Visiting Djiru safely

Lacey Creek, Djiru National Park, Queensland.

Photo credit: Tourism Queensland

Getting there and getting around

Two day-use areas—Licuala and Lacey Creek—have been developed for visitor use within Djiru National Park.

To get to the Licuala day-use area and car park, turn north off the Tully–Mission Beach Road onto the signposted unsealed road, about 8km east of the town of Mission Beach. The day-use area and car park are 1.6km along this unsealed road. It is accessible by conventional vehicles.

Lacey Creek day-use area is beside the El Arish–Mission Beach road, 8km from the junction with the Bruce Highway and 7.5km from Mission Beach township.

Wheelchair accessibility

The toilets at Lacey Creek day-use area and part of the 1.3km Fan Palm walk at Licuala day-use area are wheelchair accessible (with assistance).

Staying safe

Make safety a priority when visiting this national park.

• When riding, abide by the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) rules of the trail.
• When riding, wear appropriate safety gear and be realistic about your cycling abilities.
• Slow down when approaching other track users. Follow the give-way code—cyclists must give way to walkers and alert others when approaching.
• Maintain at least 50m between riders.
• Stay on the boardwalks and walking tracks and take care on loose and uneven walking track surfaces, particularly in wet conditions.
• Wear sunscreen, a hat, protective clothing and sturdy footwear.
• Always carry water and try to walk in the cooler part of the day.

Be cass-o-wary

Cassowaries, which are often seen in Djiru National Park, are potentially dangerous. Avoid unnecessary risks and help protect cassowaries by following these guidelines:

• never approach cassowaries
• never approach chicks—male cassowaries will defend them
• never feed cassowaries—it is illegal and dangerous and has caused cassowary deaths
• always discard food scraps in closed bins
• always slow down when driving in cassowary territory
• never stop your vehicle to look at cassowaries on the road

Avoid contact with tar trees

Beware of tar trees Semecarpus australiensis that are found in coastal areas. Contact with the tree, particularly the tar-like sap, causes severe blistering in most people. Resembling cashews, the fruits are set in a succulent, orange stem and have an irritating skin. Contact with all parts of this tree, which looks like a mango tree, should be avoided.

For more information, read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.

Lacey Creek, Djiru National Park.

Photo credit: Stella Martin, Queensland Government

Musgravea track, Djiru National Park.

Photo credit: Stella Martin, Queensland Government

Before you visit

Essentials to bring

To ensure an enjoyable visit bring:

• sufficient drinking water
• protective clothing, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun
• suitable shoes for walking on rough surfaces
• insect repellent to protect against insect bites
• rubbish bags
• binoculars—helpful for spotting wildlife.

Opening hours

Djiru National Park is open 24hrs a day, all year round.

Pets

Leave your pets at home. Domestic animals are not permitted in Djiru National Park.

Permits and fees

Permits are required for commercial or organised group activities. Contact us for further information.

Climate and weather

The Mission Beach–Tully area is one of the wettest parts of the Wet Tropics; Tully has an average annual rainfall of about 4500mm. Most of the high rainfall occurs between late December and April. These summer months are characterised by high temperatures, with maximums generally above 30°C and very high humidity relieved only by intense downpours of rain. The winter months, by contrast, are very pleasant with lower humidity and temperatures (a daily range of about 16–26°C) and frequent clear, sunny days. For more information see the tourism information links.

Fuel and supplies

Fuel and supplies are available at Mission Beach and nearby Tully and El Arish townships. For more information see the tourism information links.