Palmer Goldfield Resources Reserve
Getting there and getting around
- Palmer Goldfield Resources Reserve maps (coming soon)
The reserve is 280km north-west of Cairns but the journey takes many hours by road. The best route is via the Whites Creek turnoff from the Peninsula Developmental Road, to Granite and Cannibal creeks, then north to cross the Palmer River at Dog Leg Creek Junction south-east of Maytown. You can also travel along the very rough old coach road from Laura. Allow six hours for this route. The reserve is about three hours drive west of the Palmer River Roadhouse. There is no access to the reserve via the Palmerville-Maytown road.
This is a remote reserve. Tracks are rough and suitable for 4WD vehicles only. Travel is slow. Roads become impassable in the wet season between October and April when flash flooding can occur. Check with RACQ for road conditions (see tourism information links for contact details) and the Bureau of Meteorology for updated weather reports.
Wheelchair accessibility
This park is not wheelchair-accessible.
Park features
Discover the prosperous and colourful history of the gold rush days protected within the Palmer Goldfield Resources Reserve. Today old mines, rusting machinery, Chinese alluvial workings and traces of the Maytown township are all that remain of the once thriving settlements which sprang up around the Palmer Goldfield over 100 years ago.
Following the discovery of payable alluvial gold on the Palmer River in 1873, would-be diggers flocked to the field in search of their fortunes. Within two years, an estimated 9000 people had arrived on the Palmer, a mecca for European and Chinese miners.
- Read more about the culture and history of Palmer Goldfield Resources Reserve.
Camping and accommodation
Camping
There is a designated camping area on the north bank of the Palmer River. There are no facilities and campers need to be totally self-sufficient. Bring fresh water, rubbish bags and a gas stove. Camping permits are required and fees apply.
Please camp with minimal impact and take all rubbish with you when you leave.
- Find out more about camping in Palmer Goldfield Resources Reserve.
- Obtain your camping permit from QPWS offices in Cairns, Cooktown or Chillagoe.
Other accommodation
Camping and caravan parks can be found along the Peninsula Development Road at Palmer River Roadhouse, Lakeland, Mt Carbine and Laura. There is a greater range of holiday accommodation in and around Mossman and Cooktown. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Things to do
Walking
There are no designated walking tracks on the reserve. Visitors are allowed to walk around the ruins at the different sites.
Guided tours
A number of commercial tour companies visit the Palmer Goldfield including guided tours and tag-along style operations. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Driving
The northern access is the Old Maytown-Laura Road. It is a very rough 4WD track through the reserve. Only experienced drivers with well-equipped, high-clearance 4WD vehicles should use this road. Towing trailers is not recommended. Sidetracks are restricted access.
Viewing wildlife
The dry landscape supports open woodlands of scattered ironbark and bloodwood trees with paperbarks fringing the creeks. G rey-crowned babblers, pardalotes and finches are among the most common birds spotted in the area. During wet periods, waterbirds and waders such as herons, black-necked storks, Rajah shelducks and black ducks can be seen around the river. After rain, burrowing frogs emerge from the soil.
Things to know before you go
Essentials to bring
- A first aid kit.
- Fresh water for drinking and washing.
- All the food you will require.
- All the fuel you will need for your vehicle, and essential spares and tools.
- A fuel stove.
- A sealable container for rubbish. Bins are not provided. Please take your rubbish home with you or dispose of it at Cooktown or Mossman transfer stations. Separate waste and recyclables.
- A shovel to bury human waste.
Opening hours
Palmer Goldfield Resources Reserve is open 24 hours a day. Roads become impassable in the wet season, between October and April, when flash flooding can occur.
Permits and fees
Camping permits are required and fees apply. Permits can be obtained from QPWS offices in Cairns, Cooktown, Mossman or Chillagoe.
Pets
Domestic animals are not permitted in the reserve.
Climate and weather
The reserve is subject to flash flooding during the wet season between December and April. Conditions can be extremely hot and humid, with temperatures reaching 42 degrees Celsius. The winter months, from May to September, when days are more pleasant and nights are cool, are the best time to visit. For more information visit the Bureau of Meteorology web site or see the tourism information links below.
Fuel and supplies
The closest fuel and supplies are at Mount Carbine and Palmer River Roadhouse. Larger towns are 192km south-west at Mossman and 193km north-east at Cooktown. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Staying safe
- Be careful exploring the reserve. Beware of previously mined areas, where open and collapsed shafts are common.
- Always supervise children.
- Avoid dehydration — carry and drink plenty of drinking water.
- Take spare parts for your vehicle.
- Protect yourself from the sun. Wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeved shirt, even on cloudy days.
For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.
Looking after the park
- Stay on the open access road defined on the map. Numerous side tracks leading to other areas are closed to the public except by special permit.
- Leave all historical material where it is. Help keep Queensland's heritage intact.
- Treasure hunting has finished. Prospecting, panning and metal detectors are not allowed.
- Take no pets. Leave domestic animals at home. Pets disturb native wildlife and other campers.
- Protect the wildlife. Remember, plants and animals (dead or alive) are protected. Try not to trample plants when walking or erecting your tent.
- Leave no rubbish. Rubbish bins are not provided. Do not bury rubbish. take it with you when you leave.
- Camp and walk softly. Leave your campsite better than you found it.
- Be responsible with your waste. Bury human waste and toilet paper at least 15cm deep and 100m from water bodies and campsites to guard against pollution and the spread of disease.
See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.
Park management
The area was proclaimed a reserve in 1986 to protect the historical remains. Today the Palmer Goldfield Resources Reserve is managed to preserve and present the rich mining and cultural heritage of the area. Joint management by the Department of Natural Resources and Mines and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service ensures that mining interests and historical sites are considered. There are still active mining leases operating in the area.
Tourism information links
- The Gateway Discovery Centre
-
- www.tropicalaustralia.com.au
- 51 The Esplanade, Cairns QLD 4870
- ph (07) 4051 3588
- fax (07) 4051 7509
- email info@tropicalaustralia.com.au
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
- 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
- QPWS Chillagoe
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- Cnr Cathedral and Queen Streets, Chillagoe
- PO Box 38, Chillagoe QLD 4871
- ph (07) 4094 7163
- fax (07) 4094 7213
- QPWS Cairns Information Centre
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- 5B Sheridan Street, Cairns
- PO Box 2066, Cairns QLD 4870
- ph (07) 4046 6600
- fax (07) 4046 6751
- email cic@epa.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 16 May 2007
