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Post Info TOPIC: Balgal Beach Qld
jules47


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Has anyone noticed in Camps 7 that Balgal Beach, just north of Townsville, is a designated "Day only" area - No. 33 in the bible.

Stayed there last year, and a great spot - right on a beautiful beach.  Was very popular, people were lining up at 6am to get a spot when someone left (was 48 hr stay).

Apparently a lot of the locals were not happy with people staying there.  Feel for the little fish and chip shop (terrific food) - was very popular with those staying over.



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kandagal


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We have stayed at Balgal Beach in the past. A good spot but a pity to make it a day use area. I have to admit. though, the sand flies there were vicious.

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Happywanderer


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In the bible Wuruma Dam is only an overnight stay. Some people have been there for months. Maybe the book is wrong.

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carry1


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We stayed at Balgal Beach a couple of months back for a couple of days. There was a van there that had been for some time no one had told them they had to move on . Yes great little shop - not that good for fishing at the time we were there, and yes the midges were quite bad.Great for swimming in the summer months a stinger net is out. Quite a small area though ,very snugly with the person next door!!!. Lots of big trees with pesky parrots early morning and late evening. Great beach and river inlet.



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herbie


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This is what happens when people abuse the time frame put into place in these kind of places. Just makes it hard for the people who try to do the right thing.When we stayed over there a bloke told us he had been there two weeks .



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carry1


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Very true herbie these people were not with the GN. They recon that is how they have been doing the big trip around ,with no time frame in their plans they stay as long as they can in free camp sites and only move on when things get ugly. I was blown over by there statement, just bludgers in my mind giving others a bad name. Also I thought was bad had a long water hose attached to the foreshore tap for constant water supply .

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jules47


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People overstaying is always a problem - by a day or two is ok-ish - but weeks is just over the top. This is why some areas are closed for camping, as has been said several times!!
Balgal is a great spot - shame to not be able to stay - though there was talk when we were there last year the lease is almost out on the shop, and it is going to be pulled down - so won't be the same anyway!

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jules
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herbie


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carry1 wrote:

Very true herbie these people were not with the GN. They recon that is how they have been doing the big trip around ,with no time frame in their plans they stay as long as they can in free camp sites and only move on when things get ugly. I was blown over by there statement, just bludgers in my mind giving others a bad name. Also I thought was bad had a long water hose attached to the foreshore tap for constant water supply .

 Yep it was like staying at the Hilton he told me ( with out the expenses ) when i asked why he was staying in the one spot for so long and blocking other people from staying ,his answer was ..I AM DOING THE BIG LAP AND NEED ALL THE FREE CAMPS I CAN GET .I also added so are a lot of other people but they try to do the right thing, his reply was WELLMORE FOOL THEM. after that remark i never spoke to the sod again just gave him that look you give those type who p.. you off.



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jules47


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We were in Rollingstone (Bushy Parker Park) last winter, they have put several taps around the area, but it was a bit disconcerting to see people hooked up to them, as in a caravan park - they just don't seem to realise they are there for all to share - saw one guy walk up, pull the hose out and fill a container, never put the hose back on either - good on him! I thought.

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GaryKelly


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That's exactly what I would do, Jules. If people don't care about others, I don't care about them.

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justcruisin01


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Was there last year as well & yes, the rangers keept a check on all vehicles, If you over stayed you were asked/told to move on.

Great little spot, be a shame to see it go too.

JC.



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herbie


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justcruisin01 wrote:

Was there last year as well & yes, the rangers keept a check on all vehicles, If you over stayed you were asked/told to move on.

Great little spot, be a shame to see it go too.

JC.

 I think these rangers only turn up randomly ,as we have stayed there a few different times over the years and only ever noted seeing one ranger and he came out to visit his mate who was staying there for what looked like more than a few days.



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rockylizard


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Happywanderer wrote:

In the bible Wuruma Dam is only an overnight stay. Some people have been there for months. Maybe the book is wrong.

Gday...

Wuruma Dam in Camps 6 QLD site 454 and Camps 7 QLD site 431 have no time limit shown ... which "bible" are you using these days HW?

And a comparison of Balgal Beach in Camps 6 and Camps 7 shows the "word' entries are identical and the 'facility' symbols are almost identical. However, there is only one small difference ... the "stop" symbol is now a 'sun' - day use only - rather than the 'moon' in Camps 6.

I would suggest it is very difficult to stay in a 'day use only' rest area for 48 hours ... therefore the answer to this post is that the Camps 7 book must be a "typo" for the symbol.

Guess we can all relax a bit praps

Cheers - John

[edit: why do those annoying letter A magically appear after I click Submit Post? and rocky can't spell cry]



-- Edited by rockylizard on Sunday 19th of May 2013 09:14:03 AM



-- Edited by rockylizard on Sunday 19th of May 2013 09:15:11 AM

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jules47


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In "the season" the ranger comes out twice a week - usually Tuesday and Thursday - the guy last year was terrific, very agreeable and obliging. If you needed to stay longer for a valid reason, illness or breakdown, no problem with him.

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jules
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gst


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There is a push to charge a free at the free camps along the beaches near Townsville to go to the Lions or a service club to help the youth in the areas.



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jules47


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Not necessarily John - maybe they just forgot to change the "48 hrs" bit - maybe someone will know!

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jules
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jimricho


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The Camps Australia Wide authors/publishers appreciate errors, omissions and updates being reported to them and their website provides for this. They also have free updates available.

Time limits and restrictions, if enforced, are intended to ensure a fair go for all, including day-only users and locals. When people treat these rest areas as a holiday destination rather than a rest area or short stay it's inevitable that further restrictions will be applied.

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rockylizard


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jules47 wrote:

Not necessarily John - maybe they just forgot to change the "48 hrs" bit - maybe someone will know!

Gday...

As JimRicho sez .... check Camps Australia Wide updates .... see pic below .

It is still 48hours stay .... typo/wrong symbol

Cheers - John



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herbie


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On my apps it says 48hrs and that is really an up to date guid of most camps/time limits /



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