When visiting Mareeba and exploring our region and surrounds, please note that from time to time some roads may be temporarily closed due to weather or general maintenance. This also applies to the many national parks in our region. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service works closely with State Emergency Services to ensure their highest priority is safety to all visitors. Before heading our way, you can check the latest conditions to help you avoid any unexpected hazards on your drive. Statewide alerts can be found here: Dept of Transport & Main Roads | RACQ | Parks & Forests. Regional Council alerts can be found here: Mareeba Shire Council | Tablelands Regional Council | Cairns Regional Council | Cook Shire Council | Etheridge Shire Council.
Another excellent resource is the Travelling Safely in Mareeba Shire document.
Need help? If you can't find what you need call 07 4092 5674 or contact us.
You need to know where you can and cannot swim. Swim with care: always obey signage and if in doubt, stay out of the water. When boating or fishing in rivers, estuaries, tidal areas or deep, murky pools, keep your arms and legs inside the boat. Camp well back from the water’s edge, avoid repetitive behaviour. Take care at night when estuarine crocs are more active. Be extra careful on/in the water from September to March when crocodiles breed.
Our region is blessed with many stunning national parks, some featuring rivers, waterfalls and streams. These are always popular places to cool down and refresh in the crystal clear waters and are frequented by locals, as well as domestic and international visitors. Please note there are potential hazards when visiting natural areas, in particular, swimming in uncontrolled natural (‘wild’) environments. To help minimise risk the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service has prepared fact sheets to help educate visitors about the hazards, so they can make informed decisions about their actions. Download their Water Safety Fact Sheet here.
Severe flooding events can occur in our region and can strand travellers on uninhabited stretches of road, and swell river crossings making them dangerous to attempt. During the wet, never try to cross flooded bridges, causeways or roads. Find another route or simply wait – most flash floods recede within 24 hours.
This free-to-download, Australian government-funded app can help pinpoint where you are and mobilise emergency services to get to you as quickly as possible. It’s called Emergency+ App, and it uses the GPS functionality of your smartphone to establish your precise location in the event of an accident. All you do is click on the app, hit ‘call 000’, read your GPS coordinates off the phone screen, and help will be on its way. Find out more at emergencyapp.triplezero.gov.au
Alternatively, if you need help in an emergency you can phone 000 for police, ambulance or fire assistance, regardless of where you are in Australia.
© Mareeba Heritage Museum and Visitor Information Centre 2024
