Bush camping spots around the outback

Submitted: Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 00:09

ThreadID: 26254 Views:7296 Replies:8 FollowUps:7

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RichardLOZ

Hi all

I am doing a trip with 5 other vechicles leaving Newcastle on September 24th for 3 weeks and though I would seek advice here in regards to finding some good busgcamp spots along the way, rather than staying in caravan parks. I know that there are some places that we will stay in caravan parks / stations, but any advice or suggestions as to other places to camp would be most welcome.

The intended itinerary is as follows.....

Newcastle - Bourke (Cobar - White Cliffs) - Tibooburra - Innamincka - Birdsville - Jervois Station - Alice - Uluru (Curtain Springs) - Finke - Chambers Pillar - Dalhousie (Cadney Park - Cooberpedy - William Creek) - Oodnadatta - William Creek - Lyndhurst - Broken Hill - Nyngan - Newcastle.

The locations that are bracketed are potential alternates to some of the other places, depending on how people feel at the time.

Given the increasing cost of diesel expecially out where we are going it would be great if we could save a few pennies by bush camping. Any suggestions you may have would be most appreciated.

Obviously some places we will stay in the "usual" campgrounds...Innamincka common, Birdsville with Ruth etc, but suggestions for some of the other places are needed. Thanks for your help

Richard & Tracy

VKS737
Romeo 4029

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Reply By: res.q.guy - Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 06:39

Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 06:39

Hi Richard and Tracy
A good book to have with you is "Camps Australia Wide" now into its 3rd edition.
It shows all the bush campsites along the major roads. Other travellers you bump into will usually recomend (or not recomend) sites from the book. Its like a travellers bible.
www.campsaustraliawide.com

Regards
Neil

AnswerID: 128993

Follow Up By: RichardLOZ - Sunday, Sep 11, 2005 at 22:43

Sunday, Sep 11, 2005 at 22:43

Thanks for the advice Neil and I will look into that book. We do already have a number of various books in regards to camping spots, but that one does look quite good.

Cheers

Richard

FollowupID: 384073

Reply By: Trevor W(Brisbane) - Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 07:04

Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 07:04

Innaminka- Definately stay at Cullymurra Water Hole approx 8 kms east of Innaminka (not sure about spelling)
We just stayed at Walget (East of Bourke) only Caravan Park just North ot town, which was cheap and not to bad providing no cattle in sale yard.
Peterborough (West of Broken Hill has a nice Caravan Park up on the Hill away from Traffic Noise.
Broken Hill - we stayed at the lake View Caravan Park (North Side of Town)-Trucks go past all night long - Noisy place.
Tobermoray Station -East of Jervois -has better facilities with an area of green grass but the Generator is nearby and make sure they turn it of at nightfall.
If your travelling the Plenty Highway - there is a good camping spot just as you turn into Cattlewater Pass ,East of Gemtrees for free -no facilities & look out for a spot without burrs. Chambers Pillar has good camp site about 5 kms back from Pillar.

AnswerID: 128996

Follow Up By: Vince NSW - Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 09:54

Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 09:54

Trevor,
I wish people would stop suggesting Cullyamurra waterhole. I want the place to myself. It would have to be one of the MOST perfect places on earth at sunrise.
As for Broken Hill, try Silverton which is only 20 or so Km out of Broken Hill. Penrose Park has a camping ground and when ever we have been there, it has felt that we are the only campers due to the size of the place. Added bonus is the Silverton Pub.
Vince

FollowupID: 383523

Follow Up By: RichardLOZ - Sunday, Sep 11, 2005 at 22:46

Sunday, Sep 11, 2005 at 22:46

Have been to Innamincka a few times and have always stayed on the common, but will look into Cullymurra waterhole.

Broken Hill we always stay at Penrose Park in Silverton.....awesome little place, well priced and great location.

Jervois is ther most likely spot on the Plenty basically due to the trip itinerary and time constraints. Will also look for the spot you are suggesting at Chambers Pillar.

Cheers

Richard

FollowupID: 384074

Reply By: Al & Mrs Al (Vic) - Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 09:35

Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 09:35

Richard

50kms south of bourke is Gundabooka National Park. It's fairly new but it was quite good, not sure what the fees were, it's self registration. The camping is in bays either side of the road, but we fitted two campers into the one bay, each area has a fire pit, and there are pit toilets there.

If you check out the NSW parks site you should be able to lookit up there.

cheers

Lyn

AnswerID: 129021

Reply By: Member - Duncs - Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 11:53

Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 11:53

In the William Creek area you should check out Coward Springs, there is a fee but it was worth it for the showers and the soak in the spring.

Also Mulloorina Stn north (75km) of Maree is very nice. Camping is for a donation to the RFDS and the campground is beside permanent water with lots of shady trees. You can access Lake Eyre from here, near the place where Don Campbell did his land speed record.

Get to Chambers early as the campground is not big and fills up.

Duncs

AnswerID: 129041

Follow Up By: RichardLOZ - Sunday, Sep 11, 2005 at 22:48

Sunday, Sep 11, 2005 at 22:48

Been to Coward Springs for the day although have not camped there. Looks as though we wont be this trip either as we have decided to come from Dalhousie through Oodnadatta, across to Coober Pedy and stay there for the night, then come back across to William Creek and travel down to Lake Eyre from there.

Cheers

Richard

FollowupID: 384075

Reply By: Moose - Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 13:06

Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 13:06

Bourke - go out to Mays Bend. Free, on the Darling and not too far from town. Shown on the local tourist info mud maps.

AnswerID: 129052

Reply By: snailbate - Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 21:17

Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 21:17

hi
if you have a number of vehicles you can camp wher you like

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AnswerID: 129169

Follow Up By: RichardLOZ - Sunday, Sep 11, 2005 at 22:49

Sunday, Sep 11, 2005 at 22:49

You pose a good point, and lets face it out there you can basically camp just about anywhere off the road a little.

Cheers

Richard

FollowupID: 384076

Reply By: Joe - Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 21:35

Thursday, Sep 08, 2005 at 21:35

Oodnadatta Track-Coward Springs hot spa great facilities
Oodnadatta-camp at North Creek private station that allows bush camping, next to old Ghan tracks and bridge.
McDonald Ranges-Palm Valley,Ormoston Gorge
Birdsville-The "caravan park" is a slopy clay pan in the wet.
Jervios area-Batton Hill tradtional landowner Lindsay Bookie has great camp and good basic facilities.
cheers
joe

AnswerID: 129183

Follow Up By: RichardLOZ - Sunday, Sep 11, 2005 at 22:53

Sunday, Sep 11, 2005 at 22:53

Yeah I have heard and read a few things about the "caravan park" at Birdsville when it is wet, but is there anywhere else around the Birdsville area to camp 6 vehicles?

Do you have any more info in regards to Batton Hill and how to access it travelling west on the Plenty?

Cheers

Richard

FollowupID: 384077

Follow Up By: Joe - Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 10:40

Monday, Sep 12, 2005 at 10:40

Hi Richard,
This site will provide you the information and permits,however the information starts at south end and ends at Jervios...they will direct you in from the Plenty.

http://www.direct4wd.com.au/tours/hay_access.htm

I'd be interested to know from others,what other camp options are available around Birdsville also
cheers joe.

FollowupID: 384116