Wairuna, Girringun National Park

Wairuna, in Girringun National Park, has a varied landscape of open forest and woodland on its western margin through to tall wet forest on the elevated range to the east. It features the headwaters of the Burdekin River, fed from high rainfall on the rugged ranges above Cardwell. Over times, the river carved out a wide plain, which now features abundant waterholes and lagoons that are seasonally full of water attracting a rich diversity of water birds.

The traditional owners of the area are the Warrungnu Aboriginal people. The area also has a rich history of early European settlement by the Atkinson family including their work on Brahman cattle breeding and grazing.

Camp overnight in one of three separate and partially shady sites beside the Burdekin River. Wairuna camping area is closed throughout the wet season from 1 December to 31 March inclusive.

There are no formal walking tracks at Wairuna but you can walk alongside the Burdekin River. Look for freshwater crocodiles and turtles basking in the sun, and see how many species of fish you can identify.

Many animals are most active around dawn and dusk and nocturnal mammals may be seen at night by spotlight.