Tag Archives: Queensland

Camp for free along the Bruce Highway from Brisbane to Townsville

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Clairview rest area

Clairview rest area, Paul Smedley

The sun isn’t the only good reason to head north for winter – there’s also excellent free camping along the Bruce Highway. Sure, these rest areas might not exactly be Hayman Island, but if you’re driving north and want to save a buck or two, you won’t find a better guide than Paul Smedley’s (author of Budget Rest Areas around Australia (2nd edition) list of free overnight stops!

Landsborough park area 

Around 500m off the highway, about 95km south of Gympie, Landsborough park area ticks all the boxes. It’s free, dog friendly, doesn’t require an advanced booking, has toilets and drinking water, and is in an attractive setting. The only downside is that it’s not suitable for big caravans or motorhomes.

Browns Creek camping area 

If you have a motorhome, keep driving to this rest area 3km north of Yandina, via the Old Bruce Highway. This campsite is nestled in the forest and has a good range of facilities.

Six Mile Creek rest area 

This shady rest area just off the highway, 6km south of Gympie, is suitable for motorhomes and has a good range of facilities, including a dump point.

Chatsworth rest area 

On the other side of Gympie is Chatsworth rest area, which isn’t suitable for big caravans and motorhomes, but it does have accessible facilities and is dog friendly.

Gunalda rest area 

Gunalda rest area is only a hop, skip and a jump from Chatsworth rest area, 29km north of Gympie, with good facilities, shade and a picnic table. Oh, and it’s dog friendly!

Petrie rest area 

This secluded rest area is on the banks of the Mary River, 1km from the highway. It’s dog friendly, has barbecues and toilets. It’s also a really pleasant place to fish. And sometimes, you don’t need anything else.

Apple Tree Creek rest area 

In town at Apple Tree Creek, this dog-friendly site is suitable for big caravans and motorhomes, has good facilities, and – bonus! – a playground.

 

Wallum rest area

Wallum rest area, Paul Smedley

Wallum rest area 

Around 30km south of Bundaberg, this dog-friendly rest area is shady and has good facilities.

Gin Gin rest area 

With good facilities and shade, this dog-friendly rest area is a good place to stop, 2km north of Gin Gin.

Granite Creek rest area 

Around 60km north of Gin Gin, pull up under the impressively large trees, light a campfire and enjoy the good facilities of this dog-friendly site.

Boyne River rest area 

Situated on a riverbank, this rest area is just off the highway and has good facilities.

 

Calliope rest area

Calliope rest area, Paul Smedley

Calliope rest area 

This rest area is as spacious as you’d ever need it to be, situated 30km south of Mount Larcom.

Yaamba rest area 

Located in the town of Yaamba, next to the roadhouse, this rest area is a good option for an overnight stay and has good facilities, and, of course, easy access to the town.

Waverley Creek rest area 

A shady, spacious rest area with good facilities, just off the highway, 66km north of Marlborough.

Clairview rest area 

This is an absolutely charming site on the foreshore, in the north of Clairview. We highly recommend it!

Bloomsbury park area

Bloomsbury park area, Paul Smedley

Bloomsbury park area 

This basic site is a large open area next to the roadhouse in Bloomsbury.

Guthalungra rest area 

In Guthalungra, opposite the roadhouse, this rest area has basically no facilities, but you can stay overnight for free, so no complaints from us!

Home Hill rest area 

Just off the main street, this rest area has all the facilities you won’t find at Guthalungra, including showers and toilets.

Sandy Corner rest area 

This dog-friendly site, 8km north of Ayr, has toilets, drinking water and is suitable for big caravans and motorhomes.

Saunders Beach camping area 

This small camping area on the foreshore is around 7km west of the highway, but is well worth the extra drive for its good facilities, including a playground, and great location.

Find more free rest areas in Budget Rest Areas around Australia (2nd edition) by Paul Smedley.

 

 

 

 

     

Top 16 winter camping spots

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Gunlom camping area, Kakadu National Park, Lyndon Sparrow

Gunlom camping area, Kakadu National Park, Lyndon Sparrow

Want to camp without freezing your tent pegs off this winter? We’ve picked the best winter campsites in Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Lawn Hill Gorge camping area, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, Queensland

It’s hot, dusty – and incredibly beautiful. This is an oasis in the outback, with a palm-fringed emerald river hiding in a gorge. Lawn Hill Gorge camping area is the best camping area in the national park and has 20 sites ranged next to the creek.

Darlington Park camping area, Beaudesert, Queensland

This family-friendly gem is in the Gold Coast hinterland. With plenty of space and facilities, Darlington Park camping area is a popular site.

Platypus Bush Camp, Finch Hatton Gorge, Queensland

You might not catch a glimpse of Australia’s most elusive native creature (the platypus!) at this enchanting rainforest campground, but less elusive features here include hot showers with views, treehouses and a camp kitchen.

Babinda Creek camping area, Babinda, Queensland

Find water you can swim in at Babinda Creek camping area, a family-friendly camping area with good facilities nestled next to a creek south of Cairns.

Maureen’s Cove camping area, Whitsundays National Park, Queensland

It’s the holy grail of travel – good budget accommodation within an expensive tourist precinct. The campsites in Whitsundays National Park are one such accommodation option. Boat-access only Maureen’s Cove camping area is on the north coast of Hook Island. It has limited facilities, but swell snorkelling just offshore.

MV Sarawak camping area, Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area, Queensland

Dog-friendly and suitable for large groups, these campsites with a view (looking onto Fraser Island) might have limited facilities but that has not limited their popularity. Well worth a visit.

Camerons Corner camping area, Queensland

Camerons Corner camping area is the point where Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales meet – it’s also on the edge of the Stuart Desert, so you know it’s hot. There are good facilities and a store here.

Carnarvon Gorge camping area, Carnarvon National Park, Queensland

Gorge yourself on the views at Carnarvon Gorge – and then head back to Carnarvon Gorge camping area for the night. Only open during certain school holidays, this campground has good facilities and good access to the main attraction in the park.

Punsand Bay Camping Resort, Cape York, Queensland

It’s a long way to the top, but the drive is worth it for views like these – and for the experience of being at the tip of Australia. Punsand Bay Camping Resort is the closest campground to the northernmost point of Australia, and has tip-top facilities and activities.

Gunlom camping area, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory

This is one of the best camping areas in Kakadu, and not just because it has great facilities (although it does). No, this camping area is at the base of Gunlom Falls, where the views are remarkable and the waters are normally croc free.

Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary, Gibb River Road, Western Australia

Around 95km off Gibb River Road, down a well-graded road, this campsite is run by the not-for-profit Australian Wildlife Conservancy. It’s basic but beautiful, with shady sites ranged next to the river. And, as the name suggests, it’s a hang-out for local wildlife, as well as being close to gorges and other gorge-ous vistas.

Kooljaman camping area, Cape Leveque, Western Australia

Does it get much better than this? You’ll have to go and see for yourself.

The campground in Cape Leveque Wilderness Camp is suitably remote and beautiful (it’s greener than you’d expect), the facilities and amenities are good, and if you go for two nights, you’ll often end up staying for four.

Dales camping area, Karijini National Park, Western Australia

Karijini National Park is the jewel in the desert crown of the Pilbara region. On first glance, the national park seems to be red desert and shrubs. But the mountainous national park is hiding gorges with jewel-toned swimming holes and waterfalls. Dales camping area is near some of the best sights in the park, and has good facilities.

Surprise Creek Falls camping area, Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory

It wouldn’t surprise us if you fall in love with this remote and basic campsite in Litchfield National Park, if only for its access to an enchanting swimming hole.

Butterfly Springs camping area, Limmen National Park, Northern Territory

The three best things about this camping area are that it’s free, the spring that the campsite is named for is enchanting (and the only place to safely swim in the park), and it has a large population of butterflies that will flutter around you like you’re Snow White. A short distance off the Savannah Way, you can only stay at this campsite in dry weather.

Ormiston Gorge camping area, West MacDonnell Ranges National Park, Northern Territory

This camping area has one of the most scenic toilets you’ll find in Australia – and apart from that, it has great access to Ormiston Gorge, one of the Red Centre’s best known swimming holes.

 

 

     

Chase the blues away at the best campsites in Queensland

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Lawn Hill Gorge camping area, Lyndon Sparrow

Lawn Hill Gorge camping area, Lyndon Sparrow

Planning your trip north into Queensland to follow the sun?

These campsites in Queensland are sure to chase away the cold weather blues with their views, facilities and activities. And, of course, their affordability, so you can budget to spend more time in the warmth.

Lawn Hill camping area, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park

It’s hot, dusty – and incredibly beautiful. This is an oasis in the outback, with a gorge hiding a palm-fringed emerald river. Lawn Hill camping area is the best camping area in the national park and has 20 sites ranged next to a creek with good facilities.

Darlington Park camping area, Beaudesert

This family-friendly gem is in the Gold Coast hinterland. With plenty of space and facilities, Darlington Park camping area is a popular site.

Platypus Bush Camp, Finch Hatton Gorge

You might not catch a glimpse of Australia’s most elusive native creature (the platypus!) at this enchanting rainforest campground, but less elusive features here include hot showers with views, treehouses and a great camp kitchen.

Babinda Creek camping area, Babinda

Find water that you can swim in at Babinda Creek camping area, which is a family-friendly camping area with good facilities nestled next to a creek south of Cairns.

Maureen’s Cove camping area, Whitsundays National Park

It’s the holy grail of travel – good budget accommodation within an expensive tourist precinct. The campsites in Whitsundays National Park are one such accommodation option. Boat-access only Maureen’s Cove camping area is on the north coast of Hook Island with limited facilities, but swell snorkelling just offshore.

MV Sarawak camping area, Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area

Dog-friendly and suitable for large groups, these campsites with a view (looking onto Fraser Island) might have limited facilities but that has not limited their popularity. Well worth a visit.

Cameron Corner camping area

There’s not much to Cameron Corner camping area apart from knowing that you are camping at the point where Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales meet. There’s good facilities, a store and access to Sturt National Park.

Carnarvon Gorge camping area, Carnarvon National Park

Gorge yourself on the views at Carnarvon Gorge – and then head back to Carnarvon Gorge camping area for the night. Only open during certain school holidays, this campground has good facilities and good access to the main attraction in the park.

Punsand Bay Camping Resort, Cape York

It’s a long way to the top, but it’s worth it for views like these – and for the experience of being at the tip of Australia. Punsand Bay Camping Resort has the campsites closest to the top, and has tip-top facilities and activities.

 

 

     

Discover the Gold Coast hinterland’s national parks

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Natural Bridge cave

Natural Bridge cave

Melissa Chambers discovers the spectacular national parks, from Springbrook to Lamington, in the Gold Coast hinterland.

What do you think of when you hear the words ‘Gold Coast’? Most people immediately think of the Surfers Paradise glitter strip, the beaches, or the theme parks.

But within an hour’s drive from Surfers Paradise are the hidden treasures of the Gold Coast – the national parks!

Filled with rainforests, walking trails, rivers, waterfalls and dams, these national parks offer some of the most picturesque country you will find in Queensland.

So whether you are a local or just visiting it is well worth your time to spend a day or two exploring the beautiful hinterland. It’s a great family day out and best of all – most of it is free.

Hinze Dam

Hinze Dam

Hinze Dam

 Hinze Dam is the water storage facility for the Gold Coast region. It has just reopened to the public after being closed for four years, with new picnic and barbecue facilities, as well as a visitor centre and cafe. Plenty of thought has gone into the redesign of the recreational areas.

Access to the dam recreation area is now from the Nerang–Advancetown Road. If you are heading to Hinze Dam, don’t follow your GPS. It will send you to the side which is now closed. Go via Advancetown.

At the dam there is a large grassed area, perfect for the kids to kick the footy around on. The new stainless steel barbecues, which are free to use, are all undercover. There’s plenty of undercover seating and tables as well as lots of tables out in the open. There are also lots of well-established trees to provide shade, or you can just throw a rug on the ground and enjoy the sunshine.

Hinze Dam walking trackA walking track runs between the picnic area and visitor centre, and a walk along the length of the dam wall is a must to appreciate the huge amount of water that this dam holds. The wall itself is over 1800-metres long and offers spectacular views of the water and the hills surrounding the dam.

You aren’t permitted fuel-powered boats on the dam, but sail boats, electric-powered boats and canoes are welcome. There are also mountain bike trails throughout the area and horse-friendly trails as well.

Springbrook National Park– Purling Brook Falls

Purling Brook Falls

Purling Brook Falls

 Springbrook National Park is possibly one of the most spectacular national parks in Queensland, full of waterfalls, lookouts and walking tracks. Purling Brook Falls is superb and you are able to walk down to the eastern side of the falls, but you will have to return via the same way as the rest of the walking track is closed due to damage caused by last year’s heavy rain and floods.

If you don’t fancy going all the way to the bottom of Purling Brook Falls, you can walk across the top of them to the other side where there is another lookout. The Settlement camping area is only a short walk away and provides 11 designated camp sites, four of which are suitable for camper trailers or campervans. There are free electric barbecues, toilets and drinking water available in the campground. Bookings are essential for the campground and a permit must be displayed.

There are also several more lookouts in the park, including The Best of All Lookout, which looks out towards the NSW towns of Murwillumbah and Byron Bay. On a clear day the views are incredible. There are also a couple of good B&B’s in the area if you fancy staying a night. Rosella’s Coffee Shop at the Canyon Lookout is a cosy spot for morning tea, especially if the weather happens to be on the cooler side. The weather in the hinterland can get quite chilly so it is advisable to take a jacket.

Springbrook National Park– Natural Bridge

Natural Bridge waterfall

Natural Bridge waterfall

 If you continue down the road from Advancetown you will find yourself at Natural Bridge, a cave that formed at the base of a waterfall. It’s located just off the Nerang–Murwillumbah Road in Springbrook National Park.

The drive to Natural Bridge will take you through a couple of tiny villages that offer small cafes and roadside picnic areas – perfect for a quick refresher or somewhere to enjoy lunch.

The walking track at Natural Bridge takes you down to the bottom where there are viewing areas both inside and outside the cave, so make sure you have your camera ready.

Following the path will then take you up and over the ‘natural bridge’ to view the waterfall from the top. It is a spectacular sight, especially when there has been generous rainfall.

The cave also hosts a colony of glow worms, which of course can only be seen after dark. The whole of the Natural Bridge area is within a national park, so make sure you stay on the designated walking tracks. No swimming is permitted and fines do apply. And of course it goes without saying – take any rubbish with you!

Unfortunately, Natural Bridge is not wheelchair friendly and you will encounter stairs, rough terrain and a reasonable incline on the way back out, but it is well worth the effort. Anyone with a moderate level of fitness will easily be able to manage the walk.

An hour should be plenty of time for the walk and to enjoy the sights. It is advisable to take a water bottle and even in summer a light jacket may be required as it is often cool due to the overhanging trees of the rainforest. There are picnic tables and toilets available just next to the car park at Natural Bridge.

Lamington National Park– Binna Burra section

The Surfers Paradise Skyline from Beechmont

The Surfers Paradise Skyline from Beechmont

 The Binna Burra section of Lamington National Park is a beautiful mountain wilderness area full of walking tracks and waterfalls. From easy 20-minute scenic walks to three- or four-day treks, Binna Burra has a lot to offer.

Binna Burra is just over an hour’s drive from the Gold Coast. It’s a beautifully scenic drive passing through the small villages of Lower Beechmont and Beechmont. There are several spots along the way that afford spectacular views of the Surfers Paradise skyline, so make sure you keep an eye out for places to stop.

The Rosins Conservation Lookout is another fantastic spot to stop and take some photos as it looks out over almost the entire Numinbah Valley. The view is amazing and when conditions are right, you’ll be able to see hang-gliders launch from the lookout. There is also a picnic area and toilets are available.

Rosins Lookout

Rosins Lookout

Binna Burra itself has plenty to offer, and it’s worth staying overnight. There’s camping available in the Rainforest Campsites, where there are a variety of tent sites, a limited number of powered and unpowered van sites as well as safari tents.

If you are looking for something a little more upmarket there are also Mountain Lodges and Sky Lodges. The Sky Lodges in particular are very luxurious and contain spa baths and open fires and balconies to take in the amazing views from. Again there are plenty of picnic and barbecue facilities available or you can eat at either The Lamington Teahouse, which has amazing views or the Clifftop Dining Room at the Rainforest Lodge.

Lamington National Park – O’Reilly’s

A section of the amazing Tree Top Walk at O’Reilly’s

A section of the amazing Tree Top Walk at O’Reilly’s

 Located in the Green Mountain section of the Lamington National Park is O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, better known to locals and visitors as O’Reilly’s.

O’Reilly’s is located about an hour and a half’s drive west of the Gold Coast, but you may like to allow a little longer as the road is narrow and single lane in some places and very steep and windy. But once you come out at O’Reilly’s, you will see that it is all worth it.

There are three luxury accommodation options available at O’Reilly’s or you can camp in the adjacent Green Mountains camping area, which has tent and campervan sites available but is not suitable for caravans or motorhomes.

There are several short walks from O’Reilly’s ranging in distance from 800 metres to over 4 kilometres. A must-do walk while at O’Reilly’s is the Rainforest Tree Top Walk, which is an 800-metre-long walk consisting of boardwalks and tree-top suspension bridges, some of which are 16 metres above the ground. For those not worried by heights, there is a viewing platform 30 metres up a tree that you have to climb up to get to, and this is usually a favourite with the kids.

If you are looking for places to stop on your way into or out of O’Reilly’s take a detour to Kamarun Lookout, which is about 10 kilometres before O’Reilly’s. The views are stunning and on a clear day you are able to see the sand dunes on Moreton Island – pretty amazing!

You can find Melissa writing about other places to visit in Australia on her website, Camper Trailer Travels

     

Top 5 dog-friendly camping areas on Australia’s east coast

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Home Rule Campground

Home Rule Campground, Lyndon Sparrow

Finding dog-friendly camping areas can be a struggle. As most national parks and many holiday parks across the country don’t allow dogs, it can feel like your options are limited. But there are still plenty of great camping areas, with fantastic facilities, activities and views you can camp at with pets (and your family).

Coachwood camping area
Chichester State Forest, New South Wales

Hidden under Barrington Tops National Park is Chichester State Forest. You’ll find Coachwood camping area on the banks of the Telegherry River in the state forest, which makes the campsite attractive to families after some river-based fun – as well as the freedom to bring pets along for the trip. You’ll need to bring your own firewood and drinking water, and the campsite is inaccessible for two-wheel drives in wet weather.

Other dog-friendly camping areas in the Hunter Valley: Manning River camping area, Watagan Headquarters camping area, Lake Glenbawn camping area, Lake Liddell Recreation Area camping area, Lake St Clair camping area, Wharf Reserve camping area

Darlington Park camping area
Beaudesert, Queensland

One of the most popular camping areas on the Explore Australia website, Darlington Park was a shoe-in for this list due to its fantastic facilities, which make it perfect for families with pets. The camping area’s facilities range from a kiosk, to disabled access, to a playground and cricket ground for the kids, although you do need to bring your own drinking water.

Beaudesert is a great stopover point for drivers coming off the inland drive up from Melbourne, and is not too far from both Surfers Paradise and Brisbane. Darlington Park camping area is 25 kilometres south of Beaudesert via Kerry Road.

Other camping areas around Brisbane that welcome pets: Burgess Park camping area, Atkinson Dam Waterfront Caravan Park, Boonah Showground

Johanna Beach camping area

Johanna Beach camping area, Tourism Victoria

Johanna Beach camping area
Great Otway National Park, Victoria

Johanna Beach camping area is a free camping area just off the Great Ocean Road that allows dogs – so pretty much the perfect campsite. But a lot of other people think so too, so Johanna Beach is always crowded, and not recommended for campers searching for somewhere secluded and quiet.

The camping area is in Great Otway National Park, and is just behind the sand dunes at Johanna Beach, which is famous for its excellent surfing. The area offers plenty of sightseeing, as well as a plethora of walking tracks for the more active.

Other dog-friendly camping areas near the Great Ocean Road: Killarney Beach Camping Reserve, Queenscliff Recreation Reserve camping area, Skenes Creek Beachfront Caravan Park, Surfside Holiday Park

Loyalty Beach Campground and Fishing Lodge
Cape York, Queensland

You’ll find quite a few dog-friendly campsites on your way to the tip of Australia, but Loyalty Beach Campground has to be our pick of the bunch, from its excellent facilities to its prime beachfront location – although you’ll need to watch out for crocs.

Just 45 minutes from the tip of Cape York, this campsite has a prime location. The camping is spectacular, offering 500 metres of grassed beachfront sites where you can set up shop. The amenities at Loyalty Beach include everything from powered sites to hot showers, and pets are allowed under supervision.

Other camping areas in Cape York that welcome pets: Bramwell Station Tourist Park, Home Rule Rainforest Lodge camping area, Cullen Point camping area, Granite Gorge camping area, Musgrave Roadhouse

Mystery Bay Camp Ground (bush camping)
Mystery Bay, New South Wales

If the spectacular views from Mystery Bay Camp Ground weren’t enough to convince you to visit this campsite, the fact that your pet can come along and enjoy the view as well might be. Mystery Bay is situated on the South Coast of New South Wales between Narooma and Tilba Tilba.

While this is bush camping, so don’t expect too many amenities, Mystery Bay camping area can fit all sorts of rigs, and is shaded by gum trees. And if you ever get sick of sitting there and admiring the views, there are plenty of activities you can enjoy nearby, from fishing to swimming.

This is one of our favourite campsites.

Other dog-friendly camping areas on the south coast: Araluen Creek camping area, Danjera Dam camping area, Newtons Crossing camping area

What are your favourite dog-friendly camping areas?