PARK INFORMATION
NPRSR 13 7468 | Department of Transport and Main Roads 13 1940
SIZE
171 410 ha
VISITOR INFORMATION
Cooktown and Cape York (07) 4069 6004 | www.cooktownandcapeyork.com
LOCATION AND ACCESS
475 km north of Cairns via Lakefield National Park; 250 km north of Cooktown via Starcke Rd; 4WD access only
CAMPING
Bush camping only; permit and fees apply
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 Bagaarrmugu, Daarba, Gambiilmugu, Junjuu, Manyamarr, Muli, Wurri and Yiirrku 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 bottleshaped 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 fishing is prohibited in certain sections.
Camping areas are provided on the eastern side of Bathurst Bay and at Ninian 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, up to 6 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 Department of Transport and Main Roads 13 1940.