We are heading to Queensland very soon and travelling via Lightning Ridge then onto Emerald. We are thinking of staying at the Lake Maraboon CP, can anyone comment on this park, or suggest another one. Also is Emerald worth going through as we are heading to Yeppoon and can take a different route????

We stayed at the Lake Maraboon Holiday Village just near Fairbairn Dam this time last year. It was okay for us, as we don't need too much to keep us comfortable. Clean toilets and showers.
I think they even do meals some nights, not that we needed them.

Went and had a look at one of the free camps in Emerald first - it was situated right in the town underneath the railway bridge. We were thinking of staying there until a cattle train roared by... left really quick for the Lake Maraboon CP.

I am sure there are things to do in Emerald, but we were just using it as an overnight stay on the way to Cape York.

BennyT50

We have stayed at Lake Maraboon Caravan park several times and liked it, we would certainly go back. Plenty of Red claw when in season too.



Hank

Stayed a couple of time and really enjoyed it.
The 2 Andy's are great hosts.
Ozjohn

If you scored a train heading across the Nagoa River bridge, above that location, you had to be very unlucky. Probably only 1 or 2 trains head across it a day. Don't worry about the coal trains you see, they turn south at Nagoa, to the east of the river, just east of Springsure Rd.

Stayed there (at the lake) years ago....quite good ...was told recently that you've got to book well ahead, nowadays, to get a site... May be heading that way ourselves, mid September, on our way back from a desert/outback trip.

Jock

Only 1 Andy John the other 1 is Geoff. The boys are no longer there I believe that they were moved on a while back. Was told that they are now running a park at Tannum Sands. Don't know if it has changed much but will find out next month.
regards Neville....

If you look up Tannum Sands they are mentioned as new managers

Thank you all for your replies I think we will try it out as we do not have a huge amount of options between Roma and Yeppoon.

You don't have to go through Emerald. You can go directly to Blackwater from Rolleston, saving probably 100-150km. The direct route does have about 18km of dirt, which is normally good.

If you free camp, then there is the options of a spot at the top of the range between Injune and Rolleston, and then Bedford Weir, north of Blackwater.