Sometimes first impressions do count. As soon as we drove into the North West Queensland town of Julia Creek we immediately felt good. Like so many of the country towns we have visited the streets are nice and wide which is especially good for us as we are towing our caravan. But on top of that everything looks clean and tidy and we loved the large colourful shaded parking areas down the middle of the main street. Straight away we felt that there is a lot of community pride within this town.
We had read that Julia Creek is a very friendly RV town and cater for free camping down by Julia Creek. But we decided to pay $28 per night for 2 adults at the Julia Creek Caravan Park. This park is owned by the McKinlay Shire Council and managed by a great couple Phil and Marg.
It’s a lovely clean park and they also provide:
• Large level drive through powered sites
• Powered grass sites
• Camp kitchen
• Free WiFi
• Free use of bicycles if you want to ride into town
• Free token entry to the town’s swimming pool which is just across the road
• 2 Modern and very clean amenity blocks
• Two laundries
• Dump point
and Pet Friendly 
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But best of all were the hot artesian water bath houses, 4 in total. Each bath house has 2 very comfortable claw footed tubs and for around 45 minutes you can sit back and relax while enjoying the view. Make sure you make a booking with Marg. When we visited it was free to enjoy the baths, but there was talk that this may change in the future.
We don’t always attend the happy hours in the caravan parks we stay in but sometimes places just have a good vibe that can encourage you to relax and enjoy everything a little more and that’s exactly how it was at Julia Creek Caravan Park. At 5 pm Phil and Marg supply a plate of nibbles for all to enjoy. Of course it’s BYO for all. It was great meeting so many wonderful travellers and enjoy the stories of their adventures.
I would say the highlight for us was the Bush Dinner which is held each Monday during the months of April to September. For $15 per person you get to enjoy true country style cooking with a main meal and desert and it’s all prepared by the lovely voluntary ladies of Julia Creek’s community groups. Even the Mayor was involved with the night as she drove the free courtesy bus for those staying at the free camp. We were told there were over 100 people on the Monday night we attended. What a great evening and thanks so much ladies the food was delicious. The theme was 1950’s and the ladies all wore pink shirts and the meal was good old meatloaf, with potatoes, vegies and gravy and desert was a trifle. BYO plates, cutlery and drinks.
From the caravan park it’s an easy short walk into town. As usual we first visited the Julia Creek Visitor Information Centre which is called ‘At the Creek’ where we were greeted by a very helpful lady. Along with the great selection of travel brochures available there were many audio and visual displays housed in the historic railway fettler cottages. There are different themes in each cottage and also a great little auditorium which used to be the old goal to sit and view through many facets of life in the McKinley Shire. Another great attraction here is the feeding of the fat-tailed Dunnart which is done each morning at 10 am and afternoons at 3 pm. But just be aware that the centre is only open till 12.00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
If you’re walking from the caravan park to town you will no doubt see a sign that says the Opera House is now open. Its home to a collection of historical photographs from the last 100 years in and around Julia Creek. Ironically it opened on the very same day as the Sydney Opera House.
In town you will find a couple of pubs, two supermarkets, butcher, newsagency, pharmacy, hardware stores, post office and more. It was also great to hear that a new café and bakery will be opened soon and a new building next to the post office is currently in progress.
You can also take a walk from the caravan park to the designated RV friendly free camp on the banks of Julia Creek. There are no facilities at the free camp area and the sign tells you that you must be fully self-contained. Before staying you must obtain a permit for 96 hours from the Julia Creek Visitor Information Centre. There is also a dump point located in town. There were quite a few free campers when we walked by, but we were happy that we decided to pay $28 per night and be in the caravan park.
We originally had planned to stay for two nights but it was so nice that we extended and stayed six. Thanks to all the friendly locals of Julia Creek and the McKinlay Shire for encouraging travellers like us to have an enjoyable stay in your lovely town. Congratulations to all.
Below are a list of others places we have visited that may be of interest to you:
Free Camps – Broken Hill to Cobar -NSW
NSW – Free camps, Donation camps, Showgrounds and Caravan Parks 2019
South Australia to Western Australia 2019
South Australia trip 2017/2018
Western Australia Coastal Trip 2018
Northern Territory – Free camps, Donation camps and Caravan Parks 2018/2019
Queensland Road Trip 2017/2018
Safe and happy travels.
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Happy Aussie Caravanning Lifestyle
Dixie and Graeme