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Explore Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park
Words Julija Zivanovic and Ian Glover Pics Matt Williams and Supplied
Within Far North Queensland’s Cape York region is the beautiful Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park — a unique setting characterised by its long sweeping beaches, lowland tropical rainforest and heath-covered ranges. Read on to get our tips on visiting this incredible area.
Portland Roads is a small coastal community within Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (Credit: Matt Williams)
North of Archer River on the eastern coast of Cape York is Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park, a remote coastal region that houses Australia’s largest remaining lowland rainforest that leads to lonely sweeping beaches.
Now, as you probably know, the best time to visit Cape York is in the Dry from April to October. But we have created this piece with preparation in mind, so we’ve given you plenty of time to plan your Cape York adventures come the dry season in a few short months should you decide to visit.
Join us as we take a deep dive into the national park and surrounds, including tips on four-wheel driving in the area, unique experiences and necessary permits required.
The beach at Lockhart River (Credit: Tourism and Events Queensland)
Essential information
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Grading: |
AWD — suitable for towing a camper trailer |
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Time: |
Minimum two days |
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Distance: |
164km, Archer River Roadhouse to Chilli Beach |
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Longest drive |
143km, Archer River Roadhouse to Lockhart River (11km off the track) |
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Best time of year: |
Dry season (May–October) |
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Warnings: |
Check road conditions before travelling as the road to the Portland Roads Road can be impassable after rain, though this is less likely these days as many sections of the road have been sealed, particularly on the steeper grades. Campsites are very popular so book well in advance. |
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Permits and fees: |
Camping in the national park requires a permit. Campers must buy an e-permit before arriving — book online at qld.gov.au/camping or phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68). |
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Facilities: |
Archer River Roadhouse, Lockhart River |
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Camping: |
Chilli Beach Camping Area, Cooks Hut Camping Area, Rainforest and Gordon Creek Camping Areas |
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Important contacts: |
QPWS Cairns — 07 4222 5303 |
The track
(Credit: Matt Williams)
The drive in to Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park isn’t a difficult one, other than some creek crossings that can be rocky. From the Archer River Roadhouse, on the Peninsula Developmental Road, head north for 36km then turn east onto Portland Roads Road. Follow the well-formed gravel road for 69km to pass the southern end of Frenchmans Track and a further 27km on is the junction to the Lockhart River community.
There’s fuel at Lockhart River but it is an Aboriginal community so remember alcohol restrictions apply. Bona fide travellers are OK, so make sure you have your camping permit to prove you’re not staying over in the community.
Continue along Portland Roads Road for 4km to the camping areas of Rainforest, Cooks Hut and Gordon Creek. A further 28km along the road brings you to Chilli Beach camping area.
Traversing the epic Frenchmans Track (Credit: Matt Williams)
Frenchmans Track is a popular return route from Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park because it’s a shortcut that intersects with the Telegraph Road 22km south of Moreton Telegraph Station. However, the Pascoe River crossing on this track is sometimes more than a metre deep, even in the dry season, so when calculating fuel requirements allow for extra mileage should this crossing be impassable.
Activities
Fishing is permitted in the sea, but not in freshwater rivers or creeks inside the national park.
The Batavia Gold Mine ruins are worth walking around, as much of the machinery, including a huge crusher, is still intact.
Chilli Beach (Credit: Matt Williams)
Portland Roads is a hamlet that was once a port for the nearby Iron Range goldfields and then had strategic significance during World War II, with an airstrip and fuel dump.
You can camp at Rainforest, Gordon Creek, Cooks Hut and Chilli Beach. There are toilets at Chilli Beach and Cooks Hut, but no other facilities. Cape Weymouth, now out of bounds, is under native title.
More on Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park
Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park is a coastal park that backs onto the heath-covered Tozer Range. Kutini means cassowary and Payamu means Rainbow Serpent — from Aboriginal Dreamtime. This park was originally gazetted as Iron Range National Park in 1981, and the original 33,000 hectares was expanded to 47,100ha in 2000.
In July 2011, the park was renamed Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park. The park is jointly managed by the Northern Kuuku Ya’u Kanthanampu Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Land Trust and the Queensland Government.
The view over the Tozer Range from the Mount Tozer Lookout (Credit: Matt Williams)
The park preserves the largest area of lowland tropical rainforest in Australia. Surrounded by eucalypts and paperbarks, the rainforest is home to birds — such as the eclectus parrot, red-cheeked parrot, white-faced robin, black-winged monarch and more — that are only found here or in similar habitats in Papua New Guinea. Other notable birds include the huge palm cockatoo and the magnificent riflebird.
Sea birds, including white-bellied sea eagles and pied oyster catchers, can be seen on the waterfront at Chilli Beach.
Grab your copy today!
The above is an edited extract from the Hema Cape York Atlas & Guide, a 5thEdition guidebook which provides extensive and up-to-date information on the whole Cape York region of Queensland, including 15 of the TOP 4WD trips and 22 atlas pages. It also features detailed national park and track inset maps — all field checked by the Hema Map Patrol — visitor information, history and culture, all the best campsites, trip planning tips and much more.
This easy-to-use guidebook takes the difficulty out of planning a Cape York trip. You can easily purchase the Hema Cape York Atlas & Guide from the Hema Maps website or from leading retailers.
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