Aratula Roadside Rest Area – Aratula

The Aratula Roadside Rest Area is a popular and strategically important free 20-hour stop for travellers navigating the scenic but challenging Cunningham Highway. Located right in the heart of the small town of Aratula, at the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, this rest area provides a safe and convenient place to break the journey, especially for those towing caravans or driving large motorhomes before or after tackling the steep climb over Cunningham’s Gap. The site is a large, sealed bitumen area with designated parking for cars, caravans, and trucks, making it accessible for all vehicle types. While it’s a functional highway stop rather than a destination campground, its location is a major asset. Travellers have immediate access to the town’s amenities, including the famous Aratula Bakery, the local pub, and service stations, all within a few minutes’ walk. The park is equipped with basic but essential facilities, including toilets and picnic tables. It serves as the gateway to the magnificent Scenic Rim, offering easy access to attractions like Lake Moogerah, Moogerah Peaks National Park, and the charming surrounding towns. Due to its prime location and the 20-hour limit, it’s a well-used facility, perfect for an overnight rest to recharge before continuing through one of southern Queensland’s most beautiful and dramatic landscapes.

Site Information

• Location: In the centre of Aratula township on the Cunningham Highway.
• Site Suitable For: All vehicle types, with designated parking for cars, trucks, and caravans.
• Road Access: Sealed highway.
• Site Surface: Bitumen.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, this is a free 20-hour maximum stay rest area.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: 20 hours.
• Facilities: Toilets, rubbish bins. No showers, power, or dump point.
• Picnic Tables: Yes, some sheltered tables are available.
• Potable Water: No. Best to bring your own.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Good for Telstra; can be patchy for others.
• TV Reception: Good.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes.
• Open Fires: Prohibited.
• Generator Use: Not recommended due to proximity to town and other campers.
• Number of Sites Available: Large sealed area with many spaces, but can be busy.
• Essentials to Bring: It is best to be fully self-contained.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are permitted on a leash.
• Fishing: The nearby Lake Moogerah offers excellent freshwater fishing.
• Short Walks: Walk through the town of Aratula.

Local Amenities

All of Aratula’s amenities are within immediate walking distance.

• Local Pubs:
  • Aratula Hotel Motel (approx. 200 m)
  • The Royal Hotel, Kalbar (approx. 15 km)
  • The Australian Hotel, Boonah (approx. 25 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • The local pub and the famous Aratula Bakery are within walking distance.
• Local Attractions:
  • Lake Moogerah and Moogerah Peaks National Park
  • Cunningham’s Gap and Main Range National Park
  • The charming towns of Kalbar and Boonah.
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Lake Moogerah Caravan Park (approx. 15 km)
  • Boonah Showgrounds (offers camping) (approx. 25 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Fassifern Memorial Park (20hr, excellent facilities, approx. 4 km east)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Available at Fassifern Memorial Park (approx. 4 km).
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • A large service station is located directly opposite the rest area.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available at Fassifern Memorial Park (approx. 4 km).
• Public Toilets:
  • Available onsite.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

The Scenic Rim has a subtropical climate with warm, wet summers and cool, dry winters.