Childers Rest Area – Childers

The Childers Rest Area is a fantastic, council-provided facility that offers a low-cost stopover for self-contained travellers right in the heart of the historic town of Childers. Located conveniently behind the Visitor Information Centre (The Palace), this designated RV Park is a perfect example of an RV Friendly Town embracing the travelling community. The site provides a large, level, sealed area with marked bays, specifically for self-contained caravans and motorhomes, with a 48-hour stay limit. The key to its immense popularity is its unbeatable location. From the park, visitors are just a few steps away from Childers’ beautiful, heritage-listed main street, which is lined with historic buildings, quaint cafes, bakeries, and classic country pubs. This allows campers to safely park their rig and explore the entire town on foot. Essential services such as a supermarket, dump point, and potable water are all within immediate proximity. The park is the ideal base for delving into the town’s rich history, most notably paying a visit to the Palace Memorial Building which houses the information centre and a tribute to the backpackers lost in the 2000 fire. With its combination of convenience, safety, and direct access to attractions and services, the Childers Rest Area is more than just an overnight stop; it’s a destination that encourages a deeper exploration of this resilient and charming Queensland town.

Site Information

• Location: Behind the Visitor Information Centre in the centre of Childers.
• Site Suitable For: Fully self-contained vehicles only (caravans and motorhomes). No tents.
• Road Access: Sealed roads.
• Site Surface: Bitumen.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, low-cost (often donation or small fee). Permit required from the Visitor Information Centre.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: 48 hours.
• Facilities: Public toilets available nearby. No showers or power at the sites.
• Picnic Tables: Yes, available in the adjacent parkland.
• Potable Water: Yes, available nearby.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Excellent for all carriers.
• TV Reception: Excellent.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes, in the adjacent park.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes.
• Open Fires: Prohibited.
• Generator Use: Prohibited due to the central town location.
• Number of Sites Available: A good number of marked bays, but it is extremely popular and fills early.
• Essentials to Bring: Your vehicle must be fully self-contained (toilet and shower).
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are permitted on a leash.
• Fishing: The nearby Isis River and Lake Redbrook offer fishing.
• Short Walks: Excellent walking around the historic town centre.

Local Amenities

All of Childers’ amenities are within a short walking distance.

• Local Pubs:
  • The Grand Hotel (approx. 200 m)
  • Federal Hotel (approx. 300 m)
  • Hotel Childers (approx. 400 m)
• Places to Eat:
  • All local pubs, plus numerous cafes, bakeries, and restaurants on the main street.
• Local Attractions:
  • The Palace Backpackers Memorial
  • Childers Military & Memorabilia Museum
  • Old Pharmacy Museum
  • Snakes Downunder Reptile Park (short drive)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Childers Tourist Park & Camp (approx. 1.5 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Apple Tree Creek Rest Area (24hr, approx. 10 km north)
  • Booyal Rest Area (24hr, approx. 30 km south)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • A public dump point is located next to the rest area.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple service stations are located within 500 metres.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available at the dump point location.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available nearby in Millennium Park.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

Childers has a subtropical climate, similar to nearby Bundaberg, with mild winters and warm, humid summers.