Alcohol restrictions in Queensland communities
Mapoon
You are not allowed to drink alcohol in a public place in Queensland, unless the area is an approved wet area.
Restricted area
The Mapoon restricted area is the Mapoon Aboriginal Shire including all public and private places. The restricted area includes all beaches and foreshores above the low tide level. This includes Janie Creek and the mouth of and lower reaches of the Wenlock River where it is bound on both sides by the community area.
All creeks on the northern and southern sides of the Wenlock River are included in the restricted area.
However, the southern side is within the Napranum restricted area.
The lower and middle reaches of the Pennefather River are not included in the restricted area.
Alcohol restrictions
The maximum amount of alcohol that a person can have in the restricted area is:
- 2 litres of wine (unfortified), and
- 22.5 litres (2 cartons of 30 x 375ml can) of light or mid-strength beer with less than 4% of alcohol concentration, and
- 9 litres (1 carton of 24 x 375ml cans) of premixed spirits (up to 5.5% alcohol/volume)
or
- 2 litres of wine (unfortified), and
- 33.75 litres (3 cartons of 30 x 375ml cans) of light or mid-strength beer with less than 4% of alcohol concentration
This amount is per person on foot, or per vehicle, boat or aircraft regardless of the number of people in it.
Sly grog
It is illegal to sell alcohol without a licence or permit (sly grog) in Queensland. Penalties apply.
Phone the confidential Sly Grog Hotline on 1800 500 815 to report incidents of sly grog.
Penalties
Maximum penalties for possessing illegal alcohol in the restricted area are:
- first offence 375 penalty units (currently $58,050)
- second offence 525 penalty units (currently $81,280) or 6 months imprisonment
- third or subsequent offence 750 penalty units (currently $116,100) or 18 months imprisonment.
Vehicles found carrying alcohol above the set quantity in the restricted area may be confiscated.
It is also an offence to attempt to bring alcohol above the set quantity into the restricted area. The maximum is 375 penalty units (currently $58,050).
The maximum penalty for possessing alcohol in a dry place is 19 penalty units (currently $2,941).
These penalties apply to all people living in, travelling through, visiting or working in the restricted area.
The penalty unit from 1 July 2023 is $154.80.
In this guide:
- Aurukun
- Cherbourg
- Doomadgee
- Hope Vale
- Kowanyama
- Lockhart River
- Mapoon
- Mornington Island
- Napranum
- Northern Peninsula Area
- Palm Island
- Pormpuraaw
- Woorabinda
- Wujal Wujal
- Yarrabah