Wooroonooran National Park
Park Wet tropical rainforest park with Australia's tallest peaks
Part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area in far north Queensland, containing steep rainforest, waterfalls and high peaks; visitors come for jungle walks, waterfalls and wet‑tropics wildlife.
Wooroonooran National Park is a large protected rainforest park in Far North Queensland, Australia, noted for high-elevation tropical rainforest and rugged mountain terrain. It forms part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and conserves extensive upland rainforests, rivers and waterfalls.
Key natural highlights are the park’s high peaks and cloud forests, with steep river valleys and numerous waterfalls and lookouts accessible from roads and walking tracks. The park supports a wide range of native flora and fauna typical of Queensland’s wet tropical zones and is important for catchment protection.
European and Indigenous use over time has included limited access tracks, logging histories in peripheral areas and progressive formal protection under state park designations; contemporary management emphasizes biodiversity conservation, cultural heritage and visitor safety on steep terrain.
Wooroonooran National Park is located in Far North Queensland on the eastern side of the Great Dividing Range, inland from coastal towns such as Innisfail and Cairns, and includes some of the highest terrain in the state.
- Wet Tropics: Part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, containing some of Australia's wettest and most biodiverse rainforests.
What to See #
- Mount Bartle Frere: The park contains Mount Bartle Frere, which at 1,622 metres is the highest peak in Queensland and is a focus for high-elevation rainforest and alpine environments.
- Mount Bellenden Ker: Mount Bellenden Ker rises to about 1,593 metres and supports cloud forest and important catchments feeding coastal rivers.
How to Get to Wooroonooran National Park #
Wooroonooran NP is south of Cairns in Far North Queensland. Access points are reached by road from Innisfail, Babinda and other coastal towns. The Bruce Highway and local roads connect to park entrances; check Queensland Parks for specific trailhead directions and seasonal closures.
Tips for Visiting Wooroonooran National Park #
- Arrive early to hike tracks such as Josephine Falls and look for cassowaries in the early morning and late afternoon.
- Respect Indigenous Caring for Country signage and follow marked tracks; some areas are culturally sensitive.
- Bring insect repellent and expect wet, slippery conditions on rainforest tracks.
Best Time to Visit Wooroonooran National Park #
A World Heritage-listed national park in tropical north Queensland that includes high rainforest peaks and the state's highest mountains.
Weather & Climate near Wooroonooran National Park #
Wooroonooran National Park's climate is classified as Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) - Subtropical Highland (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in January) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 10°C to 25°C. Heavy rainfall (3870 mm/year), wettest in March with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 17°C. Heavy rain (669 mm).
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February
February is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 17°C. Heavy rain (659 mm).
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March
March is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 16°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (671 mm).
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April
April is mild with highs of 21°C and lows of 15°C. Heavy rain (555 mm).
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 13°C. Heavy rain (312 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (180 mm).
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (120 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (150 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm).
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November
November is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (196 mm).
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December
December is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (183 mm).