Kershaw Gardens – Rockhampton QLD Free Camp

Right in the heart of Central Queensland’s largest city, Kershaw Gardens offers one of Australia’s most impressive and well-appointed free campgrounds. This is not your typical roadside rest area; it’s a dedicated zone for self-contained vehicles set within a magnificent, multi-million dollar botanic parkland. Conveniently located just off the Bruce Highway, it provides the perfect 48-hour stopover for travellers exploring the Capricorn Coast or heading further north or south. The campground features a large, sealed bitumen area with clearly marked, spacious bays suitable for caravans and large motorhomes. Its prime location allows visitors to enjoy the tranquility of the gardens while being just minutes away from Rockhampton’s major shopping centres, restaurants, and attractions.

The gardens themselves are the main drawcard. After a major redevelopment, Kershaw Gardens has been transformed into a vibrant recreational hub. Campers have immediate access to stunning landscapes, including a picturesque waterfall, walking trails that meander through native Australian flora, and sprawling green lawns perfect for a picnic. For those travelling with families, the park is a paradise, boasting an incredible playground with a five-level webbed climbing structure, flying foxes, and a water play area designed to represent the Fitzroy River. The campground’s designation for self-contained vehicles ensures the area remains clean and tidy, with all campers required to have their own toilet and grey water storage. This council-provided facility is a shining example of how a regional city can welcome the travelling community, offering a safe, beautiful, and completely free place to rest and explore the best of Rockhampton.

Campsite Information

• Location: Kershaw Gardens, North Rockhampton.
• Site Suitable For: Fully self-contained vehicles (must have own toilet and grey water capacity). Not suitable for tents or camper trailers without facilities.
• Road Access: Sealed road (High Street).
• Site Surface: Level bitumen parking bays.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, free of charge.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: 48 hours strictly enforced. A permit is not required.
• Facilities: No showers or power available at the campground. Toilets are available in the main park area during the day.
• Potable Water: A water tap is available near the toilet block in the gardens.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Excellent coverage for all major carriers.
• TV Reception: Excellent digital TV signal.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes, located within the main gardens precinct (day use hours).
• Rubbish Bins: Yes, numerous bins are provided.
• Open Fires: Strictly prohibited.
• Generator Use: Permitted, but only between 8:00 AM and 7:00 PM.
• Number of Sites Available: Approximately 40 designated sites.
• Essentials to Bring: Your vehicle must be fully self-contained.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are allowed on a leash within the campground and gardens.
• Fishing: Available in the nearby Fitzroy River.
• Short Walks: Extensive network of walking and cycling paths throughout Kershaw Gardens.

Local Amenities

• Local Pubs: Park Avenue Hotel (~1 km), The Red Lion Hotel (~2 km), Great Western Hotel (famous for its rodeo, ~4 km).
• Places to Eat: Stockland Rockhampton Shopping Centre food court and surrounding restaurants (~1.5 km), numerous options in the CBD (~4 km).
• Local Attractions: Rockhampton Botanic Gardens and Zoo, Archer Park Rail Museum, Mount Archer (Nurim) National Park, Capricorn Caves.
• Nearest Caravan Parks: Discovery Parks Rockhampton (~2 km), Southside Holiday Village (~5 km).
• Next Free Camps: Yaamba Rest Area (~35 km north), Calliope River Rest Area (~100 km south).
• Nearest Dump Points: Rockhampton Showgrounds (~4 km), available for a small fee.
• Nearest Petrol Station: Multiple major service stations within 1 km on the Bruce Highway.
• Drinking Water Resupply: Onsite tap for filling tanks.
• Public Toilets: Onsite in the gardens (day use).

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Rockhampton, QLD

• Summer (December – February): Hot and very humid. Temperatures often reach the mid-30s (°C), with high rainfall and the possibility of cyclones in the region.
• Autumn (March – May): The weather becomes more pleasant, with warm days, lower humidity, and cooler evenings. A great time to visit.
• Winter (June – August): Mild, dry, and sunny. Daytime temperatures are very comfortable, typically around 22-25°C. Nights are cool but frosts are rare.
• Spring (September – November): Temperatures and humidity begin to build again leading into summer. Expect warm to hot sunny days.