Outback Queensland’s Best kept secret
Caravans & RVs places to stay
Well our house is sold!. Finally, the big day is here. We are off! After a couple of short trips to get to know our van we are setting off for “The Big Trip” Brisbane North to Darwin via Mt Isa, then back down the east coast. Those that have been following my previous posts, would know that we know next to nothing about caravans and caravanning. If you are like us and on a big learning curve follow along. Learn with us ….. and laugh along with us as we learn what is apparently obvious to many others except us. We will be experts before long.
Our first stop is Chinchilla, Queensland. Many of the country towns on our list I grew up hearing the names, Chinchilla, Blackall, Charleville, Mt Isa, Cloncurry. So it will be wonderful to finally visit these iconic Queensland towns.
We decided to stop at the lovely town of Yarraman as our halfway stop. Thank you, South Burnett Council, for the convenient large Caravan Parking bay opposite the public toilets. Because we were able to safely park the caravan we also chose to stop for lunch here. Walking to the top of town to Yarramarnos Café. Great food with cheerful country service, we will definitely be back as we travel this road often.
Our GPS took us via Blackbutt and eventually out onto the Warrego Highway, I would not recommend this route, it was bumpy, with lots of lefts & rights. Narrow roads and seemed to make for a long journey. I would suggest going via The Warrego Highway as soon as possible would be much better. It took us just over 4- 5 hours to get to Chinchilla from Brisbane North a total of 313kms.
Chinchilla’s best kept secret is Rubern Lagoons Koala Park. What you need to know about Ruben Lagoons-
1. Quiet bushland settings in a safe environment- If this is what you are looking for you cant go past Rubern Lagoons Koala Park at Tara Rd Chinchilla. We were greeted by one of the owners Shelly on her Quad bike Maggs and escorted to our own large drive through site with a view of the lagoon. Surrounded by beautiful gum trees and native bushlands. So, so Quiet a very beautiful spot to end our first day on the road.
2. Clean amenities- Although we don’t need the amenities block we always end up using them at some stage. Their amenities block was lovely and clean and only a few steps up off the ground.
3. View of the lagoon- How lucky were we to have a full view of the lagoon. To rise every morning to see the mist sitting on the water and to be able to sit in the sun in the afternoon and look over the lagoon while the sun goes down. The camp owners have also provided some canoes and paddle boats for campers use during their stay. It was very entertaining to watch some of the kidlets and some of the grown ups having a play on these.
4. Drive through Van Sites very large- These seem very popular in the outback, I suppose they have more space to do so. It makes for a much easier finish to a long day of driving to be able to just drive in and around and you are home for the night. The Van sites at Ruben’s were also very well spaced out.
5. Spot the Koalas or watch the kangaroos at sunset- While you relax around the lagoon keep an eye out for Koalas, we didn’t get a chance to do this but have been told they are around. We did however see a mob of Kangaroos slowly coming in towards the lagoon as sun set.
6. Large 10m pontoon deck- The feature of the main lagoon is a beautiful 10m pontoon deck set with chairs for you relax on, maybe have an early morning cuppa. Or settle in for sundowners on the deck.
7. Easy access to town- If your looking to pop into town but don’t want to unhitch, phone a taxi or take a stroll in maybe have dinner in town. You can even call and get a pizza delivered.
8. Where to find Ruben Lagoons Campgrounds- The camp grounds are very easy to find using Google maps and are listed on WiKi Camps Australia. At the end of Gaske Lane although I have also seen it listed as in Tara St. Ph 042916134310.
Cost and Facilities- No Caravan or R.V dump site in Ruben Lagoons but there is one located at the corner of Wondai Rd & Park St just 3.4kms away.
· Cost us $30 per night for a powered & water site
· Dogs Allowed
· Toilets & Showers
· Drinking Water
· Laundry
· Pull through Bays
· RV /Tents /Motorhome / Camper trailer / Caravan Accessible
· Big Rig and Bus accessible (10m+)
· Booking Required
· Power Available
NB- Details for facilities straight from Wiki Camps app.
F.A.Q about Chinchilla
Shops in Chinchilla- In town on a Saturday afternoon not much was open but the necessities were. If you are coming through on a Sunday check to make sure what is open first. The Woolworths had full shelves and lovely fresh fruit and Vegetables. Drakes IGA had the largest selection of jars of bone broth that we have ever found …..anywhere. Interestingly there was a Nail Bar open near woolies.
· Woolworths- 16/20 Bell St, Chinchilla
· Drakes IGA – 44 Middle St, Chinchilla
· Cellars Bottlemart- 44 Middle St, Chinchilla
We will definitely be returning to Chinchilla to check out more of what this lovely town has to offer such as-
· Fishing and Kayaking at the Chinchilla Weir
· Chinchilla Botanic Parklands
· Chinchilla Historical Museum
· Cactoblastis Monument
As you leave the charming Chinchilla there is a big BP truck stop service station and a McDonalds on the corner of Colamba St and Chinchilla St ( Which becomes the Warrego Highway again).
Bio- Louise & Kevin are Gypsy’s at heart setting off on travel adventures after having a wonderful life running a farm on the sunshine coast hinterland and bringing up two wonderful adult children. Louise is now a traveling Life coach, energy healer & blogger and Kevin a retired farmer and now a traveler. Now able to reap the rewards of many years of hard work.
Both Gypsy’s at heart.
Happy, living the dream.
Planning a caravan trip to the Sunshine Coast check out our favourite sunny coast caravan park at Cotton Tree here https://mygypsywithin.com/ten-amazing-things-to-do-at-cotton-tree-beach/
