<p>Accessible by 4WD during the dry season only (May-November).</p>
<p>Access via the Starcke Homestead 12 hours north (225 km) of Cooktown or through Lakefield N.P. and Kalpowar Aboriginal lands, 12 hours north of Cairns.</p>
<p>Recreational fishing is allowed in all rivers and creeks in the park and fisheries regulations apply. Estuarine crocodiles live in the waterways along the coast and offshore – be croc wise.</p>
<p>For coastal fishing limited fishing is allowed in the Conservation Park yellow zone in Bathurst Bay, check <a>www.gbrmpa.gov.au</a>” target=”_blank”>www.gbrmpa.gov.au</a> for marine park zoning info.</p>
<p>Bush camping is possible at Bathurst Bay behind the beach, camping permits are required and available from the self-registration shelter at Lakefield ranger station.</p>
<p>Other campsites are at Bathurst Head and adjacent to the Marrett River – ask for more info at QPWS offices.</p>
<p>Camping is also possible in the nearby Kalpowar Recreation Reserve and on Flinders Island.</p>
<p> Sunset at Bathurst Heads, Courtesy Graham Burton</p>

<p>Rinyirru (Lakefield) is of considerable Aboriginal cultural significance, and the park has many places associated with occupation, ceremonies and ancestral spirits. Hann Crossing and Kalpowar Crossing are two such significant sites.</p>
<p>The Park is located in the Laura Basin 6-7 hours north of Cairns. There are several access points: via Laura and the Peninsula Development Road; from Cooktown along Battle Camp Road; on the Lakeland-Laura Road, or from Coen via the Musgrave Roadhouse. Access is only during the dry season, normally May to November, but early or late rains might render some of the tracks impassable. 4WD is highly recommended.</p>
<p>Fishing is permitted at all camping grounds with barramundi and catfish the most common species caught. Boat tours and hire are not available, but you are welcome to bring your own boat.</p>
<p> Kalpowar Crossing Camping Lakefield National Park. Courtesy of Tourism Queensland</p>
<p>There are bush camping areas at 12 Mile Waterhole, Old Faithful Waterhole, Mick Fienn and Dingo Waterholes, Kalpowar Crossing Campground, 7 Mile Waterhole and  Hann Crossing. Camping is no longer via self-registration; you now need to register either online, at a QPWS office, or by phone. Visit the <a href="http://nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/rinyirru-lakefield/camping.html#all_camping_must_now_be">Parks web site</a> for further information.</p>

<p><b>Archer Point</b></p>
<p>Located about 20 km outside Cooktown signposted from the Mulligan Highway. Often windy, this is a popular spot for kite surfers. As the 3 beaches are all facing a different direction there is always a calm beach to relax on. From the beach at low tide you can walk out to the reef and snorkel off the point, but beware of crocodiles and stingers. This is a great camping spot if you are entirely self-sufficient – the views are spectacular (unsealed access road). </p>
<p><b>Finch Bay and Cherry Tree Bay</b></p>
<p> Finch Bay – Pam Davey</p>
<p>These are the two local beaches in Cooktown. Although you can drive to <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/beaches/finchbay">Finch Bay</a>, just 2 km past the Botanic Gardens entrance and car park, there is delightful short bush walk through the Gardens. <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/beaches/cherry_tree_bay">Cherry Tree Bay</a> is only accessible by foot through the Botanic Gardens or from the Grassy Hill road.</p>
<p><b>Quarantine Bay</b></p>
<p>A 5km drive from Cooktown – turn off the Mulligan Highway to Quarantine and Walker Bay then continue past the Golf Course turn off. The beach is pebbly here and situated at the base of Mt Cook the backdrop is a rainforest covered slope. </p>
<p><b>Walker Bay</b></p>
<p>Walker Bay is accessed by a road on the right just after the golf course entrance. The beach is located at the mouth of the Annan River and long sandy stretches snake north along the coastline. This is a beach favoured by anglers as they fish the sand bars at the mouth of the River, and also a renowned favourite amongst kite surfers. </p>
<p><b>Weary Bay</b></p>
<p>Named by Captain Cook’s crew in 1770 Weary Bay is an open, nine km long bay at the mouth of the Bloomfield River and a popular fishing spot for the locals.</p>
<p>Weary Bay beach is an ideal spot for a long leisurely walk and access is from Weary Bay road in Ayton.</p>
<p><b>Elim Beach and Coloured Sands</b></p>
<p>Past Hopevale is the beautiful <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/go/hopevale/index">Elim Beach</a> overlooking Cape Bedford.</p>
<p> Somerset Beach, Queensland. Courtesy of Tourism Queensland</p>
<p><b>Cape York Beaches</b></p>
<p>Beyond Cooktown there are accessible beaches at <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/np/cape-melville">Cape Melville National Park</a>. A popular camping site is found at <a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/nature/np/iron-range-national-park">Chilli Beach</a> in the Iron Range National Park.</p>
<p>Near Seisa and Bamaga there are several lovely beaches including Punsand Bay, Loyalty Beach and Somerset Beach.</p>
<p>Albatross Bay provides a scenic coastal retreat at Weipa.</p>
<h3>Important advice!</h3>
<p>Crocodiles can be found around many rivers, freshwater creeks and waterholes and along coastal beaches. Fortunately our conservation measures are working so always be croc wise and ask for local advice before going near the water.</p>
<p>Don’t swim after dusk or early in the morning.</p>
<p>Marine stingers have been found throughout the year on local beaches and in the Cooktown harbour. Marine stingers can be fatal. Accidental bites can be relieved with instant and continued application of vinegar and get medical help as soon as possible.</p>

<p><strong>Cape Bedford</strong></p>
<p> Fishermen at Elim Beach</p>
<p>Travelling north out of Cooktown harbour you pass Indian Head and Knob Point both worthy fishing spots.  About 12 nautical miles north from Cooktown is South Bedford, this location offers a good culmination of contours, inshore reef, wrecks and current lines coming together to form one great fishery. Trolling lures for Spanish mackerel, tuna, queenfish and big trevally can result in fast and furious action in this highly dynamic area; getting a feed shouldn’t be a problem.</p>
<p>A few miles further north takes you to North Bedford with its stunning perspective of the coloured sands and a view of the McIvor river mouth.  Plenty of inshore reef and a few wrecks to fish. Big barra and coral trout inhabit the rocks and are caught regularly on a variety of methods.  A fun method is to throw surface lures around for some truly spectacular hits.</p>
<p><strong>McIvor</strong><strong> River</strong></p>
<p> Courtesy Gone Fishing</p>
<p>Lies approx 20 nautical miles north of Cooktown; up and around Cape Bedford.  It takes about 1 hour by boat or 2 hours (approx 80km) from Cooktown by road to get to Morgan’s landing. You can camp and launch smaller boats at Morgan’s landing which is 8km off the main track. 4WD is necessary and launching on a low tide needs extreme caution.  Alternatively drive onto the Flattery beach, turning right for the river mouth, along the sandy beach until the very end where there are limited camping spots and small tinnies can be launched.  Access by road is not advised during the wet.  The McIvor is a truly unique fishery.  Coral reef lye just offshore; flats fishing possibilities abound at the mouth in the right weather.  Big sand dunes come down to the river inside the mouth, where lots of fun can be had with queenies and trevally on Poppers.  The river then twists its way up through the mangroves passing deep holes and snags, junctions, rock bars etc.  A saltwater resistant palm called Nypa dominates the mangroves in several places providing a jungle feel.  Fishing can be awesome with many methods working well on all your usual estuarine tropical fish.  Traversing the beach is best done on a low tide.  Certainly an area that’s unique and well worth an exploration.  It has it all for the 4WD, fishing and camping enthusiast, or for those that just want to get away.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/fishing/fishing">Fishing in Cooktown</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/fishing/fishinglaura">Fishing near Laura</a> – Lakefield N.P., Bathurst Bay, Bathurst Heads, Cape Melville</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/fishing/fishingrainforestcoast">Fishing in the Rainforest Coast</a> – Bloomfield River</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/fishing/cape-york-fishing">Fishing in Cape York Peninsula</a></p>
<p><strong>Fishing Tour Operators:</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/tours/local-tours/gonefishing">Gone Fishing</a></p>
<p><strong>Where to Stay:</strong></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/stay/hopevale/elimbeachcampsite">Elim Beach Campsite</a></p>

<p><strong>Starke River</strong></p>
<p> Courtesy Gone Fishing</p>
<p>Lying about a 2 hour 4WD from Cooktown depending on road conditions is the Starke river and its tidal tributaries to the south.  Access is limited during the wet but usually by May anglers are starting to get in.  There’s a no fishing green zone restriction seaward of the river and tributaries in place.</p>
<p>Some scintillating sport fishing can be had fishing for big barra and mangrove jack on fly and lure inside the mouths of some amazing tidal inlets.  Plenty of good sized tarpon, trevally and queenies can be found to fill in the quieter times.</p>
<p>An all weather boat ramp lies at the mouth with camping spots in close proximity,allthough sand flies will carry you away on a still night.  A beach just to the south of the mouth has a camping area which is probably a better choice on calmer days.</p>
<p>When navigating this river do so with extreme care especially on low water, fairly serious rock bars are scattered throughout the system.  Fishing can be absolutely amazing but picking your weather and tides to enhance your chances is recommended. Superb mud crabbing can be had in the tidal inlets.</p>
<p><strong>Lakefield National Park</strong></p>
<p> Barramundi</p>
<p>The beginning of Queensland’s second largest National Park lies approx 2hrs 4WD north of Cooktown and is where some of the best Barra fishing in the country can be found. Campgrounds and boat ramps/launching spots can be found throughout the park, but camping is no longer self-registered, you need to book online, visit a QPWS office, or book by telephone; use the link below to access the Parks web site and register. Kalpowar crossing has running water, showers and toilets and being centrally located it is a great base camp to explore the Park. Detailed maps and camp information can be obtained from Queensland Parks & Wildlife.</p>
<p>There are 4 major river systems the Normanby, the Kennedy, the Bizant and the Marret flowing through the park out into Princess Charlotte Bay. There are kilometers and kilometers of waterways to explore as well as the countless lagoons and billabongs. Access is during the dry season only as the rains make it impossible to explore. Usually by May camp sites are opening up. If you’re looking for that truly Australian camping/fishing experience then this is the place to go.</p>
<p>Many metre plus “wild” barra are landed here every year with casting or trolling lures being the most successful method.  Pick your moon phase and water temperatures to get the best from the area because on its day it will compete with any fishery in the world! Like everywhere up north saltwater crocodiles inhabit this area so always be crocwise. Fishing from the banks is possible in a number of areas but is not for the faint hearted. To really get amongst it a small tinnie/punt is necessary. No hire boats are available but self drive or guided options will provide you with a truly unique range of habitats and fishing opportunities.</p>
<p><strong>Princess</strong><strong> Charlotte Bay, Bathurst Bay, Bathurst Heads and Cape Melville</strong></p>
<p>When you have areas such as Princess Charlotte Bay, Bathurst Bay, Bathurst Heads and, Cape Melville Nat Park all coming together in such close proximity it all adds up to one of the best fishing/camping destination  experiences ever. It has been described as the best fishing hole in Australia. Access is usually limited to the months of May through to November.</p>
<p>There are a few motherships that work the area allowing access during the build up and run off when the area is at it’s best. The Wet season break enables it to rejuvenate and replenish itself for the following year.</p>
<p>The Flinders group of islands can be explored on a good day in a tinnie but a good advice would be to travel in pairs and make sure safety gear is up together as you are in a truly remote spot.</p>
<p>Big Coastal barra well over that magical metre are caught every year. These fish are not your regular impoundment fish, they’re wild and the challenge is there for the discerning fisherman.  Working the mangrove edges whilst underway with an electric motor on a rising tide or just throwing a livey around the creek mouths can see cricket score returns on barra, jacks, fingermark, trevally and queenfish.  Beware navigating on a dropping tide in PCB as many an angler has been left  high and dry from camp with hundreds of metres of mud between them and shore. Mud crabbing in these areas is second to none so catching a feed is fairly straightforward.</p>
<p>Best times for fishing are early on in the season when the rivers are running well or when it’s stinking hot, although fishing in the middle of winter can also be outstanding. More info/maps/camping registration, can be obtained from QPWS or GBRMPA .</p>
<p>Cooktown QPWS –</p>
<p>T: 4069 5777</p>
<p>W:  <a href="http://nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/rinyirru-lakefield/camping.html#all_camping_must_now_be">http://nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/rinyirru-lakefield/camping.html#all_camping_must_now_be</a></p>
<p>GBRMPA –</p>
<p>W: <a href="http://www.gbrmpa.qld.gov.au" target="_blank">www.gbrmpa.qld.gov.au</a></p>
<p>T: 07 4750 0700</p>

<p><strong>Bloomfield River</strong></p>
<p> Courtesy John Duncan</p>
<p>A beautiful little river set in the northern end of the wet tropics with a magnificent back drop of spectacular mountains and rainforest.  Good land based fishing can be had at the mouth, the local wharf or Weary Bay.</p>
<p>A very adequate boat ramp can be found just up from the wharf but care should be taken navigating this river on a dropping tide.</p>
<p>Good barra, jacks, fingermark, trevally, queenfish and salmon are caught regularly throughout the system but like most fishing timing is every thing.  Plenty of deep holes, weed beds and snags to explore with lures, fly and live-baits.</p>
<p>Hire boats and charters are available on this very dynamic tropical river and  good camping/accommodation are available in Bloomfield and Ayton.</p>
<p>Cooktown is 1 hour drive away making it a great day out</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/fishing/fishing">Fishing in Cooktown</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/fishing/fishinghopevale">Fishing near Hope Vale</a> – McIvor River and Cape Bedford</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/fishing/fishinglaura">Fishing near Laura</a> – Lakefield N.P., Bathurst Heads, Bathurst Bay, Cape Melville</p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/fishing/cape-york-fishing">Fishing in Cape York Peninsula</a></p>
<p><strong>Tour Operators:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.bloomfieldescape.com.au/activities/boating-and-fishing.aspx" target="_blank">Bloomfield Escape </a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/tours/local-tours/gonefishing">Gone Fishing</a></p>

<p>Weipa Fishing competition</p>
<p>Barramundi is the species most sought after by fishers but other species to catch include mangrove jack, fingermark, threadfin salmon, estuary cod, grunter, queenfish, trevally and pikey bream. Much of the local fishing is done using live baits such as mullet or garfish while others prefer to cast lures or flies.</p>
<p>The area has two main seasons, the wet which extends from late November to April and the dry from April until the first storms of the wet which usually come in November. Monsoon winds blow intermittently from the north west in the wet season causing rough conditions along the beaches and offshore interspersed with calmer periods.</p>
<p>Weipa’s inshore beaches and waters are protected from the south east trade winds that blow in the dry season as these winds blow offshore, providing excellent conditions for lure and bait fishing in the nearby Gulf of Carpenteria waters.</p>
<p>Sportfishing for pelagic species such as tuna, mackerel, cobia, trevally and queenfish is proving extremely popular while the reef areas produce coral trout, fingermark, sweetlip, trevally, cod and black jewfish.</p>
<p>A catch and release attitude is encouraged to ensure Weipa retains its legendary fishing status for many years to come.</p>
<p><b>Boat Ramps:</b></p>
<p>Evans Landing (next to fuel wharf): all tide cement 2 lane boat ramp</p>
<p>Rocky Point: Single lane cement, not to be used when tide height is past 1 meter</p>
<p>Andoom Creek: Gravel ramp accessible all tide. Located on north western side of Andoom Creek bridge</p>
<p>Fishing Tackle and Bait: Weipa Bait and Tackle (Weipa News and Sports), Weipa 4WD & Camping Supplies</p>

<p>Cape York Experience is a unique guided adventure experience through one of the worlds most beautiful and untouched frontiers. </p>
<p>Located 800km north of Cairns in the Lockhart River area of Far North Queensland, we explore some of the wildest and most pristine country you will ever see. Let our experience and friendly crew show you a real adventure. </p>
<p>Offering 1-3 day dirt bike adventures, fishing charters and blo karts on Chilli Beach – you can choose your own adventure! </p>