The popular Alligator Creek campground in north Queensland’s Bowling Green Bay National Park has been given a reprieve after it was previously scrapped.
The backflip by the Queensland Government follows a public backlash against the decision announced in March, 2021, to close the long-term campground located 30 kilometres south of Townsville.
The Department of Environment and Science (DES) cited a decreasing number of campers as the reason, with the average annual camper nights between 2016 and 2020, totalling 2174.
The Townsville Bulletin reports that the planned $1.3m redevelopment of the Alligator Creek visitor site will now include a new camping area, worth an additional $400,000.
Campers will be back on the road to Alligator Creek. PIC: Damon Hall / Pexels
It says there will be six to eight separate camping sites with capacity of up to six people per node. The new camping area is projected to open in late 2023, weather permitting.
Mundingburra MP Les Walker told the Townsville Bulletin that he had lobbied for a camping area to be included in the redevelopment, which will also see dedicated day-visitor site facilities improved, new tracks, picnic facilities, additional vehicle parking, viewing decks and enhanced access to Alligator Creek.
“I know Alligator Cree was a popular area for camping and it’s important to have facilities like this close to Townsville for locals and visitors to take advantage of,” Mr Walker said. “I’ve taken my children camping there and I know how important it is for families to experience our local environment and the great outdoors which is a great part of Queensland’s lifestyle.”
Mr Walker said the new camping area would be located near the Alligator Creek day use area, with enough separation to enhance the natural experience for campers.
Stayed there quite a bit in the early 80’s. Loved the ice cold swimming hole in winter, the wildlife, the 4 alligators at the end of the creek, the big waterfall, 9 km up the track. Loved the whole place, plus you could just rock up and camp. Now it is book online( which is why people have stopped going there), and it would be $40 a nite, with no elect. New price after upgrades easy $65 a nite, for sure It will be shut within 4 years permanently.
Why don’t they open up an area around Lake Ross?
The part about having to pay for these o/nite sights is that day visitors can use al the area and facilities for free so it is the overnighters that are subsidizing the day users.
meant to say “the annoying part about having to pay”