommended that visitors camp behind the beach at Cape Melville or Bathurst Bay. However, there are no facilities; visitors must be totally self-sufficient and bring all supplies and water with them. The nearest supplies are at Laura, 7–8 hours drive away. The park is accessible only in the dry season, from April to November; the best time to visit is between June and October. The tracks into the park are rough and difficult; before travelling, check current road conditions with the Lakefield ranger station (see Fact File).

Fact file

Camping

Bush camping only; permit and fees apply

Location and access

475 km north of Cairns via Lakefield National Park; 250 km north of Cooktown via Starcke Rd; 4WD access only

Park Information

• NQIS (07) 3227 8185
• Lakefield ranger (07) 4060 3271
• QPWS Cooktown (07) 4069 5777

Size

137 000 ha

Where to Stay

Cooktown/Laura (07) 4069 5446,
1800 001 770


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• Campsites

Campsites

Cape Melville camping area (bush camping)

This campground at the northern boundary of the park has views over Bathurst Bay to the Flinders Group islands. The site is 37 km from the western park entrance and 83 km from the southern park entrance. Visitors are... Find out more

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