Macsland Rest Area – Longreach

Macsland Rest Area is a large and highly popular free 24-hour camp that serves as a fantastic base for travellers exploring the legendary outback town of Longreach. Located on the Landsborough (Warrego) Highway just 15 kilometres south of town, this spacious site offers a quintessential bush camping experience with the convenience of being close to major attractions. The rest area is a vast, open, and mostly level dirt and gravel expanse, providing an enormous amount of space for all types of vehicles, from the biggest motorhomes and buses to caravans and camper trailers. This size ensures that even during the peak winter tourist season, campers can usually find a comfortable spot to settle in for the night. The facilities are basic, consisting of toilets and some picnic tables, so it is best suited to self-contained travellers. Its location near the Thomson River also makes it a decent spot for a bit of fishing or a walk along the riverbank. The real value of Macsland lies in its role as a no-cost launching pad into Longreach. Campers can set up their rig and then drive into town to experience world-class attractions like the Qantas Founders Museum and the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame without the expense of a town caravan park. It embodies the spirit of outback travel: simple, spacious, and set under a vast sky that offers incredible sunsets and stargazing.

Site Information

• Location: On the Landsborough Highway, approximately 15 km south of Longreach.
• Site Suitable For: All vehicle types, including big rigs, buses, and large caravans.
• Road Access: Sealed highway to the entrance.
• Site Surface: Dirt and gravel. Can get dusty.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, this is a free 24-hour maximum stay rest area.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: 24 hours.
• Facilities: Toilets, rubbish bins. No showers or power.
• Picnic Tables: Yes, a few sheltered tables are available.
• Potable Water: No. Bring your own drinking water.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Generally good for Telstra.
• TV Reception: Variable.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes.
• Open Fires: Permitted in existing fire pits, subject to local fire bans.
• Generator Use: Permitted, with considerate use due to the large size of the area.
• Number of Sites Available: Very large open area that can accommodate many vehicles.
• Essentials to Bring: It is best to be fully self-contained with water, power, and shower facilities.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are permitted on a leash.
• Fishing: Possible in the nearby Thomson River.
• Short Walks: Informal walks around the rest area and along the river.

Local Amenities

All major amenities are located in the nearby town of Longreach (approx. 15 km).

• Local Pubs:
  • The Welcome Home Hotel (approx. 15 km)
  • The Birdcage Hotel (approx. 15 km)
  • The Wellshot Hotel (Ilfracombe, approx. 45 km west – a must-visit)
• Places to Eat:
  • Numerous hotels, cafes, bakeries, and restaurants in Longreach.
• Local Attractions:
  • Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame
  • Qantas Founders Museum
  • Thomson River cruises
  • Powerhouse Museum
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Longreach Tourist Park (approx. 14 km)
  • Longreach Caravan Park (approx. 16 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Long Waterhole, Winton (donation camp, approx. 165 km northwest)
  • Barcaldine Rec Park (donation camp, approx. 120 km east)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • A public dump point is available in Longreach.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple service stations are available in Longreach.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available at the Longreach Visitor Information Centre.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available onsite and throughout Longreach.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

Longreach has a hot semi-arid climate with very hot summers and mild, dry winters with cold nights.