Australia: The Land Where Time Began
Jardine River National Park
What's special?
Together with Heathlands and Shadwell Resources Reserves, Jardine River National Park at the remote northern tip of Cape York Peninsula forms almost 400,000ha of true wilderness. The park protects much of the catchment of the Jardine River, the largest perennial stream in Queensland.Jardine River National Park lies between the old telegraph line and the coast and is bounded by the headwaters of the Jardine River to the south and the mangroves of Jacky Jacky Creek and the Escape River in the north.
Because the park had abundant fresh water in rivers, swamps and streams but little food for cattle and horses, early explorers such as Edmund Kennedy and the Jardine Brothers called this place a “wet desert”. Heath, rainforest and open forest grow on low, broad sandy ridges with intervening swamps while shrublands and vine thickets cover the massive coastal dunes.
The park is home to several unusual species such as the spiny knob-tailed gecko and spotted cuscus.
The Attanbaya, Anggamurthi, Yadhaykenu, Gudang and Wathatni people lived here before Government Resident John Jardine was posted here in 1864. Explorer Edmund Kennedy was speared by Aboriginal People at the northern end of the park in 1848. The park’s western boundary follows the historic telegraph line installed in 1887 to provide communications to the remote areas on the Cape. Jardine River National Park was established in 1977 and will be jointly managed by the traditional owners who maintain close spiritual ties to the park. The adjacent coastal and estuarine waters are protected in marine parks.
Exploring Jardine River
Relax and enjoy nature in this park. Go birdwatching. You might be lucky and see the yellow-billed kingfisher, the rare palm cockatoo or the fawn-breasted bowerbird.Have a picnic at Fruit Bat Falls, where a boardwalk overlooking the falls and picnic tables have been provided.
You can camp beside the Jardine River or at Captain Billy Landing, Ussher Point or Eliot Falls. Only Eliot Falls has facilities (picnic tables, fireplaces and toilets) so visitors must be self-sufficient. Take drinking water, a fuel stove, a screened tent or nets for protection against insects at night.
Generators are not allowed. Remove your rubbish. Bury human wastes well away from waterholes. Boil the water for five minutes before drinking. Use no soap, shampoo or detergent in waterholes.
Be careful at Eliot Falls. People have been seriously injured here. Stay well back.
Beach fishing is allowed at Captain Billy Landing and Ussher Point. To protect the park, do not drive your vehicle on the beach between Captain Billy Landing and Ussher Point. Check the marine park zoning plan for restrictions on fishing and collecting at other places.
Estuarine crocodiles live in rivers and waterholes in this park, and along the entire coastline and offshore islands. For your safety, never swim, canoe, clean fish or prepare food at the water’s edge, or camp close to deep waterholes. Be croc-wise.
Walking
Short walks lead along Eliot Creek and the Jardine River, and along the remote coastlines next to Captain Billy Landing and Ussher Point.Accessibility
Eliot Falls has wheelchair-accessible toilets.Getting there
Jardine River is near the tip of Cape York Peninsula. Follow the old telegraph line or the Peninsula Development Road to the park. Vehicle access is restricted to the road along the park’s western boundary. Four-wheel-drive is necessary. Visit only in the dry season, May to October.
| Author: M. H. Monroe |
| Email: admin@austhrutime.com |
| Last updated: 04/01/2015 |
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