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Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) Tropical North Queensland

Remember to bring your binoculars. Photo credit: © John Augusteyn

Magnificent weeping paperbarks line the river at Kalpower crossing. Photo credit: © John Augusteyn

White Lily Lagoon

A blanket of snow-white lilies covers this pretty lagoon, attracting an assortment of waterbirds that come to roost and feed.

Accessible by

  • 4WD

Attraction facilities

  • Lookout (natural)

It’s well worth stopping at this beautiful waterhole, not far from the main road. The sprinkling of white waterlilies is a photographer's dream, and waterbirds abound.

Spend a few hours watching the birdlife from the lagoon's natural viewing area. Look for magpie geese, sarus cranes, brolgas, egrets, spoonbills, ibis, comb-crested jacanas and all kinds of ducks.

To reap ultimate birding rewards, visit early in the day or late afternoon when the waterbirds are most active. The light is best for photos at these times too.

When you’ve had your fill, head straight across the road to see the contrasting display at Red Lily Lagoon.

Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) is jointly managed by the Rinyirru (Lakefield) Aboriginal Corporation and the Queensland Government.

Getting there and getting around

White Lily Lagoon is in the northern part of Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL), 340km north-west of Cairns, and 140km west of Cooktown, on southern Cape York Peninsula.

  • White Lily Lagoon is north of Lakefield ranger base.
  • You need a 4WD to access the park.
  • Read 4WD with care for important information on 4WD safety and minimal impact driving.

From the south

  • Drive 2km north past Laura on the Peninsula Developmental Road and take the Lakefield turn-off.
  • Drive 25km to the park.
  • Continue 66km through the park, past the Lakefield ranger base, and turn left at the White Lily Lagoon turn-off.

From the north

  • Take the Lakefield turn-off at the Musgrave Roadhouse on the Peninsula Developmental Road and drive 38km east on Marina Plains Road to the park.
  • Continue 66km through the park and turn right at the White Lily Lagoon turn-off.

From Cape Melville

  • Drive 70km from Wakooka in Cape Melville National Park to Kalpowar on the eastern boundary of Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL).
  • Continue 1km and turn right onto Lakefield Road.
  • Drive 6km north to the White Lily Lagoon turn-off.

For tourism information for all regions in Queensland, see Queensland.com, and for friendly advice on how to get there, where to stay and what to do, find your closest accredited visitor information centre.

Wheelchair access

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Before you visit

Opening hours

White Lily Lagoon is open 24 hours a day

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Seasonal closures

Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) is closed throughout the wet season every year.

  • Camping areas south of Lakefield ranger base are closed from 1 December to 31 May.
  • Camping areas north of the Lakefield ranger base are closed from 1 December to 30 June.
  • These dates vary each year depending on weather and road conditions.
  • Refer to the park map (PDF, 510.3KB) for location of the Lakefield ranger base and camping areas.
  • Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.
  • See the Bureau of Meteorology for weather conditions and forecasts.
  • See traffic and travel information for road and travel conditions.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Rinyirru (Lakefield) safely.