This is the Bruce Highway. (Highway 1) and forms part of the main (east) coastal highway system.
It has some passing lanes, a fair number of truck parking bays, and more recently signed car parking bays
adjacent to highway.
Some councils/shires in this section have erected numerous "no camping"
signs in likely parking spots .. particularly so in beach areas.
0 km (339.8 km)
ROCKHAMPTON. Fitzroy River .. centre of the "new" bridge. The
original highway passes through the city centre. It crosses the river by
what is locally known as the "old" bridge .. downstream and visible from
the "new" bridge.
[2.7 km]
2.7 km (337.1 km) JUNCTION WITH ORIGINAL HIGHWAY. Turn left to head north.
(To the (south) right leads to a shopping complex, then over the "old" bridge to
the original city centre. Continuing on leads back to the Bruce Hwy. well
south of the "new" bridge. Immediately before crossing the "old" bridge and
to the East is the start of a tourist drive (circuit) to Emu Park, Yeppoon
and back to the Bruce Hwy. via Yeppoon Rd.)
[4.2 km]
6.9 km (332.9 km) YEPPOON ROAD. 34 km to Yeppoon and other end of tourist
circuit just described.
[3.8 km]
10.7 km (329.1 km) RAMSAY CREEK REST AREA. East side of highway.
Class 5. 23° 16.954'S. 150° 30.594'E. Hema map 9, H 10.
Signposted "NO OVERNIGHT CAMPING .. PENALTIES APPLY". (Still so, April '05).
UPDATE APRIL '06 .. signed "converted to a park in May '05, toilet removed".
Tables, shade, WATER, rubbish bins, 60m max. from highway, OK big rigs
if not congested .. if so, use area to the south near highway .. no shade.
[12.9 km]
23.6 km (316.2 km) THE CAVES. Signed .. east side, across railway line to hotel, shop & caves open to tourists.
Un - official parking diagonally opposite hotel (to the south west) .. small sealed bay beteen road and railway.
Class 3. 23° 10.70' S. 150° 27.59' E. Hema map 9, G 10.
Toilets, covered tables, WATER, rubbish bins, would be noisy, OK small rigs, weak CDMA.
[12.1 km]
35.7 km (304.1 km) YAAMBA .. south west side of highway.
* Class 2. 23° 08.111'S. 150° 22.122'E. Hema map 9, G 10.
Essentially a day parking area, but has been used for night parking. Also used as a
driver reviver spot on long weekends. Medium size level area between highway and park.
Toilets, tables, shade, WATER, rubbish bins, 20m max. from highway, so suggest
would be quite noisy, OK big rigs as drive through area. Suggest 24hr max. CDMA OK.
Hotel to the N.E. with rundown looking caravan parking at rear. Hotel has self cooked
BBQ Sunday nights (cooks night off!) .. reported to be good. Not available April '05.
Service station opposite hotel .. expensive!
[18.7]
54.4 km (285.4 km) MONUMENT. East side of highway.
Class 2-. 23° 02.067'S. 150° 15.813'E. Hema map 9, G 10.
Small sealed parking area. Covered tables, no shade, rubbish bins, 15m max from
100kph highway, railway opposite .. so noisy, OK big rigs.
Monument to those that discovered gold in this area in 1858 .. Canoona Gold Fields
.. which largely contributed to the establishment of the city of Rockhampton.
[19.8km]
74.2 km (265.6 km) KUNAWARARA. South west side of highway. Closed April '05.
Class 2 (with permission). 22° 49.69' S. 149° 56.02' E. Hema map 9, G 10
Ampol service station/road house. Medium size level dirt parking area to the east.
Covered tables, some shade, rubbish bins, 50m max to highway, OK big rigs. Public phone on highway.
[26.0 km]
100.2 km (239.6 km) BP SERVO. South west side of highway.
Class 2 (with permission). 22° 49.691'S. 149° 56.018'E. Hema map 9, G 9.
Service station/road house. Large parking area to the south east. Signed caravan parking.
Suggest ask servo regarding possibility of overnight stay.
Facilities .. normal roadhouse.
[4.2 km]
104.6 km (235.2 km) MARLBROUGH .. SOUTHERN ENTRANCE to the north.
Signposted road to caravan park to the south.
------------------------------
MARLBROUGH.
0 km Entering via the southern entrance, there is a shady parking area
immediately to the left. Bordering that, a Shell brand service station/road
house with lots of space on side & rear, but close to highway.
Trucks use this area for parking. No fuel available April '06.
[0.7 km]
* 0.7 km LIONS PARK .. east (right) side of road. Medium size level dirt/gravel parking area.
Class 2. 22° 48.986'S. 149° 53.316'E. Hema map 9, G 9.
Shade, fireplaces, rubbish bins, 20m max. from road (little night traffic),
OK big rigs .. circular turning area at north end. Suggest 24 hour max., good TV, weak CDMA.
[0.2 km]
0.9 km turn north for actual town.
---------------------
0 km turn north and across railway line.
[0.3 km]
0.3 km turn right.
[0.2 km]
0.5 km hotel, then store on left.
[0.3 km]
0.8 km Lions Park on corner. Turn into side street for best parking.
Class 3 to 4. 22° 48.844'S. 149° 53.481'E. Hema map 9, G 9.
Toilets, tables, some shade, rubbish bins, parking on edge of road in town,
big rigs OK, suggest use extra discretion re overnight parking.
Continue along that side street a short distance, turn left, and the museum
/craft centre is immediately on the right. Alternatively, it's only a short
walk from the park to the museum. Entry to the museum is by donation.
[0.3 km]
1.1 km rear of hotel. Overnight parking .. medium size, reasonably level grassy area.
* Class 2. 22° 48.775'S. 149° 53.383'E. Hema map 9, G 9.
Facilities at hotel, some shade, OK big rigs, fairly quiet. Fee $2 pppn. Good TV, weak CDMA.
[0.5 km]
1.6 km turn left, back over railway to rejoin road to northern entrance. NOTE .. there is a bridge
with ?2 or 5 tonne weight restriction on the northern entrance road .. so medium/heavy weight vehicles
must use the southern entrance.
---------------------
0 km Back at turn off point for town.Turn right for northern entrance.
[0.2 km]
0.2 km Bridge signed 6 tonne limit .. detour available, or use south entrance.
[1.6 km]
1.8 km back on Bruce Highway at northern entrance for Marlbrough.
------------------------------
ROCKHAMPTON TO MACKAY .. continued.
[1.0 km]
105.6 km (234.2 km) CROSS ROADS. Junction of OLD MARLBROUGH SARINA HIGHWAY
to the west. MARLBROUGH .. NORTHERN ENTRANCE to the east.
NOTE. Marlbrough to Sarina road covered in a seperate section.
[17.0 km]
122.6 km (217.2 km) OGMORE. Southern entrance. 17 kms to Ogmore .. largely unsealed
road. Interesting pub that apparently opens at publicans pleasure!
[14.8 km]
137.4 km (202.4 km) Tooloomba Roadhouse .. west side. Public phone. Closed off parking area to south.
Class 5 (no camping sign). 22° 41.304'S. 149° 37.655'E. Hema map 9, G 9.
[6.1 km]
143.5 km (196.3 km) OGMORE. NORTHERN entrance. 12 kms to Ogmore. Gravel road
with bridge over Styx River, ? 5 Tonne limit, just north of Ogmore town.
[27.8 km]
171.3 km (168.5 km) WAVERLY CREEK REST AREA. East side of highway.
* Class 2. 22° 26.333'S. 149° 28.563'E. Hema map 9, F 9.
Toilets, tables, shade, rubbish bins, 75m max. from hwy., OK big rigs but
weight limit 5 tonnes gross, signed 20 hours, BBQ wood to south, public phone, no TV.
Alternate parking places are outside, opposite on west side of highway, and on north
side of bridge and east side of highway. (do not obstruct gate to paddock).
However, all these areas are close to highway and probably noisy.
[8.0 km]
179.3 km (160.5 km) CROSS ROADS. St. LAWRENCE to the east. Croydon to the
west .. gravel road.
------------------------------
St. LAWRENCE. South (sealed road) entrance.
St. Lawrence is unique in that it has the greatest tidal range on the east
coast .. up to 7 metres.
0 km Turn to the right (east). Dual lane sealed road.
[6.0 km]
6.0 km CAMPING (RODEO) GROUND left hand side .. large level dirt area, can be dusty in windy weather.
* Class 1+. 22° 21.008'S. 149° 31.237'E. Hema map 9, F 9.
Toilets, showers (fee), dump point (somewhat inaccessible), little shade, lots of WATER taps with one
signed "potable water" over road south of toilet block, BBQ's and wood, rubbish bins, 30m max. from road
but little night traffic, OK big rigs, no time limit noted, TV OK (no SBS), CDMA phone OK.
[0.4 km]
6.4 km Turn left for northern entrance .. 6.5 km unsealed road leads to
highway further north.
[0.1 km]
6.5 km .. cross railway line. Hotel & shop to the right, town to the left.
It is possible to continue on, following signs to boat ramp.
[7.3 km]
13.8 km BOAT RAMP. Interesting that just before the boat ramp, the road
crosses a "flat" which is covered during big high tides. The river is dry at
low tide. There is parking space, but not really recomended as it is remote
and one could have a problem if the tides are high.
-----------------------------
ROCKHAMPTON TO MACKAY .. continued.
[6.7 km]
186.0 km (153.8 km) St. LAWRENCE north entrance turn off to east, gravel road.
[10.9 km]
196.9 km (142.9 km) SERVICE STATION/ROAD HOUSE. Shell
[12.3 km]
209.2 km (130.6 km) CLAIRVIEW .. SOUTHERN ENTRANCE. Turnoff to the east.
------------------------------
CLAIRVIEW.
The road crosses the railway line .. continues north between the railway
line and the coast. It loops back onto highway at a point 4.3 km north of
the southern entrance.
0 km turn east of highway and across level crossing.
[0.7 km]
0.7 km Caravan park between road and actual coast .. large level grass area amongst trees, bar, store.
* Class 1 (fee). 22° 07.29' S. 149° 32.15' E. Hema map 9, F 9.
Caravan park facilities, $17 pvpn powered, slightly salty bore water at sites, tank water available,
25m max from road, 30m from railway .. so some noise, OK big rigs, weak TV, CDMA OK, very expensive fuel.
[1.3 km]
2.0 km REST AREA (+ community centre) between road and coast .. small level area.
Class 2. 22° 06.324'S. 149° 31.617'E. Hema map 9, F 9.
Toilet, covered tables, shade, water, BBQ, rubbish bin, 15m max. from road but railway opposite (noisy),
maybe OK big rigs if park on edge of road, signed "camping 1 night only", good TV, good CDMA.
[2.6 km km]
4.6 km Back on highway (via rail crossing) northern entrance.
------------------------------
ROCKHAMPTON TO MACKAY .. continued.
[2.3 km]
211.5 km (128.3 km) Signed truck parking .. eastern side of highway .. with main north/south railway
bordering the eastern side of parking area .. so, noisy due to rail traffic.
[2.0 km]
213.5 km (126.3 km) CLAIRVIEW .. NORTHERN ENTRANCE .. across level crossing.
[16.5 km]
230.0 km (109.8 km) FLAGGY ROCK .. east side .. good for snacks/meals. Lots
homemade! Drive in parking .. motorhomes, caravans to southern parking area.
[7.5 km]
237.5 km (102.3 km) CARMILLA. Cheap fuel.
------------------------------
CARMILLA.
0 km Turning to the east, one passes the Ampol roadhouse, RACQ and caravan
park entrance on the left. Fuel price at the servo is traditionally one of
the lowest on the Qld. coast. Not so, April '05, reasonably OK April '06.
[0.2 km]
0.2 km WATERING point (signed) on right over footparth. 21° 54.52' S. 149° 24.63' E.
[0.3 km]
0.5 km General store / Post Office / public phone on the right.
[0.2 km]
0.7 km Road crosses railway line. Hotel to right.
[0.2 km]
0.9 km Sports complex .. right side .. no camping sign west end, large level grass area east end.
Class 5. 21° 54.522'E. 149° 25.048'S. Hema map 9, E 9.
Covered tables, no shade, small water tank, playground, 30m max from road, OK big rigs.
[5.3 km]
6.2 km veer left for BOAT RAMP AREA.
Class 5. 21° 54.632'S. 149° 27.766'E. Hema map 9, E 9.
Signposted "NO CAMPING".
Toilets to left before boat ramp. Parking and picnic area near boat ramp. OK medium size rigs.
6.2 km (same spot) veer right to CAMPING AREA. Road is sandy, narrow and has overhanging trees
.. vehicles have been bogged .. about 800m in past houses on left.
Class 2. 21° 54.896'S. 149° 27.800'E. Hema map 9, E 9.
Toilets, no shade, NO water, fire places, rubbish bins, OK medium size rigs.
Signed 3 days maximum, small dump point (suggest really for cassette toilets) near toilets.
------------------------------
ROCKHAMPTON TO MACKAY .. continued.
[25.7 km]
263.2 km (76.6km) ILLBILBIE ROADHOUSE. Cheap fuel. Not so, Feb. and April '05.
Class 2 parking with permission. 21° 42.331'S. 149° 21.464'E. Hema map 9, E 8.
Usual roadhouse facilities. Parking towards the rear, but railway line borders the rear
.. have heard it's quite noisy.
Opposite northern entrance to roadhouse and to the east is Greenhill Road .. this is the road to
Cape Palmerston National park, Greenhill, Yarrawonga Point and Marion creek camping spot.
------------------------------
0 km Turn off to the east.
[4.5 km]
4.5 km Road to Cape Palmerston and Greenhill veers left. Notch Point Road to Yarrawonga Point
and Marion Creek turn off to right.
[3.4 km]
7.9 km Gravel Road commences.
[3.4 km]
11.3 km Marion Creek camp spot .. right side. Large level gravel (some grass) area between road and creek.
Class 1. 21° 43.427'S. 149° 26.574'E. Hema map 9, E 9.
No facilities, some shade, rough boat ramp. OK big rigs if not congested with fishermen, no time limit.
Good TV, CDMA OK. 6m tides may occur in this area .. covering causeway to the south and surrounding salt pans.
------------------------------
ROCKHAMPTON TO MACKAY .. continued.
[16.3 km]
279.5 km (60.3 km) KOUMALA .. post office/general store. There is a hotel just
to the south. Further south on the next side road, there is a small caravan
park. Observe speed limits .. the police give the town speed restriction a
lot of attention.
[0.1 km]
279.6 km (60.2 km) BOULINBROKE ROAD to the west. This (approximately 50%
sealed) road passes through a cane growing area, then climbs Koumala Range
(that section is unpaved, steep and has sharp curves). It then passes
through undulating cattle country to join the "old" Marlbrough - Sarina
road. Total distance 27 km. It is a useful "short cut" from the coastal
area to the area inland and onwards to Nebo, Clermont etc.
[0.4 km]
280.0 km (59.8 km) LANDING ROAD to the East. Access to Rocky Dam and creek.
Fishing, sandflies & crocodiles!
[8.0 km]
288.0 km (51.8 km) RAILWAY OVERPASS. This is the electrified coal line from
Hay Point/Dalrymple Bay port on the coast south of Mackay to the extensive
inland coal mining area (Bowen Basin) west and south west of this point.
[2.6 km]
290.6 km (49.2 km) YUKAN. The coal line merges with the main north/south line
just south of Yukan. Yukan was an important staging area when the coal line
was being built and electrified. A lot of the required material was shipped
to Yukan via the main north/south line. The buildings visible, to the east,
between the highway and the railway line are part of the maintenance
facilities for the electrified coal line.
[2.2 km]
292.8 km (47.0 km) MULLERS ROAD to the West .. was home !!!
[1.5 km]
294.3 km (45.5 km) PARKING SPOT .. SOUTHERN ENTRANCE, Parking .. east side.
[0.2 km]
294.5 km (45.3 km) PARKING SPOT .. NORTHERN ENTRANCE, Parking .. east side.
Class 3. 21° 29.158'S. 149° 13.541'E. Hema map 9, D 8.
No facilities, parking on old section of highway. Best parking to north of
north entrance where an embankment partially obscures view of vehicle from
the highway. OK big rigs wih care.
This road is occasionally used for access to cattle yards, so best to park
on the side and park facing south .. which means reversing into position.
[2.4 km]
296.9 km (42.9 km) GRAVEL PIT to west. Oonooie Rd. to east.
No facilities, on edge of cane paddock, visible from highway.
Class 3/4. 30m max. from highway. OK big rigs as drive through.
[0.5 km]
297.4 km (42.4 km) COURTNEY GAP Road to the west. Short cut to Marlbrough -
Sarina Rd. 50% sealed.
[2.5 km]
299.9 km (39.9 km) ARMSTRONGS BEACH Rd. to east. No known good parking spots.
Some access to ocean. Caravan Park at Armstrongs Beach.
[0.4 km]
300.3 km (39.5 km) CALTEX ROADHOUSE. East side. Signposted Rest area.
UPDATE MAY '04 .. "NO CAMPING" sign inside. Still closed April '06. ? pressure bought to bear!!
Class 2 (suggest with permission). 21° 26.165'S. 149° 13.420'E. Hema map 9, D 8.
Large number of picnic tables, some shade.
Usual roadhouse facilities, between highway. & railway, so probably noisy, OK big rigs
as drive through. Suggest servo looking for patronage in return for parking.
[0.8 km]
301.1 km (38.7 km) PARKING .. south of Plane creek, both sides of highway.
Class 5. Hema map 9, D 8.
Toilets, tables, some shade, BBQ, rubbish bins.
Park to the east, APEX PARK. It's possible to drive along road south of
Apex Park to a turning area just past the park.
Small parking area to the west has no facilities.
[0.4 km]
301.5 km (38.3 km) INFO CENTRE to west.
Class 5. 21° 25.536'S. 149° 13.044'E. Hema map 9, D 8.
Toilets, tables, rubbish bins.. also museum .. parking, turning area in
front of Sarina Railway station .. suit big rigs if not too congested.
Super market immediately to the north, followed by 2 hotels in same block.
Second one had bottle shop at rear. Sports club across highway from info
centre.
[0.2 km] 301.7 km (38.1 km) CENTRAL St. to west. Also known as (Sarina) Range Rd.
End of old Marlbrough - Sarina Road .. described separately.
[0.4 km]
302.1 kms (37.7 km) SARINA POST OFFICE to west.
[0.3 km]
302.4 km (37.4 km) SARINA BEACH Rd. Access to beach area.
[1.3 km]
303.7 km (36.1 km) SARINA SHOWGROUND .. see caretaker .. large level grassed areas towards rear.
Had been open for years, reported closed, open April '06 .. we stayed 2 nights.
* Class 1 (fee $10 pvpn). 21° 24.30'S. 149° 12.87' E. Hema map 9, D 8.
Toilets, hot showers,some shade, WATER, rubbish bins, 100m from highway, OK big rigs, no
(reasonable) time limit, good TV, good CDMA, power.
[0.6 km]
304.3 km (35.5 km) HOMEBUSH Rd. to west. Back way to Homebush .. and Peak Downs Highway.
Described in Clermont to Mackay (Peak Downs Highway) section.
100m along Homebush Road, on the right, is a reasonably large GRAVEL PIT.
Class 3. 21° 24.154'S. 149° 12.529'E. Hema map 9, D 8.
Parking there is in full view of highway traffic from the south. 80m max.
from Homebush Rd., 200m from main highway, little noise, OK big rigs.
[10.2 km]
314.5 km (25.3 km) HAY POINT Rd to east .. to coal terminals .. viewing area
at harbourmasters office on hill top overlooking the complex. Also, access
to beach area and joins up with Sarina Beach Rd. to the south.
[0.9 km]
315.4 km (24.4 km) RIVER PARKING .. used by fishermen.
Small rough area, north side of bridge, west side of highway. Just 25m from
highway.
[2.3 km]
317.7 km (22.1 km) MAC'S TRUCK STOP, SOUTH ENTRANCE. There is an old section
of the highway, running parallel to existing highway. From this spot to
Macs. Semis use it for parking .. overnight, but very close to noisy
highway.
[0.6 km]
318.3 km (21.5 km) MAC'S TRUCK STOP , NORTHERN ENTRANCE .. large roadhouse.
[8.5 km]
326.8 km (13.0 km) HOMEBUSH Rd. to west. Rosella (general) store to east.
[0.5 km]
327.3 km (12.5 km) GRAVEL PIT, ROSELLA
Class 3 or 4. 21° 13.939'S. 149° 08.850'E. Hema map 9, D 8.
50m max. from highway, OK big rigs.
[1.3 km]
328.6 km (11.2 km) BAKERS CREEK to east.
[4.0 km]
332.6 km (7.2 km) FARALLEYS LANE to east. Access to industrial area and Mackay
airport if travelling from the south.
[2.2 km]
334.8 km (5.0 km) PEAK DOWNS Highway to west. Area also known as (Mackay) city gates.
[0.2 km]
335.0 km (4.8 km) INFO CENTRE to west.
Class 5, Hema map 9, D 8.
Usual Info Centre facilities. Drive through so OK for big rigs if not
congested, but care needed. Handy parking spot as large bottle shop, large and
economical lunches at pub .. also large fruit and veg. store just north of
bottle shop. But necessary to cross busy highway to access from Info Centre.
[3.2 km]
338.2 km (1.6 km) TURN WEST. For Mackay city centre continue ahead. Parking
possible for motorhomes at Canelane Shopping Centre. Continue ahead (as per
above) "Turn left with care" at next traffic lights, across 1st roundabout,
turn left at second. Near the end of that road, most traffic turns left into
a parking area .. but there is a short "dead end" section that may be
utilised (if not congested). Big rigs would have a problem turning.
[1.6 km]
339.8 km (0 km) MACKAY. PIONEER RIVER. Centre of Ron Camm bridge.
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