Welcome to Homerule Rainforest Lodge & Camping, just South of Cooktown.
About Homerule
Shady camp sites beside gorgeous creek, plenty of space to relax...
Tranquil camping just half an hour south of Cooktown. With stunning rainforest surrounds and tropical birds and wildlife to keep you company, what more could one want? Except maybe an extra dose of peace and quiet, which is hard to find these days. The gravel road opens up to lush greenery and picturesque views. Unbelievable croc free swimming all year round. We have great amenities, a walk up to a stunning waterfall, dams to explore and more. This property has it all for doing some good old fashioned relaxing, refreshing and restoring.
Homerule is a great choice for seasoned travelers, family camping, explorers and nature lovers alike.
Quiet Secluded Camping, take time out with friends and family.
Private Quiet camping, with lots of areas to enjoy the feel of the authentic bush camping experience. The property is over 100 acres and has many beautiful spots to choose from.
At night, spotlighting to see nocturnal wildlife is a visitors delight. Bring a strong torch to catch sight of the possums and betongs that frequent the area. Relax and enjoy the fresh air and lush surrounds. See the beautiful Ulysses butterfly, Sunbirds, Forest Kingfishers, Wallabies, Cockatoos, Possums and if you are super lucky you may glimpse a very very shy Platypus down by the creek.
Visit Homerule Falls
Absolutely spectacular falls, worth the 45 minute moderate trek. This unforgettable waterfall is perfect for swimming and reflecting on natures wonders. This spectacular feature is the central facet to our Hydroscheme, which provides green power to Homerule, keeping it off grid.
This area is rich in history and the walking track takes you past historical remnants of mining days gone by. More wonderful history about Tin Mining in Rossville can be found at the small quaint museum located under the Rossville Community Hall. The opening times are displayed at hall, and even more local history can be unearthed in the Cooktown History Centre and the Local Section at the Cooktown Library.
Homerule Falls is located on Eastern Kuku Yalanji land and they ask that you respect their special place.
This is also a Wet Tropics World Heritage listed area.
For more info on the role of the Wet Tropics, go to https://www.wettropics.gov.au/
Caravans , Tents and Rv's Welcome
Camping Fees
Adults $10
Kids (under 15 ) $5
Babies under 2 free
Accommodation
Rooms from $50 a night
Very basic with bed, and fan.
Linen included. Power available in lodge to recharge devices.
Basic Small and Family rooms + Dorm
Small $50 a night db & 1 sgl bed
Family $70 dbl & 3 bunks
Dorm bunk $25 a night
School and group discounts. Affordable.
Camp kitchen
Lodge and kitchen closes at 9pm.
Homerule Space
What is so special about Homerule?
This is a special kind of place. Without the frills and facade, we are a down to earth, budget camping and accommodation facility, surrounded by picturesque views. We offer tidy grounds, large open spaces and genuine peace and quiet. There is a large camp kitchen. and a dining room area used for groups and guests. Hot showers and toilets in separate amenity block. We have a token fed washing machine and undercover lines.
Homerule is adopting more eco conscious and environmentally friendly practises, becoming a greener business, to reflect the belief that it is an investment to honour the balance of such unique areas. Everything must be done in business and as individuals to ensure it is sustained.
But quite simply, it is the Space.. the resounding peaceful, Open Space that makes this place so special.
Swimming choices.
With a gorgeous freshwater creek wrapping around the site, there are many places to take a swim. Croc free and crystal clear, the creek is an all year round feature. The dams are great for kayaking or canoeing and the waterfalls offer a cooling place to dip after the big walk as well. Spoiled for choice the swimming couldn't be better here.
Waste and Recycling Rubbish
Being a remote location, we ask you to be conscious of your Waste. Rubbish is a difficulty to manage. We ask that our visitors take rubbish with them and refrain from leaving food scraps in the bush. (it encourages feral animals) Please properly bury food scraps if you must.
We do ask all guests to take their land fill rubbish with them as Cook Shire has waste transfer stations in a number of areas. Please use this link to locate them.
http://www.cook.qld.gov.au/services/waste-management/waste-transfer-stations-1
There is a recycling facility at the end of Homerule Road for specific recyclables (Aluminium cans, steel cans, paper, cardboard, glass, areosols and plastic bottles are accepted.
http://www.cook.qld.gov.au/services/waste-management/recycling-1
What happens here during the year?
Homerule offers camping and budget accommodation through out the year. We have Church Groups hire the facility, and University groups from interstate have come here camping on research projects . Entomologists, and Bird Watchers are kept busy when they visit. We also have School Camps come here annually. We are also the venue site for Wallaby Creek Festival held the last week of September every year.
We offer this unique venue for hire to chosen groups who can demonstrate the sound use of such a unique and delicate property.
Any Festivals or Production Companies wanting to hire Homerule for an event, must submit an application thoroughly outlining the ecological benefits to and the impact management for the use of this site. Please email us to discuss any potential bookings and dates for 2020 or beyond.
Please email homerulelodge@outlook.com for more information.
FAQ's
Are dogs allowed? Yes, Well behaved humans and their dogs may come as long as kept on a lead.
Are Fires ok? Yes, small contained fires are ok. Please put fire out before leaving
and place rocks back under trees to save our mower blades from damage. Please check in the dry season that there are no fire bans.
We are proud to support the Rural Fire Brigade.
https://www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au/Pages/Home.aspx
Wet Tropics World Heritage Listed Area
Wet tropics World Heritage Listed Area
This is a Wet Tropics World Heritage listed area. There is a variety of tropical wildlife, and and array of rainforest plants for interested people. The birdlife is abundant and there is always a wallaby or three around to greet visitors, just on dusk and dawn. For more info on the types of animals you might find in this areas, and the role of the Wet Tropics, go to https://www.wettropics.gov.au/
Cooktown... so much to see and do.
Cooktown is situated 35 minutes North of Homerule with a scenic drive past the iconic Black Mountians.
With a selection of great Cafes, the new Waterfront, Art galleries, and the Cooktown Historical Centre, there is plenty to see.
We have the local shops, the newsagent, country bakery and an ANZ bank which is located between the original Souvenir shop and the new Indigenous art gallery.
Cooktown truly is steeped in History with even the Post Office remaining a vibrant link to Cooktown's interesting past. The town has days worth of exploring if history hunting and site seeing is your thing. James Cook Museum is the first point of call for most.
Nature's Powerhouse located off the main street, toward Finch Bay, is worth checking out. They offer lovely snacks and meals, cute gifts and gorgeous botanic surrounds, with exhibitions of local talent to add to its attraction.
Cooktown Creative Arts Association is a volunteer run operative, and has a wonderful collection of arts and crafts created by an array of local artists. A great little place located in the historic buildings along the main street, next door to Anzac Park.
http://www.cooktownandcapeyork.com/do/markets/creative-arts
A Must Do is an Endeavour River cruise to see the crocodiles and wildlife up close. Long time local business Cooktown River Cruises does scenic tours specialising in Croc spotting and Bird Watching during the high season.
Call Mollo on 0427 055 481. You'll be glad you did!
And then there's Cedar Bay...
Leave only your footprints, Take only your memories..
If you are a keen hiker, the Cedar Bay track opens here. Bookings must be registered through the QPWS website. It is not a trek for the lighthearted and should be considered very carefully. It is recommended adequate preparations are made to ensure the safe return of all who enter the park. For more info on hiking to Cedar Bay contact QPWS.
The extensive area is currently managed by Jabalbina Aboriginal Corporation. Rangers are responsible for caring for the track and keeping it maintained. Please contact Jabalbina for more information. http://jabalbina.com.au/contact
It is acknowledged that The Eastern Kuku Yalanji are the Indigenous Traditional Owners of Ngalba Bulal (Cedar Bay) National Park: they ask that you respect their special place.
Such untouched paradise is hard to come by these days and is being visited by more and more people each year. Pristine pockets like this, hardly touched by the frantic progress of the outside world still remain. It is important that travelers are educated about the impact of visiting such unique places. Sometimes the best thing to do is not visit and appreciate it from afar. If you do decide to do the trek, being conscious of your impact is important for the long term potential of this natural beauty.
Cedar Bay and the land walked on to arrrive there desrves to be treated with utmost respect.
It is important every single visitor takes responsibility for their own waste. For refuse disposal, please use Cook Shire's Waste Stations as we are a remote area and struggle with the influx of waste in the region during the tourist season.
It is visitors responsibility to ensure no traces are left. Again a reminder to take ALL rubbish with you.
(avoid leaving fire pits, bury toilet paper, don't just cover it with leaves! take all rubbish with you)
If everybody does the right thing, it makes sense that the area will be conserved for our future generations.
Cedar Bay has always had a special untouched quality that must be acknowledged and protected.
Please book on the QPWS site to register your use of the park so that it may be regulated and managed correctly. https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/mangkalba
For access via small boat, call John on 40608252
