Palmerville Station – Palmer

Palmerville Station is a legendary destination for the adventurous 4WD enthusiast, historian, and gold prospector, offering a raw and authentic outback experience in the heart of the Cape York Peninsula. Located on the site of the historic Palmer River Goldfields, this is not a typical farm stay but a rugged, remote working cattle station that provides access to some of Australia’s most storied landscapes. The journey to Palmerville is an adventure in itself, requiring a high-clearance 4WD to navigate the challenging unsealed roads and creek crossings, which are only accessible during the dry season. The station offers a range of unpowered, secluded bush campsites, allowing travellers to find their own piece of solitude in the vast wilderness. The main drawcard is the opportunity for gold fossicking in the Palmer River, an area that sparked one of Australia’s biggest gold rushes in the 19th century. Relics of this bygone era are scattered throughout the property, offering a tangible connection to the past. The camping experience is for the fully self-sufficient, with basic, rustic facilities that necessitate visitors bring all their own supplies. It’s a place to disconnect from the modern world, explore remote 4WD tracks, fish in the river, and immerse oneself in the profound silence of the outback, broken only by the sounds of the bush. For those prepared for a true adventure, a stay at Palmerville Station is an unforgettable journey into the wild heart of Far North Queensland.

Site Information

• Location: Very remote, west of Lakeland in Cape York.
• Site Suitable For: High-clearance 4WD vehicles with off-road camper trailers or tents. Not suitable for conventional vehicles or caravans.
• Road Access: Very difficult unsealed station tracks with multiple creek crossings. 4WD is essential. Dry season access only.
• Site Surface: Natural bush ground.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, this is a paid station stay. Bookings are essential. A fossicking license is often included.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: Check with management when booking.
• Number of Un-powered Sites: Numerous unpowered bush sites available.
• Facilities: Basic toilets and showers are generally available at a central point.
• Picnic Tables: No.
• Potable Water: It is essential to bring your own main supply of drinking water.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: None. A satellite phone is essential.
• TV Reception: No.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish Bins: No. All rubbish must be taken with you.
• Open Fires: Permitted in designated areas, subject to strict fire bans.
• Generator Use: Permitted.
• Number of Sites Available: Many sites across a very large property.
• Essentials to Bring: Everything. All food, fuel, water, power, emergency supplies, gold detector, and vehicle recovery gear.
• Pet Friendly: By prior arrangement only. Must be strictly controlled.
• Fishing: Yes, fishing in the Palmer River.
• Short Walks: Unlimited informal bushwalking and exploring historic mining sites.

Local Amenities

This is an extremely remote location. The nearest town with services is Lakeland, a significant distance away.

• Local Pubs:
  • Lakeland Hotel (approx. 85 km)
  • Palmer River Roadhouse (has a bar) (approx. 50 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • The roadhouses at Palmer River and Lakeland.
• Local Attractions:
  • Gold fossicking (onsite)
  • Historic Palmer River Goldfields
  • The remote Cape York landscape
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • This is a station stay campground. The nearest is Lakeland Caravan Park.
• Next Free Camps:
  • Very few official free camps in this remote area.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • The nearest public dump point is in Cooktown or Lakeland.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Palmer River Roadhouse or Lakeland. It is critical to have a long fuel range and carry spares.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available in Lakeland or Cooktown.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available onsite.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

Cape York Peninsula has a starkly defined tropical savanna climate with a monsoonal wet season and a long, dry season.