Bluewater Park Camping Rest Area

Bluewater Park Camping Rest Area sits on the Bruce Highway about 31 kilometres north of Townsville, a council-run free stopover strung out under shady trees beside Bluewater Creek. Caravans, campervans, motorhomes and tents all fit on the non-powered sites, and dogs are welcome for the stay, kept on the leash. It is a pull-in for the night or two on the way up the coast, not a base camp.

Dogs at the rest area

Dogs are permitted but must remain on a leash at all times within the park, and owners need to pick up after them and keep them from bothering other travellers. There is no fenced dog run and no dog wash, so bring your own bowl and treats. Rangers do patrol the site and the 48-hour limit is enforced.

Worth knowing

The stop is free, but the Townsville City Council booking system applies: you book the RV site online through the council's portal before arrival, the maximum stay is 48 hours within a 7-day period, and sites must be vacated by 10am on departure day. Older listings describe it as a book-free rest area, but the council's current rules require the online booking, so sort it before you roll in. Facilities cover toilets, a Dump-Ezy dump point with drinking water and a hose nearby, shaded picnic tables, gazebos, a children's playground and the open oval.

Out with the dog nearby

Bluewater Beach is a short drive away, where dogs are allowed on the leash outside the council's designated off-leash zones, with the usual tropical caution around stingers and tidal creeks. For a proper run, Pallarenda Dog Beach on Cape Pallarenda Road in Townsville is about 570 metres of unfenced off-leash sand between access points 8 and 9. If you want powered sites, cabins and longer stays, Bluewater Caravan Park is the paid commercial park nearby.

More options along the coast are on the Queensland pet friendly stays guide and the Bluewater destination page.

Pepsi: book the site on the council portal before you arrive, keep the leash on by the creek, and save the off-leash swim for Pallarenda.