About Piper Islands National Park (CYPAL)

Park features

Piper Islands National Park (CYPAL) consists of four islands and one islet—Beesley, Baird, Farmer and Fisher islands and Kay Islet—located on three separate reefs.

The islands are low, vegetated cays, supporting significant populations of seabirds, shorebirds and forest birds. The islands retain a high level of natural integrity—demonstrated by records of almost 100 pairs of breeding roseate terns, which are highly sensitive to human disturbance.

Other species of conservation significance on and around the islands include endangered little terns, vulnerable species such as beach stone-curlews, green turtles, hawksbill turtles and dugongs and near threatened eastern curlews.

Looking after the park

• Be careful not to damage coral with anchors.
• Everything in the park is protected. Please leave everything as it was.
• Do not feed the wildlife as it can affect their health and alter the natural population balance.
• Avoid bird-nesting areas and stay clear of roosting birds.
• Domestic animals are not permitted.
• Lighting of fires is not allowed. Bring a fuel or gas stove for cooking.
• Please take rubbish off the island.

Be pest-free!

Our precious Great Barrier Reef World Heritage islands are among the most pest-free islands in the world. They need your help to stay this way. Please Be pest-free! (PDF, 573.6KB) before your visit.

Before you boat around the Piper Islands National Park (CYPAL)

• Please check that your boat, clothing, footwear and gear are free of soil, seeds, parts of plants, eggs, ants and insects (and their eggs), spiders, lizards, toads, rats and mice.
• Clean soil from footwear and gear as invisible killers such as viruses, bacteria and fungi are carried in soil.
• Check for seeds in pockets, cuffs and hook and loop fastening strips, such as Velcro.

While you are on the islands, remove soil, weeds, seeds and pests from your boat, gear and clothes before moving to a new site. Wrap seeds and plant material, and place them in your rubbish.

Everyone in Queensland has a General Biosecurity Obligation to minimise the biosecurity risk posed by their activities. This includes the risk of introducing and spreading weeds and pests to island national parks.

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

Park management

Piper Islands 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. Read more about joint management of Cape York Peninsula national parks.

The reef and waters surrounding the islands are protected within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. They also form part of the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park (State) and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Commonwealth).

The waters adjacent to the island are managed in a complementary manner by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).

Tourism information links

Nature’s Powerhouse
www.cooktownandcapeyork.com
Cooktown Botanic Gardens
Walker Street, Cooktown Qld 4895
Phone: (07) 4069 5763
email: chill@kindredcafe.com.au

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