CMCA Greenpatch Caravan Park, Gordonvale QLD
Please Note: This is a private park for financial members of the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia (CMCA) with self-contained vehicles only.
The CMCA Greenpatch at Gordonvale is a fantastic, affordable, and strategically located base camp for members exploring the wonders of Cairns and Far North Queensland. Situated in the historic sugar mill town of Gordonvale, just a 25-minute drive south of the Cairns CBD, this park provides a welcome respite from the bustling tourist centres while keeping all the major attractions within easy reach. The park embodies the CMCA ethos of providing practical, no-frills accommodation for self-sufficient travellers. It’s a spacious, open, and grassy park, offering members plenty of room to choose a spot, set up camp, and relax under the shade of the large trees that dot the property.
The atmosphere at the Greenpatch is famously friendly and communal, with an on-site volunteer custodian ensuring the park runs smoothly. It’s a place where members gather to share travel stories and tips, often during the popular happy hour at the communal shelter. While the facilities are simple, they are exactly what a self-contained traveller needs: access to potable water, a reliable dump point, and rubbish disposal. The lack of extensive amenities like pools or playgrounds is a deliberate choice, helping to keep costs low and maintaining the focus on a peaceful and self-reliant travel style. The park’s location, right behind the local showgrounds, ensures a quiet setting away from the main highway.
Its position in Gordonvale is a major advantage. You can easily walk into the charming town centre to visit the local pubs, cafes, and supermarket. For adventurers, the park is the perfect launchpad. Head north to discover Cairns, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Daintree Rainforest, or venture south to explore the stunning waterfalls and swimming holes of the Cassowary Coast, such as Babinda Boulders and Josephine Falls. For CMCA members, the Gordonvale Greenpatch is an invaluable resource, offering a safe, friendly, and budget-friendly home base in one of Australia’s most spectacular regions.
Site Information
- Location: In the town of Gordonvale, just south of Cairns. For CMCA members only.
- Site Suitable For: Fully self-contained Motorhomes, Caravans, and Campervans.
- Road Access: Sealed roads.
- Site Surface: Mostly level grass.
- Camping Permitted: Yes, for CMCA members.
- Maximum Overnight Stays: A time limit usually applies (e.g., 5 days). Please check with the on-site custodian.
- Number of Powered Sites: This is primarily an unpowered park. Check with custodian for any limited power availability.
- Number of Un-powered Sites: Ample unpowered sites available.
Facilities
- Facilities: Communal shelter with BBQ area, potable water taps, dump point.
- Picnic Tables: Yes, in the communal shelter area.
- Potable Water: Yes.
- Mobile Phone Coverage: Excellent.
- TV Reception: Excellent.
- Onsite Public Toilets: No, you must have your own onboard toilet.
- Ullage: A modern dump point is available onsite.
- Rubbish Bins: Yes.
- Open Fires: Strictly not permitted.
- Generator Use: Permitted only within designated hours (e.g., 8 am – 8 pm). Please confirm with the custodian.
Essentials & Activities
- Essentials to Bring: Current CMCA membership card, fully self-contained vehicle, insect repellent.
- Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are welcome. Standard CMCA pet rules apply.
- Fishing: The Mulgrave River flows through Gordonvale, offering opportunities for fishing.
- Short Walks: Easy walk into Gordonvale town centre and along the river.
Local Amenities
- Local Pubs:
- Central Hotel Gordonvale (approx. 1 km)
- Parkview Hotel Gordonvale (approx. 1.5 km)
- Babinda State Hotel (approx. 35 km)
- Places to Eat: Pubs, cafes, takeaways, and a large Woolworths supermarket in Gordonvale (approx. 1 km).
- Local Attractions:
- Walshs Pyramid (hiking, approx. 5 km)
- Cairns CBD & Esplanade (approx. 24 km)
- Babinda Boulders (approx. 35 km)
- Josephine Falls (approx. 45 km)
- Nearest Caravan Parks (Public):
- Gordonvale Caravan Park (approx. 1 km)
- Fishery Falls Holiday Park (approx. 15 km)
- BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut (approx. 18 km)
- Next Free Camps: Babinda Rotary Park (approx. 35 km), Fred Drew Rest Area (approx. 50 km).
- Nearest Dump Points: Onsite for members. Public dump point available at Cairns Showgrounds.
- Nearest Petrol Station: Several major service stations in Gordonvale (approx. 1-2 km).
- Drinking Water Resupply: Available onsite.
- Public Toilets: Not available onsite. Public facilities are in Gordonvale’s Norman Park.
Seasonal Weather Forecast
- The Dry Season (Apr – Nov): This is the peak tourist season. Expect beautiful, sunny days, low humidity, and pleasant temperatures. Ideal for all outdoor activities. Temperatures average 17°C to 29°C.
- The Wet Season (Dec – Mar): Characterised by high heat, humidity, and heavy rainfall, often in dramatic afternoon downpours. The landscape is incredibly lush and green. Be aware of potential flooding and marine stingers at beaches. Temperatures average 23°C to 32°C.