Queensland is rich in diversity. The tropical paradise of the north to the arid western out back.
Queensland really is beautiful one day and perfect the next. Sure there are cyclones, floods and fires to keep everyone on their toes, but at the heart of all existence here is an appreciation of the values of people helping people. All you need to do is get going and get around it, through it and live it. It is so big there is always somewhere appealing to find, even in the middle of a yellow nowhere.
The people are warm and friendly with time to be helpful wherever they can. In fact I would say the people are one of the best features of the great state.
The tropics of the Far North are a lifestyle as well as a great place to visit. Paradise comes into focus here, where locals and visitors live the dream.
In the dry country the people are hardened, but not hard to get along with. Just close the gates and leave the country as you found it and all will be well.
In the busy south a sense of steady pace prevails, allowing the fast living southerners from across the border to find a place to relax while still enjoying terrific facilities.
Some come here to strike it rich in the mines, or try their luck fossicking at The Gemfields west of Rockhampton, or north at Mount Surprise and Mount Garnet, or north of Hughenden. There are many kinds of gems in this state, and you don’t have to dig deep to strike it rich.
Queensland’s beaches are mostly protected by The Great Barrier Reef, making for great beach camping. Where there is surf, the beaches are very popular yet friendly and relaxed.
There are beautiful gorges and rivers to seek out throughout the state, including the dry country, way away from everything and everyone.
Some cattle stations welcome well-mannered visitors to there patch with country hospitality and broad bronzed smiles. Some of natures best will be experienced here.
Queensland truly is a great place to be.
Archer Point
Archer Point has the reef at the beach, glorious sunrises and a refreshing wind. Archer Point is one of those top-notch places. I first came here in 2001 when it wasn’t as well known. It is still as good as ever with plenty of places to set up camp. The...
Atherton
Camping near Atherton is easy at the Rocky Creek War Memorial Park. There is a dog-friendly camping area 12 km north of Atherton at the Rocky Creek War Memorial Park rest area. Just before Tolga on the Kennedy Highway, and 23km south of Mareeba. There is a huge space off the highway, allowing...
Ayr
This camp at Ayr by a creek with a ramp, is a handy place to know. While in Ayr and looking boating stop over, follow the signs out to Plantation Creek to find a little camp by the boat ramp. The toilet facilities are good and there is a small...
Ayr
This camp at Ayr by a creek with a ramp, is a handy place to know. While in Ayr and looking boating stop over, follow the signs out to Plantation Creek to find a little camp by the boat ramp. The toilet facilities are good and there is a small...
Babinda
Babinda is popular for very good reasons. The RV friendly town of Babinda has a rest area nestled by a creek with banks carpeted in luscious green. I have to admit being biased, as this is the area I call home. Badinda is a pleasant stroll to the west over...
Balgal Beach
Balgal Beach for fishing, relaxing and long beach walks. Balgal Beach is 40 minutes north of Townsville. The turn off is 1km south of Rollingstone. The rest area is 5km east of the Bruce Highway, and at the north end of town near the boat ramp. The camp area is...
Bluewater Park
Bluewater Park, a handy spot from Townsville and its NORTHERN beaches. Bluewater Park is a traveller’s oasis off the Bruce Highway, 29km north of Townsville. It’s only a 24 hour stay. But sometimes that is enough, to take a break from the road when on a mission. Situated by a...
Bogie River
Dirt roads through the scrub lead to the Bogie River. The Bogie River is good for dog travel. The river runs about 36km west of the Bruce Highway between Ayr and Bowen, paralleling the highway. The turn off to the west is just south of Gumlu. This is cattle country...
Calliope
A relaxing campground with large fishing space. Calliope River Rest Area is very large camping ground 70km north of Miriam Vale and 27km south of Mount Larcom. Camping at this scenic campground by the river is both relaxing and perhaps rewarding for the fishermen and fisherwomen lazing along the grassy...
Carmila
Carmila - beach camping favourite. I never drive past Carmila. It is one of my favourites. I have been camping at Carmila Beach since 2001, when I had blown a tyre in my converted bus and had to wait for a new one to be trucked in. Situated 84 kilometres...
Corfield
Corfield Corfield is a good place to rest and find relief from the Kennedy Highway. Corfield sits on the Kennedy Developmental Road between Hughenden and Winton. It is a good place to prop for the night. The free camp across the road from the hotel has toilets and water. It...
Eungella Dam
Camping by Eungella Dam on the slopes leading to the huge body of water is great for dog travel and boaties. Eungella Dam is a good one for fishing and swimming. It has plenty of room for the dogs at the dam and the surrounding area. Situated in the hinterland...
Giru
Giru Boat Ramp has a camping area with a ramp, great for boating and fishing... One for the fishing enthusiast! Giru Boat Ramp is not such a pretty place and the toilet is a quite smelly can in a little house. The grounds are mostly dirt and there isn’t much...
Gold Coast
Gold Coast The Gold Coast has great dog-friendly parks and beaches The Gold Coast has a great dog-friendly park at Musgrave Recreational Park on Kumbari Avenue in Southport. It is a very large fenced area with heaps of paths throughout. There are poo bag stations and bins provided at various...
Home Hill
Home Hill Comfort Stop provides clean hot showers and a great kitchen! Home Hill Comfort Stop, about an hour south of Townsville, is much more than just toilets. It also includes free HOT showers, parenting facilities, two electric barbeques, sinks, large stainless steel bench, and eating areas. Power points are...
Longreach
Longreach has a lot going for it, so spend some time here and soak it in. The Thomson River Camp Area at Longreach is a good spot to stock up and do any maintenance that has been waiting for the right time and place. The turn off is about four...
Marlborough
Marlborough is a pleasant place to rest from a tiring stretch of highway. Located 102 km north of Rockhampton and 740 km north of Brisbane, Marlborough is a small service centre for the surrounding cattle-raising properties. The local pub has a good sized camping area adjacent to it. Hot showers...
Mitchell
Mitchell is a friendly town with good choices for spending time here. Mitchell is a friendly town with two very good spots to stay, both with 2-day limits. The pub has famous counter lunches. There is a good 4wd shop for accessories etc. The local thermal pool is worth the...
Morven
Morven Recreation Ground is a gem with power and hot showers for $5 Morven Recreation Ground was one of those very pleasant surprises that come along every now and then. Morven is situated on the south side of town via Victoria Street, this large park area, bordered on one side...
Mount Molloy
Rifle Creek Rest Area at Mount Molloy is hugely popular and large in size. Rifle Creek Rest Area at Mount Molloy is extremely popular with locals and travellers alike. It straddles Rifle Creek one kilometre north of the town, being 33 km south of Mossman or 41 km north of...
Mount Surprise
O’Briens Camp at Mount Surprise is full of adventure for dogs and fossicking enthusiasts. O’Briens Creek Campground, north-west of Mount Surprise, is huge fun for dogs. The sprawling grounds are set on the banks of a river well worth exploring. Set within the boundaries of a cattle station, O’Briens Camp...
Ravenshoe
Ravenshoe has Archer Creek Rest Area 16km to the west, with a beautiful creek along it. Archer Creek Rest Area is 16 kilometres west of Ravenshoe. If you are heading west, this is a good place to stock up. This is probably the last large supermarket, hardware (Mitre 10 in...
Rollingstone
Rollingstone has Bushy Parker Rest Area for a break from the Pacific Highway Bushy Parker Rest Area at Rollingstone has plenty of space, but, even though, it can fill up. Turn east off the Pacific Highway just north of town, across the railway line. Amenities include toilets and a cold...
Stradbroke Island
Stradbroke Island is a paradise next to, yet so far from, a capital city. Stradbroke Island is one of Queensland's highlights. This little piece of paradise, right next to Brisbane, has a number of long stretches of surf beach to choose from. Depending on the weather, one can usually find...
Swans Creek Crossing
Swans Creek Crossing is a spacious camping area with lots to discover. Swans Creek Crossing, in the Kerewong State Forest, has heaps of room with a large grassed camping area and good walks in the hills. The toilets are clean long drops. Fireplaces are dotted around the camping grounds, although...
Tiaro
Tiaro is generous to the traveller and camper. The township of Tiaro is located approximately 260km north of Brisbane, between Gympie and Maryborough. With two places to stay in Tiaro, you can be sure to find a place to rest. The Memorial Park Rest Area has overnight parking for 2...
Toomulla Beach
Toomulla Beach has a park like rest area for camping The turn off for Toomulla Beach is about 66km south of Ingham or 43 km north of Townsville. Travel through town to the Esplanade, then turn right, when heading south. At the end of the road is a park like...
Towong
Towong Reserve is swimmingly good fun along the Murray River. Towong Reserve is a fun spot. It is lined on the roadside with huge shady trees and on the other side with a wide stretch of the Murray River. Swimming or floating around the river here is the order of...
Winton
The Long Waterhole at Winton is camping Outback Australia style. The Long Waterhole just south of Winton is a good place to relax for a while. Turn off the Winton-Jundah Rd 2 kilometres from the town and then follow the 2 km dirt road to the waterhole. It was pretty...
Yuleba
Judds Lagoon at Yuleba has fishing, bird life and lots of space Judds Lagoon at Yuleba is a spacious camping area situated by a large lagoon. The lagoon is great for fishing and the camping area is roomy with plenty of room for big rigs. There are picnic tables near...
