• Set up your 4WD camper trailer at this popular camping area. Photo credit: Doug Davidson © Queensland Government
• The camping area is sprawled along the banks of the North Kennedy River. Photo credit: © Queensland Government

There’s something for everyone at this riverside camping area. Pick from large and small camp sites, some with boat launching facilities, and all just a stone’s throw from the river.

Fish from the bank or jump in your boat and head downstream to where the North Kennedy River meets the Hann River.

When you need a break from fishing, grab the family and head to the Breeza Homestead, and White Lily and Red Lily lagoons—they’re just down the road.

Back at camp, wait until the sun goes down and see how many sets of croc eyes you can spotlight along the river.

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

Getting there and getting around

Hann Crossing camping area is in the central part of Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL), 340km north-west of Cairns, and 140km west of Cooktown, on southern Cape York Peninsula.

• This large camping area extends along the eastern and western banks of the Kennedy River crossing.
• 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 46km through the park to the North Kennedy River crossing and camping area.

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 to Lakefield Road.
• Turn right and drive 28km north-west to the North Kennedy River crossing and camping area.

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 88km north-west through the park, past the Lakefield ranger base, to the North Kennedy River crossing and camping area.

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

Opening hours

Hann Crossing camping area is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

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

Seasonal closures

The park’s climate is tropical with a distinct wet and dry season. The best time to visit is during the ‘cooler’ months of the dry season, from June to September, when average maximum temperatures range from 30 to 33ºC. In July and August, the average minimum temperature drops to 14ºC at night. From October to December it can be very hot and thunderstorms are common. During this ‘build up’ season, the average maximum temperatures are around 35ºC with very high humidity. The wet season, usually from December to May, prevents access to Lakefield and most of Cape York Peninsula. Average maximum temperatures at this time range from 32 to 35ºC.

Camping area features

On the North Kennedy River, not the Hann River (which joins the North Kennedy River downstream). There are camp sites along both the eastern and western banks of the river offering both boat and bank fishing. Large crocodiles are frequently seen here—be croc wise in croc country.

Location: central part of the park along the eastern and western banks of the North Kennedy River near the Lakefield Road causeway. By road, the causeway is 28km north-west of the Lakefield ranger base and 81km south-east of Musgrave Roadhouse. Please do not park on the causeway, or near the waterfall on the rock ledge, as this is a story place for local Traditional Owners.

Map: Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) central camping areas map (PDF, 273.2KB)

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: boat trailer access from sites one and 20 only. Manual launching (no trailer access) from sites two, 11, 12 and 19 only.

Number of sites: 17 numbered sites for general use and two numbered sites for commercial operators only (sites seven and eight). Site 18 is permanently closed.

Site	Camp size	Other comments
1	Maximum 4 cars and trailers (12 people).	Eastern side of the river, north of Lakefield Road. On a ridge away from river bank at the end of the access track.
2	Maximum 5 cars and trailers (15 people).	Eastern side of the river, north of Lakefield Road. One metre high river bank.
3	Maximum 5 cars and trailers (15 people).	Eastern side of the river, north of Lakefield Road. Two metre high river bank.
4	Maximum 5 cars and trailer (15 people).	Eastern side of the river, north of Lakefield Road. Two metre high river bank. Close to amenities block.
5	Maximum 2 cars and trailers (8 people).	Eastern side of the river, south of Lakefield Road (directly beside the road). Low (<1m high) sloping river bank.
6	Maximum 2 cars and trailers (8 people).	Eastern side of the river, south of Lakefield Road. Low (<1m high) river bank. This site is the furthest upstream.
7	Commercial operator site.
8	Commercial operator site.
9	Maximum 2 cars and trailers (8 people).	Western side of the river, north of Lakefield Road. One metre high river bank. Close to commercial site and amenities block.
10	Maximum 3 cars and trailers (8 people).	Western side of the river, north of Lakefield Road. One metre high river bank.
11	Maximum 3 cars and trailers (8 people).	Western side of the river, north of Lakefield Road. Two metre high river bank. This site joins site 12 and would suit a very large group.
12	Maximum 3 cars and trailers (8 people).	Western side of the river, north of Lakefield Road. Two metre high river bank. This site joins site 11 and would suit a very large group
13	Maximum 1 car and trailer (4 people).	Western side of the river, north of Lakefield Road. One metre high river bank. Creek crossing on the access track.
14	Maximum 4 cars and trailers (12 people).	Western side of the river, north of Lakefield Road. One metre high river bank. Creek crossing on the access track.
15	Maximum 4 cars and trailers (12 people).	Western side of the river, north of Lakefield Road. One metre high river bank. Creek crossing on the access track.
16	Maximum 2 cars and trailers (6 people).	Western side of the river, north of Lakefield Road. One metre high river bank. Low-hanging branches. Creek crossing on the access track.
17	Maximum 4 cars and trailers (12 people).	Western side of the river, north of Lakefield Road. One metre high river bank. Creek crossings on the access track.
18	Closed.
19	Maximum 4 cars and trailers (12 people).	Western side of the river, north of Lakefield Road. Low (<1m high) river bank. Creek crossings on the access track.
20	Maximum 4 cars and trailers (12 people).	Western side of the river, north of Lakefield Road. Low (<1m high) river bank. Camping is not allowed on the lower river bank. This site is the furthest downstream and has tidal water. Creek crossings on the access track.

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

Camp site surface: dirt and grass (seasonal).

Shade: site 16 has full shade (not suitable for solar panels); sites 1, 9–15, 17, 19 and 20 have partial shade; sites 2–6 have no shade.

Facilities: individual fire rings and hybrid toilets on both sides of the river crossing.

Open fires: allowed (except when fire bans apply) in fire rings only. 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, equipment for treating water, 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.