• Spotlight in the surrounding forest at night for green pythons. Photo credit: Paul Candlin © Queensland Government
• Relax in your tent and listen to the frog calls, like that of the white-lipped treefrog. Photo credit: © Queensland Government
• Quiet, shady camp sites on the bank of the Claudie River await you at the Rainforest camping area. Photo credit: © John Augusteyn
• Rainforest camping area near the Claudie River offers a cool oasis. Photo credit: Russel Edwards © Queensland Government
• Share your camp site with nocturnal animals like this southern common cuscus. Photo credit: John Augusteyn © Queensland Government
• The Rainforest camping area has shady, sheltered camp sites. Photo credit: Russel Edwards © Queensland Government

Relax around your shady camp site in rainforest on the banks of the Claudie River at this popular camping area, suitable for high-clearance camper trailers as well as tents.

Indulge many happy hours wildlife spotting here. Sit quietly, and well back, from the river bank and spot the resident crocodile. Grab your binoculars and watch the many different birds of the rainforest. You may even see a cassowary! In the evenings, walk quietly and spotlight for common spotted cuscus and green pythons—listen for rustling leaves and look for eye shine. Later, swap stories around the camp fire.

Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL) is jointly managed by the Northern Kuuku Ya'u Kanthanampu Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC Land Trust and the Queensland Government.

Getting there and getting around

The Rainforest camping area is in Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL), about 200km north of Coen on Cape York Peninsula.

• From the park entrance, drive 17.9km along Portland Roads Road to this camping area.
• You can access the park from the south via the Peninsula Developmental Road or from the north via the challenging and unpredictable Frenchmans Track.
• For both routes, you need a high clearance 4WD with recovery gear and extra supplies; and you need to be proficient in four-wheel driving.
• On Frenchmans Track your vehicle also needs a snorkel; and you should be experienced in challenging 4WD conditions.
• If you're towing a trailer, take the Peninsula Developmental Road route; neither route is suitable for towing caravans.
• Alcohol restrictions are in place in many of Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and apply to the towns and areas around Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL). For the latest information on restrictions, see Community alcohol limits. The camping areas in the park are outside the alcohol restriction zone.
• Read 4WD with care for important information on 4WD safety and minimal impact driving.

Peninsula Developmental Road

• Turn off the Peninsula Developmental Road onto Portland Roads Road, 35km north of the Archer River Roadhouse (175km south-west of Weipa), and drive 83km along this well-formed gravel road to the park entrance.

Frenchmans Track

• Turn off the Telegraph Road onto Frenchmans Track, 22km south of Moreton Telegraph Station, and drive 52km to the intersection with Portland Roads Road, then turn left onto Portland Roads Road and travel a further 13km to the park entrance.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Rainforest camping area is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Seasonal closures

The park may be closed during the summer wet months.

Camping area features

• Features: a shady and sheltered area in the rainforest on the bank of the Claudie River—a great spot for birdwatching.
• Location: near the start of the Old Coen walking track, just off Portland Roads Road.
• Map: Rainforest, Cooks Hut and Gordon Creek camping areas map (PDF, 137K)
• Access: the camping area can be reached by four-wheel-drive vehicles only.
• Number of sites: three numbered sites. Camp sites are very popular during peak periods. Campers should plan their visit and obtain an e-permit well in advance.

Site	Maximum vehicles	Maximum people	Site dimensions
1	Two cars and trailers.	12	14m x 16m
2	One car (not suitable for trailers).	6	7m x 12m
3	Two cars (not suitable for trailers).	12	13m x 13m

• Camp sites are suitable for: tent camping beside your car and camper trailers (site one only).
• Camp site surface: dirt.
• Shade: all sites are shady and sheltered.
• Facilities: none. A hybrid toilet is located at Cooks Hut camping area (about 900m away).
• Open fires: allowed (except when fire bans apply) in existing fireplaces only. Fuel stoves recommended.
• Generators: generators that operate at a noise level less than 65dB(A) at 7m are permitted between 8am and 7pm only.
• Essentials to bring: adequate food and drinking water, equipment for treating water, rubbish bags, insect repellent, screened tents or mosquito nets, a fuel stove and adequate fuel and spare parts for your vehicle. Read more about before you visit.
• Bookings: book online or by phone prior to arrival. Camp sites are very popular during peak periods. Campers should plan their visit and obtain an e-permit well in advance.
• Mobile phone coverage: not available.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) safely and camp with care.