Visiting Kalkajaka safely
Getting there and getting around
Kalkajaka National Park (CYPAL) is on Cape York Peninsula. The car park and lookout are 25km south-west of Cooktown on the Mulligan Highway.
When approaching from the south, travel along the Peninsula Developmental Road to Lakeland Downs. From here turn onto the Mulligan Highway and head north-east towards Cooktown. These roads are sealed and are suitable for conventional vehicles for most of the year. Heavy rain during the wet season may result in localised flooding, closing the roads for short periods of time.
Approaching from the north, the Peninsula Developmental Road to Lakeland Downs is mostly unsealed. Always drive according to prevailing conditions. Four-wheel-drive vehicles are recommended for this route.
May to October is the best time to travel on Cape York Peninsula. Many roads and tracks become impassable during the hotter, wet season months from late November to April.
Contact the Department of Transport and Main Roads for local road conditions and the Bureau of Meteorology for updated weather reports.
Wheelchair accessibility
The viewpoint at the car park is wheelchair accessible.
Staying safe
- Do not risk injury by venturing onto the boulder field—people have been injured and have died trying to climb Kalkajaka.
- Wear a hat, sunglasses, long-sleeved shirt and sunscreen, even on cloudy days, to avoid sunburn.
For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.
Before you visit
Essentials to bring
- binoculars for better wildlife viewing
- a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- drinking water
- rubbish bags—bins are not provided.
Opening hours
Kalkajaka National Park (CYPAL) is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, weather permitting. Many roads and tracks become impassable during the hotter, wet season months from late November to April.
Permits and fees
Permits are required for all commercial or organised events. View permits and fees for further information.
Pets
Domestic animals are not permitted in Kalkajaka National Park (CYPAL).
Climate and weather
Cape York's seasons are divided into 'the wet' and 'the dry'. During the wet, the area can be deluged by heavy monsoonal storms, rain depressions and cyclones. Winter temperatures can drop below 10°C and summer temperatures can soar beyond 40°C. Typical temperatures are however, 18–26°C in winter and 23–32°C in summer, usually with high humidity.
May to October is the best time to travel on Cape York Peninsula. Many roads and tracks become impassable during the hotter, wet season months from late November to April. Contact Department of Transport and Main Roads for local road conditions. Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Fuel and supplies
Fuel and supplies are available at Cooktown. For more information see the tourism information links.
- There are currently no park alerts for this park.