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Guide to Camping at Pandanus Park
(information updated on 19 January 2012)


There is no fee for camping at Pandans Park nor does one have to become a member of the Association to camp there.
The only restriction on who can camp at Pandanus Park is shown on the Veterans Page of this website.

What to take to Pandanus Park


Pandanus Park is operated under a Deed of Licence from the Traditional Owners, the Kalpowar Land Trust and we are obliged to operate within the Licence conditions. Therefore it is in our interests to ensure that all prospective campers are well informed and that is the purpose of this guide.

Opening Period:    Pandanus is open to Veterans from ANZAC Day through to Remembrance Day each year. As this encompasses the end of the tropical Dry Season the depth of water over the Kalpowar Crossing of the Normanby River will normally preclude entry before mid-May.

There is a now a lockable boom gate within the water of the Kalpowar Crossing. If the gate is locked do not attempt to drive around the gate posts as the water is deep enough to drown your vehicle and large boulders have been placed in the water extending well beyond the gate posts. The gate will be opened by COOK SHIRE only when the roads beyond the Normanby River are safe to drive. This timing will be dependant on the Wet Season.
Note: The water on the crossing is home to Estuarine or Salt Water crocodiles so DO NOT walk through the water to the boom gate.

Note: The Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) Ranger station does not have a key to the gate. It can only be opened by staff of the Cook Shire. 

Length of Stay:    There is no normal length of stay and no minimum period. Most veterans tend to arrive in the week before Long Tan Day (18th August) then depart on or about the 20th August. This ensures they are at Pandanus for the Service of Remembrance on the 18th August. A handful of long term campers arrive in late May or early June and depart around mid-September.

Vehicle Access:  4 wheel drive, high clearance vehicles are recommended. Camper trailers and off-road caravans regularly make the trip but experience has shown that they should be sturdy enough to cope with the rough roads. Unfortunately highway style motor homes and long (over 18 feet) caravans may experience difficulty in crossing some of the creeks so attempting to reach Pandanus Park in these vehicles is NOT recommended.

Access Route:  Access to Pandanus Park is best achieved via Mareeba to Laura then continue on to the national park camp ground at Kalpowar Crossing. From there cross the Normanby River causeway then drive the 17 kilometres of tracks to Pandanus Park. A longer but more picturesque route for 4WD vehicles without trailers is via Cape Tribulation and the Bloomfield Track to Cooktown then via the Battlecamp Road to meet the north-south road to Kalpowar Crossing.     

The causeway at the Kalpowar Crossing over the Normanby River will almost always have water flowing over it and whilst the causeway has a solid concrete base it curves markedly to the left and the base (road) may not always be visible. We recommend first timers either follow another vehicle across the causeway or use the cascading water on your left as an indication of the edge of the concrete. Take care because the causeway is a narrow, single lane, crossing.

DO NOT WADE THROUGH THE CROSSING TO TEST ITS DEPTH - CROCODILES INHABIT THE WATER AT THE CROSSING

Communications:  Though not mandatory all vehicles should be fitted with a UHF radio tuned to Channel 1 which is the inter-camp communication and EMERGENCY frequency at Pandanus Park. Low power (1/2 Watt) handheld UHF radios are just adequate but have reduced range. A 5 Watt unit (either hand held or in car)  provides the best and most reliable coverage.
Please be aware that the indigenous population also monitor the UHF network including Channel 1 so adhere to normal radio etiquette.

NOTE NEW DETAIL ON UHF RADIOS  UHF RADIOS  Dated April 2011

Mobile phone reception beyond Laura is unreliable.
HF radio telephone works but can also be unreliable
Satellite phones work but can be unreliable and are costly to operate.

Please do not expect those who have private satellite phones at Pandanus Park to lend their phone to you. The cost of calls from these phones is very high and others should not be expected to pay for your calls. 
           
          NOTE:  Cape York Peninsula is a remote area. Do not wander off the beaten track without adequate communications.

The closest public telephone to Pandanus Park is located at Laura some 2.6 hours drive each way therefore it is best to plan on being incommunicado whilst at Pandanus. There are NO public phones at the National Park Ranger Station or the Kalpowar Homestead.  

Emergency Contact whilst at Pandanus Park. If your relatives or family need to contact you URGENTLY they should phone the Laura Police  on 07 4060 3244 or the Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park Ranger Station on 07 4060 3260 (after hours) and ask for a message to be relayed. This may take a day or two. 

Mail:  By arrangement with the owner of the Laura General Store (next to the pub) mail may can be held and collected when someone goes to Laura.
Adress all your mail to:
                                    Your Name
                                    Pandanus Park War Veterans Retreat
                                    c/o General Store
                                    LAURA   QLD    4871

                                    (to be collected)
   
On Arrival:   An orange banner (see below) strung between two trees indicates the entry to Pandanus Park.
                                                        
If you are new to Pandanus Park please call on UHF Channel 1 for directions when you arrive at this location. If there is no response, cross the dry creek bed then drive to the HQ 'building' located on your right approximately a kilometre further along that track. Once there attempt to communicate on Channel 1 and sign the visitors book. If you cannot establish radio contact or cannot locate any other camper then select a suitable campsite between the HQ complex and the dry creek you have just crossed. If desired you can shift camp later. 
   
  HQ Building and the Memorial

The HQ 'building' is unmanned and consists of a few tree branches tied together with green shade cloth. IMPORTANT:  The names of all persons in your party must be registered in the visitors book. This a requirement of the Licence as well as a safety measure.  

Command and Control:  There is no 'commander' at Pandanus Park though most experienced campers are willing to guide newcomers or act as a point of contact within Pandanus Park. Call on UHF Channel 1 (Duplex OFF).
Pandanus Park is managed and overseen by a committee appointed each year by the veterans. Any person designated as the main point of contact will be acting under the guidance of the Committee.

Facilities:   Pandanus Park is strictly bush camping. The only facilities  are those that you bring with you and you will have to set up your own ablutions and toilets (see below). All your rubbish must be taken with you when you depart.

Toilet Pits:  Toilet pits must be dug deep and no closer than 50 metres to ANY watercourse. Prior to your departure your toilet pits must be filled in and the ground marked as foul. 

  NOTE:  No human waste is to be buried closer than 50 metres to ANY watercourse.  Shower water must not drain into ANY watercourse.   
                                                             
Rubbish:  All rubbish must be either burned to ash or carted out with you. There is a signposted rubbish tip at Laura located on the Pandanus side of town, on the right as you approach the town boundary. Bags for the disposal of aluminium cans only will usually be placed near the  HQ and the RAP. Do not put your rubbish in or near these bags.

                      THERE ARE NO FACILITIES AT PANDANUS PARK so come prepared to provide your own
 
Camp Sites:  As a general rule avoid camping within 100 metres of another camp without discussing your intentions with the nearby campers. Some Veterans seek space though this cannot always be guaranteed. You can camp anywhere along the top of the river bank, NOT below it. The more southerly camp sites are thickly wooded and may be difficult to access.

The Big Influx:  Please be aware that despite your desire to camp away from others there is a high probability that you will gain close neighbours especially  in the weeks leading up to the 18th August. This is unavoidable due to the shortage of suitable camp sites and the influx of veterans. Please show restraint and accept this as inevitable.

Reserved Campsites:  There are no numbered or reserved campsites. First come first served applies.
Some of the regular attendees will take the same camp site year after year but they are usually the first to arrive.

                                Please do not camp within 100 metres of the HQ complex or the designated helipads.

Clearing Campsites: The immediate area on which your camp is situated may be cleared of twigs and grass for safety. However beyond that the vegetation IS NOT to be cleared. Trees, whether dead or alive, are not to be felled or defaced in any manner whatsoever.

                                                          Please do not carve your name into the trees. This is not our land.

Water:  The Normanby River is fresh water but should be boiled before drinking. Otherwise bring drinking water with you. If you plan to regularly draw water from the river a small pump is recommended due to the presence of crocodiles in the Normanby River.

                    Drinking the water from the Normanby River may constitute a health hazard so it is your choice and your responsibility.  

Food and Liquid Refreshments:  You should be self-sufficient for the duration of your stay plus a few extra days. Resupplies are available at Laura (126kms) and Cooktown (190kms via Battlecamp or 240kms via Lakefield) though the roads to these towns are rough. Do not rely on others to do your shopping for they may not have the time or inclination to do so and may not be able to cart the extra supplies.

Fuel:  The last refuel is at Laura (general store) so bring enough fuel to travel the 126kms to Pandanus and return plus extra fuel for travelling within Pandanus Park. As a rough guide plan on driving 10 kilometers per day whilst at Pandanus Park. There is NO FUEL at Pandanus Park and few campers bring more than they need. Therefore you need to leave Laura with enough fuel to drive:

Laura to Pandanus = 126 kms
'x' number of days at Pandanus at 10kms per day
Pandanus to Laura = 126 kms
For a one week stay this means you will need to depart Laura (last refuel point) with at least 322 kms of fuel range.

Power Supply:  There is no power at Pandanus Park however 240volt generators are permitted. We ask that these be positioned that they do not inconvenience adjoining campers. If you require your generator to run all night due to medical needs either erect your camp well clear of other campers or inform the nearby campers of the potential for all night noise. A mix of solar and generator power is common and seems to be the ideal option. Solar is generally quite reliable however there can be consecutive cloudy days with little to no sun rendering most solar installations inadeqaute. Don't forget to bring fuel for your generator - a couple of litres per day is a good guide.

Camp fires:  Camp fires are permitted but no standing timber is to be felled. Your fire must be clear of all tentage, fuel, gas and grass and extinguished prior to your departure from Pandanus.

NO STANDING TIMBER IS TO BE FELLED - THIS INCLUDES DEAD TIMBER
(This is a requirement of our licence)

Climate and Weather: Day time temperatures hover around 30 degrees whilst nights can be cool - down to 14 degrees - sometimes less.  Rain is rare but cold winds are common.

Clothing:  The standard dress is very casual - at all times. Friday evenings have traditionally been designated Tropical Fridays with ultra bright Hawaiian style shirts, shorts and dresses the order of the day. Bring a warm top and long daks. Long pants and a full sleeve top may be necessary if the midgies and mossies are active.

Footwear:  Sturdy runners or shoes should be worn as the ground is unprepared and rough with sharp sticks. There are also biting creatures in abundance. The ground may also be covered in black ash after a burn off. If you plan to go walking, then sturdy boots are essential. The dry sections of the Normanby River bed have sharp rocks that make wearing sturdy footwear a necessity.  

Medications and Medical Intervention:  Urgent medical help is at least 5 hours away and that includes calling upon the Cairns based emergency service chopper or RFDS aircraft. Most medical cases can be driven to Laura (first aid centre) or to Cooktown where there is a small hospital. First aid may be available at Pandanus courtesy former medics or nurses camped therein. 

                                            Your own first aid kit is an essential item. DO NOT RELY ON OTHERS.
 
                                        In an EMERGENCY call on UHF channel 1 as soon as possible.

                                                        IMPORTANT:   Bring all your medication needs with you.

Safety:  Generally Pandanus is a very safe place however there are snakes in the area and some are deadly. More importantly crocodiles inhabit all waterways in the area, especially the Normanby River. Most of these crocodiles are the Estuarine or Saltwater variety and they should be treated as EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. These crocodiles are expert at stalking prey and their stealth cannot be underestimated therefore DO NOT swim in the river no matter how shallow or clear it may seem.  Keep dogs away from the river - crocodiles consider these animals food. Do not fish from the bank or close to the waters edge.

                                                                              Keep clear of the river at night.

Pets:  Domestic dogs (only) are permitted but remain the owners responsibility at all times. They should be kept tethered and away from the river, especially at night. Dogs must not be a nuisance or danger to other campers. You might love your dog but others may not. 

Bushfires:  The entire region is subject to dry season fires that travel very quickly therefore do not camp in or near long grass and do not set fire to the grass as the resultant fire can spread well beyond Pandanus Park, endangering others.

Wild Animals:   Dingoes, wild pigs, cattle and horses often wander close to or around the camps. If you leave them alone they will not bother you.

Firearms:  The display or use of firearms is prohibited.  


Program of Events:   Pandanus Park is intended to be a place where Veterans can rest and relax. For this reason few events are pre-planned though in past years a number of functions such as BBQ's and dinners etc have 'happened' often with mimimal notice, especially early in the season when the numbers of campers are low. Because a certain event or function was held in one year please do not plan on it being held in subsequent years.

        RAP Gathering.   The RAP is located next to the dry creek crossing as you enter Pandanus. As a general rule the RAP gathering is held at this location from the 1st August until about a week after Long Tan Day. The RAP is 'open' from 1600hrs each day with the closing time uncertain - usually when the last person departs. Attendance at the RAP is not compulsory but these gatherings are a fun-filled relaxing opportunity to meet other like-minded campers. They are worth attending but please bring your own chair, drinks and a sense of humour.   

        Camp Visits.  Most Veterans camped at Pandanus welcome visitors but a courtesy radio call stating your intentions beforehand will be appreciated and it is often helpful to beep your vehicle horn before entering another persons camp.
                    Do not overstay your welcome.
                    If you plan to have a few drinks bring your own drinks plus some for your host. 
                    It is wise and courteous to bring a plate and refreshments when attending dinners or nibbles at other camps.

        Long Tan Day.  Vietnam Veterans Day or Long Tan Day is commemorated on the 18th August with a short service of remembrance at the Pandanus Park War Memorial next to the HQ. Assembly is at 0630 hours for a service at 0700 hours. Dress is casual with medals. A free Gunfire Breakfast is served afterwards at the HQ complex so bring a plate, eating irons and a mug.   

        Group Photo.  In 2009 and 2010 a group photograph was taken immediately after the service. Your committee hopes this annual record of attendance will continue with the intention being to have everyone in the photo so do not expect others to operate your camera. Remote controlled cameras are fine.

Flags and Unit Badges:  Many campers display unit flags or badges and the Australian Flag at their camps. Use your initiative to design signage for your camp but remember that whatever you bring in must go out with you.  

Fishing:  Fishing and yabbying is a popular pastime at Pandanus. Barramundi are regularly caught though size and bag limits apply. Barramundi gear I am reliably informed is No 6 hooks on 100lb hand line. DO NOT stand next to the water whilst fishing.

Traditional Owners:  Kalpowar Station is owned and occupied by the Traditional Owners who regularly utilise the tracks within the area and run livestock on the adjoining lands. The Veterans have an excellent rapport with the Traditional Owners so please respect their presence, it is after all, their land.

Livestock:  Cattle are run on the lands in and around Pandanus Park. All these animals are owned by either Kalpowar Station or other graziers in the region. If the cattle are not yours then someone else owns them. Leave them alone. 

Alcohol:   Pandanus Park lies within the Cape York alcohol restriction zone. In the unlikely event that a member of the Indigenous population asks for an alcoholic drink you are to politely refuse. Alcohol is available in limited quantities at Laura and Cooktown.
                                        Veterans must drink responsibly and NOT be a nuisance to other campers. 
 

Temporary Exclusion:   From time to time the Aboriginal Land Trust may temporarily exclude areas from use by Veterans. This will occur if the Land Trust require those areas for their own uses or activities or due to weather. This right is enshrined in Pandanus Licence.