Bowen

Historical murals Around the buildings and streets of Bowen's town centre are 25 murals by local and national artists, each illustrating an aspect of the region's history. The mural by Australian artist Ken Done was displayed at Expo '88. A new mural is commissioned every 2 years.Historical Museum: covers history of area; open 9.30am–3.30pm Mon–Fri, 10am–12pm Sun Sept–Apr, closed Feb and Mar; Gordon St. Summergarden Theatre: styled on the classic movie houses of Southern California. Used now to screen films and stage performances; Murroona Rd.

Bays and beaches Choose from 8 excellent spots for swimming, snorkelling and fishing in spectacular surrounds. Rose and Horseshoe bays are connected by a walking track with panoramic views over the ocean; a sidetrack leads to Murray Bay. Impressive corals and fish can be found at Grays, Horseshoe, Murray and Rose bays. Diving enthusiasts should head to Horseshoe and Murray bays. For a more exclusive swim, visit secluded Coral Bay. Details and directions from visitor centre.Big Mango: tribute to the local Kensington Mango, grown since the 1880s. A shop sells all things mango-related – the mango ice-cream is a highlight; Bruce Hwy, Mt Gordon; 7 km S. Gloucester Island National Park: group of secluded islands 23 km offshore, part of the Great Barrier Reef, boasting beaches and rainforest. Campers must be self-sufficient and obtain a permit. Access via private boat from Dingo Beach, Hideaway Bay, Bowen or Airlie Beach; (07) 4967 7355. Cape Upstart National Park: remote granite headland flanked with sandy beaches; self-sufficient visitors only; access by boat, ramps at Molongle Bay and Elliot River; (07) 4967 7355; 50 km NW. Collinsville: coalmine tours can be arranged at Bowen visitor centre; 82 km SW.

Lake Proserpine 41 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 123 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 139 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 141 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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Wildlife tours - Rockhampton to Townsville 55 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 58 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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Camping - Whitsundays and Keppel Islands 77 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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Reef HQ, Townsville 172 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 174 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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Swimming around Townsville and Cairns 238 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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Hamilton Island Golf Club 81 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 172 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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Bona Bay camping area 21 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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East Side Bay camping area 24 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 31 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 42 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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Armit Island camping area 43 km

This campground in the south-west corner of the island has space for 12 totally self-sufficient campers. Access to the southern beach and Little Armit Island is prohibited Oct–Mar each year for regeneration.... Find out more

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Grimstone Point camping area (boat-based camping) 48 km

This low-key, quiet campground is accessed by boat only. Pit toilets and picnic tables are the only facilities here so bring all self-sufficient goods and equipment (including insect repellent).... Find out more

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Coconut Bay camping area (boat-based camping) 50 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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Big4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort 54 km

This impressive 10-hectare landscaped camping and caravan park is conveniently located about 250m from Airlie Beach's Centro Whitsunday Shopping Centre. The facilities are top class: ensuite powered sites, plenty of... Find out more

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Big4 Airlie Cove Resort Van Park 59 km

<p>This modern tourist park with excellent facilities is located 2.5 km from Airlie Beach town centre on Shute Harbour Road. The campground is grassy and shady and features a 'Polynesian style' camp kitchen... Find out more

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Bloodwood camp 61 km

Hikers on the Whitsunday Great Walk can camp at this site, 11.5 km (5–6 hrs) from Repulse Creek camp and 8.5 km from the end of the walk at Airlie Beach. The track from Repulse Creek follows a ridge to the summit... Find out more

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BIG4 Bowen Coral Coast Beachfront Holiday Park 3 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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Wangaratta at the Beach Caravan Park 4 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 Adventure Whitsunday Resort 54 km

This is a top quality park in an exceptionally popular holiday destination. The park has many features including a kids club, a tennis court and minigolf. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay... Find out more

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Proserpine Tourist Park 55 km

In a quiet off-highway part of Proserpine, this is a very neat park that adjoins the town swimming pool, golf course and bowling green. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Flametree Tourist Village 60 km

This is a well-known park in the heart of a popular holiday destination. Enjoy the pool, covered barbecues and other features. This is a good place at a reasonable price in this busy coastal strip. Bookings are required... Find out more

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O’Connell River Whitsunday Tourist Park 72 km

Located alongside the highway 22 km south of Proserpine, this place has good basic facilities and is for an overnight stop. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Travellers Rest Caravan and Camping Park 86 km

There are no more sandflies or midges at Midge Point than elsewhere, but there is a lovely beachside caravan park with lawns, large shady trees and a host of other great features. We really enjoy staying here. Bookings... Find out more

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BIG4 Silver Link Caravan Village 100 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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St Helens Gardens Caravan Park 113 km

A basic park with good facilities, this place is set back from the highway beside Kolijo Creek, 1 km south of the Calen Post Office. This is a good overnight stop. Bookings are required in peak periods.... Find out more

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Seaforth Camping Area 124 km

This is a popular open camping area right on the beachfront in the heart of the small town.... Find out more

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Rose Bay Resort

The Coral Sea is almost at your doorstep in these one- and two-bedroom apartments and studios with private balconies and views across the water. The atmosphere is very relaxed and casual, and the parkland at the... Find out more

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Bungalow Bay Koala Village 176 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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Mount Gordon Park Area 4 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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Guthalungra Rest Area 44 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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Home Hill Rest Area 95 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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Plantation Creek Park Area 101 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 107 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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St Helens Beach Camp Area 111 km

T/O 54 km N of Mackay (R) or 70 km S of Proserpine (L) Small campground located 13 kilometres east of the highway on the foreshore at the south end of the village. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S20 50.426 E148... Find out more

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Seaforth Camp Area 124 km

T/O 20 km N of Mackay (R) or 104 km S of Proserpine (L) Large foreshore campground located 23 kilometres east of the highway at the end of the road into the village. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S20 54.074 E148... Find out more

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Ball Bay Camp Area 126 km

T/O 20 km N of Mackay (R) or 104 km S of Proserpine (L) Very small grassy campground on the foreshore 2 kilometres north of Cape Hillsborough Road (turn off 4 kilometres east of Seaforth Road) at the end of the road... Find out more

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Smalleys Beach Camp Area 128 km

T/O 20 km N of Mackay (R) or 104 km S of Proserpine (L) Small area on the beach among dense coastal vegetation 1.5 kilometres north of Cape Hillsborough Road (turn off 5.5 kilometres east of Seaforth Road) in Cape... Find out more

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Palm Tree Creek Park Area 131 km

34 km N of Mackay (L) or 90 km S of Proserpine (R) Small area adjacent to the highway around a few trees. Good shade. GPS: S21 01.676 E148 53.572... Find out more

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