Kalkajaka National Park

Kalkajaka National Park, also known as Black Mountain National Park, is located about 25 kilometres south of Cooktown in Cook Shire, Queensland. It protects the imposing Black Mountain massif, a vast pile of black granite boulders devoid of soil and vegetation. Renowned for its stark, dramatic landscape and deep cultural importance to the Kuku Yalanji people, the park is viewed from a dedicated roadside lookout as access onto the boulders is prohibited.

Visitors can expect to view the vast, stark field of black granite boulders from a designated roadside lookout on the Mulligan Highway. There are no walking tracks, picnic areas or access onto the boulder field itself. The experience is limited to sightseeing, photography and reading interpretive signage about the geology and Aboriginal cultural significance from the lookout platform and car park area, surrounded by open woodland.

Gazetted as Black Mountain National Park in 1967 to protect the nationally significant black granite boulder formation. Renamed Kalkajaka National Park to recognise its Aboriginal name and Traditional Owner connection. The mountain has long been noted by explorers and geologists for its unique granite tors formed over millions of years.

Kalkajaka, meaning 'place of the spear', is a sacred and significant place for the Kuku Nyungkal and Kuku Yalanji peoples. It features in creation stories and cultural law and is regarded as a place to be respected and not entered. The park is jointly managed with Traditional Owners.