Rinyirru National Park

Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park is a nature reserve in northern Queensland that features an interconnected system of rivers, permanent waterholes, lakes, and wetlands forming a complex ecological network. These water bodies and surrounding habitats support diverse wildlife throughout the protected area.

European explorers including Edmund Kennedy and William Hann arrived in the 19th century and influenced early European presence in the area, which led to the development of Laura Homestead. These explorations marked the beginning of European contact with the region.

Aboriginal peoples have used this region for countless generations, leaving behind sacred sites and cultural markers visible across the landscape that reflect their deep connection to the land. Their presence continues to shape the character of this place today.

The reserve can be accessed via an unsealed road, though visitors should be prepared for potential closures during the wet season from December to April. Planning your visit timing around weather patterns helps ensure safe access to the area.

The reserve contains over 100 permanent riverine lagoons where freshwater barramundi and saltwater mangrove jack fish live together in the same ecological system. This unusual coexistence of two fish species with different water requirements makes the place ecologically remarkable.