Cedar Bay National Park

Mangkalba (Cedar Bay) is the traditional country of the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal people, whose country extends along the coast to Mossman. Cedar Bay National Park was a major turtle hunting area and contains important cultural sites including the murabaymba (canoe), ngawaia (turtle) and ngiwa (saltwater eel) story sites.

The Park is home to a wonderful variety of wildlife including the rare and elusive Bennett’s tree kangaroo, endangered southern cassowary and the beach stone-curlew. It lies between Cape Tribulation and Cooktown and is accessible only by boat or on foot via two walking tracks.

Home Rule Track

Home Rule Falls

Take the turnoff south to Helenvale from the Mulligan Highway, about 2 kms south of Black Mountain. Continue through Helenvale and Rossville. About 3 kilometres past Rossville is a turnoff on your left to Home Rule. The homestead and access to Cedar Bay North is 3 kms down this track.

Gap Creek Track

The Gap Creek track begins further south on the eastern side of the Cooktown-Bloomfield Road. If travelling north along the Cooktown-Bloomfield Road, drive to Ayton and set your odometer to zero at the Ayton supermarket (intersection of Third Street and the Cooktown-Bloomfield Road).

Travel 14.5km along the Cooktown-Bloomfield Road to the start of the track.

The track commences on the eastern side of the road, north of power pole 66/530/288 and south of pole 66/531/289. Look for a tree with an orange triangle marker.

If travelling south along the Cooktown-Bloomfield Road, drive to Rossville and set your odometer to zero at the Rossville telephone box.

Travel a further 10.7km along the road to the start of the track, marked as above.

Until a formal parking area is developed, vehicles must be left on the roadside. Please park as far off the road as possible as the small roadside clearings near the start of the walk are used by Cook Shire Council for storing road materials.

Creek flowing down the slopes of Mt Hartley in Cedar Bay National Park

Walking the track should not be attempted when heavy rain has fallen or is forecast, as it crosses several creeks, and steep sections can become slippery in wet weather.

Camping

Bush camping is available in coastal vegetation adjacent to the beach. No facilities are provided so campers must be self-sufficient.

Camping permits are required and fees apply. Permits are limited and it is recommended that you book at least two weeks in advance. Bookings can only be made at over-the-counter Queensland Parks and Wildlife booking offices in Cairns, Atherton and Mossman.