The Kowanyama community has a Deed of Grant in Trust over land originally set aside as a reserve for Aboriginal people. Once an Anglican Mission, this remote community now services travellers and is well-known as an excellent fishing location as it lies 50 kilometres inland but on the mouth of the Mitchell River.
While the fish are generally biting, be aware there are bag limits. Dogs, guns and hunting are not allowed. An extension of the Kowanyama Community Council - the Land and Natural Resource Unit - has established locations for camping.
Topsy Creek offers beach and river camping. There are no facilities and numbers and vehicle limits per campsite applies. That just means you get more to yourself.
Within the community there is a motel-style guesthouse and basic services such as a butcher, Laundromat, supermarket with petrol and diesel supplies, a tavern, medical centre and police. Regional airlines connect with Cairns.
Arrange a permit for bush camping from the Land and Natural Resource Unit and be aware there is an alcohol management plan in the community - check whether you can bring in alcohol from the Community Council.
Visit Kowanyama via the main road access from Dunbar on the Chillagoe-Karumba road, a Savannah Way alternate route. There is a four-wheel-drive only bush track north to Pormpuraaw across the Mitchell River.
