Kiddie Rest Stop between Rocky & Mackay

Mate I can't answer your question, there are not much

Usually when we travel the east coast of Qld we hammer the stretch up to Mackay as (for us personally) that stretch is quite boring. Rather then spend more time from Mackay north

CJ

How about St Lawrence? Don't know about a playground.... but is roughly half way on your journey.
regards

Hi

There is a rest area come driver reviver stop with toilets etc agout half way between Mackay and Rocky, The name escapes me at the moment but we ussually overnight there on our way from Brissy to Townsville. A public phone is also there. Hope this helps

Cheers Teza

Kylie

Have a look at a nice little place called Clairview.

It's about 200k north of Rocky, and is right on a shallow beach.

George_M

"Clairview has a Caravan Park with a Convenience Store, Community Centre, Rest Area with Amenities and Playground Equipment ..."

So Clairview it is! Thanks guys :)

Hi Kylie, the Waverley Creek rest area would be your best bet for a stop on that stretch of road. As others have said Clairview can be a dangerous turn, Carmila is probably getting to close to Sarina by then.
Will be travelling along there ourselves around the 30th June and will have a night at Carmila Beach check it out in Camps Australia, best travelling guide around.

There is also a rest area and playground in Marlborough (about 2 kms off the Hwy) with a pool (no idea of opening hours), but that may be a bit too close to Rocky for your needs.
Clairview Beach is pleasant, as others have said, though I can't remember too much playground equipment. The rest area is almost through the town on the way out along the "main drag". The road goes back onto the Hwy if you keep following it. No problem with turning into Clairview if you take care.

Cheers, John

Just to clarify the kid friendly situation between Rockhampton and Mackay:

- Marlborough. Turn off the highway and head in 2kms to the town. Facilities are basic with toilets and 2 old style swings with sand coverage. Shade provided by medium size trees.

- Waverley Creek Rest Area. A common stopping area, 150km (1.5 hrs) north of Rockhampton. Overnight stopping is discouraged now with small fencing restricting some of the parking area. NO playground facilities, a driver reviver operates during the peak holiday periods (limited days), basic toilet facilities, rough pot-holed road into the rest area at the moment, poorly maintained compared to its hayday. Still work a stop though, if nothing else for a toilet break after 70km of nothing :)

- St Lawrence. 16km's north of Waverley Creek to the turnoff. Worth the stop off the highway, 6km from the turnoff on bitumen road. A nice quite town which is the hub of the newly amalgamated Isaac Regional Council. A very nice Recreation Reserve is found just before entering the town, which is heavily patronised by 50 nomadic vehicles this time of the year. No kids facilities apart from toilets (and coin showers) at this site, however a nice St Lawrence Wetlands trail (couple hundred metres) can be followed from here or just up the road. The township has the Thomas Standish Recreation Reserve just over the railway line, turn left, 100m. Small but good kids playground can be found here, with a proper shade structure and rubberised ground protection. Icecreams available just down the road at the shop :) Access back to the highway can be as previous or turnat the railway line (where the boganvillias are planted) and follow the dirt road over an interesting causeway past the Wetlands to the highway.

- Clairview. 23 North of the main St Lawrence turnoff. Turnoff heading north can be found 1km north of the end of the 110km/h zone. Turnoff Southbound can be hard to find as it is marked as Colonial Drive on a small white signpost. Heading North, drive past the simple yet nice caravan park to the other end of the "town" to the Clairview Community Centre and Park. Good Toilets can be found here with an equally respectable shaded playground with rubberised ground protection. Overnight stopping is allowed at this location, though it will only take 6 nomads. ;) A caravan toilet dumping point is located here for travellers which is handy. As the park is on the beach, it is good to explore with the kids.

- Carmilla. Turnoff the highway and drive down the road to the park just over the railway crossing on the right. Another well shaded playground with rubberised matting for protection with a good field to run around if the kids are so inclined.

I hope that helps with some of the decision process, don't forget to take a break when needed, especially in this long stretch of your trip.

BTW, my pick would be Clairview. :)

Andrew

Hi, I 2nd Clairview. There is definately a playground there outside the community centre. My daughter spent 3/4 of an hour there while I waited for the NRMA to bring me petrol!! Yes I know - dumb! It's only a small place and don't beleive the sign on the highway that has a picture of a petrol bowser on it - they don't have a service station!!

Happy travels :)