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

Spend the night near the historically-significant Old Laura Homestead. Photo credit: © Queensland Government

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

Old Laura Homestead camping area

Close to the Laura River, this camping area in the southern part of the national park (CYPAL) is a great place to overnight after a dusty day on the road.

Accessible by

Camping area facilities

Campfires allowed (conditions apply)
Generators allowed (conditions apply)
Tent camping
Camper trailer camping
Tent camping beside car
Cultural and historic sites
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.

Two shady camp sites sit on a flat high above the river and right beside Battle Camp Road. Relax and unwind around a camp fire after a day of travelling. If you’re just getting to the national park (CYPAL), spend some time planning the next day’s activities and, if this is your last night here, relish in the memories and experience this landscape has created.

Before you leave the next morning, check out the nearby Old Laura Homestead—one of the park's most significant historical sites. Walk through the old buildings and learn about a bygone era when this landscape was prized cattle-grazing territory.

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

Getting there and getting around

Old Laura Homestead camping area is in the southern 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 near the junction of Lakefield and Battle Camp roads at the southern entrance to 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 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 1km north to the camping area.

From Battle Camp Road

Drive 85km west from Cooktown along Battle Camp Road to the national park (CYPAL) eastern boundary.
Continue 26km through the national park (CYPAL) along Battle Camp Road to the camping area.

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 129km through the national park (CYPAL), past the Lakefield ranger base, and turn left into Battle Camp Road.
The camping area is 500m 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 2 at Old Laura Homestead camping area

Photo credit: © Queensland Government

Camping area features

Adjacent to Old Laura Homestead and beside Battle Camp Road, making this area more suited to overnight stops than extended stays. The camping area is a short distance from the Laura River—camping is not allowed on the river.

Location: southern part of the national park (CYPAL), adjacent to Battle Camp Road near its junction with Lakefield Road—by road, the turn-off is 27km north of Laura and 24km south of New Laura ranger base. The camping area can also be reached by Battle Camp Road from the east—by road, 111km from Cooktown.

Map: Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) southern camping areas map (PDF, 233.8KB)

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: nil.

Number of sites: 2 numbered sites.

Site	Camp size
1	Maximum 5 cars and trailers (15 people).
2	Maximum 2 cars and trailers (8 people).

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

Camp site surface: dirt and grass (seasonal).

Shade: both sites have 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.