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

Fish or relax in the shade at your Orange Plain Waterhole camp site. Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government

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

Orange Plain camping area

Scattered along a large waterhole on the Normanby River, these camp sites are a fisher’s delight.

Accessible by

  • 4WD

Camping area facilities

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

Always check

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.

After you’ve set up camp, cast a line into the river and relax in the shade, or launch your boat (manually—no trailers) and explore the far reaches of the waterhole.

After a peaceful night, jump in the car and head for a fish at the Bizant River boat ramp and Hann Crossing, or spend time seeing the sights at Red Lily and While Lily lagoons.

At night, sit around the toasty camp fire sharing the day’s stories under a canopy of sparkling stars.

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

Getting there and getting around

Getting there

Orange Plain Waterhole 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 on the steep 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 46km and turn left at the Hann Crossing.
  • Drive 16km north-east on the track to camp sites 2, 3 and 4. The track for camp site 1 is a further 100m along the 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 96km through the national park (CYPAL) to the track to camp sites 2, 3 and 4. The track for camp site 1 is a further 100m along the 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 36km north to the track to camp sites 2, 3 and 4. The track for camp site 1 is a further 100m along.

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.
Photo of camp site 3 at Orange Plain Waterhole camping area.

Camp site 3 at Orange Plain 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. Camp site 1 is on a low ridge with a track down to the river—camping is not allowed on the lower river bank. The waterhole is ideal for bank and boat fishing or for relaxing by the water. Large crocodiles are frequently seen here—Be Crocwise in Croc Country.

Location: northern part of the national park (CYPAL) on the western bank of the Normanby River. By road, the access track to camp sites 2, 3 and 4 is 36km north of Lakefield ranger base and 16km north-east of Hann Crossing. The access track for camp site one is 100m further north.

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: manual launching (no trailer access) from site 4 only.

Number of sites: 4 numbered sites

Site Camp size
1 Maximum 2 cars and trailers (8 people).
2 Maximum 2 cars and trailers (6 people).
3 Maximum 2 cars and trailers (6 people).
4 Maximum 2 cars and trailers (6 people).

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

Camp site surface: dirt and grass (seasonal).

Shade: camp sites 1 and 4 have partial shade, and camp sites 2 and 3 have full shade (not suitable for solar panels).

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.

Bookings: book online, or by phone prior to arrival. Bookings are essential and should be made well in advance for June to August and the September school holidays.

Mobile phone coverage: not available.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) safely and camp with care.