Travelling to Cairns

maggieyoung,

Google Maps says Bruce Highway and 2003K

As for camping, have a look at http://www.coastshop.com.au/maps/rest_areas/QLD_Rest%20Areas.pdf

Cheers,

Cruiser

There's a great free camping spot on the Calliope River about 16km SE of Gladstone (as the crow flies) and 27 km S of the village of Mt Larcom on the Bruce Highway. GPS coords are 23d 57m 49s S 151d 9m 14s E. Some good grass to camp on and from memory there are also flushing toilets. Just be careful swimming there as I believe a youngster got severely stung by a box jelly last year in this river.

Good free camping 48hrs @Balgal Beach off Ocean Pde ,Free caravan site no tents @ Fishermans Landing ,or free camping at Rollingstone off Bruce Hwy ,take Balgal turnoff and straight ahead over low bridge ,area on right coming in from southern end.Local pub good meals good company,Fishermans Wharf best fish and chips ,other goodies too,shower blocks at all areas .Good fishing off Rollinstone Creek at entrance but DONT SWIM THERE as crocs are friendly.North Qld has many other free camps ,they want tourists and workers .Not like NSW charging like a mad bull everywhere.

around Cardwell area is Murray Falls ,a beautiful spot , free camping ,no facilities .crystal clear water running over smooth rocks and boulders makes a nice place to sit in and relax like a spa ,very dense rainforest above the falls ,I stayed for 3 days just relaxing ,this was afew years ago so things may have changed . In Cairns make sure to drive up to Port Douglas ,one of the most scenic drives there is ,then up the Rex Range to Mt Molloy via Jullatten .stunning .free camping at Mt Molloy ,was when I was there ,country pub ,baker and basic supplies ,swimming hole behind camp ground ,bottom of hill down from pub