About Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range)

Park features

Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL) is a coastal park with spectacular views from the beaches and headlands to the heath-covered Tozer Range, which rises 543 m above sea level. The park is also of international significance as it contains the largest remaining area of lowland rainforest in Australia. Surrounded by drier eucalypt and paperbark forest, the rainforest is a refuge and stronghold for birds also found in New Guinea, but with a restricted distribution in Australia. It supports the vibrant eclectus parrot, which lives only in the Iron and McIlwraith ranges between the Pascoe and Rocky rivers, the raucous palm cockatoo and the magnificent rifle-bird. Kutini means cassowary and Payamu means rainbow serpent. These are important stories for the Kuuku Ya’u (Kanthanampu and Kungkay) people, the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of this park.

Read more about the nature, culture and history of Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL).

Looking after the park

Your cooperation is sought to help preserve this natural area. Please follow these guidelines:

• Domestic animals are not permitted in national parks.
• Take all your rubbish with you when you leave—you may use the rubbish pit on the Portland Roads Road just north of the turn-off into Chilli Beach.
• Do not remove or disturb plants, living or dead.
• Do not interfere with or feed native animals. Ensure all food, including scraps, are stowed securely at night. Wildlife, including pigs, frequent the camping areas in search of food.
• The use of firearms is prohibited in national parks.
• Chainsaws are not permitted in Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL).
• Do not use soap or detergent in streams, rivers or waterholes.
• Camp only in designated camping areas—camping is not permitted in other parts of the park or on adjacent Aboriginal land.
• Light camp fires responsibly and only in existing fireplaces. Never collect firewood from the park. Where possible, use gas stoves.
• Keep your camp site clean and free from food scraps.
• Be aware that driving on the beach can be dangerous, particularly near creek mouths and between the tides. Dunes are fragile environments and can be easily damaged.
• Limit the spread of weeds by ensuring clothes, shoes, gear, bikes and vehicles are clean and free of seeds before arriving at the park.
• Stay on formed roads—mountain bikes and trail-bikes are not permitted on walking tracks and boardwalks. Riding over vegetation, breaking branches, taking shortcuts and forming new tracks damages the environment.
• Unlicensed drivers and trail-bike riders are not allowed in parks and forests. Drivers and riders must be licensed and vehicles must be fully registered.
• Motocross is not permitted in this park.
• Avoiding driving and riding on unsealed roads during and after heavy rains.
• Avoid causing unnecessary erosion as this may lead to the closing of the road.
• Respect park neighbours and visitors—ensure the noise and dust from your driving and riding doesn’t upset others.

See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Park management

This park was originally gazetted as Iron Range National Park on 11 January 1981. The original 33,000 ha has expanded over time and is now 53,160 ha following conversion to Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL) on 22 July 2011.

Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL) is jointly managed by the Northern Kuuku Ya’u Kanthanampu Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Land Trust and the Queensland Government in accordance with an Indigenous Management Agreement and other land management arrangements. Read more about joint management of Cape York Peninsula national parks.

Tourism information links

Nature's Powerhouse Visitor Information Centre
www.cooktownandcapeyork.com
Cooktown Botanic Gardens, Cooktown QLD 4895
ph (07) 4069 6004
email info@cooktowns.com

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see Queensland Holidays.