Barranyi (North Island) National Park

Barranyi National Park encompasses North Island, one of the Sir Edward Pellew islands off the coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria, near the mouth of the McArthur River. This far-flung island park is accessible only by boat or air charter, typically from Borroloola or King Ash Bay. For those who make the journey, Barranyi offers an untouched tropical paradise experience: white sandy beaches lapped by clear blue waters, pristine coral reefs offshore, and dense woodlands and fringing mangroves inland. The island is an important nesting site for marine turtles – during nesting season, flatback and green turtles come ashore to lay eggs on its beaches. Birdlife is also notable, with shorebirds and birds of prey common (and the chance to see the rare purple-crowned fairy-wren in thick scrub). A basic campground exists at Paradise Bay on the northwest of the island, where visitors can camp under casuarina trees with permission (the park is co-managed with the Yanyuwa people, and a permit is required to visit their sea country). There are no facilities beyond a pit toilet – no fresh water, shops, or power – meaning visitors must be fully self-sufficient. Activities include beachcombing, fishing (the surrounding waters are rich with fish and crustaceans), snorkeling the coral bommies (with care not to damage them), and simply soaking in the solitude. Barranyi’s isolation ensures that only a handful of people are ever on the island at once. It’s a place of deep cultural significance and unspoiled nature. Visiting provides a rare opportunity to experience a remote Gulf island ecosystem – but it requires careful planning, respect for Indigenous protocols, and a spirit of adventure.