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

Birdlife is abundant around the waterhole. Photo credit: © Queensland Government

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

Midway Waterhole camping area

This centrally-located camping area is considered one of the best fishing spots in the national park (CYPAL)... and you can have it all to yourself!

Accessible by

Camping area facilities

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

Set up camp under the tall, shady trees right on the bank of this large, permanent waterhole on the mighty Normanby River.

Enjoy the peace and solitude of the area and spend your days relaxing under the trees and fishing in the waterhole. You can launch a boat or just flick lures from the bank.

Spend a day or two exploring the national park (CYPAL). Red Lily and White Lily lagoons and Catfish Waterhole aren’t too far away and there’s heaps of other sites within an easy drive.

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

Getting there and getting around

Midway Waterhole camping 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.

This camping area is on the western bank of the Normanby River.
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 66.5km south through the national park (CYPAL) and turn left at the Midway Waterhole turn-off.
Drive 4km north to the camping area.

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 65.5km north through the national park (CYPAL), past the Lakefield ranger base, and turn right at the Midway Waterhole turn-off.
Driver 4km north to the camping area.

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 at the Lakefield Road intersection.
Drive 5.5km north and turn right at the Midway Waterhole turn-off .
The camping area is 4km 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.

Camp site one at Midway Waterhole camping area.

Photo credit: © Queensland Government

Camping area features

Adjacent to a large permanent waterhole on the steep western bank of the Normanby River, this spot is ideal for fishing. Large crocodiles are frequently seen here—Be Crocwise in Croc Country.

Location: central part of the national park (CYPAL) on the western bank of the Normanby River, 4km west of Lakefield Road—by road, the turn-off is 5.5km north-west of Lakefield ranger base and 22.5km south-east of Hann Crossing.

Map: Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) central camping areas map (PDF, 496.6KB)

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

Boat launching: manual launching (no trailer access).

Number of sites: 1 numbered site—maximum 2 cars and trailers (6 people).

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

Camp site surface: dirt, rock and sand.

Shade: full shade.

Facilities: nil.

Open fires: allowed (except when fire bans apply), but must be contained. 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, 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.