AROUND CAIRNSNATIONAL PARKS
Australia has one of the largest and most diverse National Park systems in the world, covering more than 24 million hectares. That's the area of the entire United Kingdom! Queensland alone has over two hundred National Parks, not to mention another two hundred State Forests and other protected areas. ..and you just know that all the best parks are in the state's Tropical North, don't you? From the beach to the bush, from tropical islands to volcanic caves and outback mountain ranges, Tropical North Queensland's National Parks are beaut!
MUCH OF TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND IS HOME TO THE SALTWATER CROCODILE, AND THEY DO NOT RESPECT BOUNDARIES DRAWN ON A MAP. SO JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE IN A NATIONAL PARK, DO NOT FORGET THAT THIS IS CROC TERRITORY. TAKE CARE IN AND AROUND THE WATERWAYS. YOU WILL FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SAFETY IN THE WILDS OF TROPICAL NORTH QUEENSLAND ON OUR SAFE TRAVEL PAGE.
CAMPING Camping is permitted in about 100 of our national parks and other protected areas around Queensland. Where camping is permitted, camping permits are generally required. Facilities vary from park to park, and in many of the more remote parks, campers (and hikers) will need to be completely self sufficient. Plan well...
SAFETY Take a first aid kit. Make sure your camping equipment, vehicle and boat are in good working condition. The weather in this part of the country can be very changeable, so bring wet weather gear.
DRINKING WATER Take your own water supply if possible. If unsure about the quality of the available water from creeks or lakes, boil it for at least five minutes, filter it or treat it chemically before you drink it.
ANIMALS Where walking tracks are provided, stay on them. Keep away from any wild animals, even seemingly harmless animals like kangaroos or possums. Avoid insect bites and stings.
FIRE Obey fire restrictions. Where fires are allowed, always extinguish them when finished- with water, not sand. Sand retains heat and children have been severely burnt by accidentally stumbling into fires that had been covered with sand.
UV EXPOSURE Don't forget that the Australian sun is very strong. Be sun smart. Wear a hat, a shirt and sunscreen on your exposed areas.
SWIMMING Take care in or near the water. Supervise your children. Creeks can have hidden dangers and swift currents. National park beaches are not patrolled. Take care to avoid marine stingers in tropical waters. You will find specific details about the risk of stingers and crocodiles in each individual park, by clicking on the "For more information, click here" link at the end of the park description.
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