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Post Info TOPIC: Alternative/Free Campsites


Chief one feather

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Alternative/Free Campsites


All below are free
 
The first one I visited was Bushy Parker Park, Rollingstone  about 60 mins north of Townsville, # 32 Bible 7. This was a very big camping area with a mixture of vans, motorhomes and tents and I reckon at the time I was there you would be pushing to get a spot for the night, busy, busy, busy, is all I can say in that department. Very nice camp area though, alongside a very pretty creek. There were toilets, water and the the bible said showers, I couldn't see them but I do need to get my glasses sorted. The ranger pops in so be careful as there is a 48 hr limit there. Also a dump point and good Telstra coverage.
 
Second place to visit was Balgal Beach about 40 mins north of Townsville, #33 Bible 7. Now in the Bible it actually reckons this is a day stop only however talking to the people set up there they reckon rubbish, 48 hour stop and the ranger keeps an eye on that too. Toots, water but I wouldn't drink it without filtering or boiling, didn't look too flashy. At the time I was there no room for even a one man, ooops sorry, person tent, real busy it was, 5 vans came in and went back out just as fast. There was a cafe like store just across the driveway set on a river, nice too. Dump point for dumping matter and good Telstra coverage.
 
Third visit was Toomulla Beach just down the road a bit from Balgal Beach toward Townsville, #34 Bible 7. Nice place this one, busy at the time I was there but still room to fit in with big or small rigs. Toots, drinking water, ranger annoys you here as well, sorry. 48 hour limit as well, oh, no dump point. Good Telstra coverage again.
 
Now the last one to visit was a very popular place  indeed, Bluewater Park, about 30 mins north of Townsville, #35 Bible 7. As I arrived I decided to drive right in and around, who should be set up with friends but a member from the grey nomad club, Lynnie. Yep there she was with all her cloths on. 
 
On racks of course what did you think I meant. Lynnie sells lovely cloths and other items at local markets as she travels around. I first met Lynnie at Greens Lake, Victoria late last year so it was great to catch up with her again.
 
Now Bluewater is a very nice spot alongside the Bruce Hwy with grassy sites and others and most under trees so plenty of shade if that's your thing. Toots, water, tables with seats around and nice people, I can't say what they are like when Lynnie is not there though. It has a creek one side and a sport oval the other so could get busy at times due to the oval. Busy anyway, really. Also a dump point. Now while I was there the ranger paid a visit as this is listed as 24hr stay and he takes a note of your car and rig so be warned and I tell you that for free.
 
Well, Bluewater wasn't the last one sorry, I came across Saunders Beach about 25 mins north of Townsville, #36 Bible 7. This place was actually the car park for Saunders Beach and campers must share and share alike parking spots with visitors to the beach area, not a big spot either, no room to swing a cat, not that you would anyway, toots, water, crowded at the time I was there and good Telstra cover. Not  the nicest of places to park your head for the night. Only 24 hour stop so another one night stand,  but really,  you wouldn't want to stay any longer anyway.
 
Overall, all of the above places were nice indeed, well maybe not Saunders and well worth a stay if you need somewhere to put your head for the night. If you 
want there is play equipment at all locations too, well, we are in the playground. Just be careful of the time limits as the ranger is one tuff cookie and doesn't know what a smile is.
 
 
 
Keep Safe Everyone,
 
DOUG
 
 
 
 


-- Edited by Dougwe on Monday 17th of June 2013 08:01:48 PM

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Thanks for doing that Doug. You've given us some good reports here. This was obviously a good reason for you to return to Townsville biggrinbiggrin



-- Edited by neilnruth on Monday 17th of June 2013 08:43:15 PM

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NeilnRuth



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You are so right there Doug, all very good camp sites.

Last year when we were up that I counted 90 vans/M/h at bushy parker in one morning.

Carmilla Beach & Babinda are very good as well.

JC.



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