Saunders Beach Park Rest Area – Saunders Beach

Saunders Beach Park Rest Area offers a quintessential tropical North Queensland camping experience, providing travellers with a stunning and tranquil beachfront stopover. Located just a short drive north of the bustling city of Townsville, this council-run facility is a peaceful oasis for self-contained caravans and motorhomes. The campground operates on a donation basis and allows a 48-hour stay, making it an incredibly popular and valued resource. The main drawcard is its absolute beachfront location; campers can park on the grassed area just metres from the golden sands, waking up to the sound of gentle waves and beautiful sunrises over the Coral Sea. The long, sandy beach is perfect for walking, beach fishing, and relaxing. For a donation camp, the facilities are excellent and include toilets, cold showers, a playground for children, a boat ramp, and even a dump point, which is a major convenience for travellers. The local community takes great pride in the park, and its well-maintained condition is a testament to their efforts. While the camp itself is quiet, it’s only a short walk to the local tavern for a meal and a cold drink. Saunders Beach provides a perfect, low-cost alternative to busy city caravan parks, allowing visitors to enjoy a relaxed coastal atmosphere while still having easy access to all the services and attractions of nearby Townsville.

Site Information

• Location: At the end of Reef St in the quiet coastal community of Saunders Beach, north of Townsville.
• Site Suitable For: Self-contained vehicles are preferred. Can accommodate large caravans and motorhomes.
• Road Access: Sealed road all the way to the park.
• Site Surface: Grass and dirt. Can become soft after heavy rain.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, this is a donation-based 48-hour maximum stay area.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: 48 hours. This is strictly monitored by the council.
• Facilities: Toilets, cold showers, dump point, rubbish bins, children’s playground, boat ramp.
• Potable Water: Yes, a tap is available for filling tanks.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Good for Telstra and Optus.
• TV Reception: Good.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes.
• Open Fires: Prohibited.
• Generator Use: Permitted, but only for limited hours and with consideration for others.
• Number of Sites Available: Large open area without defined sites, but it is popular and fills up.
• Essentials to Bring: Insect repellent (especially for sandflies at dawn and dusk), a donation for the box.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are permitted on a leash.
• Fishing: Yes, beach fishing and boat fishing are very popular.
• Short Walks: Excellent long walks along the sandy beach.

Local Amenities

Saunders Beach has limited services, with all major amenities available in the northern suburbs of Townsville.

• Local Pubs:
  • Saunders Beach Bar & Bistro (approx. 800 m)
  • The Bushland Beach Tavern (approx. 15 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • Saunders Beach Bar & Bistro and a local takeaway shop. Many more options in Bushland Beach or Townsville.
• Local Attractions:
  • The beach itself
  • Toolakea Beach
  • All Townsville attractions (The Strand, Castle Hill, Magnetic Island Ferry) (approx. 30 km)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Bluewater Park (approx. 8 km)
  • Rollingstone Beach Caravan Resort (approx. 25 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Bluewater Park Rest Area (48hr) (approx. 8 km)
  • Balgal Beach (48hr, donation) (approx. 30 km)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • A dump point is available onsite.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • At the local store (limited hours) or at the BP truck stop in the Bohle industrial area (approx. 20 km).
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available onsite.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available onsite.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

Saunders Beach has a tropical climate with a distinct wet and dry season. Marine stingers are a risk during the warmer months (November-May).