About Turtle Group
- Getting there and getting around
- Park features
- Camping and accommodation
- Things to do
- Things to know before you go
- Staying safe
- Looking after the park
- Park management
- Tourism information links
- Further information
Getting there and getting around
Turtle Group National Park consists of nine islands comprised of the Turtle Group of islands, Nymph Island and the Pethebridge Islets. The Turtle Group of islands is located 10 kilometres offshore from Lookout Point, which is approximately 70 kilometres north of Cooktown and 28 kilometres north of the nearest settlement at Cape Flattery. From Lookout Point, Nymph Island is about 20 kilometres north and the Pethebridge Islets are about 20 kilometres north-west (6.5 kilometres offshore of the mainland).
Lizard Island, with its resort and research station, is approximately 40 kilometres east of the Pethebridge Islets, 30 kilometres east of the Turtle Group cluster and only 28 kilometres east of Nymph Island.
Access to all the islands is by private boat via the boat ramp in the Starke River, or with a permitted commercial operator. See the tourism information links below for details.
Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Wheelchair accessibility
No wheelchair-accessible facilities are provided on any of the islands within the national park.
Park features
Nymph Island, Turtle Group National Park. Photo: DERM.
The park includes the Turtle Group of islands, Nymph Island and the Pethebridge Islets. Nine islands in total are protected within the Turtle Group National Park.
Nymph Island is a 65 hectare, sand and coral rubble island with extensive mangroves. Many 3700 year old micro atolls are contained within a tidal, internal lagoon drained by a narrow creek. Nymph Island became national park due to this unusual lagoon formation.
The Turtle Group of islands are small, sand and shingle cays, two of which are vegetated. They show different levels of cay formation from a simple sand cay to cays with well developed beach-rock, shingle banks. The vegetated islands have areas of woodland, closed forest, vine forest and mangroves.
Camping and accommodation
Camping
Camping is permitted on Nymph Island and Turtle Group islands a, b, and f only. A maximum of 10 people per island is permitted and campers may stay for up to 14 days.
There are no defined campgrounds or facilities on any of the islands—campers need to be self-sufficient. Take water, insect repellent, and a comprehensive first-aid kit. Fires are not allowed—ensure you bring a fuel stove. Remove your rubbish to the mainland.
Camping permits are required and fees apply. A camping tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site.
- Find out more about camping in Turtle Group National Park.
- Book your camp site online.
- If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
Other accommodation
Lizard Island National Park offers camping and luxury resort accommodation.
Things to do
Walking
There are no walking tracks on the national park islands. Visitors may enjoy a walk around the beaches of any of the islands. Please take care as vegetation is easily damaged which can lead to erosion. Seabirds also nest in the sand and vegetation.
Boating and Fishing
The Turtle Group National Park islands are a regular stop for cruising yachts travelling to and from Lizard Island. They also provide fair weather anchorages for private, tourist and commercial fishing vessels as they are close to the shipping channel.
Be aware that estuarine crocodiles occur in the waters around Turtle Group National Park. Remember your safety is our concern but your responsibility—always be croc wise in croc country.
Boating
There are no public moorings in the waters around the islands of Turtle Group National Park. Public moorings are provided around Lizard Island. Read more about public moorings and anchoring. If you must anchor around these islands please follow these guidelines.
- Anchor only on sand and away from coral reefs—corals are fragile and easily destroyed by anchors and chains dragging across the reef.
- Use a reef pick if anchoring in coral is unavoidable. When hauling in, motor toward the anchor to prevent damage.
- Do not throw rubbish overboard, especially when you are at anchor.
Fishing
The reefs and waters surrounding the Turtle Group National Park are protected as part of the Great Barrier Reef and Great Barrier Reef Coast marine parks. When fishing in the waters surrounding the Turtle Group National Park ensure you meet marine park and fisheries restrictions.
A Marine National Park (Green) Zone encompasses the reef and waters surrounding the Turtle Group islands and Nymph Island. These ‘no-take’ areas prohibit extractive activities like fishing or collecting.
The reefs and waters surrounding the Pethebridge Islets are a Habitat Protection (Dark Blue) Zone. Limited recreational fishing (up to three hand-held rods/lines per person with a combined total of up to six hooks per person) and trolling (up to three lines per person with a combined total of six hooks per person) are permitted. Bait collection is also allowed but oysters gathered must be consumed on site. For more detailed zoning maps and information for State waters see the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park and for Commonwealth waters see the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA).
Spearfishing (snorkel only) is allowed in the waters surrounding Petherbridge Islets. Spearguns must be dismantled and stowed before taken onto the national park.
Take only enough fish for a meal—remember bag and size limits apply. See the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation for more information.
Viewing wildlife
Turtle Group National Park is an ideal birdwatching location with over 60 bird species recorded. Of these 26 migratory species are recognised in international agreements/conventions. Endangered little terns and vulnerable beach stone-curlews have all been seen within the park. Eastern curlews and sooty oystercatchers, both considered near threatened (rare), have also been recorded.
Breeding species including bridled terns, Caspian terns, roseate terns, crested terns, ospreys, white-bellied sea-eagles and pied imperial-pigeons are also found in the park. Seabirds nest on the ground, on rocky outcrops and in vegetation. Avoid nesting seabirds at all times. If parent birds are disturbed chicks and eggs can become vulnerable—easily destroyed by heat, cold and predators if left unprotected.
Things to know before you go
Essentials to bring
Preparation is the key to a safe and enjoyable visit to the Turtle Group National Park. Make sure you bring:
- drinking water
- a fuel or gas stove for cooking
- protective clothing, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses
- suitable shoes for walking on rough surfaces
- a comprehensive first-aid kit
- insect repellent.
Opening hours
Turtle Group National Park is open 24 hours a day, all year.
Permits and fees
Camping is permitted on Nymph Island and islands a, b and f of the Turtle Group.
Camping permits are required and fees apply. A camping tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite.
- Book your camp site online.
- If you cannot book online, see camping bookings for other options.
Pets
Domestic animals are prohibited on all islands within the Turtle Group National Park, this includes the beaches between low and high tide marks.
Climate and weather
Turtle Group National Park has a tropical climate. In summer the temperatures and humidity are high. From April to September the days are cooler and less humid. Visiting in the cooler winter months is recommended. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Weather forecasts are available from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Fuel and supplies
Fuel and supplies are available on the mainland at Cooktown. The Turtle Group of islands is 10 kilometres offshore from the mainland at Lookout Point, which is 70 kilometres north of Cooktown.
For more information see the tourism information links below.
Staying safe
- Carry drinking water when walking or out in your boat.
- Be aware of tidal movements and take care on slippery rocks.
- Know your own health limitations for safe snorkelling—do not put yourself and others at risk, and always snorkel with a buddy.
- Wear sunscreen and cover up when you are walking and out on the water.
- Dangerous stinging jellyfish (‘stingers’) may be present in the waters surrounding these islands at any time but occur more frequently in the warmer months. A full body Lycra suit or equivalent provides a good measure of protection against stinging jellyfish and sunburn. See marine stingers for more information.
- Be aware that estuarine crocodiles occur in the waters around this national park. Remember, your safety is our concern but your responsibility—always be croc wise in croc country.
For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.
Looking after the park
We need your help to protect this national park.
- Leave everything as you found it—everything in the park, living or dead, is protected.
- Avoid bird-nesting areas and stay clear of roosting birds.
- Never feed birds, fish or other wildlife—it is prohibited as it can affect the health of wild animals.
- Leave your pets at home—domestic animals are prohibited in the national park; this includes the area on beaches between low and high tide marks.
- Avoid touching, kicking or standing on coral.
- Use fuel stoves only—fires are not allowed.
- Take away everything that you bring on to the islands, including all of your rubbish. Disposing of garbage in the marine park is prohibited.
- Minimise your use of soaps and detergents as they can affect water quality.
- Avoid the spread of weeds—check your clothing and equipment for seeds before landing on the islands.
See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.
Park management
The Turtle Group National Park is managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) in accordance with the Turtle Group National Park Management Plan (PDF, 438K)* to preserve the highly significant natural and cultural values of the islands, while also providing and managing a range of visitor settings.
The reef and waters surrounding the islands are protected within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. They also form part of the Great Barrier Reef Coast Marine Park (State) and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (Commonwealth).
Complementary management of waters adjacent to these islands is vital and continued close cooperation between QPWS and GBRMPA is essential.
Tourism information links
Cairns and Tropical North Visitor Information Centre
www.cairnsgreatbarrierreef.org.au
51 The Esplanade, Cairns Qld 4870
ph (07) 4051 3588
fax (07) 4051 7509
email info@ttnq.org.au
Nature’s Powerhouse
www.naturespowerhouse.com.au
Cooktown Botanic Gardens
PO Box 3, Cooktown Qld 4895
ph (07) 4069 6004
email info@cooktowns.com
For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.
Further information
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Last updated 17 February 2012