Progress is being made towards re-opening three popular waterfront campsites near Camooweal in Outback Queensland.
There was widespread disappointment when it was announced several months ago that the sites on the Georgina River would be closed for the rest of the 2023 tourist season.
At the time, Mount Isa City Council said the decision to close the sites for camping was to protect cultural heritage and was made following discussions with representatives of the sites’ lessees and Native Title claimant holders.
A spokesperson said that, during the peak of the tourist season, up to 170 vehicles per night would camp for free along the banks of the Georgina River. Other than rubbish bins, there are no other amenities in the camping areas.
The area near Camooweal has long been popular with campers. PIC: Mt Isa City Council
However, the outlook now appears to be brighter for those who enjoy staying in the area.
Mount Isa City Council and the Indjalandji-Dhidhanu people – the custodians of the land encompassing the three temporarily closed Camooweal campsites – are said to be at an advanced stage of developing a draft Cultural Heritage Management Plan, as well as a management plan for the Georgina River campsite.
When completed, the draft Cultural Heritage Management Plan and the Campsite Management Plan will be put out for key stakeholder and public consultation.
The council says it will consider all feedback from interested parties and the community before making a final decision on the management regime for the campsite when it reopens, which is expected to be well before the next tourism season.
In a statement, the council said the purpose of the Cultural Heritage Management Plan and the Campsite Management Plan was for stakeholders to have agreed principles and understanding and to work together to:
Despite fears in some quarters that the temporary closure of the camping areas would see many travellers simply not stop in the Camooweal area and the town would suffer, Mt Isa Mayor Danielle Slade, said at the time she remained optimistic.
“Council apologises for the inconvenience the temporary public access closure may cause and thanks people for their patience and understanding while this matter is assessed,” she said. “Hopefully the temporary closure will have a positive effect on businesses in Camooweal, with campers and caravanners instead staying in the town’s caravan park.”
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Yes the place is so beautiful I would go back in a heartbeat. I am sure after the temporary closure there will be a cost to this once beautiful, peaceful site. Its not cultural heritage but an opportunity to make a profit. If there were more facilities then I would expect to pay an appropriate fee. But it was a natural peaceful wonderland.
I, along with my family, have been utilising Camooweal’s Drover Camp since the 1940’s. As a place to hold and load sheep, a one-night stop, and as a picnic and camping spot.
We have been “flooded in” for weeks, most recently in 2016 – when it was possible to access the town by foot to get supplies but, unable to move vehicles in the reserve.
It is one of the most beautiful billabongs in the Country, the magnificent birdlife and floral displays are legendary.
Camooweal is synonymous with God’s Country.
Yes..Ive camped there for many years..
I think the place is looked after really well considering the amount of travellers using it..
Im hoping that it dosnt change too much and that the “organisations” don’t get too carried away with restrictions n rules..
We wouldn’t have stopped in Camooweal if it wasn’t for this lovely campsite
Exactly right! We camped along the river for several weeks. We used the local pub for drinks and meals- we used the servo for gas and fuel. We took all our rubbish with us.real good spot.
We always stay at the Camooweal Billabong if passing through, we definitely would not utilise the caravan park because we avoid caravan parks due to space restrictions. The Georgina River and surrounding area should be for the use of all Australians, not just the indigenous community. We are all Australians and we should all be treated the same. The Camooweal Billabong is a much treasured campsite.
It’s becoming a sad and mixed up country. It is all our country and looked after quite well by the majority of travellers.
Nature gave us this world. Mostly I think it’s the landowners that find all the relics prior to that nobody seemed to think they were important or know they were there.
Camooweal is the best place in Australia. Love camping on the river. Buy my fuel but will not use Caravan Park . Drovers
spot onn,,.
The Caravan Park is great and reasonably priced – we utilise it in wet weather.
The council said, among other things, it wishes to “Protect the unique flora and fauna of the area.” Well, can anyone tell me what flora and fauna is “unique” to the area? Perhaps the council doesn’t know the meaning of “unique”.
Well perhaps Roy you should research the uniqueness of the flora and fauna for yourself if you are unsure, or in disbelief of, those who already have undertaken that exercise. You may be surprised by your discoveries and realise that there really is something very important there to preserve. We all want to continue to camp there. It’s just better to do it in harmony with the environment.
Hi Bret I agree with you we camped there for 3 days and each morning we were greeted by a family of Brolgas they were so friendly all the areas we visited were very clean and tidy. Yes we are all Australian and should be sharing our beautiful country
They’ve been camping there all season regardless of it being “closed”
It’s all about money it won’t be free anymore I assume like a lot of other place slowly but surely the dollar comes in some where !!!! I smell it coming !!!
I am fed up with all these “sacred sites” turning up. When we camped there for 3 nights a few years ago wild horses were roaming on the river banks. We’re they damaging the flora and fauna?
give it a break can’t we all share this country and live as one and all enjoy Gods gift of life and land.
M. oxford
Camped there last night along with about 50 or so other rigs, very quiet, very clean & very beautiful as always.
I am sceptical that this is just about traditional ownership. As far as we could see Mt Isa Council treats Camooweal as a far flung outpost. The public amenities were disgusting, all the council bins were tipped over and rubbish going everywhere. The council are not doing their job out there. We stayed a few nights and spent money at the pub, the local store, the servo and even with the local mechanic (top bloke). If we were forced to the caravan park, we would have stayed 1 night and they would be the only ones who got our money. Free camps are the life blood of these small outback towns. Shame on Mt Isa council.
We recently camped at the riverside area. There were no signs to say it was closed . The caravan park was completely full.
We stayed there recently for two nights. Beautiful area. It was very clean and quiet. Used the pub, store and service station. Also visited the Drovers Museum which we loved.
It would be a shame to see this area closed off and from what we saw it was not being abused . I think toilets would be an added advantage that people would be prepared to pay a small price for.
I read this whole item but didn’t see anything about putting in any facilities, I’m sure the custodians of the land won’t be doing it , so i guess it’ll be up to the council.
It’s a great place to camp and relax. Been there several times and love it. This whole thing is looking like a money grab and more control / restrictions placed on the travelling public that generally do the right thing and look after these great places. Hopefully common sense will prevail and the ‘authorities’ will not stuff around with our freedoms.
I can’t believe this is happening.
Is this going to happen all over the country
A huge majority of the travelling public respect ALL of our country’s camp sites like this one.
Why all of a sudden are we being restricted to these great places that we call Australia
If I’m to to go that way in the future and the billabong is not open I’ll be driving straight through the town.
Please don’t let it close Mt Isa council.
Reopen? But it’s never actually shut so far despite the notice from Mt Isa shire council.
We have camped there twice. It is a beautiful spot, and should be open to all Australians. Environmentally it doesn’t appear to have suffered.
We have stayed at Camooweal Billabong twice and really enjoy this site. It should be open with free access … BUT, we the travelling public, MUST take our rubbish with us and always RESPECT the land. There is no way we would stop in Camooweal other than the Billabong. When we did stay at the Billabong, we chose to support the town with our purchases, as we do around this great country.
stayed there a couple of times in 2024 as usual the billabong was beautiful and full of water with abundant bird life my wife and i have stayed there many times and it never disappoints while we can still camp at the billabong we will return to camooweal and spend money in the town