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

You'll overlook tidal Five Mile Creek from this large and open camping area Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government

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

Five Mile Creek camping area

Unwind and relax in this shady camping area, high on the bank overlooking tidal Five Mile Creek and close to Annie River.

Accessible by

Camping area facilities

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

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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.

The self-service kiosk at this park has been decommissioned.

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

Walk along the bank of Five Mile Creek and see if you can spot basking crocodiles in the water below. Try your luck at hooking a barra for dinner, or just sit back and marvel at the birds in the canopy.

When it’s too hot to be out and about, jump in the car and head to the nearby Low Lake (Rarda-Ndolphin) and Nifold Plain. The lake is a fantastic place to birdwatch so remember your camera and binoculars. Nifold Plain is best at sunset, when the termite mound-studded landscape is awash with pastel colours.

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

Getting there and getting around

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

This camping area is in the north-western 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 and Lakefield roads
Turn right and drive 12km north to the signed turn-off. The camping area is 7km down 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 north-west for 125km through the national park (CYPAL), past the Lakefield ranger base, to Marina Plains Road.
Turn right and drive 12km north to the signed turn-off. The camping area is 7km down 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.
Continue north-west for 125km through the national park (CYPAL), past the Lakefield ranger base, to Marina Plains Road.
Turn right and drive 12km north to the signed turn-off. The camping area is 7km down 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.

Five Mile Creek camping area

Photo credit: © Queensland Government

Camping area features

The camping area is on the flat above a steep bank of the tidal Five Mile Creek. Close by is the tidal Annie River. 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 Five Mile Creek, 19km north-west of the junction of Marina Plains Road and Lakefield Road—by road, the turn-off 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)

Boat launching: nil.

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.

Number of sites: 1 numbered site—maximum 1 car and trailer (4 people).

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

Camp site surface: dirt and grass (seasonal).

Shade: nil.

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.