Joan Tierney Park – Yaamba

Joan Tierney Park, located in the small highway settlement of Yaamba, is one of the largest and most popular free 24-hour rest areas on the Bruce Highway in Central Queensland. This council-maintained park is an essential stop for travellers heading north or south of Rockhampton, providing a safe and spacious area to rest and recharge. The park offers a massive, relatively flat grassy and gravel area set well back from the highway, minimising traffic noise and providing ample room for a large number of vehicles, including the biggest rigs. It’s a designated rest area suitable for all types of campers, although it is particularly favoured by self-contained caravans and motorhomes. Basic but essential facilities are provided, including a toilet block and rubbish bins. The park’s main appeal lies in its size and convenience, allowing drivers to take a proper break without needing to detour into a major town. The nearby Yaamba Hotel and roadhouse offer options for a meal and fuel, adding to the convenience. While it’s a simple, no-frills stop, Joan Tierney Park serves a vital role for the travelling public, offering a reliable and welcome reprieve on the long stretch of highway between Rockhampton and Mackay.

Site Information

• Location: On the Bruce Highway at Yaamba, approximately 40 km north of Rockhampton.
• Site Suitable For: All vehicle types, including big rigs, caravans, motorhomes, and tents.
• Road Access: Sealed road access directly off the highway.
• Site Surface: A mix of gravel, dirt, and grass.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, this is a free 24-hour maximum stay rest area.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: 24 hours.
• Facilities: Public toilets, rubbish bins, some picnic tables. No showers or power.
• Potable Water: No. It is recommended to bring your own drinking water.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Good coverage for Telstra; other carriers may be patchy.
• TV Reception: Variable, may get Rockhampton channels.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes.
• Open Fires: Prohibited.
• Generator Use: Permitted, but must be used considerately (away from others and during reasonable hours).
• Number of Sites Available: Very large open area without defined sites; can accommodate many vehicles.
• Essentials to Bring: It is best to be self-sufficient with water, power, and cooking facilities.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are permitted on a leash.
• Fishing: No.
• Short Walks: Walking around the large park area.

Local Amenities

Amenities are available at the Yaamba roadhouse and hotel, with all major services in Rockhampton.

• Local Pubs:
  • Yaamba Hotel (approx. 500 m)
  • The Caves Country Pub (approx. 15 km south)
  • Numerous options in Rockhampton (approx. 40 km south)
• Places to Eat:
  • Yaamba Hotel and the local roadhouse offer meals.
• Local Attractions:
  • Capricorn Caves (approx. 20 km south)
  • All Rockhampton attractions, including the Botanic Gardens & Zoo and Kershaw Gardens.
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Numerous options in the northern suburbs of Rockhampton (e.g., Discovery Parks).
• Next Free Camps:
  • Frank Forde Park, Rockhampton (24hr, self-contained only) (approx. 40 km south)
  • St Lawrence Wetlands (donation camp, approx. 130 km north)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Located at the Rockhampton Showgrounds (approx. 45 km south).
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • A large roadhouse is located adjacent to the park.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available at the Rockhampton Showgrounds dump point.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available onsite.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

Yaamba shares Rockhampton’s humid subtropical climate, known for hot, wet summers and mild, dry winters.