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Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) Tropical North Queensland

Take in some birdwatching at the lily-swathed lagoon near the historic Lakefield homestead Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government

Brolgas prepare to take flight at Breeza Lagoon. Photo credit: Adam Creed © Queensland Government

Historic Lakefield Homestead day-use area

Spend an afternoon picnicking in the shade of milky pines while watching the birdlife (and resident croc!) in the lily-swathed lagoon.

Accessible by

  • 4WD

Attraction facilities

  • Picnic tables

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Relax in the shade and imagine life in the homestead during the early 1900s when it was the hub of the Lakefield Cattle Station and part of the peninsula’s thriving cattle industry.

The history of the old homestead has blurred with time and little is known about the timber and corrugated iron structure. The ravages of time have slowly eaten away at the structure since it was abandoned in the early 1960s when the new homestead was built. Tropical Cyclone Ita caused further damage in 2014.

Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) is jointly managed by the Rinyirru (Lakefield) Aboriginal Corporation and the Queensland Government.

Getting there and getting around

The Historic Lakefield Homestead day-use area is in the central part of Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL), 340km north-west of Cairns, and 140km west of Cooktown, on southern Cape York Peninsula.

  • The day-use area is adjacent to the Lakefield ranger base in the centre of the park.
  • You need a 4WD to access the park and day-use area.
  • Read 4WD with care for important information on 4WD safety and minimal impact driving.

From the north

  • Take the Lakefield turn-off at the Musgrave Roadhouse on the Peninsula Developmental Road and drive 38km east on Marina Plains Road to the park.
  • Continue 72km through the park south to Lakefield ranger base and the day-use area.

From Cape Melville

  • Drive 70km from Wakooka in Cape Melville National Park to Kalpowar on the eastern boundary of Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL).
  • Continue 1km and turn right onto Lakefield Road.
  • Drive the short distance to the Lakefield ranger base and day-use area.

From the south

  • Drive 2km north past Laura on the Peninsula Developmental Road and take the Lakefield turn-off.
  • Drive 25km to the park.
  • Continue 60km through the park north to Lakefield ranger base and the day-use area.

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland, see Queensland.com, and for friendly advice on how to get there, where to stay and what to do, find your closest accredited visitor information centre.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Historic Lakefield Homestead day-use area is open 24 hours a day

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Seasonal closures

Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) is closed throughout the wet season every year.

  • Camping areas south of Lakefield ranger base are closed from 1 December to 31 May.
  • Camping areas north of the Lakefield ranger base are closed from 1 December to 30 June.
  • These dates vary each year depending on weather and road conditions.
  • Refer to the park map (PDF, 395.2KB) for location of the Lakefield ranger base and camping areas.
  • Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.
  • See the Bureau of Meteorology for weather conditions and forecasts.
  • See traffic and travel information for road and travel conditions.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) safely.