 COME ON, WAKE
UP TO THE RULES!
`IT'S a shame some caravanners and other recreational vehicle users are still flouting rest area rules, particularly after the Queensland Government reversed its policy of banning
overnight stays.
Stern signs appeared
at many Department of Main Roads-provided rest areas warning they were for the benefit of 'travellers' ... and caravanners who stayed
and slept overnight risked fines of up to $1500.
This followed complaints that people were setting up long-term campsites.
There were howls of
protest and the rule was rescinded, the State Government finally bowing to pressure and allowing caravanners and other travellers to stay for up to 20 hours. It was a fair compromise.
But it's a pity some people still blatantly refuse to play the game and obey the rules.
Rest areas are just that ... for resting. They are NOT permanent campsites.
People who overstay
their 20-hour welcome should be slapped with hefty on-the-spot fines. I am sure genuine
travellers would have no problem with this.
MINISTER
REPLIES
Thank you for your email outlining your c
|
SOME REST
AREAS WITH USEFUL INFORMATIONE
Every
effort is made to ensure this information is correct but circumstances can
change. If planning a trip you should check with local authorities that these
rest areas are still available
|
|
QUEENSLAND
AUGATHELLA (Matilda Hwy): Pleasant riverside
area adjoining local fishing clubhouse near town centre. Level and shady. Water tap. TV
reception ok. |
|
| BAN BAN SPRINGS (Hwy 17): Nice flat area
opposite roadhouse. Toilets. Table and benches. Yummy and reasonably priced food from
roadhouse. |
 |
| BLACKALL (Matilda Hwy): Large level grassy area
adjoining Barcoo River near town centre. Permit required from local information centre ($5
a night). Water, table and benches at nearby BBQ area. Public toilets about 300 metres
away. TV reception good. |
|
|
BOYNE RIVER (Bruce Hwy): About
23km south of Gladstone near Benaraby.
Toilets. Bins. Covered tables and benches. Suitable for large rigs. TV and mobile 'phone reception
reasonable. Max 20 hours.
|
|
| CALLIOPE RIVER (Bruce Hwy): About
26km south of Mount Larcom and 7km north of Calliope. Access bridge has 5-tonne limit.
Toilets. Bins. Suitable for large rigs. TV and mobile 'phone reception good. Max 48 hours.
|
|
|
CHILDERS
(Bruce Hwy): About
7km north of Childers. Replaces Isis
River rest area, south of Childers ... closed because of its dangerous
access from the main highway. Large level area. Tables and benches, toilets,
electric BBQs, rubbish bins and tap water
(non drinkable). TV and mobile telephone reception reasonable. Maximum stay 20 hours. |
|
| CLAIRVIEW (Bruce Hwy): About 88km
south of Sarina. Delightful beachside area just off the highway. Toilets, bins,
covered tables and benches, wood and electric BBQs, children's play area, tap (water
undrinkable). Suitable for large rigs. TV and mobile 'phone reception good. Highway and
train noise. Max 24 hours. |
|
| COOYAR (Drovers Rest, Hwy 61): Parkland site in
village centre behind pub and near suspension bridge. Large grassy area. Platypus may be
seen in adjoining river. Water and toilets nearby. TV reception OK. |
|
| DUARINGA (Capricorn Hwy): Large attractive
grassy area near roadhouse. Toilet block with showers. |
|
| DULULU (Hwy 17): Large flat grassy area
provided by local progress association. Power and hot showers available for $5 a night.
Shady spots. Table and benches. New toilet block. TV reception excellent. |
|
|
EIDSVOLD: Six kilometres west of Eidsvold on the Theodore road. Large
flat grassy area with covered tables and benches, toilets, bins, BBQs and
tap. No TV reception. Mobile 'phone reception ok (CDMA only). Suitable for
large rigs. Very peaceful. |
|
| EMERALD (Capricorn Hwy): Pleasant spot
adjoining Botanical Gardens at eastern entrance to town. Noise from road and train bridges
during day but not too bad through night. Water tap. Shopping centre with Coles and Target
a few minutes walk away. TV reception OK. |
|
| GIN GIN (Bruce Hwy): Pleasant
area one kilometre north of Gin Gin. Toilets. Taps. Wood barbecue. Covered tables and
benches. Suitable for large rigs. TV and mobile telephone reception good. Highway noise.
Maximum stay 20 hours. |
|
| GRANITE CREEK
- Also known as
Bernie Christensen Rest Area - (Bruce Hwy): 36km south of Miriam Vale. Toilets,
bins, covered tables and benches. TV reception poor. Mobile telephone reception good.
Water. Wood barbecue. Suitable for large rigs. Maximum stay 48 hours. |
|
| GUNALDA (Bruce Hwy): Almost opposite Windsong
tourist stop. Driver Reviver site. Toilets. Tables and benches. Water. 20 hours. |
|
| GYMPIE (Bruce Hwy): Six Mile Creek, 1km south
of town. Large grassy site with some level areas. Water tap. Toilets. New picnic tables
and benches. Electric BBQ. Dump point. Noise from hwy. TV reception OK. Max stay 20 hours. |
|
| GYMPIE (Bruce Hwy): Chatsworth Park, 5km north
of town. Picturesque level grassy area adjoining lakes. Toilets. Tables and benches.
Children's play area. Highway noise. TV reception fair. |
|
|
HELIDON (Warrego
Hwy): Large flat area about 40km east of Toowoomba. Toilets, taps, covered
benches and tables. TV and mobile 'phone reception. Highway noise. |
|
| ISIS RIVER
(Bruce Hwy): Area now closed because of dangerous access. |
|
| JERICHO
(Capricorn Hwy): Excellent peaceful facilities on Showground. Large grassy
area with concrete slabs, power, water, hot showers and toilets. TV reception OK. |
|
| LANDSBOROUGH (Bruce Hwy): West of
Bruce Highway on
Glass House Mountains Road. Toilets. Tank water (non drinkable), tables and benches. TV
reception ok. Daytime access can be difficult due to commuter car parking. |
|
| MITCHELL (Major Mitchell Caravan Park, Warrego
Hwy): Two nights free on spacious ensuite site with mains water and power. Short walk to
artesian baths. TV reception good. All non ensuite sites except one have no water supply. |
|
|
MULGILDIE :
ON the Burnett Highway (Highway
17) about 10km south of Monto. Adjoins local community hall in Palm Street.
Clean toilets, water tap, covered table and benches, children's play area
and nicely tended gardens. TV reception excellent. General store nearby.
Local pub offers roast lunches between 11am and 2pm for a bargain $4.50! |
|
| PETRIE (Old Gympie Road):
Only available for day use. Level, shady and
grassy area adjoining North Pine River and main railway line into Brisbane. Recently refurbished toilet block. Water tap. Electric BBQ. Dump point. Table and benches.
Children's play area. TV and mobile 'phone reception good. |
|
| TAMBO (Matilda Hwy): Nice flat area adjoining
lakes at southern entrance to town. Adjoining truck stop but very little noise through
night. BBQs, shelters with table and benches. Toilet block with cold shower and water
taps. TV reception good. 48 hours. |
|
| TIARO
(Bruce Hwy): Flat, shady area behind park. Water tap. Park has free BBQ, table and benches and toilet block with
hot shower. TV reception good. Bargain-price meals at nearby pub or takeaway. 48-hour
limit.
Congratulations to Tiaro Shire for this delightful facility. |
|
|
WALLUM RESERVE (Isis Hwy):
Large
flat bitumen and grassy areas with shade alongside Childers to Bundaberg
highway, about 28km SW of Bundaberg. Composting toilets. Rainwater tanks.
Covered tables and benches. Wood-fired BBQ. Mobile 'phone and television
reception good. Suitable for large rigs. 20-hour limit. |
|
| WARWICK (New England Hwy): Large
exposed flat area behind Warwick Roadhouse, 6km north of Warwick. Hot showers, toilets,
meals, fuel, water and even a swimming pool available at roadhouse. Truck noise. TV
reception good. An ok free stop. 24 hrs. |
|
| YULEBA (Warrego Hwy between Miles and Roma):
Large flat area off hwy. Park between trees. Some truck noise through night but an OK free
stop. No TV reception or facilities. |
|
|
WAVERLEY CREEK
(Bruce Hwy): About 11km south of St Lawrence between Sarina and Rockhampton.
Flat area with toilets, bins, BBQs, public telephone, tables and benches and
tap. Suitable for large rigs. 20 hours. |
|
|
NEW SOUTH WALES |
|
| BANGALOW (Pacific Hwy near Byron
Bay): Large flattish bitumen area alongside main highway. Toilet (composting), water (non
drinkable), mobile 'phone and television reception ok. Very noisy. |
|
| BLACKBUTTS ROAD (Pacific Hwy near
Taree): Pleasant landscaped area with composting toilets, benches and tables. TV reception
good. Water (non drinkable). Highway noise. |
|
| CELTIC
COUNTRY (New England Hwy, 5km south of Glen Innis): Exposed flattish area
alongside highway. Toilets, tables and benches. Suitable for larger rigs. 24 hrs. |
|
| NEW ITALY (Pacific Hwy between
Ballina and Grafton): Adjoins New Italy Museum and Aboriginal Arts and Crafts Centre. Flat
dusty area offering shade. Floodlit. Tables and benches. TV reception good. Toilets.
Reasonably priced meals until 5pm at museum. Highway noise. |
|
| SID BURKE FOREST PARK
(Pacific Hwy, 17km south of Coffs Harbour): NOW CLOSED. Highway has
been upgraded to a dual lane expressway and bypasses this location. |
|
| SLEEPY HOLLOW (Pacific Hwy, south of
Murwillumbah): On northbound side of Pacific Hwy. Nicely landscaped with dedicated areas
for trucks, caravans and other travellers. Composting toilets with taps and small sinks
outside (water not drinkable). Covered tables and benches. Children's playground.
Information boards. Mobile 'phone reception. Small area also on southside of
highway with similar facilities. Highway and truck noise. |
|
|
YELGUN
(Pacific Hwy, between Gold Coast and Byron Bay): Combined heavy and light
vehicle rest area 6km north of the Brunswick
River Bridge.
Yelgun rest area was the first in Australia
designed with separate marked-out areas for caravans, cars and trucks,
including refrigerated and livestock trucks. Level bitumen
area. Toilets. Table and benches.
Children's playground. Information board. Mobile 'phone reception good. TV reception good. |
|
|
Last updated: October, 2010 |
