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This is a superb rest area and was built as part of the Bi-centenial year primarily to protect a very unique island. Parking is very good with the choice of gravel, concrete or grass. Plenty of good shade ideal for motorhomes and caravans, but not really enough space for buses unless you are good at backing - grassed area to the left but be careful if arriving in the dark as there is a hump. Having said that though we once saw a B Double semi drive in then back all the way out with zero problems! This little effort was just to go to the toilet in comfort! There is a very nice display illustrating the environmental significance of this beautiful area located on the Tweed River. |
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The same open building houses flushing toilets
even though they look like composting jobs from the outside, and it has
a lovely covered elevated deck with three large tables. There are even
more tables outside. It is lit at night - a nice thought! There is a town
water tap at the river end, and the water tastes good with easy access
for filling water tanks as you can see from the photo below - no dump
point as yet. Even a drinking fountain! We have never been bothered by
hoons at night and have used this camp for years as it is very handy for
visits to the Gold Coast from Brisbane.
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Now for the best part! At the northern end
one crosses a cute little footbridge and this leads to a delightful walk
onto the island. The vegetation is quite stunning with many species being
named. Early morning birdsong is lovely. The only negative is the close
proximity of the very busy old Pacific Highway - (now called Tweed Valley
Way) the traffic has not eased at all truck wise. We had hoped this would
have changed with the new Burringbar Range bypass, but alas
this didn't come to pass even though this about 2 kms to the east. Your
maps are bound to be wrong as the new road is a major deviation and it
no longer passes through or even near Murwillumbah. Accolades of praise
to Tweed Shire for the excellent job done on keeping this
area in an absolutely first class condition.
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We can only all hope that it will stay as an overnight rest area. At present there are no restrictive signs at all. Now that the Pacific Highway doesn't pass, it is a little harder to find. Get onto the Tweed Valley Way at the northern end of the new expressway. Head towards Murwillumbah and it's on the right just after where the dual lane ends. There is another spot about one kilometre further south right on the river, but the dreaded signs are up folks! Doggies are welcome here as well. Coming from the south turn off at Tweed Valley Way and head towards Murwillumbah and it's on your right after the dual road ends. Absolutely recommended. HEMA 7 J13
Curious Note:- Every time we stay here we get a huge dose of tiny brown insects - mainly in the toilet area. It takes a week or so to get rid of them. This happens even if you only stop there for a toilet break! |
