About Cape Palmerston
Park features
Windswept rocky headlands, mangroves, swamps, rainforest and sand dunes are all part of Cape Palmerston National Park’s rugged beauty. Open eucalypt woodland with ironbark and poplar gum grows on the ridges, and paperbarks grow in gullies. The distinctive 344m Mount Funnel towers over the park.
Mangroves provide habitat for water mice (a threatened species) and melaleuca wetlands are home to frogs and numerous other wetland species. Threatened beach stone-curlews nest and feed along the foreshores. Pied imperial-pigeons, which visit in late winter and in spring, are close to the southern limit of their range.
The cape provides a vantage point to view humpback whales passing by during cooler months and turtles are often visible in the water below. These adjacent seawaters and the Cape Creek system are protected marine parks, with Ince Bay zoned a Dugong Protection Area.
Middens are a reminder of the special connection the Yuwibara people have with this place.
Read more about the nature, culture and history of Cape Palmerston National Park.
Looking after the park
- Bring your own above-ground fire container and clean, milled timber for fires. On-ground campfires are prohibited. Fuel stoves are recommended.
- Pack sturdy rubbish bags and take all rubbish home with you. Carry a container for cigarette butts.
- Drive carefully, especially around shorebirds on beaches.
- Follow the boating and fishing regulations that apply in the adjoining marine park.
See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.
Park management
Cape Palmerston National Park was gazetted in 1976. The 7,200ha park is managed primarily to conserve its natural values, particularly its diverse vegetation communities and coastal landscapes.
The Cape Palmerston National Park Management Statement 2013 is available.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, part of the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority are jointly responsible for managing the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Tourism information links
Mackay Region Visitor Information Centre
www.mackayisaac.com
Field of Dreams Parkland
1 Railway Square
SARINA QLD 4737
Phone: (07) 4944 5888 or 1300 130 001
Email: bookings@mackayregion.com
To learn more about the activities, tours and accommodation in this region visit Mackay Isaac Region
For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.
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The natural, cultural and historical significance of Cape Palmerston
- There are currently no park alerts for this park.