Trial Bay Gaol Campground

Submitted: Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 11:11

ThreadID: 103256 Views:2495 Replies:9 FollowUps:9

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Nicole G

Hi All,
Planning to stay here on my way back from Fraser Island to Sydney for 2 nights mid September school holidays. There are lots of other national park campgrounds that I would prefer to stay in, Yuraygir, Bundjalung, Limeburners Creek, however I can book Trial Bay and I can't book the others. My concern is that all these other spots are really popular during school holidays and if I just turn up there will be nothing available. I don't mind exploring and looking around, but not with my 3 kids in the back after already driving 7 hours. Can anyone shed some light on this national park situation and also what is Trial Bay like??!! Thanks Nicole

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Reply By: Tate1984 - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 11:25

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 11:25

Have you had a look at Delicate Nobby campground? It is just south of Crescent Head near Limeburners. It is a privately run campground but sites are well separated by trees, gardens etc and can feel quiet private. Powered sites are available and the fees are quite reasonable. The beach is also just across the road.

While Trial Bay is a very nice location, it would be very busy during school holidays and I find the sites are on top of each other.

Cheers

AnswerID: 514865

Follow Up By: Nicole G - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 11:47

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 11:47

Thanks I will have a look at that one. Yes Trial Bay does concern me!!

FollowupID: 794019

Follow Up By: Nicole G - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 12:12

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 12:12

Do you know anything like this a bi further north?

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Reply By: Meridith D - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 12:12

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 12:12

Trial Bay Gaol is an awesome campsite. One of the few spots left on the coast where you can camp overlooking the water - not behind a sand dune. My family has been camping there every Christmas for 2 weeks for the last 15 years+. The beach is really safe and shallow for young kids and there is the gaol to explore. I would list it as one of the top spots in NSW to camp.

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Follow Up By: Nicole G - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 12:17

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 12:17

Thanks Meredith! Now I am really confused and Christmas would be busier than ever! Nicole

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Follow Up By: graham B9 - Wednesday, Jul 17, 2013 at 23:21

Wednesday, Jul 17, 2013 at 23:21

site number 12 is the best. It is the biggest.

Also look at Horseshoe Bay caravan park. It is also awsome. Site number 21.

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Follow Up By: Dave(NSW) - Thursday, Jul 18, 2013 at 10:19

Thursday, Jul 18, 2013 at 10:19

September holidays wont be booked out like Christmas. Horseshoe bay is another good one but can be a bit windy when the North Easters are blowing.
Cheers Dave

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FollowupID: 794119

Reply By: Member - Mark (Tamworth NSW) - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 13:59

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 13:59

Nicole
I can't help you with Trial Bay, but I would be surprised if Pebbly Beach in Yuraygir would be full. I've walked/ driven through it over 2-3 Easter's and found there were always some spots. A couple of weeks ago I drove from Noosa to Rainbow Beach (just south of Fraser) and reckon that Pebbly Beach is superior to any of the camps on the Caloola coast.
Just depends how you are not booking? Station Creek behind Pebbly beach will always have spots

Mark

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AnswerID: 514873

Reply By: Graham S6 - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 14:40

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 14:40

Hi Nicole,

I never been up that way but I'm heading up in my Xtrail next week. I'm not very experienced with driving off road would you advise whether my vehicle would be suitable to take over to Fraser Is for use on the main tracks?

AnswerID: 514874

Follow Up By: Nicole G - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 15:41

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 15:41

Hi Graham, I'm afraid I'm not really the right person to answer this question, bit of a newbie myself. Its my first time to Fraser and am going with our local 4x4 club. Nicole

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Reply By: Member - Peter H1 (NSW) - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 15:39

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 15:39

Hi,
Trial Bay NP is just as dear as the local CP which has better facilities, and closer to the beach and has tiered parking, so most vans have a view of the bay. Also closer to the pub, good counter lunch.

AnswerID: 514879

Follow Up By: Ozhumvee - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 21:46

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 21:46

Our experience too, very expensive, very small sites jam packed at any sort of holiday time or weekend. Felt we had been ripped off when we stayed there, the local CP has better facilities and might even be cheaper.
As others have said unless you booked a year ahead you would be unlikely to get a spot in peak periods.

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Reply By: Gronk - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 15:59

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 15:59

You will not get a spot at Trial Bay during the school holidays if you just rock up......and at this late stage I'd guess you won't be able to book either !

Delicate Knobby is worth a try, as is Limeburners..

AnswerID: 514882

Reply By: rusti2 - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 16:23

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 16:23

I am with Meridith Trial Bay just magnificent and beach is tops for kids

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Reply By: gbc - Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 16:43

Tuesday, Jul 16, 2013 at 16:43

Keep a close eye on your gear at Trial Bay. I do a bit of kayak fishing from there. This easter I had fishing gear knocked off and my neighbours lost their 100 litre esky complete with all their pre packaged meals for a special needs kid. Apparently it is a common occurence according to the local copper who gave us a 1300 phone number to log the crime and drove off - didn't even get out of the car.
Notwithstanding the above, it is a nice clean park with great beaches, good facilities and a great view. I would think the waterfront sites are gone by now - we book year to year for Easter.

AnswerID: 514886

Reply By: Member - John and Lynne - Thursday, Jul 18, 2013 at 07:44

Thursday, Jul 18, 2013 at 07:44

You might need a Plan B. The Bruce and Pacific Highways can be slow and subject to delays for roadworks etc. With kids in the car you will be doing very well to get to Trial Bay from Fraser in seven hours during a holiday period. For convenience and booking certainty you might consider a caravan park for those two nights so at least you arrive at a designated site and setting up is straightforward. I would suggest you consider somewhere between Grafton and Coffs harbour. There are some nice beach side parks if you can get in during holidays.Good luck. Lynne

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Follow Up By: Nicole G - Thursday, Jul 18, 2013 at 21:48

Thursday, Jul 18, 2013 at 21:48

Thanks everyone for your responses! Before I saw your response Lynne I booked a park at Brooms Head near Yamba bit expensive but I too decided I was trying to achieve too much distance wise! Will leave the national parks for another trip!! Thanks again! Nicole

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