Visiting Finucane Island safely

Getting there and getting around

There are no access roads into the park and no tracks within the national park.

Finucane Island can only be accessed by boat from the Albert River, Leichhardt River, Landsborough Inlet or the Gulf of Carpentaria.

Wheelchair accessibility

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities at Finucane Island National Park.

Staying safe

Finucane Island is a remote with no facilities, visitors must be well prepared for all emergencies.

• be prepared for delays caused by stranding due to weather.
• ensure family or friends know your itinerary, where you are going and when you expect to return.
• remember to bring insect repellent and to wear protective clothing.
• carry at least one form of communication equipment. Satellite phones and Personal Locator Beacons (PLB’s) are the most effective in this area. Mobile phone coverage is unreliable.

In an emergency

For all emergencies call Triple Zero (000).

We highly recommend you visit the Triple Zero website before visiting a national park or forest. Download the Triple Zero emergency app to help identify your location. Important: if there is no mobile coverage on any network, you will not be able to reach the Emergency Call Service via a mobile phone.

Be Crocwise

Crocodiles are a common occurrence in northern Queensland waterways and are potentially dangerous. Never take unnecessary risks in crocodile habitat. You are responsible for your own safety, so please follow these guidelines and be Crocwise in croc country:

• Obey crocodile warning signs—they are there for your safety and protection.
• Never swim in water where crocodiles may live, even if there are no warning signs present.
• Swimming or standing in water above knee-height near a crocodile warning sign, or where estuarine crocodiles are frequently seen, is illegal in protected areas (you can still enter the water if you have a reasonable excuse, e.g. launching a boat).
• When fishing, always stand at least 5m back from the water's edge and never stand on logs or branches overhanging the water.
• Never clean fish or discard fish scraps near the water's edge, around campsites or at boat ramps.
• Stay well back from any crocodile slide marks. Crocodiles may be close by and could approach people and boats.
• Boats and vehicles must never be brought within 10m of an estuarine crocodile in the wild—it is illegal unless part of a commercial crocodile viewing tour, or there is a reasonable excuse, e.g. where a creek is less than 10m wide.
• Never dangle your arms or legs over the side of a boat. If you fall out of a boat, get out of the water as quickly as possible.
• Never provoke, harass or interfere with crocodiles, even small ones.
• Never feed crocodiles—it is illegal and dangerous.
• Camp at least 2m above the high water mark and at least 50m from the water's edge. Avoid places where native animals and domestic stock drink.
• Never leave food scraps, fish frames or bait at your camp site. Always check that previous campers have not left these behind.
• Never prepare food, wash dishes or pursue any other activities near the water's edge or adjacent sloping banks.
• Be more aware of crocodiles at night and during the breeding season (September to April).
• No waterway in northern Queensland can ever be considered crocodile-free. That’s why being Crocwise (PDF, 1.6MB) is important.

Please stay safe and follow the Parks and forests guidelines to stay safe and visit with care.

Before you visit

Essentials to bring

Visitors must be completely self-sufficient and carry adequate food, water, fuel, spare parts and basic boat repair equipment. There are no facilities in the park. Always prepare for a longer stay than anticipated in case of stranding due to weather.

• Wear insect repellent, protective clothing and sturdy footwear for protection against stings, scratches and bites.
• Ensure you carry plenty of drinking water.
• Tell friends or family where you are going and when you expect to return.
• Carry at least one form of communication equipment. Satellite phones and Personal Locator Beacons (PLB’s) are the most effective. Mobile phone coverage is unreliable.
• Bring a fuel or gas stove for cooking.
• Sturdy, sealable rubbish bags.

Opening hours

Finucane Island National Park is open 24 hours a day. The park may be closed at times due to extreme weather or management operations, check park alerts for the latest information on national park access, closures and conditions.

Pets

Domestic animals are not allowed in Finucane Island National Park.

Climate and weather

Two seasons occur in the Gulf Savannah—the wet and the dry. During the dry season, April to November, the sky is generally clear and humidity is low. The wet season, December to March, brings heavy rain and high humidity. January is the wettest month, with over 200 mm of rain.

July, the coolest month, has an average minimum temperature of 13 °C and maximum of 28 °C. Wet season temperatures range from 25–35 °C.

Weather information and forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.

Fuel and supplies

The nearest major centre for a full range of supplies and services is Burketown, approximately 25km south–west of Finucane Island National Park.