This working farm stay has camping amongst the mango trees overlooking a creek. Roaming geese and chickens wander by your van as do the owners friendly dogs.
Leo and Fay (the caretakers) keep the grassy sites well watered and cared for. They also keep the firewood and paper stocked for the large fire pit. Greg, the owner, likes a good yarn and it’s clear his heart and sole is part of the land. He likes to take campers for a drive to look at his farm. In addition if you’re keen, he will show you how they burn the cane. This is between June and December (not the months we were here)
Day Trips
Staying at Burdekin Farm Stay for two nights we got to relax by the creek. We also ventured out for a couple of day trips. Townsville is an hour north and has some great places to eat and drink. They have a botanic garden, to me it’s quite small compared to others we have been to. Still nice to have a stroll around. The wall art was a pleasant surprise.
Ayr town centre is only a short drive away and also has many places to dine.
Townsville Botanical Gardens
Townsville Wall Art
Townsville Wall Art
Heading South
On the way back out of Ayr we spotted the Big Anaconda. Tick, another big thing of our list. As we headed south we stopped at Home Hill Comfort Stop for a coffee and to check it out. Also stopping a little further at Glen Erin Farm Stay for a couple of nights.
Big Anaconda Ayr
Farm Stay Contact Information
This is a great farm stay, at a great price. Greg likes campers to ring first, as anyone would if someone was camping on there property.
This is a list of all the Showgrounds, sports and recreation camps that we have visited/stayed on our travels. This is only a fraction of what is available around Australia. We cover our stops in 5 states, so far!
Some of these are free, some are a donation and some are low cost.
Kenilworth is a beautiful small country town in Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The showgrounds has over 200 sites which might account for the two dump points, two sets of toilets and showers. This one of the best showgrounds we have stayed at. It also boasts a swimming pool and skate park.
Whether you like the greens and browns of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland or the Blue’s and white sandy beaches of the coast this is Location, Location, Location.
Montville – 30 minutes
Eumundi markets – 30 minutes
Maleny – 40 minutes
Ginger factory & Nut factory – 40 minutes
Noosa & Hastings street – 50 minutes
Mooloolaba – 1 hour
Pets: Yes
Price : $20 power and water (2 people) – $15 un-powered
Water ? : Yes
Power ? : Yes
Will suit: All sized vehicles
Is it on Wikicamps ?: Yes
Drive time to nearby shops: WALK 1 minute
WIFI (tested with boost): Yes
Amenities : 2x shower and toilet blocks
Other : Loan a fire pit and buy wood, Skip bin, 2x dump points Swimming Pool, Skate Park, Shops at your door, Playground over the road, BBQ over the road, Close to the river, hinterland and beach drives
Fifty kilometres west of Bundaberg is Gin Gin and it’s large showground. A short walk to the main street with shops, pub’s and bakery’s.
Pets: Yes
Camp type : Showgrounds
Price : $20 power and water
Water ? : Yes
Power ? : Yes
Will suit: All sized vehicles
Is it on Wikicamps ?: Yes
Drive time to nearby shops: 1 minute to main street
WIFI (tested with boost): Yes
Amenities : Toilets, showers
Other :Laundry, dump point, camp kitchen, seating, BBQ, bins, near to shops. This is a great spot to spend a couple of days and visit Bundy and it’s factory’s.
You can find this beach side camp at Halliday Bay, 40 minutes north of Mackay, 1.5 hours South of Airlie Beach and only 10 minutes to Cape Hillsborough
The golf club has a large grassed area put aside for camping and it will fit any size van. You can hear the waves from your van as you sit having happy hour. The cost of this Golf Course Camp is $22 per night. No you don’t have power and water but you have a beach right there. You also have access to a bar and activities.
Beach with stinger netSea Views
Pets: Yes
Price: $22 Inc. One game of golf for one person per night paid for.
Water: Yes – You have to ask for it and pay for it separately.
Power: No
Will suit: All sized vehicles
Amenities: Toilet (take a torch at night)
Other: swimming at the beach, seating, volleyball, tennis, golf, dump point, self-contained only, Bar, Food, View
Jericho is in central west Queensland. This is a smaller yet busy showgrounds. At $60 for a week inc. power and water you can understand why. If you’re in a tent it’s only $5 a night, un-powered is $10pn and only $15pn for power and water. This is such good value, please use the yellow honesty box.
What a lovely spot to spend 72hrs. Payment is a donation, $6 or $12 for power and water. A small town with a big heart. Councillor Geoff (from the local Shire) come to see each of the vans parked up. He give us a map and some first hand information on Wagin and it’s surrounds. The showgrounds has a dump point on site and is close to some great attractions. This town loves us caravanner’s 🙂
Our top things to do:
1. Wagin Historical Village – a two minute walk away
2. Coffee at – Visual Effects Framing Gallery – also sells hand made items
3. Puntapin Rock – a great view but lots of flies
4. Giant Ram – One of Aussies many Big things
5. Old Well – A bit more history
Pets: Yes
Price: $6 Per-night or $12 Per-night with power and water
Water: Yes
Power: Yes
Will suit: All sized vehicles
Amenities: None
Other: Dump Point, close to nice town and things sight seeing.
Dumbleyung – Stubbs Park, Pavilion and Sportsground
We didn’t stay but had a look around camp site. It’s a huge area that has a dump point and is about 300 meters from the “ Grande Olde Dumbleyung In”. Close to Lake Dumbleyung and other pretty lakes. Donald Campbell broke the world water speed record here. A replica of his Bluebird K7 is on show in town.
Burra is a large showground in a interesting location. Check out the Goal and Mine site. For a bit of pop culture, see the old house down the road which was used on the cover of the famous Midnight Oil album, Diesel and Dust.
Pets: Yes
Price: $15pn powered or not
Water: Yes (only three taps)
Power: Yes
Will suit – All sized vehicles
Amenities: Toilets and a shower
Other: Some seating, Dump point, Knowledgeable caretaker
This camp site is a popular place, then for $7 you would expect it to be. Pop in to the club for a drink and some food. The club is near some salt flats and the town has a Coles, woollies, Big W, and many fast food store’s. About 30 minutes away is the small town of Quorn, well worth checking out for its links to the Ghan steam train.
Fits all size vans
Pets: yes
Price: $7
Water: Yes – some people using water by the dump point
Tallangatta has a nice feel, surrounded by hills, trees and Lake Hume. You can park around the sports oval and connect to power and water. Tallangatta is a great little town with an IGA, Library with free Wi-Fi. It also has coffee shops and Bakery, a couple of petrol stations and not forgetting the pub.
This is a 7 day donation camp, only a short drive to Bendigo. Parking is on a huge oval and has room for any van size. The toilets and BBQ area are close by. In addition to the playground and basketball hoop.
Sebastian Racecourse and Reserve
Pets: Yes
Price: donation
Water: Yes ( for container filling only)
Power: No
Will suit – All sized vehicles
15 minutes to Bendigo
Amenities : 24hr Toilet
Other : Electric BBQ, basket ball hoop, playgrounds
The showgrounds are large and clean. All the power and water points looked brand new on our stay. On three sides of the grounds are horses and on the fourth is a petrol station. A toilet/shower/laundry block is available. The caretaker arrived later in the day to collect the $20. Have a walk over the bridge in to town.
This camp is in a great location and is surrounded by greenery and trees. 112 km west of Coffs Harbour and 79 km east of Armidale. This grassy camp has 2 long drop toilets and few undercover benches to sit at. Take your own dunny paper! It’s just off the main road so no going out of your way. There is a walking track from here if you want to take in the surrounds.
Cassilis is a quiet, friendly little town. The club has parking for many vans of all sizes. Have dinner and a drink at the club or grab a take away pizza.
Pets:Yes
Price: $15 pn – Last year it was $50 a week this may have changed.
Water: Yes
Power: Yes
Will suit – All sized vehicles
Amenities: Toilet and showers
Other: Meals at the bowling club, Large flat areas
A brand new toilet and shower is by the BBQ area, as is a sink for doing your dishes if needed. For a small donation you can use the public swimming pool at the back of the club. A dump point is at the showgrounds basically on the same grounds as the Bowling Club, handy! The Showgrounds were $18 on our stay.
Pets: Yes
Price: $5pp for up to 72hrs
Water: Yes
Power: Yes
Will suit – All sized vehicles
Amenities: toilet, shower
Other: Meals, pokies, swimming pool, dump point, great town
Pub Camping was something we knew nothing about before we hit the road. Once we found out about the Facebook page “Country Pub Camping” all that changed.
Pub/hotel camping is not only a cheap way to camp around Australia but it helps out our outback and county towns.
Buy a drink (it doesn’t have to be alcohol) or a counter meal, something to show your support for their camp.
We have added pub camps in every state and territory. The camps are either located at the pub or are within walking distance of a licensed place.
For each of these camps we have previously written a Full Write up on it. Click on the “Orange Highlighted” name of each pub to be redirected to the Full Post on that pub camp. This includes:
Photo’s
If Pet Friendly
Amenities
Google map location
Much more
These were 22 camps, now being updated with more, including Tasmania! Call back soon to check them out.
20 km from Mackay, in Sandiford is the General Gordon. Camping is in a large area, behind the pub. It’s located down a quiet road surrounded by sugar cane.
Bloomsbury is between Airlie Beach and Mackay is this Free Camp. This is a huge gravel pit located at the BP petrol Station. Any size rig will fit here. Oh’ Yes, and it’s not a pub but has a bottle shop.
Located in Camooweal, this pub camp is located 13km from the NT/QLD border. Power and water is available. They also have a pool! Toilet, shower and laundry.
This hotel is in Tarago, 30 minutes to Goulburn. We visited this pub on the way to Canberra. Traveling from our Farm Sit on a day out. Camping is behind the pub.
One hour from Dunedoo in Cassilis. The bowling club itself is no longer a Bowling Club. It is now basically running as a low cost park. Lots of large grass spaces to park on. Head to the club house for pizza and a drink.
Located in Albury, camping is on a large grass oval at the back of the pub. Since staying this pub has closed and reopened multiple times. Please check before going!
30 minutes form Geraldton, in Bowes, is Oakabella. This place is heritage listed, circa 1850s. Noted as the most haunted location in Western Australia. Camping is on a huge grassed area. Pop in to the licenced tea and have a look around.
3 hours from the NT/QLD border, in Tennant Creek, this roadhouse has all you need. The camp has power, water, pub, cafe, pool. Barkly Roadhouse itself has barista coffee, snacks, lunch, dinner, drinks, clothes, food and souvenirs. You can get a gas bottle refills as well as fuel.
30 minutes from Renmark is this well known pub. Camping is by the river with lots of walking tracks. One is 700m to the pub. Built in 1859, the walls are made of 1 ½ inch fossilised Limestone.
A 7 day free camp, 45 minutes from Shepparton. This riverside camp is only a couple of minutes walk over to the pub. Toilets, playground, fishing and a shop up the road
Having checked out a couple of island beach camps we headed to Smalleys beach on the mainland. Smalleys Beach is at Cape Hillsborough National Park. This stunning location is less than 7pp.
About 45 minutes NE of Mackay you hit the narrow 4km gravel road that will take you to the entrance. This is fine for most vans, campers and tenter’s. We were glad we hadn’t brought our 21ft van though. We would not want to be caught with traffic coming the other way. And the turning circle at the camp looked a little to tight for us personally.
Smalleys Beach Camp
The parking areas are large circles set back in native trees and shrub. You look down and out to the white sandy beach and beautiful blue ocean. The ground is dirt/grass, not sand so no need to worry about getting stuck.
It seamed everyone camping here loved fishing. A gazebo had been set up on the beach for the fishermen, women and children. If you like your fishing this is the place to camp.
As well as sea life you will spot bush turkeys. Not forgetting roos on the beach at sunrise.
If you have a kayak Smalleys would be a beaut spot to take it out. Watch the tides so you don’t get stuck carrying it back in.
Toilets, water and picnic benches are available. Fires are also allowed as long as it’s contained and off the ground.
Near By Activities
Mangrove Board Walk – Wander through the mangroves and Xanthorroea grass on this meandering 1.2km board walk.
Cape Hillsbrough Beach – Famous for it’s friendly roos/wallabies at sunset and sunrise.
Seaforth – Markets on a Sunday, Great beach, Fishing and launch your boat.
Smalleys Beach has 11 camps. I have read, sites 10,11 and 1 are the best pics. They are at each ends of the camp and so are more secluded.
Booking numbers must be displayed at your camp site.
The cost is less than $7 pp pn which you can book at Queensland National Parks. VisitSite hereto book online or call 13 74 68. Phone reception at the site is not the best so booking should be made ahead of arrival.
You can find this beach side camp at Halliday Bay, 40 minutes north of Mackay, 1.5 hours South of Airlie Beach and only 10 minutes to Cape Hillsborough.
Whether you’re into golf or not this camp is not one to be missed. This is all about location location location. See the short video at the end of the post to see what I mean 😀
This post has been edited 10th June 2019 as we stayed for 5 more nights
Halliday Bay Golf Course
Our first visit was back in 2018, calling in to have lunch and check out the camp. This time we were here to stay a night or 5.
On our first visit I noticed the bar/dinning area is not available every day so best to enquire.
Leonne, one of the caretakers, who is still here, served us and was really friendly. She was happy to answer all the questions I had on staying at the camp.
Leonne told us that one game of golf is included in the price for one night stay. If you’re a golfer this is an amazing deal. This is a 9 hole course designed by Ross Watson. I have no idea who he is but if you’re a golfer you might 😀
As well as the golf course you can make use of the tennis and volleyball courts.
Tennis and Volleyball
A few feet from your van is a glorious beach. If your worried about stingers the beach has a net for swimming.
Beach with stinger net
The Camp
A huge grass area backing on to the beach is set up for camping. Water is now available and one site has power. This site needs to be pre-booked. You do have use of toilet, bins, dump point and can have grey water on the ground.
You can hear the waves from your van as you sit having happy hour. Or watch the sun go down from the beach.
Sea Views
The fire pit is lit in the cooler months so head over for drinks and a chat. You will probably meet other campers who have returned. We were the 3rd couple by the fire that had called back as we liked it so much.
The cost of this Golf Course Camp is $22. If you require water it’s $27 per night. This includes one game of golf.
Our plan to stay two nights turned to five. Both of us got a free game. You have a beach right there. You have a bar and activities. Your pet is welcome and they have Gas.
Halliday Bay has a walking track at the end of the beach. It’s 800 meters and worth the effort to get to the top. The views are stunning over Ball Bay and the ocean.
We ended up staying 5 night to get the walk, golf, shopping and the relaxing in.
See below for full details and Google Map location along with a video.
Also if you like staying at showground, sports and recreation grounds you might like our post on the ones we have stayed at. Updated each time we stay at one. With over 17 in 5 states at this time.You can read them all in one place here
Picture the following scenario in your minds eye….
Your travelling Australia and come across a great free camp in the middle of nowhere. The Sun is shining and the birds are chirping. The surroundings next to that dream spot by the flowing river is full of peace and tranquility. You’re thinking to yourself over a early morning cup of coffee …geesh life is great does it get any better than this ?.
You decide while on your natural high to go explore the area on foot. You set off to see what other beauty awaits you along a the nearby bush walk.
Unfortunately you return to find that someone else decided they liked your caravan better than you did. Someones hooked up to your van and taken off with it, or has broken into the van and taken all the contents.
It’s a scenario that starts off well but ends with one of a travellers worst nightmares. Well now there’s extra precautions you can take thanks to the team at Leisure Technologies. The WITI wireless trailer interface and anti theft system.
WITI is available from Caravan RV Camping
The WITI options
We bought one of these systems several months ago. It comes in two varieties.
A single trailer interface unit that connects to your van. It performs anti theft and alarm functions using your house batteries.
2. A trailer and vehicle interface unit that performs
Anti theft
Alarm functions
Wirelessly connects your vehicle to the van. This feature eliminates the need to connect the often troublesome trailer plug.
We chose to buy the 2nd option and were excited to test out the new technology. There is debate in the community from some that are afraid to test new technology.
They have concerns whether a wireless trailer plug is safe and reliable. I can confirm after a few months of having it operational we have never had a issue with the connection. The WITI is thoroughly tested and meets Australian standards
So what does the WITI do ?
If an attempt is made to steal your caravan or trailer:
WiTi will detect movement via a highly sensitive gyroscope.
The system immediately applies the brakes.
This prevents the caravan or trailer from being towed off into the sunset.
It will also flash all the external lights and sound a 105db alarm.
In our test it does this beautifully. There is also an option upon purchase to get it re programmed to also act as your breakaway brake system.
What’s our experience with the wireless trailer connection ?
Once I wired up the two units and popped in the fuses the vehicle and trailer units paired up almost instantly.
I could tell this easily by turning the ute lights on and the caravan lights also came on. Even though it’s not a relevant test, i decided to see what range i could get from the wireless connection.
So off i drove for around 400 meters before the lights on the van went out. What this tells me though is if I’m actually connected to the drawbar, the signal is strong enough that it’s un likely to struggle for signal.
It works on a WIFI signal and is very stable.
Customer support
I shouldn’t put all companies into one group, but in my experience most businesses around Australia don’t have the best customer support. In fact some places customer support can be simply not existent.
However my experience with Tony was the opposite and was spot on. He was very helpful and responded efficiently with my questions and suggestions i had.
Overall evaluation
Overall the WITI is one of those innovative systems that does what it says on the box. The leisure technologies team are also working towards a couple of exciting new features for future versions.
These new features will also improve on a already good functioning anti theft deterrent device. So keep a lookout on their website for future updates.
Now get out there and have your bush walk knowing you’ll come back to a caravan that is where you left it.
Caravan RV Camping sell WiTi. We are so happy to be able to offer you a $30 Discount Code for Caravan RV Camping. Spend over $500 and use the code “FULLTIME“ at the checkout to receive your discount.
Our van is a 21ft Jayco Starcraft which we have been living in since 2016. Like others, we thought we would follow the sun but that isn’t always the case.
We often talked about getting some form of diesel heater for those colder times. As we work while on the road (see here) and farm sit, naturally we go where and when is needed.
Neither of us like the cold but would like to spend more time enjoying those places. Tazzie is a place we want to prepare for and enjoy!
Photo: Our 21ft van
Why Did We Choose A Diesel Heater?
When plugged in to power we can use our reverse cycle aircon. Alternatives are needed when free camping so we chose diesel. From what we had read, we found these points suited our situation.
Diesel is cheaper to run than gas
Easier to install if you can do DIY
Don’t need to pay extra for a tradie to install
We already carry extra diesel for the Ute
Cheaper to buy
What Diesel Heater Did We Buy?
Update June 2019: We have replaced the white 10lt diesel tank that came with our heater as it split on the top. We replaced it with a normal 10lt diesel Jerry can, drilling a small hole in the bottom for the hose fitting.
Larry had read a lot of people had been buying from Pinnacle Wholesalers. Having read reviews on them and their heaters we decided to get one. We chose a 12 volt, 2KW Diesel heater.
Photo: Manual For Our Diesel Heater
Photo: Diesel Heater Stats
Pinnacale have 2KW and 5KW heaters for sale.
Where We Installed Our Diesel Heater
We chose to install the heater under our bed. The front of our van houses our batteries and is chokers full.
Our slide out bed is towards the back of the van. We chose this area as it has heaps of space and we wanted to mount the 10 lt diesel tank at the back of the van.
Photo: Larry Reviewing the situation
Photo: Perfect Space Under The Bed
Also, putting the diesel heater here, we could mount the controller next to the bed. Making it in easy reach on a cold morning.
Installing The Diesel Heater
Tools we used
Battery drill with hole saws
Jigsaw
Screw driver and spanners
Socket and Ratchet
When our box of goodies arrived we were very exited. I more so when the box was opened. I’m not into tools and parts but the tiny exhaust that comes with it, is sooo cute 😀 Anywayyy….
Photo: Let The Fun Start
Photo: All The Parts
Finding The Right Location
Larry had decided where under the slide out bed to place the heater and marked out the area. It took a couple of placements before he was happy.
He then started cutting out the floor so the pipes would fit through. Then he started with a hole for each pipe as this is what the instructions indicated.
However the instructions are geared towards fitting the heater against sheet metal not 18mm think floor boards so this wasn’t practical.
One larger hole was made instead and the two supplied metal mounting plates used to sandwich the floor and be able to attach the heater.
This larger hole was also beneficial so the heat of the exhaust didn’t touch the van.
Photo: Holes For The Wires & Pipes
Photo: Fiddly At First
Photo: Final Cut Out
Larry then headed under the van to attach the fuel line and exhaust. Also to screw the diesel heater in place.
Photo: The Tricky Part
Photo: Exhaust and fuel hose
Once it was all in place we made sure it wasn’t going to let anything in. I was worried about water or bugs. Smearing heat resistant silicone between the floor and the heater mounting plates to ensure a proper seal was the go.
We didn’t need to do this but I wanted to be 100% sure nothing was getting in and it wasn’t going to budge.
Larry also put a sealant around the cut made in the floor so water can’t be sucked into the wood.
Photo: Sue Drilling The Holes For Outlet
Photo: Outlet Pip Attached
We had a aluminium metal plate made to house the fuel tank and to protect it. We attached it to both the caravan and the back bar.
Larry also added sikaflex to the screws so they don’t try and wiggle out while we travel.
Photo: 10lt Tank – Now replaced with 10lt normal Jerry Can
Photo: Aluminium Housing
Tips To Fitting A Diesel Heater
Adding the outlet fitting to the base of the fuel tank – Use a long piece of welding wire or similar to direct the fitting to the hole in base of the tank. Then slide it down the wire and pull it through with some pliers
Making the whole in the floor – Before cutting any hole in the floor make sure to check you’re not going to come across chassis rail, wires or pipes on the underside of the van.
How We Have Found It
Heat: We are in Queensland at the moment and not in the freezing cold but it has been nippy. We have had the heater on a few times and it makes a big difference. Like any heater you notice it more when you come back in from the cold. I can still wear shorts in the van and not have to rug up to much.
It takes a while to warm up the van first thing on a cold morning but that might be our van? As with a house, closing the bathroom door, closing the ceiling hatch blinds etc. help keep the warmth in.
The 2kw heater is fine for at least a 21 foot caravan and they use next to no diesel when operating. A larger one may be better to heat quicker though.
Noise: On starting, stopping and re-booting you hear it the most. Nothing that your neighbours would hear.
While it’s running it blends in to the background. I’m not sure if we would leave it on over night as once it gets below your set temperature it re-boots and then beeps on start up.
This would probably wake me at night but probably not Larry. In saying that if I was in the freezing cold it would be going on!
We asked our Facebook followers what they use and this is the feedback we got.
Hot water system/air heater. The Truma Combi 4E water/air heater kit uses gas and operating on 12 volts, the system can generate up to 4000 watts of heat.
Photo: Truma Caravan Heater
Gas Heater: Truma also make a gas heater
Photo: Truma Gas Heater
Small Electric Heater: If you have use of 240v power, a portable electric heater might be for you.
Photo: Small Electric Heater
But you can buy them from cheaper shops, such as the Reject shop.
Oil Heater: This one is $39 from Target. It has adjustable thermostat control, overheat protection system, tip over protection and 3 heat settings.
Photo: Oil Heater From Target
Dyson Fan Heater: I didn’t know Dyson made heaters until one of our followers told us she used one.
Photo: Dyson Heater
Cheap Alternatives
Extra blankets, doonas
Hot water bottle
Cook a roast, dinner or bake in your oven. This kills two birds with one stone. (But make sure you still use ventilation so you don’t gas yourself)
Electric blankets
Sleep with the dog on the bed
Snuggle up butter cup 😉
Wear some Ugg Boots! You can’t go wrong with a pair of Ugg Boots to keep your feet warm;)
Obviously common sense should prevail when dealing with safety and heating. We do recommend the diesel heater over the other suggested alternatives. Your decision lies in what you feel safe and happy using.
Heaps Of Camping & Gift Ideas At Adventure Awaits
Get This Map To Track Your Trip
Save $30 when you spend over $500 at Caravan RV Camping. Use the code “FULLTIME” at the checkout to receive your discount.
The General Gordon Hotel is 20 km south of Mackay’s CBD. It’s close to Homebush, also the name of the road its on.
Arriving early in the morning we noticed quite a few vans parked up.
We didn’t stay but wanted to check the camp out while in the area. Staying at the low cost Mycow caravan park near by, it was a short drive.
General Gordon Camp Area
Camping is in a large area behind the pub. We noticed tents, caravans and buses all fitting in nicely.
Camping area
The back of the pub has an open undercover seating area, open for all to use 24/7. You can play pool here and sit on the couch. They also have a water cooler available in this area.
24/7 open area
Water Cooler
Fire pit
The pub is located down a quiet road surrounded by sugar cane.
O’Connell River is 45km south of Airlie Beach and 100km north of Mackay
We headed here for a night to see a couple of mates. One had his parents staying in their bus for a few days. A great night was had with card tricks, drinking and them making us a lovely dinner.
We heard and read mixed reviews on this park and I will probably do the same.
O’Connell River Caravan Park
The park is on the O’Connell River, hence the name. From the road it looks quite nice and very green.
Driving in, it is nice and lush the rest of the park is also lovely and green. This is probably my favourite part about the park.
The reception looks a bit shabby but the guy at the desk was nice and friendly. He grabbed his buggy and was happy to show us to our site.
We asked for a drive through site and coincidentlly got put next to the people we were visiting. The site was actually a couple of sites but as they were not busy we were ok.
There is an abundance of bird life here especially by the river.
The River
I headed down to the O’Connell River for a look around.
Apparently you can fish here, I think the reception sells bait and other fishing basic gear.
They have a sign warning against Croc’s so no swimming I’m afraid.
I was surprised to see the camp kitchen/BBQ here.
It’s not the best looking camp kitchen but what a lovely place to to have it. The river is on one side and green space on the other.
Camp kitchen/BBQ
As I was walking back to our site I heard some shouting from one of the permanent residents. I was a bit worried it was going to be a noisy stay but he stopped quickly.
This park has quite a few permanents by the looks of it and that’s sometimes not a good look or feel.
The toilet block is old but colourful and the laundry is basic but at least they have one.
Amenities
Dump Point
I found the dump point interesting but again at least they have one!
One of our friends took a dip in the pool. A bit cool this time of the year for me I think. In this same area you can get your gas bottle refilled if needed. Our mates folks paid $30 to fill their 9kg bottle.
Pool
Would we stay again? Probably not. It’s not a bad park, in-fact as I said I love the greenery and the river. But, as there are so many other parks around, this would not be my first choice.
On saying that it might be worth checking out yourself and it’s a good price.
Eungalla National Park is 1.5hrs away and is beautiful. Scenic walks, breathtaking views and watch platypus swimming in the river. See more on Eungalla here
Eungella
Airlie Beach is 45 minutes away. A great resort town and gateway to 74 islands on the Great Barrier Reef. Find fabulous restaurants, fantastic bars and fun trips. See more on the area here
Sue’s Tiger Moth Flight
Larry on one of the beaches
Mackay is 1 hour away. It has shopping centres, Aqua Park, Lagoon, Harbour and Botanic Gardens. More here on the Mackay region
Cape Hillsborough National Park is less then an hours drive. A great place for putting your boat in, fishing and walking. More here
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