RINYIRRU NP, QLD

Rinyirru’s lush landscapes are a sight for sore eyes. Pic: parks.des.qld.gov.au

Sure, Rinyurru’s a touch far afield for an overnighter out of Brissie, but north Queenslanders need love too!

The park is located around 100 clicks inland of Cooktown and it’s one of those spots that’s deserving of a slot on your itinerary if you’re planning a big pilgrimage up to the Cape.

Lucky Cairns and Townsville residents have the luxury of setting out on weekend strike mission when conditions align.

Most visitors to this part of the world come by way of Cairns, with access via the Peninsula Development Road. The wet season shuts down most travel north of Laura, so it’s safest to plan your visit during the dry months between April and October.

There’s some extraordinary fishing to be had in the rivers and tributaries of the park, with boat use allowed and canoes discouraged due to the presence of some dinosaur-sized saltwater crocs.

Boat access is available to Princess Charlotte Bay, one of the best spots to cast a lure anywhere in the world!

STUFF TO DO

4WDING up here is fun, but be aware that the park’s dirt tracks are popular with trail and quad bike riders too, so keep your wits about you.

The closer to wet season you visit, the worse the mud will be and the more likely that track access will be limited. Access to the park is shut off during the height of the wet season when conditions are at their worst.

FISHING is very popular in the park’s rivers as well as nearby Princess Charlotte Bay for pretty much any tropical species you could think to swing a baitcaster at.

Pack loads of big soft plastics and diving minnows plus plenty of spare leader, as the barra are big and cranky out here!

IMPORTANT INFO

LOCATION: 335km northwest of Cairns in far north Queensland. Access is via the Peninsula Development Road and Endeavour Battlecamp Road and takes around four hours from Cairns.

CAMPING is available at a large number of sites positioned mostly around scenic waterholes and at the larger river crossings. All camping must be booked in advance, so head online to www.nprsr.qld.gov.au to lock in your site early.

FUEL is available at Laura.

MORE INFO is available at www.nprsr.qld.gov.au

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