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Date of Stay: October 2014 Rating: 4
Manager's name is Mick and Sue McKee.
Very friendly staff, good staff response to complaints, staff helped us at the site, staff explained park layout and facilities. Good value for money $33 for 2A, powered. Amenities are close to most sites, were clean, condition is very good, water pressure is good, there was adequate hot water, paper towels/dryer provided, exhaust fans/good ventilation. Adequate number of tourist sites, mostly level sites, good night lighting, sites will accommodate medium to large vans, annex slabs to most sites, shade to most sites, ensuite sites available, drive-through sites, adequate taps close by, adequate sullage close by. Good laundry, good camp kitchen, van parking, you can use your mobile wireless. Quiet, open & roomy park, adequate shade, a few permanent/annual vans. Clean UC gas BBQs are free, congenial bbq area atmosphere, bbq area lighting, seating provided at bbq. Clean pool, tables and chairs provided. Suitable for few days, suitable for families, well maintained park.
Liked:- It was quiet.
Parking:- There is enough room for sensible parking at the reception.
Added Touches:- The park is just off the highway but not too close to be busy and noisy. The BBQ and pool area are together. This is great for families and get togethers.
Local Information:- Mt Kaputar National Park is nearby and offers many scenic natural attractions. It is a great place for casual and hardcore walkers as well as offering plenty of mountain bike tracks.
The Australian Telescope National Facility is about 18 kms out of Narrabri along a good sealed road. Their visitor centre can be contacted for more information.
There are many other things to do in the area, including gemstone fossicking, fishing, wine tastings at local wineries, the Old Gaol and Historical Museum (Saturdays only), bird watching, water sports (Yarrie Lake) and even Paint ball if you choose.
Road Conditions:- Roads to and from Narrabri are good bitumen roads in all directions. Narrabri is located on the Newell Highway.
Date of Stay: September 2014 Rating: 4
Manager's name is Rhett Walker.
This place is true Wilderness. Virtually untouched with access to the Gulf of Carpentaria, Rosie Creek and hot springs, crystal clear swimming holes and rocks to climb. Paddle on billabongs with freshwater crocodiles and fish for barramundi. One million acres to explore. This is remote country. Your vehicle must be in good condition. Be prepared for being self sufficient and bring in everything you need. There are limited supplies at Cape Crawford whilst Borroloola has a fully stocked supermarket and mechanical repairs.
Very friendly staff, good staff response to complaints, staff explained park layout and facilities. Good value for money $20 for 1A PN, unpowered, peak season. Amenities are close to only some sites, cleanliness was average, condition is reasonable, water pressure is good. Adequate number of tourist sites, mostly level sites, sites will accommodate small to medium vans, no sites with annex slabs, shade to most sites, drive-through sites, adequate taps close by, adequate sullage close by. No wireless internet available., mobile wireless not available. Quiet, open & roomy park, adequate shade, no permanent/annual vans. Clean UC gas BBQs are free, congenial bbq area atmosphere, seating provided at bbq. Suitable for a week or more, suitable for families.
Liked:- The host family are extremely friendly and helpful. This one million acre property is a beautiful part of Australia.
Disliked:- I didn't like people complaining that $40 a couple per night is expensive.
Added Touches:- The formal camping is near the homestead. You can have an open fire if you bring the firewood back. Camping away from the homestead is bush camping. Endless hot water for the showers is available as long as you light the fire first.
Local Information:- Lorella Springs is an unique piece of land. The Walker family are great hosts and are only too happy to assist with any information they can help you with so you an get the most out of your time on the property. Volunteering opportunities are available on the property.
Road Conditions:- We travelled from Borroloola and then back out to Cape Crawford. There was over an hour of fairly rough dirt roads both ways. I have heard the road to Roper Bar is also rough dirt. There are numerous creek crossings, which don't pose any problem into the Dry season, but they must be driven with caution.
Date of Stay: September 2014 Rating: 3
This can be a relatively busy caravan park in the cooler months. The park is a good place to have a overnight rest, catch up with some washing, have a shower and top up the water tanks.
Friendly staff, average staff response to complaints. Good value for money $27 for 2A PN, unpowered, peak season. Amenities are close to all sites, were clean, condition is good, water pressure is good, there was adequate hot water. Adequate number of tourist sites, mostly level sites, good night lighting, sites will accommodate large motorhomes and 5th wheelers, shade to some sites, drive-through sites, adequate taps close by. Good laundry, van parking, no wireless internet available., you can use your mobile wireless carrier used was Telstra, reception quality was 3. Quiet, open & roomy park, adequate shade. No pool. Suitable for few days, suitable for families.
Liked:- It was far enough out of town to be quiet, although Boulia isn't a rowdy town, and close enough to walk to the pub if you want to walk. All the amenities were in good condition and clean. There is good water.
Local Information:- Boulia is a true outback town. There is a great display at the Min Min Encounter & Boulia Information Centre and it will go some way to explain the fascinating phenomenon of the Min Min Lights. Boulia hosts the Boulia Camel Races in July. The Stone House is one of the original buildings in the area. The building has been listed by the National Trust as a building of interest. In the yard of the Stone House Museum are a number of machinery and wagons, which were used in the region around the turn of the century. Much of the history of the region is displayed in the Stone House, as well as Aboriginal artefacts and photographs relating to the Pitta Pitta tribe.
Road Conditions:- The roads from the north, east and south are all in pretty good condition and are all bitumen. The Plenty and Donohue Highways from the west are dirt and remote.
Date of Stay: September 2014 Rating: 4
This roadhouse is rather busy. It is at a crossroads from the north, south and west. Many road trains stopover here as well as travellers and locals. Workers at the McArthur River Mine stay here and travel to and from the mine. So, apart from the seasonal tourists there is the constant toing and froing of the workers that live here part time. The prices are quite reasonable and the people that we met were all friendly and helpful. The amenities are dated but functional. The water is high in calcium so there are a lot of dripping taps due to the metals in the taps and water slowly reacting with each other. The water is suitable for drinking. The laundry facilities are of a good size. Industrial washing machines are available for a cost, as are dryers. Dryers shouldn't be needed in the dry season as the air dries the clothes quite quickly. There are a large number of sites, powered and unpowered, in a casual layout. There is plenty of grass and many shade trees. The pool is freezing but I'm sure it would be quite refreshing in the warmer months.
Friendly staff, good staff response to complaints, staff explained park layout and facilities. Good value for money $28 for 2A, powered. Amenities are close to all sites, were clean, condition is good, water pressure is good, there was adequate hot water, paper towels/dryer provided, exhaust fans/good ventilation. Adequate number of tourist sites, mostly level sites, good night lighting, sites will accommodate large motorhomes and 5th wheelers, no sites with annex slabs, shade to most sites, drive-through sites, poor water quality, adequate taps close by. Good laundry, kiosk, wireless internet is available costs , mobile wireless not available. Quiet, open & roomy park, adequate shade, a few permanent/annual vans. Clean pool, pool is shaded. Suitable for few days, suitable for families, well maintained park.
Liked:- It's a bit of an Oasis. It's a long drive there from most places. Fuel, limited groceries, meals and bar facilities are available. It is a busy place without being overbearing.
Local Information:- Helicopter tours of the Lost City rock formations are available from here. Hearty meals are available in a sit down indoor/outdoor eating area, breakfast, lunch dinner and in between. There is a cosy air conditioned bar or you can have a drink on the outdoor veranda.
Road Conditions:- The road to Cape Crawford if bitumen all the way. Seasonal closures can occur during the northern monsoonal wet season. The distances are vast, so be sure your vehicle is in good condition and be aware of how far you can get on a tank of fuel. Drinking water must be carried.
Date of Stay: September 2014 Rating: 4
Very friendly staff, no complaints, staff helped us at the site. Very good value for money $0.00 for 2A PN, powered. Amenities are close to all sites, were clean, condition is very good, water pressure is good, there was adequate hot water, paper towels/dryer provided, exhaust fans/good ventilation, disabled facilities. Adequate number of tourist sites, mostly level sites, good night lighting, sites will accommodate medium to large vans, annex slabs to most sites, very few sites are shaded, drive-through sites, adequate taps close by. No wireless internet available.. Quiet, open & roomy park, no permanent/annual vans. Excellent playground, in good condition. Clean pool. Suitable for few days, suitable for families, well maintained park.
Liked:- It is free, it has great facilities, it is a short walk from the hotel.
Added Touches:- The new owners are former residents of the town. They have returned to ensure the town doesn't disappear off the map. Check their website via the park header above for what the town has to offer it's visitors.
Local Information:- Driving into Yaraka from the East your view will be gradually dominated by a large range to the south. Not far from Yaraka is Mt Slocombe. There is a sealed road to the top of Mt Slocombe. Caravans and campers must left at the bottom because the drive is quite steep and has tight turns. Mt Slocombe provides vast views over the entire area and is a great place to view the setting sun.
The camping area is like a mini caravan park with annex slabs, as well as water and electricity at each site. Right next to the caravan sites is the pool, as well as clean toilets and showers.
A tennis court and park are next to this and it is a short walk to the Yaraka Hotel.
The Hotel has great meals and a new coffee shop/café.
There is plenty of history around the town as well as many activities. If you contact the Hotel they can help you with more information.
There is a small shop and limited mechanical repairs. Both have opening times that are subject to change.
Road Conditions:- The road from the east, Blackhall and Emmettville is mostly (if not all by now) bitumen. The road is single lane bitumen but visibility is good and there isn't much traffic. We drove from Isisford then Emmetville and we only passed two vehicles, plus the road crew, in late September.
The road west towards Retreat Station, Windorah, Wellford NP and Jundah is dirt for the vast majority. The dirt was well graded and in good on our trip through there. If it's raining, or looks like rain, I'd stay away from these roads.
