Jardine River National Park

• Introduction
• Fact file


Fruit Bat Falls, Jardine River National Park, Courtesy of Tourism Queensland

Introduction

Jardine River National Park, surrounding the state’s largest perennial river, lies at the remote northern tip of Cape York Peninsula and offers a true wilderness experience. The park is bordered to the north and south by reserves, to the east by the coast, and to the west by a historic telegraph line, installed in 1887 to provide communications to the remote areas of the cape. Within these boundaries are tracts of heath, rainforest and open forest, which provide habitat for unusual species such as the common spotted cuscus, spiny knob-tailed gecko, yellow-billed kingfisher, fawn-breasted bowerbird and the palm cockatoo. This is the traditional land of the Attanbaya, Anggamurthi, Yadhaykenu, Gudang and Wathatni people, who now jointly manage the park.Fruit Bat Falls, with its picnic tables and boardwalk overlooking the falls, is a scenic spot. Eliot Falls is beautiful but dangerous – serious injuries have occurred here so exercise great care in the area. Beach fishing is allowed at Captain Billy Landing and Ussher Point but these waters are part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park so anglers must check fishing restrictions (and heed all crocodile warnings). Bush camping is allowed beside the Jardine River, at Captain Billy Landing, Ussher Point or Eliot Falls. Visitors must be self-sufficient, bringing all supplies and water with them. Keep the night insects at bay by using screened tents or nets for protection. At the town of Bamaga, north of the park, Resort Bamaga has 4-star accommodation; Seisia, 5 kilometres north-west of Bamaga, has a campground with self-contained units. Visit only during the dry season, which runs from May to October.

Fact file

Camping

Eliot Falls; bush camping elsewhere; permit and fees apply

Location and access

920 km north of Cairns via Peninsula Developmental Rd; 4WD access only

Park Information

• NQIS (07) 3227 8185
• Park ranger (07) 4060 3241

Size

239 000 ha

Where to Stay

Resort Bamaga (07) 4069 3050
Seisia Resort & Campground
(07) 4069 3243, 1800 653 243


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• Campsites

Campsites

Captain Billy Landing camping area

Captain Billy Landing is on the eastern side of Heathlands Resources Reserve, about 27 km east of the bypass road and 55 km north-east of the ranger headquarters. The campground is quite large, suitable for up to 10... Find out more

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Eliot Falls camping area

This campground is known for its 3 short but scenic walking tracks that lead through the forest along creeks to Twin Falls and Eliot Falls. All tracks are suitable for inexperienced bushwalkers. The campground, with 31... Find out more

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Jardine River camping area

Jardine River campground is split into 2 sections, with 6 numbered sites accessible via the Northern Bypass Rd and 8 numbered sites accessible via Telegraph Rd. Both sections are accessed by 4WD only. Bring all... Find out more

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