Park is closed

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

Boat your way to Princess Charlotte Bay from Annie River camping area. Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government

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

Annie River camping area

Find your piece of paradise at the northern-most camping area in the park, sitting high on the banks of the beautiful Annie River.

Accessible by

  • 4WD

Camping area facilities

  • Campfires allowed (conditions apply)
  • Generators allowed (conditions apply)
  • Tent camping
  • Camper trailer camping
  • Tent camping beside car
  • Scenic drive
  • Boating
  • Fishing

Always check

The self-service kiosk at this park has been decommissioned.

Visitors need to book their camping permit before they visit. Book online, at an over-the-counter booking office or by phone.

With only one site (that can fit up to 15 people!), this camping area can be all yours. Create a private base, sit back and relax, or explore the surrounding park.

The Annie River is tidal here and you can manually launch (no trailer) your boat from the bank. Grab your gear and set out for a day of fishing and exploring. Follow the river upstream to Five Mile Creek, or downstream to the larger North Kennedy River. From here it’s a short boat ride to Princess Charlotte Bay and the network of rivers and feeder creeks.

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

Getting there and getting around

Annie River camping area is the northern-most camping area in Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL), 340km north-west of Cairns, and 140km west of Cooktown, on southern Cape York Peninsula.

  • Annie River camping area is in the north-west corner of the park.
  • You need a 4WD to access the park and camping area.
  • Read 4WD with care for important information on 4WD safety and minimal impact driving.

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 4km through the park to the junction of Marina Plains Road and Lakefield Road.
  • Turn right and drive 12km north to the Annie Creek camping area turn-off. The camping area is 2km along this road.

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 125km through the park, passing the Lakefield ranger base, to the junction of Marina Plains and Lakefield roads
  • Turn right and drive 12km north to the Annie Creek camping area turn-off. The camping area is 2km along this road.

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 72km north to the junction of the Marina Plains and Lakefield roads.
  • Turn right and drive 12km north to the Annie Creek camping area turn-off. The camping area is 2km along this road.

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.

Before you visit

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.

Camp site one at Annie River camping area.

Camp site one at Annie River camping area.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Camping area features

On the flat above a steep bank of the tidal Annie River, this camp site provides boat access to Princess Charlotte Bay. The nearby Marina Plains Homestead and professional fishing camps are not open to the public. Large crocodiles are frequently seen here—be croc wise in croc country.

Location: northern part of the park on the Annie River, 14km north of the junction of Marina Plains Road and Lakefield Road—by road the junction is 42km east of Musgrave Roadhouse and 39km north-west of Hann Crossing.

Map: Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) northern camping areas map (PDF, 123.8KB)

Access: the camping area can be reached by four-wheel-drive vehicle only. It is not accessible for caravans, campervans or buses. The road becomes impassable after rain.

Boat launching: manual launching (no trailer access).

Number of sites: one numbered site—maximum five cars and trailers (15 people).

Camp sites are suitable for: tent camping beside your car and camper trailers

Camp site surface: dirt and grass (seasonal).

Shade: part shade.

Facilities: nil.

Open fires: allowed (except when fire bans apply). Fuel stoves are recommended. Do not collect firewood in the park.

Generators: only generators operated at less than 65dB(A), when measured 7m from the generator, are permitted, and only between 8am and 7pm.

Essentials to bring: adequate food and drinking water (no fresh water is available), rubbish bags, insect repellent, mosquito nets, fuel stove and adequate fuel and spare parts for your vehicle. Read more about before you visit.

Bookings: book online, or by phone prior to arrival. Bookings are essential and should be made well in advance for May to August and the September school holidays.

Mobile phone coverage: not available.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Rinyirru (Lakefield) safely and camp with care.