About Wuthara Island National Park (CYPAL)

Rocky ridges and fringing reefs.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Park features

Wuthara Island National Park (CYPAL) comprises three high continental islands off the north-east coast of Cape York Peninsula. Rocky slopes and headlands rising steeply from small, sheltered bays overlook the surrounding reefs and water.

These remote islands are covered with melaleuca scrub and grassland and are home to a variety of marine and terrestrial birds.

The park is isolated and is ideal for self-reliant visitors looking for nature-based activities. Visitors can enjoy the pristine reefs and waters surrounding the park, or hike over the ridges and headlands of the islands to discover spectacular views of the Great Barrier Reef and Queensland coastline beyond.

Nautilus shell, Wuthara Island National Park (CYPAL).

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Looking after the park

• Be careful not to damage coral with anchors.
• Everything in the park, living or dead, is protected. Please leave everything as you found it.
• Do not feed the wildlife as it can affect their health and alter the natural population balance.
• Domestic animals are not permitted.
• Lighting of fires is not allowed. Bring a fuel or gas stove for cooking.
• Rubbish bins are not provided—take rubbish with you when you leave.

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 visit, 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.

Be sure to:

• Unpack your camping gear and equipment and check it carefully as pests love to hide in stored camping gear.
• 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.

Atop the main island, looking west.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Park management

First gazetted as Forbes Island National Park in 1990, the park was renamed Wuthara Island National Park (CYPAL) in July 2011. Wuthara Island 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).

Complementary management of waters adjacent to these islands is vital and continued close cooperation between Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) is essential.

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.