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A seasonal closure is currently in place for Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL). Access to the park is prohibited and on-the-spot fines apply. Please monitor park alerts to keep up-to-date with the latest information on reopening dates.
Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land) (CYPAL) has a rich and diverse landscape. In the north, grasslands and woodlands, wetlands, coastal estuaries, mangroves and mudflats are prominent. In the south, sandstone hills and escarpments dominate the landscape.
Location
340km north-west of Cairns, on Cape York Peninsula.
Welcome
The Aboriginal Traditional Owners—the Lama Lama and Kuku Thaypan peoples, the Bagaarrmugu, Mbarimakarranma, Muunydyiwarra, Magarrmagarrwarra, Balnggarrwarra and Gunduurwarra clans and related families—welcome you to their country. They ask that you respect their special place.
Accessible by
- 4WD
Park facilities
- Campfires allowed (conditions apply)
- Generators allowed (conditions apply)
- No rubbish bins
- Park office
- Toilets
- Wheelchair access (may require assistance)
- Tent camping
- Camper trailer camping
- Showers
- Boat ramp
- Boating
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Trail bike riding
- Walking
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![Be amazed by the vast and treeless Nifold Plain.]()
Be amazed by the vast and treeless Nifold Plain.
Photo credit: © Tamara Vallance
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![Photo of Catfish Waterhole which is one of many great fishing spots in the national park (CYPAL)]()
Catfish Waterhole is one of many great fishing spots in the national park (CYPAL)
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Camp with picturesque vistas of Sweetwater Lake.]()
Camp with picturesque vistas of Sweetwater Lake.
Photo credit: © John Augusteyn
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![A mass of red lotus lilies carpet picturesque Red Lily Lagoon.]()
A mass of red lotus lilies carpet picturesque Red Lily Lagoon.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Lake Emma is a unique, round lake on top of a sand ridge.]()
Lake Emma is a unique, round lake on top of a sand ridge.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Make sure your Rinyirru adventure includes a visit to the Old Laura Homestead.]()
Make sure your Rinyirru adventure includes a visit to the Old Laura Homestead.
Photo credit: © Tamara Vallance
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![You'll see old buildings and cattle yards at the Breeza Homestead.]()
You'll see old buildings and cattle yards at the Breeza Homestead.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Top Whiphandle Waterhole, on the Normanby River, is a shady place to spend time.]()
Top Whiphandle Waterhole, on the Normanby River, is a shady place to spend time.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Photo of Kalpowar Crossing camping area which has the best facilities in the national park (CYPAL)]()
Kalpowar Crossing camping area has the best facilities in the national park (CYPAL)
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![High on the western bank of a large, permanent waterhole is Hanushs Waterhole camping area.]()
High on the western bank of a large, permanent waterhole is Hanushs Waterhole camping area.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Throw in a line or simply relax at Old Faithful Waterhole camping area.]()
Throw in a line or simply relax at Old Faithful Waterhole camping area.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Overlook the scenic waterhole from your Kennedy Bend camping area.]()
Overlook the scenic waterhole from your Kennedy Bend camping area.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) is estuarine crocodile country!]()
Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) is estuarine crocodile country!
Photo credit: Adam Creed © Queensland Government
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![Look for waterbirds at the Breeza Homestead lagoon.]()
Look for waterbirds at the Breeza Homestead lagoon.
Photo credit: Adam Creed © Queensland Government
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![Bring your binoculars to check out the magpie geese at White Lily Lagoon.]()
Bring your binoculars to check out the magpie geese at White Lily Lagoon.
Photo credit: Steve Parish © Queensland Government
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![Be prepared for river and creek crossings.]()
Be prepared for river and creek crossings.
Photo credit: Paul Curtis © North Queensland Wildscapes
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![Meander along the bank of the Normanby River on the Kalpowar Discovery walk.]()
Meander along the bank of the Normanby River on the Kalpowar Discovery walk.
Photo credit: John Augusteyn © Queensland Government
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![Watch the birdlife along Catfish Waterhole.]()
Watch the birdlife along Catfish Waterhole.
Photo credit: © John Augusteyn
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![Kalpowar Crossing camping area has great facilities and is popular with visitors.]()
Kalpowar Crossing camping area has great facilities and is popular with visitors.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![View the fascinating termite mounds of Nifold Plain.]()
Photo credit: Adam Creed © Queensland Government
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![Reflect on your day in the national park (CYPAL) as you sit around the camp fire.]()
Reflect on your day in the national park (CYPAL) as you sit around the camp fire.
Photo credit: © John Augusteyn
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![Stay the night at beautiful Saltwater Crossing camping area.]()
Stay the night at beautiful Saltwater Crossing camping area.
Photo credit: © John Augusteyn
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![Set up camp at Melaleuca Waterhole camping area.]()
Set up camp at Melaleuca Waterhole camping area.
Photo credit: © Tamara Vallance
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![Horseshoe Lagoon is fringed by freshwater mangroves and shady melaleucas.]()
Horseshoe Lagoon is fringed by freshwater mangroves and shady melaleucas.
Photo credit: © John Augusteyn
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![Boat your way to Princess Charlotte Bay from Annie River camping area.]()
Boat your way to Princess Charlotte Bay from Annie River camping area.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Basin Hole camping area is on a high bank above Jam Tin Creek.]()
Basin Hole camping area is on a high bank above Jam Tin Creek.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Set up camp on an open flat next to the Bizant River.]()
Set up camp on an open flat next to the Bizant River.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Enjoy the peace and quiet at Bottom Whiphandle Waterhole camping area.]()
Enjoy the peace and quiet at Bottom Whiphandle Waterhole camping area.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Spend your days soaking up the solitude.]()
Spend your days soaking up the solitude.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Explore the Normanby River by boat.]()
Explore the Normanby River by boat.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![You'll overlook tidal Five Mile Creek from this large and open camping area]()
You'll overlook tidal Five Mile Creek from this large and open camping area
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![The camping area is sprawled along the banks of the North Kennedy River.]()
The camping area is sprawled along the banks of the North Kennedy River.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![The camping area is on the western bank of a large and permanent waterhole on the Normanby River.]()
The camping area is on the western bank of a large and permanent waterhole on the Normanby River.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Spend your days birdwatching and your nights gazing at the stars.]()
Spend your days birdwatching and your nights gazing at the stars.
Photo credit: © John Augusteyn
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![Photo of Kalpowar Crossing]()
Kalpowar Crossing
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Your camp site overlooks a scenic, permanent waterhole.]()
Your camp site overlooks a scenic, permanent waterhole.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Melaleuca Waterhole is a top fishing spot.]()
Melaleuca Waterhole is a top fishing spot.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![The camping area is on a deep, permanent waterhole on the Normanby River.]()
The camping area is on a deep, permanent waterhole on the Normanby River.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Birdlife is abundant around the waterhole.]()
Birdlife is abundant around the waterhole.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Don't miss the chance to snag a fish for dinner.]()
Don't miss the chance to snag a fish for dinner.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Spend the night near the historically-significant Old Laura Homestead.]()
Spend the night near the historically-significant Old Laura Homestead.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Fish or relax in the shade at your Orange Plain Waterhole camp site.]()
Fish or relax in the shade at your Orange Plain Waterhole camp site.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Set up camp on either side of Saltwater Creek.]()
Set up camp on either side of Saltwater Creek.
Photo credit: © John Augusteyn
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![Photo of Seven Mile]()
Seven Mile
Photo credit: Robert Ashdown © Queensland Government
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![Camp beside the waterhole and birdwatch in the nearby swamps and lagoons.]()
Camp beside the waterhole and birdwatch in the nearby swamps and lagoons.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Camp with picturesque vistas of Sweetwater Lake.]()
Camp with picturesque vistas of Sweetwater Lake.
Photo credit: © John Augusteyn
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![Photo of Top Whiphandle Waterhole]()
Top Whiphandle Waterhole
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Photo of camp site 1 which is next to a large sandbar on the junction of the Normanby and Laura rivers.]()
Camp site 1 is next to a large sandbar on the junction of the Normanby and Laura rivers.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Photo of the camping area which is on a flat, high above Welcome Waterhole.]()
The camping area is on a flat, high above Welcome Waterhole.
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![During wetter times, lush waterholes line the track.]()
Photo credit: Mark Simmons © Queensland Government
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![Photo of brolgas taking flight at Breeza Lagoon.]()
Brolgas prepare to take flight at Breeza Lagoon.
Photo credit: Adam Creed © Queensland Government
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![Catfish Waterhole is one of many deep and permanent waterholes along the North Kennedy River.]()
Catfish Waterhole is one of many deep and permanent waterholes along the North Kennedy River.
Photo credit: John Augusteyn © Queensland Government
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![Photo of the lily-swathed lagoon near the historic Lakefield homestead]()
Take in some birdwatching at the lily-swathed lagoon near the historic Lakefield homestead
Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
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![Gaze out over the lily-scattered lagoon.]()
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Enjoy the day-use area's facilities.]()
Enjoy the day-use area's facilities.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Lake Emma is a unique, round lake on top of a sand ridge.]()
Lake Emma is a unique, round lake on top of a sand ridge.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Experience a magnificent sunset on Nifold Plain.]()
Photo credit: John Augusteyn © Queensland Government
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![Step back in time and explore the historically significant Old Laura Homestead.]()
Step back in time and explore the historically significant Old Laura Homestead.
Photo credit: © Queensland Government
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![Red lotus lilies carpet picturesque Red Lily Lagoon.]()
Red lotus lilies carpet picturesque Red Lily Lagoon.
Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Tourism and Events Queensland
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![Remember to bring your binoculars.]()
Remember to bring your binoculars.
Photo credit: © John Augusteyn
- Wet season closure: Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) 1 December 2024 to 14 July 2025