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Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park

  • Nature, culture and history

    • Park alerts and park summary

    Getting there and getting around

    The park is at the end of Cape Pallarenda Road, 10km from central Townsville on the city's north-eastern outskirts. The park is accessible by conventional vehicle. The gates are open from 6.30am to 6.30pm daily.

    Wheelchair accessibility

    The toilets and museum are wheelchair–accessible.

    Park features

    Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park features an historic Quarantine Station established in 1915 to quarantine passengers on incoming ships.

    During World War II the American and Australian armies used this area. Camps were set up on nearby beaches and the Quarantine Station was used as a hospital. Visitors can discover more about the station's history at the on-site museum.

    Set in a landscape of open woodland and vine thickets, the park protects a variety of animal and plant life.

    Camping and accommodation

    Camping

    Camping is not permitted in Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park.

    Other accommodation

    There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around Townsville. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Things to do

    Walking

    Short tracks lead to picnic spots and the beach. A short track past the museum leads to the remains of an old jetty destroyed by a cyclone in 1971.

    Forts track — 2km return (Allow 1 hour) Grade: Moderate

    The remains of gun emplacements and searchlight positions can be found scattered around the headland. The track rises to provide sweeping views of Townsville and Magnetic Island.

    Graves circuit — 2.5km (Allow 1.5 hours) Grade: Moderate

    The Graves circuit takes you through woodland and vine thicket and across a weir, built in 1925 to improve the water supply to the Quarantine Station. It then leads you down to the graves of the Vietnamese passengers who died here, and past the back of the Quarantine Station to the car park.

    Picnic and day use areas

    The day use area is located on the foreshore overlooking Magnetic Island. Gas barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and parking are provided. The gates are open from 6.30am to 6.30pm.

    Historic Quarantine Museum

    A small museum offers an insight into the quarantine history of the area. The museum is open from 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.

    Fishing

    Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park adjoins a Marine Conservation Park yellow zone. Line fishing is allowed from the beach but restrictions apply. Beware of dangerous stinging jellyfish from October to May.

    For more detailed zoning maps and information see the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park. Information is also available from the QPWS Reef and National Park Information Centre within the Conservation Park.

    Bag and size limits apply. Details are available from the Department Primary Industries and Fisheries.

    Viewing wildlife

    Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park offers excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife. The park is home to many types of birds, wallabies and lizards that are easily spotted in the open woodland environment.

    Things to know before you go

    Essentials to bring

    Preparation is the key to a safe and enjoyable visit. Make sure that you bring:


    Opening hours


    Permits and fees

    No permits or fees are required for individuals to use this park. Organised group activities and special events, such as school visits and weddings, require a special permit. Contact the QPWS Reef and National Park Information Centre.

    Pets

    Domestic animals are not permitted in the conservation park or the adjoining marine park.

    Climate and weather

    The Townsville region has a dry tropical climate, with distinct wet and dry seasons. During the wet season, from December to April, there are significant downpours. The average daily temperature range is 24 to 32 degrees Celsius, with high humidity. Hot summer days can peak around 44 degrees Celsius. The cooler, drier months of May to September are the best time to visit. The weather is pleasantly warm during this time, with reduced humidity and an average daily temperature range of 13 to 25 degrees Celsius. For more information see the tourism information links below.

    Staying safe

    For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

    Looking after the park

    See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

    Park management

    In 1986, 44ha of land encompassing the former quarantine station was gazetted as an environmental park under the control of the Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service. In 1990 and 1991 the remaining buildings were restored and became the Regional Office of the Department of Environment and Heritage, which is now the Environmental Protection Agency. The buildings are heritage listed, ensuring their existence into the future. The area was regazetted as a Conservation Park in 1994.

    The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service manages Cape Pallarenda Conservation Park on a day-to-day basis.

    Tourism information links

    Flinders Mall Information Centre (Townsville Enterprise Ltd)

    For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.

    Further information

    EPA Reef and National Parks Information Centre
    • Old Quarantine Station, Pallarenda
    • PO Box 5391, Townsville QLD 4810
    • ph (07) 4722 5224
    • fax (07) 4722 5222
    • email tsv.infocentre@epa.qld.gov.au
    • Open 8.30am–5pm Monday–Friday, except public holidays and Christmas to New Year
    EPA Customer Service Centre
    • 160 Ann Street, Brisbane
    • PO Box 15155, City East QLD 4002
    • ph (07) 3227 8185
    • fax (07) 3227 8749
    • email csc@epa.qld.gov.au

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    Last updated: 08 December 2008