SA - Yorke Peninsula - Edithburgh

Edithburgh was my favourite town on the Yorke Peninsula. The town centre has many of the beautiful old buildings that this area is so well known for.
The jetty is another long one and was packed with fishermen. There are shelters with seats so you can get out of the adverse weather on those blistery days. Diving and snorkelling is very popular at this jetty and we were wanting to snorkel but it was windy and cold the two days that we were here.
There are several en suites in the park as well as a basic toilet block. The park is across from the boat launching ramp and the park has a boat washing and a fish cleaning area. Our site had "fake grass" which made it nice to walk on instead of the crushed rock and sparse bits of grass everywhere. Our site was opposite the ramp so we enjoyed watching the fishermen coming and going all day.

The fee was $25.00 per day.

Edithburgh Caravan Park
The Forshore, Edithburgh
Ph:08 8852 6056

SA - Yorke Peninsula -Marion Bay

We left Point Turton and drove to the southern point on the peninsula and stayed at the Marion Bay Caravan Park. There is no beach views but it is only about 50 metre walk to the beach. The park has good facilities and many shady sites. There is a play ground just outside the camp fence line for children.
We spent two nights here using it as a stepping stone to drive to Corny point and then south along the coast road and to Innes National Park. Some of the beaches along the coast are beautiful with the gorgeous turquoise blue water.
As it was harvest time, the farmers were busy in the fields and we enjoyed watching them trying to get the grains in before the impending rain storms.

Marion Bay Caravan Park
17 Willyama Drive
Marion Bay
Ph: 08 8854 4094
www.marionbay.info

SA - Yorke Peninsula- Point Turton

Point Turton is towards the southern end of the Yorke Peninsula on the west coast. This is another lovely little beach side town with a jetty and excellent sheltered boat launching ramp.
The caravan park is located in the old quarry and it was the first time in months that we have had a grassed site. The grass felt so spongy under foot. It is amazing how you forget something that we always just take for granted.
Most people that were staying at the park were here for the fishing, so Mike got right into the swing of things. They were fishing for garfish. Mike didn’t have the necessary equipment but it didn’t long at the camp site office for him to purchase what was needed and he was ready to go.
About his second cast he had caught one but that was the extent of the excitement. One certainly won’t make a meal so he made a fellow fisher person very happy by donating his catch to their dinner plate.

The amenities were old but beautifully maintained with hanging plants that made you feel at home. One of the staff showed us his herb garden and invited us to come and help ourselves whenever we wished.

Lovely friendly park.

Point Turton Caravan Park
Bayview Rd ( adj to jetty)
08 8854 5222

SA - Yorke Peninsula-Wauraltee Beach

This was our first free camp on the Yorke Peninsula and we chose a great spot. After four klms of dirt road we arrived at the beach, backed our van facing it and enjoyed the view. We were the only ones here and at first felt a little nervous but later we relaxed and appreciated the fact that you could pull up somewhere so beautiful and it not cost you a cent. We went for a couple of walks along the beach and found several abalone shells which were almost perfect.
The sunset was spectacular as it set over the ocean.
What a spot!

Camping spot #398
Hema 68 G4
Head west at Wauraltee on 4 klms dirt road.

SA -Yorke Peninsula-Wallaroo

Wallaroo is a major grain exporting centre for the area. The jetty is large and is always busy with people fishing. Unfortunaltely, the end of the jetty has been closed to the public and can only be accessed by the employees silos.
Between two of the jettys is a large swimming area which has a shark net around in the summer time. The water was lovely and warm while we were here.
There are two camping areas in town. We stayed at the Office Beach Holiday Park which is a very small park within walking distance to down town and the jetty. The amenities block was small but clean. There was an outside shower which was handy after our swim in the ocean. The fee for one night was $22.00.
There is also another park in town which is much larger and looks lovely. It is the Wallaroo North Beach Tourist Park.
They have recently built a marina in Wallaroo which has a restaurant, bottle shop and apartments. We had lunch here and it was lovely sitting watching the water. One of my favourite pastimes.

Office Beach Holiday Cabins and Caravan Park
11 Jetty Rd
Ph: 08 8823 2722

SA - Port Augusta

Port Augusta is known as the crossroads of Australia. It is where the major north/ south and east/west highways meet.
We chose the Shoreline Caravan Park because of the name. We had not seen a river or the ocean for a while and the name sounded as though we might be in luck to view some water.
The park certainly was on water but we felt like we were imprisoned. There were high fences all the way around with barbed wire across the top. All the gates that led out onto the sand and the water were locked and the only way in or out was through the main gate. We had an uneasy feeling when the lady at reception told us to keep our van and car locked at all times as thieves may be around.
The park has a pool. Even though it is small it was a life saver in the 40 degree heat. The park is large with two amenities blocks which are very clean, a TV room and play area for the children.
The park is a Top Tourist member so the fee was $22.50 a night.

Shoreline Caravan Park
Gardiner Ave
Port Augusta, SA
Ph: 08 8642 2965

SA - Roxby Downs

This is the only caravan park in town so this makes things easy. The park has many cabins but only a few camping sites. We were lucky enough to get one with trees as a semi permanent site had just been vacated. The normal caravan section is very barren, on gravel and no shade.
The two amenities were large and clean. They also have a lovely grassed area for barbeques. The owners are wonderful and there is a book exchange at the office.
We came up this way to visit Woomera and noodle for opals at Andamooka. Unfortunately the temperature was up in the 40’s for both days that we were here so very little noodling was done.

Myall Grove Holiday Park
56-94 Burgoyne St
Roxby Downs SA 5725
Ph: 08 8671 1991
website: www.aspenparks.com.au

SA - Coober Pedy

We had been recommended by several people to stay at the Stuart Range Caravan Park and were very happy here. Many of the sites were covered by shade cloth which helped keep the direct heat off the van.
The amenities block was clean, a good camp kitchen with lots of seating and a beautiful swimming pool. As it was in the 40’s while we were here so the pool was a life saver.
The park also has a pizza restaurant with delicious pizza’s. They have thin crusts which are my favourite and very generous with their tasty toppings.
The powered site was $24.00 with our Big 4 discount.

Stuart Range Caravan Park (a Big 4 member)
cnr Hutchinson St and Stuart Hwy.
08 8672 5179

NT - SA Border

This rest area is 273 klms south of Alice Springs and on the border. There are information boards about what to see in both states as well as a bit of history.
There are many parking bays for large vehicles. Fires are permitted and there is a wood barbeque available. There are two drop toilets which don’t smell which amazes me out here in this heat.
A good place to stop.
Hema Camps 4, stop #54.
Hema 100 K7

NT - Finke River Rest Area

This free camp area is 126 klms south of Alice Springs beside the river, or should we say beside the dry river bed.
Number 42 in the Hema maps.
We had a lovely night camping here with three other couples and lit a fire which was much needed as the temperature dropped to 6 degrees. Mike got up in the morning and re started the fire which was fantastic to wake up to.
There is a toilet block and two covered eating areas but as the rest area is beside the road the road trains feel like they are rolling right next to your bed.

NT - West Macdonnell Ranges

Glen Helen Resort

132 klms west of Alice Springs on Namatjira Drive is Glen Helen Resort. There is a lodge as well as a large camp ground. There is no need to book as people tend to only stay here a couple of days while exploring the fantastic surrounding areas.
The campsites have a few trees, and a couple of patches of grass for tents, and the rest is good old red dirt. The toilet block has four shower and toilet units for the camp ground as well as a block of four toilets and three showers for the bus tours.(We also used these as the park was quite busy while we were there.)
There is a pool, a restaurant, nightly entertainment and the Glen Helen Gorge is only a ten minute walk from the Resort. The Gorge is also a beautiful spot to swim but a little chilly.
The resort faces the Ranges which is spectacular at sunrise and again in the evening with the resort lights reflecting on the rock.
The cost is $32.00 per night for a powered site.

Glen Helen Resort
Namatjira Drive,
West Macdonnell Ranges
08 8956 7489

NT - Uluru

Yulara Campground

Yulara is about 20 klms from Uluru and is the only place to stay while out in this area.
It is like a small town with several differently priced resorts from luxury to the camp sites. There is a small shopping centre and several restaurants.
The camp area had a large number of sites with concrete slabs, two toilet and laundry blocks and a pool. The pool is very small considering the large number of the camp sites and was very crowded every afternoon especially when the buses rolled in.
While there, we had a huge wind storm and for a few moments there was red dust everywhere and I thought that we were going to loose our awning. As more clouds rolled in and it began to rain we drove out to Uluru in the expectation that it would be raining on the rock. We stayed out there for a couple of hours only to watch the rain fall all around us but missing the rock.
We loved the area so much that we came here and stayed on two different occasions. Our camp sites were $36.00 per night.

Voyages Ayers Rock Campground
Yulara Dr, Yulara, NT
Ph: 08 8957 7001
www.voyages.com.au

NT - Watarrka National Park ( Kings Canyon)

The Voyages Kings Canyon Resort is nearly at the end of the sealed section along the Luritja Rd. This resort has cabins as well as the camping area.
Our camping spot faced the stunning mountain range so at sunset, we grabbed our chairs, wine glasses, cameras and sat and lapped up the view. After the sun set the dingoes began their prowling so you didn’t leave any shoes outside.
There were several toilet blocks which was a bonus as each afternoon a bus load of teenagers arrived for the night.
The pool is big and at the time we were there it was rather cold but after a morning walking the canyon rim in the heat, the freshness was very welcome.


Voyages Kings Canyon Resort
Luritja Rd, Watarrka National Park, NT
Ph: 08 8956 7442
www.voyages.com.au

NT - Alice Springs

Alice Springs has several caravan parks and during our month in this area we have stayed at four of them. They are all within a few hundred metres of each other on the southern end of the city.

The Big 4 Macdonnell Range Holiday Park
Palm Place, Alice Springs, NT
Ph: 08 8952 6111
www.macrange.com.au


This has the best facilities with three pools, jumping pillows and big play ground for the children and shady sites with concrete slabs for caravans. As like most Big 4’s it was a little more expensive at $37.00 per night. All the amenities were lovely and clean and the usual high standard. There are also many cabins.

HeavitreeGap Outback Lodge
Palm Place, Alice Springs,NT
Ph: 08 8950 4444
www.auroraresorts.com.au

This is a resort as well as camping ground. The rates are very reasonable at $27.00 for a powered site and with our discount it was only $21.00 which is always a bonus. The pool area is lovely and there is a small children's play ground. There was shade and patches of grass here and there. Our only negative comment was that while we were there, each night two bus loads of teenagers arrived and disturbed the quiet. Some of the teachers did a great job controlling the kids and other teachers didn’t seem to care and let them run riot.


Alice Springs Heritage Caravan and Tourist Park
Ragonesi Rd, Alice Springs,NT.
Ph: 08 8953 1418
www.heritagecp.com

We chose this park because we are heading home for a month and this place has a very good storage rate.
The amenities block is lovely and clean and the pool is beautiful. The biggest of all the local parks. The shop here is the caravan spare parts depot. During the winter months a resident caravan repair man works from this park.
There are no concrete blocks for caravans, a few sites with a little grass and most of the area is just dirt underfoot.

G-Day Mate
Palm Place, Alice Springs, NT

This is a smaller park in the same area as the other three. It has a lot of grass sites, a small pool and modern and clean amenities block. There is a restaurant beside it which has great pizzas.

NT-Ross River Resort

We stayed here for three nights while we spent day trips to the magnificent East Macdonnell Ranges.
The campsite, with powered and non-powered sites, was in a beautiful position with stunning surrounding cliffs but the amenities and general maintenance of the park is very poor. The electricity is by generator that is sometimes on and sometimes off. The mesh over the eating areas is falling down and torn. The entire camping area is neglected. The reception person wasn’t very welcoming either.
The resort has cabins, a bar, restaurant and a pool.(Hopefully the cabins are better cared for)
It is such a shame because this is in a spectacular area and could be a great park. This is the only park that you can take a caravan into so you don’t have much choice if you want to stay in the East Macdonnells.

Ross River Resort
Ross Hwy
Ph: 08 8956 9711
www.rossriverresort.com.au

NT - Gemtree

Gemtree is situated 69klms on sealed road, off the Stuart Hwy. This turnoff is 68klms north of Alice Springs.
There are large powered and non powered sites as well as a few cabins. Most sites share a fire pit and as the nights were rather cool, sitting by a fire at the end of a tiring day digging for garnets, was very welcoming. All the sites are dirt but there are a few shade trees and some scrub.
One morning we joined a tag-along tour to the gem fields which are about half hours drive away. Mike did most of the digging and we both sifted piles of red dirt and rocks and found 17 garnets big enough to have cut so we were delighted. Mind you, it will probably cost us more to have them cut than the actual gems are worth. But, we had loads of fun and things like this are always a great experience.
They have jewelers on site so that you can have your stones cut and set if you wish.
There is fuel, a few basic grocery items and some take away food. Everybody here was very friendly and they have worked hard making the place interesting. There is a golf course,( no grass or sand though) nature walk, and a man made billabong.

Gemtree Bish Caravan Park
Plenty Hwy,
Ph: 08 8956 9855
email:gemtree@gemtree.com.au

NT - Donner Well

This is a free camp number 31 on the Hema Maps, 95 km north of Alice Springs on the Stuart Hwy.
It is a rest area beside the road with water but no facilities. The area has several tables and chairs and one under cover. We had a fire, a wonderful night an once again met some lovely people.
This was the first time that we had seen the Mulga parrot so I spent lots of time trying to take a photograph.

NT - Wycliffe Well

This is a BIG 4 park on the Stuart Hwy south of Tennant Creek and Devils Marbles. Apparently there have been UFO sightings in the area so the park has embraced it with UFO paintings on the walls of many of the buildings and fences. There are also statues of super heroes around the grounds. An interesting mix - UFO’s and super heroes! There are emus, donkeys and a few bird avery’s to view while you walk around the park. Many beautiful parrots fly around freely.
There is an indoor pool which is refreshing to say the least.
The restaurant has a Chinese chef making some lovely dishes as well as western food. A small shop caters for some basic food items, fuel and alcohol.
We stayed here for two nights catching up on washing and general cleaning and maintenance.

Wycliffe Well Holiday Park
Stuart Hwy, Wycliffe Well, NT 0862
Ph: 08 8964 1966
www.wycliffe.com.au

NT - Barkly Homestead

Barkly Homestead is 261 klms west of Camooweal on the Barkly Hwy and our first taste of the Northern Territory hospitality. This is a roadhouse and a camping ground. We decided to spend the night here as they had a swimming pool and some grass sites for $24.00 per powered site.
We had a lovely spot beside a pepper tree and close to one of the several amenities blocks. Everything was old but clean.
The bonus for me was $12.00 roast beef and vegetable dinner for campers. Count us in. It was delicious, roast beef, mashed potatoes, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and gravy. Why would you cook? The restaurant and bar was packed. It always amazes me, out here in the middle of nowhere. Where do all the people come from?
Great stay.

Qld - Camooweal

As you leave Camooweal heading west, turn onto the gravel road as soon as you have crossed the bridge for a beautiful free camp.
There are many parking places along the water holes. When we were there in September the water was starting to dry up but the water lilies were beginning to bloom. We had a beautiful spot right by the water and watched the brolgas and other bird life come and go all afternoon and also again in the morning.
There are no facilities so you do need to be self sufficient.
This is not on the hema maps, we heard about this from other travelers.

Qld _ Mt Isa

There are numerous caravan parks at Mt Isa. We chose this one purely on the size of the swimming pool. While there, each day was in the high 30’s so we knew we would be spending a reasonable amount of time in it.
The Mt Isa Caravan Park is the second park on your right as you enter the town from Cloncurry. The facilities are clean and you need a key for all everything. Even the dump station and laundry are locked. Most sites have shade and there are a few grassed sites.
The park is $25.00 per night for a powered site and across the road from the IGA which made food shopping very handy.

Mount Isa Caravan Park
112 Marian St, Mt Isa, Qld.4825
Phone: 07 4743 3252
www.mtisacaravanpark.com.au

Qld - Fountain Springs Rest area

We left the beautiful free camp beside the river at Gregory Downs and headed south to Mt Isa. We had lunch at Bourke and Wills roadhouse, stopped for an afternoon coffee at Cloncurry and spent the night at Fountain Springs Rest area. This free camp beside the road has toilets, barbeque a covered seating area and is halfway between Cloncurry and Mt Isa.
We had a fun night here meeting lots of other campers and sitting outside watching the stars.
Today we travelled 390 klms
Hema site # 304

Qld - Lawn Hill National Park

We stayed at the National Park camp ground at Lawn Hill. The sites are all on dirt or rocks with a few trees and bushes for shade. The trees are quite small at the moment so we hope in a few years they will have grown and there will be more shade. While we were here in August the temperature was between 35 - 37 degrees every day so every bit of shade was crucial.
The amenities block is new with cold showers and toilets. Lovely and clean.
When you book here make sure that you call the National Parks direct. Adels Grove always seem to tell people that the park is full when there are still sites available. I think they want you to stay at their camp area.
Some of the road into Adels Grove is corrugated and rather rough so we were glad that we decided to leave our van behind. There are no vans permitted at Lawn Hill.
The National Park is $10.00 per night and Adels Grove is $28.00 for an unpowered site.
Adels Grove is shady, has a restaurant, small shop, but it is 10 kilometes to the park.
If we go back I would definitely stay at Lawn Hill again as you can just walk a few steps and you can be swimming.

Telephone: 131304
or book online at www.qld.gov.au/camping

Qld _ Gregory Downs

As you leave the pub at Gregory Downs and head towards Lawn Hill, turn left onto the dirt track as soon as you cross the bridge.
You can camp anywhere along the river and it is magic. You must be self sufficient as there are no facilities.
We sat on the river bank watching the birds and fish, swam and floated down the river. We camped here for two nights and really didn’t want to leave.
Another little bit of heaven.

Qld - Normanton

As you drive through the main street turn left at the “Purple Pub”. You can’t miss it.
The park had some slabs and a little grass as well as a few cabins. The showers, toilets and laundry facilities were good.
The best part about this park was its’ beautiful 25 metre swimming pool and hot spa. The spa was too hot for me to enjoy it though.
The price was good at $25.00 per night for a powered site. We made day trips to Karumba from here as the parks at Karumba were packed in like sardines.


Normanton Tourist Park
14 Brown St,
Normanton, 4890

Qld - Leichhardt Lagoon

This lovely camping area is just 24 klms SE of Normanton on the Gulflander Highway.
It is part of a small station and the owners allow people to camp beside the lagoon.
You register at the "caretakers" when you arrive and the cost is $7:00 per person per night.
On saturday nights the station owners prepare a three course meal for $5.00 each( $3:00 if you stay more than one night). The night we were there, we had tomato soup and delicious home made damper, beef stroganoff and desert. There was also a country music singer and his guitar. It was a wonderful night.
There are apparently 75 different types of birds in the lagoon at different times of the year so we spent hours just sitting, watching and trying to photograph the birds. I certainly take my hat off to the bird photographers. They must have the patience of a saint.
The Norman river is just across the highway where they say the fishing is good. The caretakers run a fishing competetion for those travellers who decide to stay a while.
There is toilets and showers. This entire area was flooded in summer of 2009.
Even though it is just out of Normanton it is well worth the stop.

Leichhardt Lagoon
Gulflander Highway
Hema Map # 253

Qld - Mt Surprise

Bedrock Village Caravan Park

Mt Surprise is about 300 klms east of Cairns along the Savannah Highway.
Joe and Jo run this park and the minute you arrive you are welcomed and feel like part of the family. A delightful place to stay.
The caravan park is charming and the theme is “the flintstones”. The toilets are labelled “Fred” and “Wilma” and are large, modern and clean.
The spaces are large and drive through so it certainly makes parking a dream.
They also have a convenience shop. The restaurant serves lunch and the servings are generous.
Each night there is a cooked meal, usually around $14.00 per head. The night we ate there the meal was corned beef and vegetables. It was a dream come true as we arrived at the park late and cooking is always the last thing on my mind at that stage.
Friday night is “sing a long” around the fire with Joe playing the guitar. There is story telling and jokes to add to the entertainment.
From here you book your tours to the Undara lava tubes. We did a half day tour and found that adequate. Our Savannah guide did a wonderful job telling us about the history of the volcanoes as well as the plant and animal life in the area.

Garnet St,
Mt Surprise 4871.
Ph: 07 4062 3193
www.bedrockvillage.com.au

Qld - Cairns

Cairns Coconut Holiday Resort.

This is an amazing caravan park on the southern outskirts of Cairns. It is like a mini town and has everything you need for a holiday without leaving the park. We chose this park to stay at as we had our three grand children flying up to visit with us for a week.
The park has two swimming pools, hot spa, mini golf, two huge jumping pillows, play ground for children, a teenage play area, table tennis, tennis, peddle go carts for rent, a video room and I’m sure more that we didn’t utilize. Every thursday morning they have free pancakes, coffee, tea and juice for everybody. The pancakes are massive and fill your plate. You can go back for seconds or thirds.
Every second night there is outdoor movies and Mon, Wed and Friday mornings there is aerobics in the pool. The fire engine delights children with rides around the park three afternoons a week.
A small store is handy for a few grocery items and there is a restaurant for lunch and dinner.
The sights are spacious and the amenities block is large and clean. This resort also has a large number of cabins. We left our van here while we went up to Cape York and they charge $6.00 per day.
We enjoyed our stay here and stayed on for another three days after our grand children left.
This is a BIG 4 Park

Bruce Hwy and Anderson Rd
Cairns, 4870
Ph: 07 4054 6644 Freecall: 1300COCONUT
www.coconut.com.au



Cairns Holiday Park

Mike was going to be away for a week working so we moved to a park closer to town. We could ride our bikes into the city from here and we were also very close to the boardwalk where we often went for walks and rides along the water.
This park has a pool, a very large TV room, nice new amenities block, large camp kitchen and a small convenience store.
This park has a huge number of back packers and they seem to squeeze them on any piece of spare ground. There are also a few cabins.
As with both of these parks they will book tours for you and the buses will pick you up at the gate. It really makes being a tourist very easy.

This is a Tourist Park member.

12-30 Little St,
Manunda, Cairns, 4870
Ph:07 4051 1467 Freecall: 1 800 259 977
www.cairnscamping.com.au

Qld - Cooktown

The Endeavour River Escape is a 15 minute drive north of Cooktown close to the airport.
The property is a working farm with stud brahman and Clydesdale horses.
The camping areas are large, each surrounded by bush and trees for privacy and metal grates for your camp fires. Firewood is plentiful as the owner is constantly topping it up.
The shower block is new with benches made from wood felled on the property, and there is a lovely garden in both the male and female blocks.
The camp kitchen has huge wooden tables, chairs, sink, fridge and barbeque.
About 4 o’clock each day there is a guided tour which informs you about the history of the immediate area, the trees and animals found here and a great opportunity to meet other campers.
While here, we were recommended to spend a few hours with Willie Gordon, a local aborigine, on his Rock art tours. If you come to the Cooktown area his tour is a must. We had an enlightening day with Willie sharing his culture and ancient philosophy of his native people.
Guurrbi Tours 07 4069 6259
We stayed At Endeavour River Escape for three nights and could have easily stayed a week. It is so peaceful and lovingly maintained.

Endeavour River Escape
Barrett’s Creek Road,
Cooktown.
Ph:0740695084
www.endeavourriverescape.com.au

Qld - Bramston beach

This was another find from the Hema map.
This camp area is 24 km east of Babinda. Turn east off Bruce Highway 22km north of Innisfail at Miriwiini.
A delightful camping area with a view of the ocean. A lovely long beach where people were swimming but the crocodile signs scare me off.
The area was grassed, had hot showers and toilets, lots of shaddy trees and you could certainly stay here a few days at only $16.00 per night.

Hema site 10 from the Queensland sites.

Qld - Tully -Hull Heads

Hull Heads is a quiet area 21km SE of Tully.
You turn off the main road and drive through cane fields and arrive at the camp area on the mouth of the river. Not far off shore are the tips of Dunk and Bedarra Islands.
The camp area holds about 15 vans or tents and costs $12.65 per night and is run by the coast guard. There are barbeques, tables and chairs set up beside the river, hot and cold showers and toilets.
We sat on the river banks watching the fishermen coming and going, the sun setting and enjoying a barbeque and a nice bottle of wine.
What more could you ask for. Fantastic!

Hull Heads Recreation area
Hema map Queensland site number 20
07 4066 9300

Qld-Townsville

Rowes Bay Caravan Park

This park is on the north side of the city and across the road from the beach. The park has a small pool and a lovely clean and new amenities block.
The park does not take reservations so you need to put out the positive vibes that there will be a space for you. If you call in the morning they will put your name on a list.
We rode our bikes every day into the city along the fantastic Strand. Every city needs one of these. Bike and walking tracks, restaurants, play areas for the kids, places to swim, barbeques and lots of seating. Magic. We also rode our bikes north to Palleranda (about a 13 k round trip) which passes the golf course along the way. A very popular bike and running area. There is bike tracks most of the way.
Our sites were $30.00 per night.

Rowes Bay Caravan Park
Heatley Pde, Townsville 4810
Ph: 07 4771 3576
www.rowesbaycp.com.au

Qld-Airlie Beach

This caravan park has something for everybody. Kids will love it, as there is lots of things for them to do. The pool and pool area is beautiful and a couple of times a week you can have a massage outside in the sun beside the pool. Needless to say Mike and I both took advantage of this.
When you arrive, the foyer is like that of a Bali resort. It is a family run park and every body that works there is friendly. All the amenities are first class. Each caravan spot is divided by trees and shrubs so you can really enjoy some privacy.




Big 4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort
25-29 Shute Harbour Rd, Airlie Beach
Ph:07 4948 5400
www.adventure whitsundaysunday.com.au

Qld - Blackwater

Bedford Weir free camp

After driving down a side road beside one of the huge coal mines at Blackwater, there was a detour onto a dirt road. We had thought that we were on the wrong road and started to get a little concerned as the road was deteriorating and we were towing the caravan. But, finally after 27 klms, we arrive at the Weir and are welcomed by the present caretakers, Diane and Neil.


4:30 it is cocktail hour at the camping area and we all bring our chairs and drinks and sit in a circle around the fire. It was a very friendly group.

When you go to the toilets, you have to laugh at the signs written on the toilet seats.
There is water, showers and toilets. Nice camp.

Bedford Weir, Hema number Qld 328.
Ph: 07 4982 5500

Qld -1770

If you enjoy peace, quiet and beautiful sunsets, then this is the caravan park for you. We loved this place and will return.

The park is right on the beach at the inlet of 1770. You can sit on the beach, or even at your campsite, and watch the fishing boats come in and out. At sunset a group of kayakers paddle by, eager to have a birds eye view of the incredible sunsets. We take our chairs down to beach, along with our 5 o’clock refreshments and ooh and aah over the next hour or so watching the amazing colours and shapes that are being created in front of us.

The park has two amenities blocks, a small camp kitchen, a laundry and the office has some basic food items.

From 1770 you can take trips to a couple of the Great Barrier Reef islands as well as fishing charters.
Powered sites are $30.00 each night.

1770 Camping grounds
Captain Cook Drive, 1770.
Queensland
Ph:07 4974 9286

Qld -Yepoon

Beachside Caravan Park

Beautifully situated right on the beach at Yepoon looking out to the Keppel Islands. About a fifteen minute walk into town.
It is only two star rated but the amenities are always well cared for and clean even though they are old.
They have a large book exchange which we always love to check out and trade in books. You will probably need to book as they busy most of the time.

Farnborough Rd, Yepoon.
Ph:07 4939 3738

Qld - Carnarvon Gorge

Takarakka Bush Resort

This resort is 40klms off the main highway fromR0ma north to Rolleston. The last 17klms is unsealed but quite good. However, if there has been rain, parts of it may become very slushy and difficult to drive through. If there has been rain in the area, just contact the resort before you go.
Takarakka is the major camping area at the Gorge and is absolutely fabulous. They have powered and unpowered sites as well as cabins. The resort has a small store for essentials and the camping sites are large. The park is beautiful with trees, palms, grassed areas and lots of
wildlife.
All the amenities are clean and well set up. The camp kitchen in our area was huge and has barbeques, gas stoves, hot water, jug for coffee or tea, as well as a sink which has detergent and cleaning utensils. Beside the camp kitchen there is brick pit for an open fire surrounded with logs for sitting on.

There are three camping areas, each with camp kitchens and amenities blocks.

Within the resort, there are two beautiful short walks. One to the lookout, and, one to the platypus pool. We walked to this pool late one afternoon, sitting and waiting for a couple of hours, along with about twenty other people, for the platypus to appear. It was incredible, we all sat there in silence, just watching. We saw turtles, fish, and wallabys came down to visit, but no platypus. We all had our cameras ready, but no action.

The powered sites are $38.00 per night.

Takarakka bush Resort, Carnarvon Gorge Road
Ph: 07 4984 4535

Qld-Mitchell

Caltex Bridge Service Station and Caravan Park

Mitchell is about 84 klms west of Roma on the Warrego Hwy. The road is terrible with dips all along it. It does not make for a relaxing trip. With the undulations and the huge road trains, we were certainly kept alert. Many times we were wondering if the underneath of the caravan was going to hit the road.
We stayed at the petrol station across from the artesian spa for $10.00 per night which included power, water, laundry, toilet and shower. The parking lot only fits about six caravans.
There is a caravan park in town called the Major Mitchell caravan park and you can also free camp at the Neil Turner weir, just out of town. This is a lovely spot, and does have some water.
The water is town is all artesian and does have an odour and odd taste. If you drink it, either use your water filter or let it sit in the fridge for a few hours before you use it.

The town has lovely wide, tree lined streets and the people are so friendly. We really enjoyed our two day stay here.

Qld Hema camping spot number 601. Hema 8 D3

Qld - Dulacca

4th May, 2009
We had said goodbye to our friends Cyndi and Howard O’Meara in Mooloolaba and were heading for Carnarvon Gorge via Roma. It was quiet a distance to the Gorge, so we knew that we would need one stop on the way. We had not done any free camping (other than and friends and Families’ driveways) so, we decided to give it a go.We called ahead to the Dulacca Hotel and no sooner had we pulled into the back carpark the hotel owner had come out, plugged us into the


power and was ready for a chat. There were about six other vans there as well. He informed us that dinner that night was either baked chicken and vegs for $6.50 of fish and vegs for $7.95 and that he was the chef. How could we refuse. Out the back was put put golf if we wanted to play. We met a lovely couple, Merill and Steve, who were on their way to the hot springs at Mitchell. We had heard about these pools but had not been able to find them. So, change of plans. Hot pools, here we come.

Dulacca Hotel - cnr Bell St and Warrego Hwy, Qld
Ph: 07 46276101
Hema Map Qld camp spot #590