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Dryander National Park: A Coastal Wilderness

Explore rugged coastlines, diverse wildlife, and secluded camping in this Whitsunday wilderness. Boat access only.

Dryander National Park, located near Airlie Beach, Queensland, offers a rugged and secluded escape. Accessible primarily by boat, this coastal park features mountainous terrain, diverse wildlife, and opportunities for camping and exploring the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

A brief summary to Dryander National Park

Local tips

  • Access to Grimston Point camping area is by boat only, approximately 13 kilometers north of Coral Sea Marina, Airlie Beach.
  • Camping is permitted at Grimston Point only, and permits are required.
  • Bring all necessary supplies, including drinking water, a fuel stove, insect repellent, and a first-aid kit, as facilities are limited.
  • Check the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (GBRMPA) zoning map for permitted activities in the marine park waters.
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Getting There

  • Boat

    The primary access to Dryander National Park is by boat. From Airlie Beach, several tour operators and private charters offer trips to the park. The most common destination is Grimston Point, where the camping area is located. Ensure your vessel is suitable for coastal navigation and check weather conditions before departure. Alternatively, you can arrange private boat transport from Coral Sea Marina in Airlie Beach. The journey to Grimston Point is approximately 13 kilometers. Typical cost for a return ferry to Cape Gloucester (near Dryander National Park) for events is around $50-$70 AUD. However, this is not a regular service and is event-dependent. Private boat charter costs vary widely depending on the size of the boat and duration of the trip.

  • Taxi

    While not the most direct way to access the park itself, you can take a taxi from Proserpine or Airlie Beach to Cape Gloucester. From there, you would still need to arrange boat transport to Dryander National Park. A taxi from Proserpine to Cape Gloucester is approximately $120-$150 AUD and takes around 49 minutes. A taxi from Airlie Beach to Cape Gloucester is approximately $150-$190 AUD and takes around 1 hour. Keep in mind that this only gets you to Cape Gloucester, and you will still need to find a way to get to Dryander National Park by boat.

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Discover more about Dryander National Park

Dryander National Park, a hidden gem on the Queensland coast, presents a unique blend of rugged mountain landscapes, lush forests, and vital marine habitats. Situated approximately 13 kilometers north of Airlie Beach, its relative inaccessibility has helped preserve its pristine environment. The park's 55 kilometers of coastline encompass six headlands and the imposing Mount Dryander, rising to 790 meters, offering breathtaking views of the Whitsunday seascape. Formed by volcanic activity over 300 million years ago, Dryander's landscape showcases granite formations and the legacy of the Airlie Volcanics. This rugged terrain creates critical watersheds for seasonal rivers and streams that feed into the nearby reefs. The park's diverse ecosystems support vine thickets and old-growth forests, including the rare Ristantia waterhousei, a rainforest tree that can reach 45 meters. Dryander is recognized as a Gondwana refuge, harboring 52 plant species of national, state, or local significance. Dryander National Park is a critical habitat for endangered and vulnerable species, including the Proserpine rock-wallaby, ghost bats, coastal sheath-tail bats, and the water mouse. The coastline provides feeding grounds for dugongs, humpback whales, and marine turtles. The Gia and Ngaro People have a profound connection to Dryander, maintaining a traditional custodianship of the land and sea. Visitors can enjoy camping at the Grimston Point camping area, accessible by boat only. The adjacent waters of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park offer boating and fishing opportunities, with zoning regulations in place to protect the inter-tidal zone.

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