Camping at christmas time QLD/NSW

[Jimmy]

Morning all,

Can anyone suggest any good spots to camp over christmas in SE QLD and Northern NSW. Being a West Aussie and not camped much in the areas, I've heard rumours that every man and his dog hits the trails over this time and it can be a bit 'busy'. Is this true? I was thinking either Fraser, Moreton or Nth Straddie Islands, or national parks between Byron and Coffs.

Any thoughts, tips or ideas would be great?

cheers
Jimmy

[weeds]

you are right anywhere near the water will be busy

i checked out pebbly beach camping area last xmas, looks like a top stop but you would have to book now to get a spot, i will hopefully visit this area next year

check out the links below

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/parks.nsf/ParkContent/N0040?OpenDocument&ParkKey=N0040&Type=Xo

http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/parks.nsf/CampingContent/N0040?OpenDocument&ParkKey=N0040&Type=K

[Pedro_The_Swift]

which is why I camp in front of the aircon during chrissy,,



the pub aircon-
the club aircon-
the Disco aircon-
the home aircon-

[Outlaw]

But seriously if you're from West Aus and willing to put up with the crowds you really should do Fraser... afraid to say Nth Straddie, Moreton and Bribie are all very poor substitutes.

[fernockulated]

Fraser,did someone say Fraser,only 11 weeks to go and counting,yippee:cool:

[RobHay]

Charlie Morlands up near Kennilworth is a good spot, not far from there to the coast, and you have a creek for swimming and numbers are controlled and the Ranger patrols the area and all the yobbo's are given their marching orders:nazilock:

[incisor]

thats where you usually find me... there or peachtrees

[seqfisho]

thats where you usually find me... there or peachtrees

do you need to book well ahead, and is it crowded untolerably?

[Ace]

Are you talking bush camps, caravan parks or something in between? The bush camps would be packed in most spots along the coast, as are the caravan parks, especially around coffs. Not sure about bush camps, we always have to stop in places with 'facilities' when we go on hols up that way. I can only speak for around the coffs area havent really strayed that much higher yet. But i reckon you could safely say that they would all be the same. Matt

[incisor]

do you need to book well ahead, and is it crowded untolerably?

i generally head there early boxing day, there are usually a few there, but it is generally reasonably quiet, with a slow influx till new years when it is usually pretty crowded and it then settles down again. i didnt go last year as i went to bjelke peterson dam... that was nice but HOT! i wold love to do peachtrees this year, cooler than charlie moreland, nice swim hole and usually more firewood.... and hot showers for those in need..

how about an aulro christmas camp at peachtrees :P plenty of dusty road to get the bed the way you like it :P

just checked and there is a bucket load of space there if you book soon.....

[crump]

Giraween NP or Bald Rock NP, but you may have to book.

[seqfisho]

how about an aulro christmas camp at peachtrees :P plenty of dusty road to get the bed the way you like it :P

just checked and there is a bucket load of space there if you book soon.....

Now thats a good idea, we usually shut down at work over the Xmas break, but I never bother to go anywhere because of the crowds:mad:

dont worry about the dust, we may still be tenting it by then:(

[weeds]

how about an aulro christmas camp at peachtrees :P plenty of dusty road to get the bed the way you like it :P

just checked and there is a bucket load of space there if you book soon.....

hey inc

lookes like you have just put your hand up as trip leader

i'm keen but unfortunitly i will be over seas....................................tassie;)

[weeds]

just checked and there is a bucket load of space there if you book soon.....

hey inc, do you have the link handy where one can book/check availability of campsites

[incisor]

https://www.epa.qld.gov.au/parks/iaparks/gds/

peachtrees is under jimna

[DiscoDan]

Morning all,

Can anyone suggest any good spots to camp over christmas in SE QLD and Northern NSW. Being a West Aussie and not camped much in the areas, I've heard rumours that every man and his dog hits the trails over this time and it can be a bit 'busy'. Is this true? I was thinking either Fraser, Moreton or Nth Straddie Islands, or national parks between Byron and Coffs.

Any thoughts, tips or ideas would be great?

cheers
Jimmy

I have spent a couple of Christmas's at Minnie Waters Yuraygir NP(Northern NSW Coast - Grafton)
Both time have been able to set up a large area however it is first in best dressed. Best time 10 days before christmas and 10 days after new year.

Very quite rest of the year. :D

Has toilets but no showers

HTH
Danny

[Jimmy]

I have spent a couple of Christmas's at Minnie Waters Yuraygir NP(Northern NSW Coast - Grafton)
Both time have been able to set up a large area however it is first in best dressed. Best time 10 days before christmas and 10 days after new year.

Very quite rest of the year. :D

Has toilets but no showers

HTH
Danny

Danny

I can't find Minnie Waters in the N.P. where is it?

I'm looking for some off the beaten track camping near the coast if you know any other spots (no trailer, no tets - just car and annex). Only the misses, me and the fender so can pretty much take on any track (hopefully).

cheers
Jimmy

[Quiggers]

G'day Jimmy,

Mate, I'm half an hour (by road) south of Byron Bay, (15ks west of Ballina).

Christmas time is absolutely nuts around here. I understand the coastal places are booked solid for years in advance, and if you're lucky enough to get a spot in a caravan park your spot will be inches away from the next camper and there's thousands and thousands all trying to do the same.
i.e. Lennox Head, Kingscliffe, Pottsville, Hastings Point....

Being a local we stay away from any of the more 'known' spots during this time.

But, there are some great spots like Iluka, Sandon River, Wooli, and even Evans Head which are just 'full', not overflowing.

Get a map and identify a few sites and we (all) can advise further...
Our many SE Qld'ers will give you the drum on sites up there, I'm sure...

If you want to go a bit inland (like an hour or so from the beach) then the game is bit different, but a week in Casino? Hmmmmmm.....

Gets very hot, too! Like 40+ so be prepared

Cheers, GQ

[Quiggers]

Minnie Waters is near Wooli...

hope the developers never find it, or the others i mentioned....
GQ

[Hunchy]

Have camped there a few times. Big sites but can be dirty/ sandy. Right on the beach (which you can drive on without a permit), and if you're into the surf there is a great break just off the campsite at the southern end of the beach. In all a great place.

There is also a commercial camping ground about 400m back from the main Minnie water beach, cheap friendly and easy to get into if you miss out snagging a Yuragir NP campsite.

This Chrissy break we're off to Fraser, specifically Cathedral Beach. If you do Fraser just be aware of the tides. They are big tides (even low tide is high) in early Jan and you need to time your run up the beach. Also Fraser costs you $75 return on the barge from Inskip, plus the park fees.

[BigJon]

This Chrissy I am heading to Qld from the Territory. I definately want to go to Fraser Island for a day or two :D .

[fernockulated]

:cool: Hmmmm, with the number of people going to Fraser at Xmas,may just turn into a "un-official AULRO gathering":cool:

mite have to start a separate thread on whos going when:D

[Hunchy]

Jimmy,

If you do go to Minnie Waters don't forget bingo at the "Surf Club" on Saturday and Wednesday nights over Xmas/ Jan. It is an unforgettable experience. Actually the surf club is a shipping container and bingo is in the hall next to it. And you can take any 2WD you care to onto the main beach and lounge out of the boot.

Minnie is a special place :D