O’Brien’s Creek Campground – Mount Surprise

For treasure hunters and gem enthusiasts, the O’Brien’s Creek Campground is an iconic destination in the heart of North Queensland’s gemfields. Located within a designated fossicking area about 45 kilometres from Mount Surprise, this campground is the ultimate basecamp for those hoping to strike it rich by finding their own topaz. The atmosphere here is one of shared adventure, where dusty, hopeful fossickers gather to try their luck in the creek beds and surrounding gullies. The campground itself offers a rustic, back-to-basics bush experience with the convenience of essential amenities. It features a large, open, and unpowered camping area suitable for everything from tents and swags to big rigs and caravans. The facilities include clean toilets, cold-water showers (a welcome relief after a hot day of digging), and communal BBQ areas where campers can cook their meals and share stories of their finds. The main activity is, without a doubt, fossicking. Visitors can spend their days digging, sieving, and washing gravel in search of topaz, quartz, and other semi-precious stones. The on-site caretaker is often available to offer valuable tips, hire out equipment, and even help identify promising stones. Beyond the thrill of the hunt, the area offers a classic outback setting with rugged landscapes, rocky creeks, and a peaceful environment far from the hustle of city life. The clear night skies, free from light pollution, are perfect for stargazing. O’Brien’s Creek Campground provides a unique and memorable experience, combining the thrill of discovery with the simple pleasures of bush camping.

Site Information

• Site Suitable For: Tents, camper trailers, caravans, and motorhomes of all sizes.
• Road Access: Unsealed gravel road (approx 45km). 2WD accessible in dry conditions, 4WD recommended. Check road conditions after rain.
• Site Surface: Dirt, grass, gravel.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, camping fees apply. Fossicking license required to search for gems.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: No specified limit.
• Facilities: Toilets (flushing), cold showers, communal BBQs, washing tubs.
• Potable Water: Yes, non-potable bore water available. Advised to bring drinking water or boil/treat.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: No. Satellite phone or personal locator beacon recommended for emergencies.
• TV Reception: No.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes.
• Open Fires: Permitted in designated fire pits, subject to local fire bans.
• Generator Use: Permitted, considerate use is expected (usually restricted hours).
• Number of Sites Available: Large open area with no formally defined sites.
• Essentials to Bring: Fossicking equipment (sieves, shovel, pick), drinking water, food, insect repellent, sun protection, first-aid kit.
• Pet Friendly: Yes.
• Fishing: Limited opportunities in the creek.
• Short Walks: Exploring the creek and surrounding bushland.

Local Amenities (in Mount Surprise, approx. 45 km)

• Local Pubs:
  • Mount Surprise Hotel
• Places to Eat:
  • Mount Surprise Hotel
  • Cafe at Bedrock Village Caravan Park
• Local Attractions:
  • Undara Volcanic National Park (via guided tour)
  • Savannahlander Train
  • Collins Lookout
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Bedrock Village Van Park (Mount Surprise)
  • Mount Surprise Gems (Den & Accommodation)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Limited formal free camps. Some roadside rest areas available on the Gulf Developmental Road.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Bedrock Village Van Park (Mount Surprise, for paying guests)
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Mount Surprise Roadhouse
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Mount Surprise (check local availability and fees)
• Public Toilets:
  • In the town of Mount Surprise.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

The region has a tropical savannah climate with a distinct wet and dry season. The fossicking season is typically in the dry winter months.