Macalister Range National Park National Park

Tropical national park protecting rainforest and endemic species

Macalister Range National Park protects rainforest on the coastal range west of Cairns in Queensland, part of the region's Wet Tropics; visitors come for jungle walks and birdwatching.

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Macalister Range National Park at a Glance#

Website: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/macalister-range

Hours: Open daylight hours (check Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for alerts)

Admission: Free (national park); some permits may be required for specific activities

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How to Get to Macalister Range National Park#

The park is accessed from the Cairns region via the Captain Cook Highway and local roads that climb the coastal range. Some sections require 4WD; check Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service for the best access points and trailhead locations.

Tips for Visiting Macalister Range National Park#

  • Wear insect repellent in lowland and rainforest sections.
  • Some tracks may be wet and slippery - good hiking footwear recommended.
  • Respect signage for sensitive rainforest areas and private land adjoining the park.

Best Time to Visit Macalister Range National Park#

Best during the dry season (May-October) for trail access and safer walking conditions; wet season brings heavy rain and potential track closures.

Dry season
May-October · 18-28°C (64-82°F)
Best access, clearer trails, and comfortable conditions for walking.
Wet season
November-April · 22-32°C (72-90°F)
Lush growth but heavy rains can close some tracks and make rivers difficult to cross.

Weather & Climate near Macalister Range National Park#

Climate

Macalister Range 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 16°C to 29°C. Heavy rainfall (2089 mm/year), wettest in February with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 24 Good
Best Time to Visit
SeptemberOctoberAugust
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
37°
Warmest Month
14°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January Very Good 22° - 29° 26° 333 mm partly cloudy 84% 4.1 m/s 2.7 extreme 12.9h
February Very Good 22° - 29° 25° 431 mm partly cloudy 86% 3.4 m/s 2.7 extreme 12.5h
March Very Good 21° - 28° 25° 335 mm partly cloudy 86% 4.4 m/s 2.4 extreme 12.1h
April Very Good 20° - 27° 23° 295 mm partly cloudy 84% 6.3 m/s 2.0 extreme 11.6h
May Very Good 19° - 25° 22° 168 mm partly cloudy 81% 7.0 m/s 1.6 very high 11.2h
June Excellent 16° - 23° 20° 55 mm partly cloudy 80% 6.5 m/s 1.3 high 11.0h
July Excellent 16° - 23° 19° 60 mm partly cloudy 77% 6.1 m/s 1.4 high 11.1h
August Excellent 16° - 24° 20° 52 mm some cloud 74% 6.0 m/s 1.8 very high 11.5h
September Ideal 18° - 26° 22° 28 mm mostly sunny 73% 5.9 m/s 2.2 extreme 11.9h
October Excellent 19° - 27° 23° 83 mm mostly sunny 74% 5.7 m/s 2.6 extreme 12.4h
November Excellent 20° - 29° 25° 83 mm some cloud 75% 5.2 m/s 2.8 extreme 12.8h
December Very Good 21° - 29° 25° 166 mm partly cloudy 78% 4.6 m/s 2.8 extreme 13.0h