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Camping in Jardine Heathlands
All camping must be booked
All camping in Jardine River National Park, Heathlands Resources Reserve and Jardine River Resources Reserve must be booked in advance. Campers must purchase an e-permit before arriving at the camping area. Self-registration is not available and there is no mobile phone coverage on site.
To obtain an e-permit, you can:
- book online
- visit an over-the-counter camping permit booking office or self-service kiosk
- phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68). Mobile phone charges may apply.
Making a camping booking may be difficult for campers who have not booked before arriving on the peninsula due to poor mobile phone and internet coverage. Recognising this, QPWS provides self-service camping permit booking kiosks at Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL), Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL) and Heathlands Resources Reserve ranger bases as well as QPWS Coen and Cooktown offices. Credit card and camping credits are accepted but no cash facilities are available.
The demand for camping on Cape York Peninsula parks and reserves is growing. The use of online bookings and e-permits will manage this demand sustainably.
Eliot Falls access, crossing Scrubby Creek
Access to Eliot Falls camping and day-use area is via the Overland Telegraph Track and involves crossing Scrubby Creek. The creek can be more than 1 metre deep in sections and driving through the creek is only recommended for experienced four-wheel drivers. Please note:
- Eliot Falls camping area and day-use area can only be reached by high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles, off-road campervans and camper trailers.
- Access is not suitable for buses, caravans or low clearance vehicles.
Road conditions vary throughout the season and can change rapidly, depending on weather. Always check road conditions before travelling.

Sunrise at Ussher Point. Photo: Stuart Swanson.
Camping is permitted in Jardine River National Park at North and South Jardine River, in Heathlands Resources Reserve at Eliot Falls and Captain Billy Landing and in Jardine River Resources Reserve at Ussher Point. Camping is not permitted in other areas, including Fruit Bat Falls, which has day-use facilities only.
Camping permits are required and fees apply. A tag must be displayed at your camp site.
Camp sites in Jardine River National Park, Heathlands Resources Reserve and Jardine River Resources Reserve are popular during peak periods. Campers should plan their visit and obtain an e-permit well in advance.
Park-specific conditions
Campers must be self-sufficient in this remote area as fuel, supplies and first aid are not readily available.
The maximum length of stay at all camping areas is 21 consecutive nights and bookings can be made up to six months in advance.
Fires are allowed in existing fireplaces only. Do not collect firewood in the national park. Fuel stoves are recommended.
Generators that operate at a noise level less than 65dB(A) measured at a distance of 7m from the generator are permitted between 8.00am and 7.00pm at North Jardine River, South Jardine River and Ussher Point camping areas only. Generators are not permitted at Eliot Falls and Captain Billy Landing camping areas.
Read more about staying safe and looking after the park.
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North Jardine River camping area features sandy sites on the northern bank of the Jardine River, on Telegraph Road, 32km south of Injinoo.
- Tent camping
- No caravan camping
- Camper trailer camping
- Campfires allowed
- No toilets
- No showers
- No barbecue
- No picnic tables
- No wheelchair access
- Generators allowed (conditions apply)
- No dogs permitted
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South Jardine River camping area features sandy sites on the southern bank of the Jardine River, on the old Telegraph Road, 24km south of the Jardine River Ferry Crossing.
- Tent camping
- No caravan camping
- Camper trailer camping
- Campfires allowed
- No toilets
- No showers
- No barbecue
- No picnic tables
- No wheelchair access
- Generators allowed (conditions apply)
- No dogs permitted
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Eliot Falls camping area is nestled in woodland between Canal and Eliot creeks, close to the famed scenic Eliot and Twin falls, this popular camping area is an oasis for…
- Tent camping
- No caravan camping
- Camper trailer camping
- Campfires allowed
- Toilets
- No showers
- No barbecue
- Picnic tables
- No wheelchair access
- No generators allowed
- No dogs permitted
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Captain Billy Landing camping area is located directly beside the beach, offering opportunities for beach walking and fishing.
- Tent camping
- No caravan camping
- Camper trailer camping
- Campfires allowed
- Toilets
- No showers
- No barbecue
- Picnic tables
- No wheelchair access
- No generators allowed
- No dogs permitted
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Ussher Point camping area is very remote and isolated. Close to the beach and cliffs and surrounded by coastal heath vegetation.
- Tent camping
- No caravan camping
- No camper trailer camping
- Campfires allowed
- No toilets
- No showers
- No barbecue
- No picnic tables
- No wheelchair access
- Generators allowed (conditions apply)
- No dogs permitted
- Temporary closure: camp site 4 Ussher Point camping area, Jardine River National Park 14 October 2020 to 23 December 2021
- Safety advice: Scrubby Creek crossing into Eliot Falls camping and day-use area, Heathlands Resources Reserve 23 December 2020 to 31 May 2021