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

Boat your way to Princess Charlotte Bay from Annie River camping area. Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government

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

Annie River camping area

Find your piece of paradise at the northern-most camping area in the national park (CYPAL), sitting high on the banks of the beautiful Annie River.

Accessible by

Camping area facilities

Campfires allowed (conditions apply)
Generators allowed (conditions apply)
Tent camping
Camper trailer camping
Tent camping beside car
Boating
Fishing

Always check

Park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.
Bureau of Meteorology weather forecasts.
Current bushfire warnings and incidents and also fire bans and restrictions.
Your camping permit is booked.
Any park-specific camping information for Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL).
Visiting Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) safely for important safety information.

Visitors need to book their camping permit before they visit. Book online, at an over-the-counter booking office or by phone.

With only 1 site (that can fit up to 15 people!), this camping area can be all yours. Create a private base, sit back and relax, or explore the surrounding national park (CYPAL).

The Annie River is tidal at this location. The nearby Marina Plains boat ramp is an option for boat launching. Grab your gear and set out for a day of fishing and exploring. Follow the river upstream to Five Mile Creek, or downstream to the larger North Kennedy River. From here it’s a short boat ride to Princess Charlotte Bay and the network of rivers and feeder creeks.

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

Getting there and getting around

Annie River camping area is the northern-most camping area in Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL), 340km north-west of Cairns, and 140km west of Cooktown, on southern Cape York Peninsula.

Annie River camping area is in the north-west corner of the national park (CYPAL).
You need a 4WD to access the national park (CYPAL) and camping 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 national park (CYPAL).
Continue 4km through the national park (CYPAL) to the junction of Marina Plains Road and Lakefield Road.
Turn right and drive 12km north to the Annie Creek camping area turn-off. The camping area is 2km along this road.

From the south

Drive 2km north past Laura on the Peninsula Developmental Road and take the Lakefield turn-off.
Drive 25km to the national park (CYPAL).
Continue 125km through the national park (CYPAL), passing the Lakefield ranger base, to the junction of Marina Plains and Lakefield roads.
Turn right and drive 12km north to the Annie Creek camping area turn-off. The camping area is 2km along this road.

From Cape Melville

Drive 70km from Wakooka in Cape Melville National Park (CYPAL) to Kalpowar on the eastern boundary of Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL).
Continue 1km and turn right onto Lakefield Road.
Drive 72km north to the junction of the Marina Plains and Lakefield roads.
Turn right and drive 12km north to the Annie Creek camping area turn-off. The camping area is 2km along this road.

Before you visit

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.

Annie River camping area

Photo credit: © Queensland Government

Camping area features

The camping area sits on the flat above a steep bank of the tidal Annie River. The nearby Marina Plains boat ramp provides a formalised boat launching option in this area and access to Princess Charlotte Bay. The nearby Marina Plains Homestead and professional fishing camps are not open to the public. Large crocodiles are frequently seen here—Be Crocwise in Croc Country.

Location: northern part of the national park (CYPAL) on the Annie River, 14km north of the junction of Marina Plains Road and Lakefield Road—by road the junction is 42km east of Musgrave Roadhouse and 39km north-west of Hann Crossing.

Map: Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) northern camping areas map (PDF, 216.7KB)

Access: the camping area can be reached by four-wheel-drive vehicle only. It is not accessible for caravans, campervans or buses. The road becomes impassable after rain.

Boat launching: nearby formalised boat ramp (trailer access) at Marina Plains provides a boat launching option. At Annie River camping area, some campers manually launch small boats (no trailer access).

Number of sites: 1 numbered site—maximum 5 cars and trailers (15 people).

Camp sites are suitable for: tent camping beside your car and camper trailers

Camp site surface: dirt and grass (seasonal).

Shade: part shade.

Facilities: nil.

Open fires: allowed (except when fire bans apply). Fuel stoves are recommended. Do not collect firewood in the national park (CYPAL).

Generators: only generators operated at less than 65dB(A), when measured 7m from the generator, are permitted, and only between 8am and 7pm.

Essentials to bring: adequate food and drinking water (no fresh water is available), rubbish bags, insect repellent, mosquito nets, fuel stove and adequate fuel and spare parts for your vehicle. Read more about before you visit.

Mobile phone coverage: not available.