Calliope River Rest Area

Located just off the Bruce Highway 26 kms west of Gladstone and 100 kms south of Rockhampton, Calliope River Rest Area is a free camping area in the Gladstone Region of Queensland.

It is a low maintenance facility on the banks of the Calliope River with two options for setting up camp, above the river on the high northern side or near the amenities on the southern side. The northern side can be accessed by turning off the Bruce Highway at the Calliope Historical Village and following the road to the river. The Northern side is sealed and has one septic ablution toilet block and one composting toilet, there are no showers. The Southern Side can be accessed by turning off the Bruce Highway onto Old Bruce Highway and over the bridge crossing the river. The Southern side has one large septic ablution block.

Fishing is popular at Calliope River Rest Area. Barramundi, flathead and bream can be caught on the downstream side of the weir, while yabbies and mud crabs may also be found in the weir. Birds are in abundance; from kites wheeling overhead and a sea eagle diving for prey, to red backed fairy wrens.

Caution is recommended when swimming as there have been instances of Box Jellyfish stings.

The Calliope Historical Village regularly holds markets, please refer to their website for more information.

There is no charge to stay at Calliope River Camping Grounds. Maximum stay is 48 hours. The area is regularly patrolled and penalties will apply if you exceed the maximum stay period.

It is recommended Campers bring their own drinking water as the water is untreated borewater and it is not recommended to drink. Waste must be disposed of in the bins provided or taken offsite by the camper. There are no chemical toilet waste disposal units at the campgrounds. The waste cannot be emptied in the composting toilets or the Septic Ablution block as the chemicals kill the organisms required for the effective operation of the composting/septic systems. Chemical Toilets must be emptied at the designated dump point located on the corner of Taragoola Road and Dawson Highway, Calliope. Chemical toilet waste must not be buried or disposed of in the river.

Camping is not recommended at the Calliope River Picnic Area if local flood warnings have been issued.

Site terms and conditions:

• The maximum stay is 48 hours. The area is regularly patrolled and penalties will apply if you exceed the maximum stay period.
• Strictly no fires! Please use a gas or kerosene stove.
• There are no chemical toilet waste disposal units at the rest area. Waste cannot be emptied in the composting toilets or the septic ablution block as the chemicals kill the organisms required for the effective operation of the composting/septic systems. Chemical toilets must be emptied at the designated dump point located on the corner of Taragoola Road and Dawson Highway, Calliope. Chemical toilet waste must not be buried or disposed of in the river.
• Dogs are allowed and must be on a lead or tethered at all times. Owners must clean up after their dogs.
• Generators are permitted and campers are asked to limit use to between 7am and 7pm.
• Behaving in a riotous, disorderly, indecent, offensive, threatening or insulting manner will not be tolerated. Offenders will be requested to leave the rest area and may result in a fine and permanent ban.
• Please be considerate of other campers by limiting noise after 10pm.
• Interfering with a plant or any turf, sand, clay, soil or other material is prohibited. Penalties apply.
• Interfering with any facility or equipment located at the local government rest area is prohibited. Penalties apply.
• Camp sites must be kept and maintained in good repair and clean, tidy and sanitary condition. The camping site must not be left unoccupied for more than two days. Council will remove and dispose of equipment from abandoned camp sites.

(Source: www.gladstone.qld.gov.au)

There is some mobile phone service (depending on your carrier) and television reception here.
Dogs are welcome at this campsite but please be responsible!

The maximum time limit for staying here is 48 hours.
*Please obey any signs at the site regarding length of stays.

Please Note:
Rest areas are there for you to stop and rest, making your trip safer and more enjoyable. Rest areas are not long-term camping sites, however motorists are able to take extended rest breaks at some sites. Rules on the length of stay at rest areas vary between controlling authorities. Check with the authority responsible for the relevant rest area for more information. Heavy vehicle rest areas are only for heavy vehicles. This does not include caravans and motorhomes, they are for truck drivers only. (source: www.tmr.qld.gov.au)