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Parks and forests > Find a park or forest

Lakefield National Park

  • Nature, culture and history

    • Park alerts and park summary

    Getting there and getting around

    Access to the park from Cairns is via the Peninsula Developmental Road through Laura to the Lakefield turn off, about 2km north of Laura. Average travelling times from Cairns to Laura — five to six hours; Laura to New Laura ranger station — 45mins; New Laura ranger station to Lakefield ranger station — 45mins.

    From Cooktown, access to the park is via Battle Camp Road. Suitable for 4WDs only, it takes about three hours from Cooktown to the New Laura ranger station.

    The park can also be reached from Coen via the Peninsula Developmental Road to the Lakefield turn off at the Musgrave Roadhouse. From the turn off, it takes three hours to the Lakefield ranger station via Saltwater Creek, suitable for 4WDs only.

    4WD vehicles are strongly recommended. Ensure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition; suspension and cooling are vital. Observe road closures and restrictions, as penalties can apply. Always check road conditions before leaving Cairns.

    Check with RACQ for road conditions (see tourism information links for contact details) and the Bureau of Meteorology for updated weather reports.

    Wheelchair accessibility

    The Red Lily Lagoon viewing platform and Kalpowar Crossing campground toilets are wheelchair-accessible.

    Park features

    Lakefield National Park is renowned for its vast river systems and spectacular wetlands. In the wet season the Normanby, Morehead and North Kennedy rivers and their tributaries join to flood vast areas, eventually draining north into Princess Charlotte Bay. During the dry season, rivers and creeks shrink, leaving large permanent waterholes, lakes and lagoons which attract a diversity of animals, particularly waterbirds.

    To the north, the park features impenetrable mangroves along the estuaries and coastline of Princess Charlotte Bay. Behind the coast are extensive salt flats and the marine plains that give way to inland tracts of eucalypt and paperbark woodlands. Fringing many of the river banks and streams are magnificent, tall paperbark trees and patches of gallery forest, a type of rainforest.

    The landscape of Lakefield National Park is of major Aboriginal cultural significance. Sites associated with occupation, ceremonies and stories of ancestral spirits occur throughout. The area is also rich in European cultural heritage, with associations with early explorers, geologists and surveyors, and tangible links to the establishment of the Palmer River Goldfields and early cattle industry.

    Camping and accommodation

    Camping

    Bush camping is permitted in Lakefield National Park. Several camping areas near rivers and waterholes are provided. Information about campsite locations is provided at the self-registration shelters throughout the park.

    Camping permits are required and fees apply. Camping permits can be obtained from the self-registration shelters throughout the park.

    Other accommodation

    There is limited accommodation and camping available in Laura, 50km south-west of the park. Camping is also available at the Musgrave Roadhouse, approximately 100km north-west of the Lakefield ranger station. For more information, see the tourism information links below.

    Things to do

    Walking

    Kalpower Crossing

    A 4km walking track offers opportunities for viewing wildlife at Kalpowar Crossing on the beautiful Normanby River. Magnificent weeping paperbark trees line the river banks and provide shade. It is a great place to relax and unwind.

    Hann Crossing

    Just upstream from the crossing, a walking track follows the eastern branch of the river for about 3km then crosses to the western branch and returns. Alllow 90 minutes for the 7km return trip.

    Old Laura Homestead

    In the southern part of the park, a short distance off Battle Camp Road, is the historic site of the Old Laura Homestead. Walk around and explore the old buildings, which served as the original homestead for Laura Station.

    Breeza Homestead

    Walk and explore a delightful lagoon and 100-year-old mango trees which mark the site of the Breeza Homestead. Sinclair Balser and family took up Breeza to breed horses for the Palmer River Goldfields.

    Viewing wildlife

    Visit Red and White Lily lagoons, about 8km north of the Lakefield ranger station, along the main road. A spectacular display of red lotus lilies characterizes Red Lily Lagoon, which can be observed from a viewing platform, while only white lilies are found at White Lily Lagoon. A variety of waterbirds, including magpie geese and comb-crested jacanas, can be seen at these lagoons. Birdwatching is best in the early hours of the morning or late afternoon.

    Travel north past Hann Crossing and you will arrive at the spectacular grasslands of the Nifold Plain. This treeless, flat landscape, dotted with termite mounds, is home to a variety of animals including finches and bustards. Early morning and late evening birdwatching can be rewarding.

    Low and Sweetwater lakes are located in the northern section of the park. These picturesque lakes feature colourful lilies and a diverse range of wetland birds. Visit these lakes during the early hours of the morning or late afternoon, as this is the best time for viewing birds and other animals. Access at Low Lake is restricted to the carpark and viewing area — do not venture further around the lake's edge.

    Equipment such as binoculars, a camera and a strong torch will help you to enjoy your visit. Please remember that crocodiles inhabit this park so visitors must take precautions.

    See staying safe for more information on being croc-wise in croc-country.

    Boating and fishing

    Recreational fishing is permitted at all camping areas in Lakefield National Park. Boat tours and boat hire are not available in the park but you can bring your own boat. Canoes are not recommended, due to the presence of crocodiles. Please limit your boat speed to prevent bank erosion and water turbidity.

    There is boat access to Princess Charlotte Bay but no vehicle access. The Bizant boat ramp, 20km from Bizant, provides the best boat access to Princess Charlotte Bay.

    Barramundi and catfish are the most common fishes caught using lures. Barramundi which are kept must be no smaller than 58cm and no longer than 120cm. There is also a bag limit of five barramundi per person and closed seasons apply. For details of Fisheries regulations (bag and size limits, restricted species and seasonal closures) for popular fish species, see Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries .

    Be aware that estuarine crocodiles inhabit creeks, rivers and waterholes in this park.

    Things to know before you go

    Essentials to bring

    Visitors need to be self-sufficient with adequate food, water, equipment for boiling water, fuel, spare parts and basic vehicle repair equipment. There are no services available in the park. Always prepare for a longer stay than anticipated in case of breakdown or stranding due to wet weather. Ensure that someone is notified of your itinerary. Most roads in the park are bush tracks. Driving on rough roads in low gear uses more fuel than normal driving conditions. Ensure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition. You also need to bring rubbish bags as no bins are provided, a fuel stove, insect repellent and mosquito nets.

    Opening hours

    The park is open only in the dry season, usually between June and November. During the wet season, usually between December and May, the park can be inaccessible.

    Permits and fees

    Camping permits are required for all camping areas in Lakefield National Park and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite.

    Camping fees can be paid at self-registration shelters throughout the park. Shelters are located at the southern access from Cooktown near Lake Emma; Old Laura; New Laura and Lakefield ranger stations; Hann Crossing and at the northern access near Sweetwater Lake turnoff.

    For some camping areas you are required to fill in the reservation board as well as register at self-registration shelters.

    For Kalpowar Crossing, Midway, Hanush's, Melaleuca, 7 Mile, Orange Plain, Top and Bottom Whiphandle and some sites at the Hann Crossing you will need to fill in the reservation board and register at Lakefield self-registration shelter.

    For 12 Mile, Kennedy Bend, Catfish, Old Faithful, Dingo and Mick Fienn waterholes you will need to fill in the reservation board and register at New Laura self-registration shelter.

    Bookings are not essential for bush camping areas except on long weekends and school holidays. Bookings are recommended for Kalpowar Crossing campground. To avoid disappointment please book six weeks in advance. Phone the ranger station for information.

    Permits are required for all commercial activities or group functions within the park.

    Pets

    Domestic animals are not permitted in Lakefield National Park.

    Climate and weather

    The best time to visit is during the dry season, usually between June and November, when maximum temperatures range from 27 to 33 degrees Celsius. Temperatures can drop to 15 degrees Celsius at night during June, July and August. During April and May late rains can restrict travel within the park. The weather from October to December can be very hot and thunderstorms are common. The wet season, usually from December to May, prevents vehicular access to Lakefield and most of Cape York Peninsula. Maximum temperatures at this time range between 30 and 36 degrees Celsius. See tourism information links for more information.

    Fuel and supplies

    The nearest fuel, meals, supplies and mechanical repairs are available from Laura, 1.5 hours drive south-west of the park. Fuel, meals, toilets, showers, limited supplies and some mechanical repairs are also available from the Musgrave Roadhouse, three hours drive north-west of the park.

    Staying safe

    Lakefield is a remote national park and visitors must be well prepared. For your safety, please:

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

    Be croc wise

    For more information, see Crocodiles — Be Croc wise .

    Looking after the park

    Please help Traditional Owners and rangers to protect the park.

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

    Park management

    Lakefield National Park, covering about 542,856ha, was gazetted as national park in 1979. The area known as Marina Plains was added to the park in 2005. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, in conjunction with the Traditional Owners, manage the park for the enjoyment of visitors and the conservation of our natural and cultural heritage.

    Sections of the park are Restricted Access areas and are closed periodically for management purposes. Please do not enter these areas. Contact the ranger if you require further advice.

    Tourism information links

    Cairns & Tropical North Information Centre

    For information on road conditions contact:

    RACQ (The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland)
    • www.racq.com.au (see Motoring>Road Safety>Road Conditions Report)
    • ph 1300 130 595 for 24-hour road reports

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

    Further information

    QPW Lakefield ranger station
    • Lakefield National Park
    • ph (07) 4060 3271
    • fax (07) 4060 3262
    QPW New Laura ranger station
    • Lakefield National Park
    • ph (07) 4060 3260
    • fax (07) 4060 3260
    EPA Cairns Information Centre
    • 5B Sheridan Street, Cairns
    • PO Box 2066, Cairns QLD 4870
    • ph (07) 4046 6600
    • fax (07) 4046 6751
    • email cic@epa.qld.gov.au
    EPA Cooktown
    • 5 Webber Esplanade, Cooktown
    • PO Box 611, Cooktown QLD 4895
    • ph (07) 4069 5777
    • fax (07) 4069 5574
    • email cooktown@epa.qld.gov.au
    EPA Customer Service Centre
    • Ground Floor
    • 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: 25 March 2008