Free camping at Townsville's Northern Beaches

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Free camping at Townsville's Northern Beaches

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Morning Warren,

Did they bring in the charge per night per booking as well? I think $10?

It will be interesting if it works and people move on in time for the next person to move in. I know a couple of people that abused the system previously. One got caught out though.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there.

dabbler · Guru

I've got no problem with a booking system especially if it means people don't overstay. And if that means a small fee then so be it. All these areas are popular so why should a few travellers (and I use the term lightly) deny everyone else.

Stewart · Senior Member

Just spent time at those places and they were not that busy. Saw a guy who was also camped at Balgal when we visited same time last year and he was in the same spot. Great guy with a nicely set up van and I asked him if he had been there for a year. No he said he was the local resident homeless person and moved between all camps. We felt like he was the resident security caretaker. No one seemed to be abusing the system and there was no wizbang back packers due to Covid I guess Cheers Stewart .

dabbler · Guru

In a normal time, mid year they can become very full and often people stay weeks and the number plates suggest they're not locals. The difficulty is providing for the homeless, I agree.

Tony LEE · Guru

Where does this notion of "only" having an RV to live in make you "homeless" come from.

Stewart · Senior Member

I don't think it does make you homeless, it is a great lifestyle I am envious of. Ìt was a tongue in cheek response from him as we were surprised to see him in the same spot again. I also see many caravaners in the same spot each year in van parks and we catch up. Home is where you make it.

Kebbin · Guru

The back packers that stayed on would be out working picking fruit & veg, as most would realise in these times. When they have enough saved they will then head for the coastal areas and spend their hard earned.

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

Forgot to mention - the website campers will require is the Townsville City Council.
Cost for the first 12 months as mentioned earlier was to be free, then they would add a cost of unknown amount but only at a guess, it could be on a par with Nat Parks.

Already in today's paper, there's a text from a local looking forward to having a free spot to camp in.

Regarding back-packers in this area & their work, most would be relaxing. There might be some mangoes still being picked - the flying marauders got one of my few last night (very green too); lychees may be coming on soon for Christmas; bananas, we're too far south. Vegetables, etc are grown in the Burdekin-Bowen areas, much further south.

PeterX · Senior Member

Google the phrase

"Locations include Bluewater, Balgal Beach, Rollingstone, Saunders Beach & Toomulla. Paluma Dam will be added next month."

Finds the mentioned sites and back grounf info .... ie ...

www.townsville.qld.gov.au/about-council/news-and-publications/media-releases/2020/november/booking-system-for-free-campgrounds-online-now

www.townsville.qld.gov.au/facilities-and-recreation/parks-beaches-and-community-venues/parks-trails-and-camping/camping-caravan-and-rv-sites

Articale mentions "RV and camping Strategy Townsville council" it is available here ....

haveyoursay.townsville.qld.gov.au/recreational-vehicle-rv-strategy on RHS page

And Yes they intend to introduce a fee , claimed to be up to $15 vehicle / night ....

FROM their FAQ on the page ...

Will Townsville lose tourists by introducing a fee at the 6 campgrounds in the northern beaches?

At present, outside Townsville there are no other free beachfront campsites with facilities (toilets, bins and running water), between Cooktown and Brisbane.

Research indicates the majority of RV and Camping travellers are willing to pay a small fee, if the site includes basic facilities.

The proposed fee introduction of $10 - $15 is charged per vehicle and will cover all individuals travelling within the vehicle.
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FROM their FAQ on the page ...
What if I don't have access to the internet to make a booking?

Visitors without access to the internet can contact Council's customer service team on 13 48 10 and make bookings over the phone.
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Do the campers cost Council any extra if the parks are still maintained whether campers are there or not?
Council parks are maintained all-year round for day-use visitors, however extra costs are incurred during the tourist season to cover the extra cleaning of toilets, dump points and rubbish bins. The proposed camping fee has been calculated to provide some cost recovery towards the ongoing maintenance costs attributed to camping.
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What if tired drivers are deterred from stopping because of the fee?
There are several free Roadside Rest Areas situated on the Highway close to Townsville for travellers to take a short break to manage fatigue. These rest areas are provided by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR)