Little Mulgrave National Park
National Park Tropical national park in Queensland, Australia
A rainforest reserve in Far North Queensland protecting mountain gullies and waterfalls near the Mulgrave River. Visitors go for rainforest walks, birdwatching and short inland hikes from the coastal corridor.
Little Mulgrave National Park is a protected area in Far North Queensland, Australia, conserving remnant tropical rainforest and the Little Mulgrave River corridor near the town of Gordonvale. It lies within the Wet Tropics bioregion and protects riverine and lowland rainforest habitat typical of the area.
The park is small and relatively quiet compared with larger Wet Tropics reserves. On-site highlights are river and rainforest scenery, birdwatching and short walking routes; there are no large visitor centres or extensive built facilities within the park.
The area is managed as a national park by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to conserve native vegetation and the Little Mulgrave catchment. Protection was provided to retain remaining patches of lowland rainforest and associated wildlife.
The park sits close to Gordonvale and the Mulgrave River valley in the Cairns region of Far North Queensland, surrounded by agricultural land and other protected forest parcels within the Wet Tropics landscape.
- Best time to visit: The dry season from roughly May to October is the easiest time for walking and wildlife viewing, as the wet season brings heavy rain and higher creek levels.
How to Get to Little Mulgrave National Park #
Access is by road from the coastal highway south of Cairns. Park signage and local maps from Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service indicate the nearest access points; a four-wheel-drive may be useful for some forest roads during wet periods.
Tips for Visiting Little Mulgrave National Park #
- Little Mulgrave is best explored in the early morning when the rainforest birds are active and the humidity is lower.
- Access is generally from the coastal highway south of Cairns-check local park authority maps for recommended trails and closures.
- Bring insect repellent-the rainforest is moist and midges can be persistent in some gullies.
Best Time to Visit Little Mulgrave National Park #
Visit during the dry season (May-October) for the easiest access and best wildlife visibility.
Weather & Climate near Little Mulgrave National Park #
Little Mulgrave National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with hot summers (peaking in January) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 15°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1957 mm/year), wettest in December with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the warmest month with muggy conditions (dew point 22°C). Heavy rain (267 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is warm with muggy conditions (dew point 23°C). Heavy rain (330 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 22°C. Heavy rain (378 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (185 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (70 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 16°C. Moderate rainfall (38 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 15°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 16°C. The driest month with just 29 mm.
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September
September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and mostly sunny skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Moderate rainfall (60 mm).
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November
November is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 21°C. Regular rainfall (90 mm).
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December
December is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 22°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (427 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
