Ayr

Burdekin Cultural Complex: 530-seat theatre, library and activities centre. The forecourt has distinctive Living Lagoon water feature; Queen St. Gubulla Munda: 60 m carpet snake sculpture is the totem for the Juru Tribe, who were the original inhabitants of the area. Nearby Juru Walk passes through remnant dry tropical rainforest; Bruce Hwy, southern entrance to Ayr.

Home Hill This small town is just south of Ayr over the Silver Link. The towering tea trees along the main street bear plaques commemorating the town's pioneering families. The Silver Link Interpretive Centre in Eighth Ave gives a photographic history of the Burdekin River Bridge. Ashworth's Tourist Centre houses Ashworth's Jewellers, the Rock Shop and the impressive Treasures of the Earth Display, while Zaro's Cultural Gallery has original islander artworks. The Canefield Ashes cricket competition is held in Apr, the Burdekin Grower Race Day in May and the Harvest Festival in Nov; 12 km S.

SS Yongala wreck A must for divers. The world-famous wreck, which sank near Cape Bowling Green during a cyclone in 1911, lay undiscovered for half a century. Despite being under water for almost 100 years, details such as the engine room, toilets, portholes and most of the ship’s name are still evident. The marine life is excellent, with beautiful corals, giant groupers and trevally, barracuda, stingrays, turtles and hundreds of other sea creatures. Access from Lynchs Beach.

Hutchings Lagoon: watersports; 5 km NW. Brandon Heritage Precinct: includes district's oldest church, St Patrick's (1897), now a local history museum. Ye Olde Machinery Place has an antique farm machinery display; 6 km N. Lynchs Beach: beach walks, birdwatching, swimming and fishing; 18 km N. Mt Kelly: Great views of surrounding farmlands; 18 km SW. Charlies Hill: WW II historic site; 24 km S. Groper Creek: great fishing spot with camping available; 24 km SE. Horseshoe Lagoon: birdwatching; 35 km N. Mt Inkerman: good views at top, plus picnic and barbecue facilities; 30 km S. Burdekin Dam: biggest dam in Queensland, holding the equivalent of 4 Sydney Harbours. Fishing and camping on offer; 180 km NW.

Lake Proserpine 132 km

The closed season for barramundi in Queensland runs from November to February, but some of the best barra waters are exempt and this includes the fabulous Lake Proserpine, often called Peter Faust Dam, 26 km east of... Find out more

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Seaforth 219 km

Seaforth is about an hour’s drive north of Mackay, depending on cane harvester traffic. The small seaside resort is remarkable in that it hasn’t yet been overrun by developers, although that is changing... Find out more

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Teemburra Dam 223 km

Mackay has excellent freshwater options. The most popular venues are the region’s dams in the Pioneer Valley – Teemburra, Eungella and Kinchant. Of these, the best known is Teemburra in Eungella National... Find out more

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Pioneer River 232 km

Fishing from a canoe is one of the best ways to get close and personal with the environment. Even when the fish are small, catching them from a canoe is both challenging and rewarding. With that in mind, I jumped at the... Find out more

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Reef HQ, Townsville 72 km

This eco-accredited, non-profit aquarium is a great spot to go before or after you visit the reef itself, as it will introduce you to some of the main characters out there and give you lots of great information about... Find out more

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Bushwalking on Magnetic Island 75 km

Magnetic Island has about 25 kilometres of walking tracks, many with outstanding views of the coast, or ending at isolated beaches. Do not miss the 2-kilometre Forts Walk, with a good chance of seeing a koala or two, and... Find out more

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Picnicking around Bowen and Mackay 101 km

There is plenty of shade to go around at Mullers Lagoon in Bowen, a 24-hectare parkland with botanic gardens, wetlands, a bird hide and free barbecues. The lush Botanic Gardens at Mackay are also recommended.... Find out more

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Swimming around Townsville and Cairns 138 km

Not far from Townsville there are a couple of popular swimming holes: Big Crystal Creek near Mutarnee, the icy Little Crystal Creek on the road to Paluma, and under the Rollingstone Bridge. Near Tully, you can cool off... Find out more

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Wildlife tours - Rockhampton to Townsville 153 km

Proserpine River Eco Tours runs an eco-accredited all-day wildlife safari in which you have a fairly good chance of seeing saltwater crocodiles, agile wallabies, mud crabs and frillnecked lizards. The tour combines a... Find out more

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Hiking the Whitsundays Great Walk 158 km

In the past few years a 30-kilometre walking track – the Whitsundays Great Walk – has been established, from Brandy Creek to Airlie Beach, through Conway State Forest. The two main camps, Repulse Creek and... Find out more

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Birdwatching - Townsville to Cairns 166 km

You do not need to be a bird nerd to appreciate Tyto Wetlands near Ingham. It is a beautiful, peaceful spot for a picnic, a pleasant walk or a pre-dinner drink. But if you stop at one of the benches or bird hides and... Find out more

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Camping - Whitsundays and Keppel Islands 177 km

If you want to camp on one of the Whitsunday Islands but do not want to kayak and do not own a boat, Camping Whitsundays and Island Camping Connections run a drop-off and pickup service, supply camping gear and food if... Find out more

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Hiking the Thorsborne Trail 179 km

The 32-kilometre Thorsborne Trail is a classic tropical bushwalk that weaves along the east coast of the 393-square-kilometre Hinchinbrook Island National Park. There is a maximum of 40 people allowed on the track at a... Find out more

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Bushwalking around Townsville and Cairns 205 km

This entire region offers great delights to bushwalkers, although you are likely to get damp, either from the humidity or from a tropical shower (it is not called ‘rainforest’ for nothing). The Rainforest and... Find out more

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Hamilton Island Golf Club 182 km

When Hamilton Island was being built in the 1980s it was a playground of the rich and famous. The island’s owner and developer, Keith Williams, knew a golf course would add to the tourism value of his island... Find out more

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Townsville Brewing Company 71 km

Based in an historic former post office building, Townsville Brewing Company has been brewing six regular beers (Townsville Bitter, Lager Lout, Burdekin Gold, Digger’s Pale Ale, Ned’s Red Ale and... Find out more

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Bowling Green Bay camping area 23 km

Just 600 m from the main access gate, near the day-use picnic area, this site is the only campground in the Mt Elliot section of the park. You can explore around the creek area, hike along the Alligator Falls track, or... Find out more

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Coconut Bay camping area (boat-based camping) 51 km

Coconut Bay campground has no facilities and suits self-sufficient campers. Access is by boat only; beware of marine stingers Oct–May and beware of estuarine crocodiles year-round. The campground is surrounded by... Find out more

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Magnetic Gateway Holiday Village 66 km

<p>Situated on the Bruce Highway at Cluden, just 8 km from Townsville, this tourist park has plenty of shady tent sites and an excellent range of facilities. Visitors can enjoy the swimming pool, spa, TV room and... Find out more

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Bona Bay camping area 120 km

This large shaded campground, with beach views, is on the south-west side of the island. The site can hold up to 36 campers, making it suitable for large groups, but you need to be completely self-sufficient. The... Find out more

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Burdekin Falls Dam Caravan Park 122 km

Well stocked with barramundi for excellent fishing, Burdekin Falls Dam on Lake Dalrymple is 120 km south of Mingela on the Flinders Hwy, with signposted access via Ravenswood Rd. The caravan park has good facilities and... Find out more

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East Side Bay camping area 122 km

This site is on the east side of Gloucester Island between 2 rocky headlands and adjacent to a seasonal freshwater lagoon. It’s a small campground suitable for a maximum of 6 people and there are no facilities.... Find out more

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Saddleback Island camping area 130 km

On the western side of Saddleback Island, this campground has space for 12 people. The only facilities are picnic tables, so you need to bring all self-sufficient goods and equipment.... Find out more

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Camp Kanga 135 km

Powered sites are available at this campground, 24 km north-west of Proserpine on Crystal Brook Rd. It’s just 1.5 km from Lake Proserpine (also known as Peter Faust Dam) and offers handy extras such as laundry... Find out more

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Big Crystal Creek camping area 138 km

This popular swimming and picnic area is off the Bruce Hwy, 2 km north of the Paluma turn-off; the 4 km road to the campground is partially unsealed. Bring a gas/fuel stove and drinking water, or treat the creek water... Find out more

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South Beach camping area 139 km

This campground on the south-east coast has no facilities and suits self-sufficient campers only. Generators and open fires are not permitted. Note: the reefs and waters surrounding Orpheus Island National Park are... Find out more

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BIG4 Silver Link Caravan Village 1 km

Easily accessible from the highway, this park is in a quiet, off-the-road position not far from the main shopping area. It has good facilities, and sites under numerous mango trees. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Magnetic Gateway Holiday Village 66 km

This park is alongside the Bruce Highway on the southern approaches to Townsville. Access is a little complicated but worthwhile (follow the blue caravan signs). The place is well laid out and has good facilities.... Find out more

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BIG4 Walkabout Palms Holiday Park 69 km

This is a good quality park with extensive facilities. Easy to find, it is behind the roadhouse near the junction of the Bruce and Flinders highways. There are a couple of dining opportunities within walking distance.... Find out more

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Rowes Bay Caravan Park 74 km

This good-quality, owner-operated park is in a quiet off-highway location on the waterfront, ideal for a longer stay.... Find out more

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BIG4 Townsville Woodlands Holiday Park 86 km

This is a spacious park located about 15 km north of the city alongside the Bruce Highway. We find it a convenient friendly place to stop, and often stay here overnight. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Wangaratta at the Beach Caravan Park 98 km

Great for a winter break, this is a very neat and tidy council park on the waterfront, adjoining the golf course. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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BIG4 Bowen Coral Coast Beachfront Holiday Park 99 km

Bowen is a popular coastal town and this park has absolute beach frontage, with excellent facilities and spotless amenities. Swimming, snorkelling and walking are all popular activities here. Beachfront sites are... Find out more

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Rollingstone Beach Caravan Resort 124 km

This is a very new park with a fabulous beachfront outlook. It has a wide range of facilities, a selection of sites and a camping area. It does lack shade, but would be a great winter destination. Bookings are required... Find out more

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Aussie Outback Oasis Cabin and Van Village 130 km

This owner-operated park is located on the eastern side of town and has excellent facilities in a bush setting. It is only a few years old and has developed well. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Dalrymple Tourist Van Park 132 km

Situated around 2 km north of the city, this is a well-established park with good facilities. It makes a good base for exploring this historic mining area. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Bungalow Bay Koala Village 76 km

Declared Australia’s best backpacker accommodation, this low-key eco-accredited resort, with pool and family-style restaurant, has 2.8 hectares of camping area and 30 A-frame bungalows, 25 of which are... Find out more

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Hidden Valley Cabins, Hidden Valley 158 km

Acclaimed as being Australia’s first completely solar-powered resort, with a restaurant, pool and room for 31 guests, this serious environmental resort is in secluded dry forest well off the Bruce Highway. It is... Find out more

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Hinchinbrook Island Wilderness Lodge and Resort 196 km

Revolutionary in terms of minimal-impact tourism when it was first established in 1974, this classy resort has no more than a toehold on the 393-square-kilometre Hinchinbrook Island, and you can hardly see the treetop... Find out more

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Plantation Creek Park Area 2 km

South side of Ayr Large parking area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S19 35.175 E147 23.881... Find out more

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Sandy Corner Rest Area 7 km

8 km N of Ayr (L) or 79 km S of Townsville (R) Large area just off the highway. Limited shade. GPS: S19 34.273 E147 20.247... Find out more

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Home Hill Rest Area 10 km

Middle of town Parking area in the street west of the main street near the tourist information centre. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S19 39.916 E147 24.849 ... Find out more

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Alligator Creek Camp Area 51 km

T/O 64 km N of Ayr (L) or 23 km S of Townsville (R) Small secluded camping area located 6 kilometres west of the highway in a pleasant bush setting in Bowling Green Bay National Park. Good shade and facilities. GPS:... Find out more

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Guthalungra Rest Area 60 km

49 km N of Bowen (L) or 56 km S of Home Hill (R) Small area just off the highway opposite the roadhouse. Limited shade. GPS: S19 55.440 E147 50.571... Find out more

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Saunders Beach Camp Area 96 km

T/O 24 km N of Townsville (R) or 87 km S of Ingham (L) Small coastal camp area located 7 kilometres east of the highway on the foreshore at the northern end of the village. Good facilities but shade is limited. ... Find out more

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Bluewater Rest Area 100 km

30 km N of Townsville (L) or 81 km S of Ingham (R) Large area well off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S19 10.512 E146 33.083... Find out more

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Mount Gordon Park Area 101 km

60 km N of Proserpine (R) or 8 km S of Bowen (L) Small area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S20 02.800 E148 13.739  ... Find out more

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Toomulla Beach Camp Area 112 km

T/O 43 km N of Townsville (R) or 68 km S of Ingham (L) Small grassy camp area located 2 kilometres east of the highway on the foreshore at the south end of the village. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S19 05.0013... Find out more

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Rollingstone Rest Area 121 km

53 km N of Townsville (R) or 58 km S of Ingham (L) Large grassed area well off the highway accessed via the service road through Rollingstone. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S19 02.732 E146 23.664... Find out more

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Balgal Beach Camp Area 122 km

T/O 52 km N of Townsville (R) or 59 km S of Ingham (L) Small foreshore campground located 5 kilometres east of the highway at the northern end of the road through the village. Good facilities but only limited shade. ... Find out more

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