Alcohol restrictions in Queensland communities
Northern Peninsula Area
You are not allowed to drink alcohol in a public place in Queensland, unless the area is an approved wet area.
Restricted area
The Northern Peninsula Area (NPA) restricted area covers the communities that make up the NPA Regional Council (Bamaga, Injinoo, New Mapoon, Seisia and Umagico) and includes all public and private places within these communities. This includes the Bamaga/Injinoo Airport and Seisia Wharf.
It does not include Injinoo land south of Cowal Creek or Cowal Creek waterway, but includes its northern banks.
Alcohol restrictions
The maximum amount of alcohol a person can have in the restricted area is:
- 2 litres of wine (unfortified) and 11.25 litres (1 carton of 30 x 375ml cans) of any strength beer
or
- 2 litres of wine (unfortified) and 9 litres (1 carton of 24 x 375ml cans) of premixed spirits of up to 5.5% alcohol/volume.
This amount is per person on foot, or per vehicle, boat or aircraft regardless of the number of people in it.
However, the Loyalty Beach, New Mapoon and Seisia Camping Grounds are designated wet areas. Registered guests of these camping grounds are permitted to drink alcohol in accordance with the carriage limit.
There are several licensed premises in the restricted area where alcohol can only be sold for on-premises consumption to residents and their guests, or to a person who is eating a meal on the premises. Where takeaway sales are allowed, no more than the carriage limit can be sold for take away per person or vehicle no matter how many people are in the vehicle.
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