Heading North Queensland any tips??

Sasha
there are a couple good free camps on the beach just north of Townsville,Balgal Beach,Toomulla and Saunders park. (Lovely Fish and Chips at Balgal).
cheers
eerfree

If you get a chance to visit Tinaroo Dam it's very nice. Spent 5 days there a few weeks back. Not free, $4 pp p/n with a special rate for families. We camped at Fong-on Bay. very quite, plently of camp sites (pick your own) right beside the water. Toilets, water, but no showers. Plenty of red claw crayfish which we caught (yum) , stocked with barra but didn't see any of those. The info bureau at atherton has got maps of the place etc. Fong-on is about 18km along the forrest drive from Tinaroo township.

Try Jourama falls, about 90Km north of Townsville, or Wallaman Falls west of Ingham, both national parks.
Another good spot is on the scenic drive road which goes from the highway, about 20ks(?)(the turnoff is well signposted) north of the Jourama falls turnoff, to Ingham via Paronela park. Shortly before you get to the park ther's a great little camp spot on the bank of a river, free area with toilets and a great spot for a dip.

The bridge at Little Crystal Creek is also worth the detour, althogh the road is very narrow and unsuitable for caravans. Picnic area only.

The Lava Tubes at Undara are very interesting and worth a look but definately not free. We thought it was quite expensive but shelled out the bucks and enjoyed the tour.

Innot Hot Springs was a very pleasant interlude on the road from Undara to Cairns. We stayed in the CV Park which was not free but was reasonable, too long ago to remember what we payed. It was pretty basic but the hot water in the creek made for a relaxing soak. After a week on the road it was most welcome.

Duncs

Sasha,

Murray Falls near Cardwell has a great camping area - grass,plenty of trees amenities. River run beside the camping area.

Cheers

Kevin

Last time I was there, the campground at the Babinda boulders was free for the first 2 (or 3 ?) nights. Amenities were good and whilst not right by the water, the Boulders were just a 2 minute walk.

Babinda is ~45 minutes south of Cairns.

Check out Josephine falls at Mirriwinni south of Babinda on the way through. Not for the camping but for the falls (easy walk from carpark).

Sasha,

If you are into fishing then try Groper Creek (turn off at Home Hill). There is a basic C/Park here fairly reasonable tariffs if I remember right, but you go here for the prawns and fishing not much else.
Wanjunga beach (not sure of spelling pronounced "onejunga") turnoff is a couple of k's south of Inkerman, will really have to be looking for the sign, then 11 -12 k's private dirt road to the beach (no probs to traverse this road if you are sensible). Very isolated but well worth the effort to find, could camp at the 4wd entrance on to the beach for free as no one will no you are there. The sand on this stretch of beach can be VERY soft so be careful if you drive on the beach. Home Hill locals have got some very nice beach shacks to the northern end of the beach and they will be the only people you will see, if you see anyone.
Then as someone has already said try every beach turnoff within 50km north of Townsville as most of them have 1-2 days free camping. Rollingstone rest area is at the Balgal beach turnoff and there is a great swimming hole at this lovely and shady camp but there will be thousands of grey mexicans trying to escape there southern winter at the moment so it may be a bit crowded.
Hope this gives you a bit to think about, and I am envious of you up that far north as it is quite cold down in Brissy at the moment. (just rubbing it in for the southerners)
Happy wandering and best regards
Trevor.

Hi Sasha
We have just spent 4 weeks in north queensland, and had a ball. We have 3 small kids (5, 3, 1) so we prefer more out of the way places. We camped at the camping ground near Wallaman Falls and it was beautiful, and very few others camping, however can't go in with a caravan. We have a camping trailer. When you get to Townsville if you are camping I would not stay at Rowe's Bay CP. Very little room for campers. Went up to Cape Tribulation and stayed at The rainforest village, which I highly recommend. Heaps of room and the view is just amazing. I was a bit paranoid about camping in state forest, National praks etc above townsville as I was a bit nervey about the kids and crocs.
It costs a bit but highly recommend the Skyrail when visiting Cairns.
Kate

Good tip on camping No. 1. Don't camp too close to the water's edge!

Good tip No. 2. Don't swim in the water!

Avagoodn
Pezza

Thanks everyone for your advice much appreciated :) We'll definately keep an eye out for any big lizards with teeth as I quite like my legs where they are!

So many fantastic places to go and don't worry just to rub it in for you Southerners it is lovely and warm here in Mackay at the moment.

What do you all think about going all the way up to the Cape is it too late in the year as we then want to head across the top to Darwin then onto Broome but keep thinking it is pushing it on the time front with the summer looming.........

Sasha

Let's face it, you're in Qld. Anywhere is good. Remember the old saying, brilliant one day, perfect the next. cape hillsborough just north of Mackay is definately worth a visit so are the many little towns along the coast. I'm sur if you took every second turn right you couldn't go wrong.
Happy Camping

hi sasha....we moved to nthqld 12 years ago and live at flying fish pt....just out off innisfail....and have camped a lot over that time and know some lovely spots..........if there is an area in particuular that you would like to know more about....give us a call........good chance we have been there

hello again....yes...paronella park is well worth a visit....though its not a city...... but amazing what this man did build.......if you take the turnoff at a small town called silkwood......its the old road through to innisfail and you pass mena creek and the park.....and its a lovely drive........watch for sugarcane trains...they run 24 hours a day.....and we might meet personally....lol..........A lovely little spot to camp about 15 min from silkwood.....only toilets...but free....contact us at our email....marknjulie@dodo.com.au for any other info........ps....not a bad council park at bramston beach just north of innisfail.......$12 a night a site....with hot showers.......right on the beach.......and if you want to go to a croc farm...the best in nth qld i think is at innisfail............cheers

I'm just back from a camping trip around Cooktown, plenty of free camps there, Nice spot on the Little Annan River ( toilet only but clear water and no crocs in river) and you can also camp at Archer Point on beach. If you don't mind some rough road you can also camp on the beach at Ayton. There is camping at Mt Molloy too, they ask for $2 a night.
Happy trails.