Calliope River North Rest Area

Calliope River North Rest Area is a free, 48-hour camping area on the Bruce Highway at River Ranch, about 26 kilometres west of Gladstone. Open grassy sites sit directly beside the Calliope River with room for every rig size, and dogs are welcome to stay overnight at no charge.

Dogs at the rest area

Dogs may stay overnight free, but they must be kept on a leash or tethered at all times, and you are expected to clean up after them immediately. There is no published size limit. Here the lead rule is a safety requirement, not just etiquette: the river has crocodile warnings and box jellyfish have been recorded in these waterways. Keep your dog well back from the water's edge and do not let them swim, no matter how tempting the water looks on a hot day.

Max: A free riverside camp is not a swimming hole in croc country. The leash stays on and the water stays off the itinerary.

The site and its limits

Facilities are minimal, which is the trade-off for a free camp beside the river. There is no potable water and no power, so arrive with full tanks and supplies. Toilets on the north side may be closed, though facilities usually operate on the south side. Picnic tables and a boat ramp sit by the water, and fishing is popular. A 48-hour maximum stay applies. Check local flood warnings before camping, because this riverside ground is prone to inundation after heavy rain.

Nearby with the dogs

The Calliope River Historical Village sits immediately adjacent, with a cafe for coffee or lunch, and the town of Calliope is a five-minute drive for fuel and supplies. If this side of the river is crowded or closed, Calliope South Campsite is the counterpart across the water, and Calliope Caravan Park offers powered sites in town. For a meal, OOM Energy Calliope is on the highway.

The wider list is on the dog-friendly stays in Queensland page, and the area is covered on the River Ranch guide.