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Artesian Waters Caravan Park – Your Oasis in the Yowah Opal Fields

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Artesian Waters Caravan Park | Yowah’s Unique Opal Fossicking Oasis


 

Artesian Waters Caravan Park: Your Oasis in the Yowah Opal Fields

Venture off the beaten track and discover one of the outback’s most unique and captivating communities with a stay at the Artesian Waters Caravan Park. Located in the heart of Yowah, a true living opal field, this park is more than just a place to camp—it’s the central hub of a fascinating frontier town. The park, which includes the town’s essential general store, is the first friendly welcome you’ll receive and the last wave goodbye. It embodies the quirky, resilient, and incredibly welcoming spirit of Yowah, where the talk is of opal, artesian water, and the day’s finds. The park provides a comfortable and shady basecamp for your opal-hunting adventures, with spacious sites set amongst the native bushland.

Yowah is famous for its unique form of opal known as the “Yowah Nut”—ironstone concretions that can hold spectacular kernels of precious opal within. The park is just a short stroll from the public fossicking areas, where you can try your own luck at unearthing one of these treasures. After a day of digging and exploring, there’s no better way to relax than in the park’s own artesian spa pools. Soaking in the warm, mineral-rich water that flows from the Great Artesian Basin is a therapeutic experience and a perfect way to end the day under a vast, starry sky. The park’s communal fire pit is a popular gathering spot, where locals and travellers share stories and admire each other’s finds. For an authentic, unforgettable outback experience that combines adventure with relaxation, Artesian Waters Caravan Park is a true gem.

★★★★★ (4.8 Stars)
Artesian Waters Caravan Park & General Store
1 Blue Bonnet Blvd, Yowah QLD 4490

Location Map

Site Details and Facilities

  • Location: In the centre of the unique opal mining town of Yowah.
  • Site Suitable For: Tents, camper trailers, off-road caravans, and motorhomes.
  • Road Access: Sealed road to Yowah. Internal park roads are gravel/dirt.
  • Site Surface: Natural dirt and gravel sites.
  • Camping Permitted: Yes, powered and unpowered sites available.
  • Maximum Overnight Stays: Caters to tourists and fossickers.
  • Facilities: Artesian spa pools, camp kitchen, communal fire pit, clean amenities block, laundry, on-site general store and fuel.
  • Picnic Tables: Yes, in communal areas.
  • Potable Water: Yes (artesian bore water is safe but has a distinct taste; filtered water is also available).
  • Mobile Phone Coverage: Limited, primarily Telstra service with a public phone booth available.
  • TV Reception: Satellite equipment (VAST) is essential.
  • Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
  • Rubbish Bins: Yes.
  • Open Fires: Permitted in the communal fire pit and in your own off-the-ground fire pit, subject to local fire bans.
  • Generator Use: Permitted with consideration for others.

Activities & Essentials

  • Essentials to Bring: Fossicking tools (pick, shovel, sieve, water spray bottle), a fly net, swimmers for the spa, and a good torch.
  • Pet Friendly: Yes, the park is very pet-friendly. Please confirm their policy.
  • Fishing: Not a primary activity in this arid region.
  • Short Walks: Explore the town’s quirky streets, the public fossicking areas, and The Bluff for sunset views.

Local Amenities

Pubs & Restaurants

  • The General Store/Cafe on-site is the main place for takeaway food and socialising.
  • The next closest pub is in Eulo (approx. 90 km) or Cunnamulla (approx. 160 km).

Local Attractions

  • Yowah Public Fossicking Area: In town.
  • The Bluff Lookout: Approx. 1 km
  • Yowah Bore Baths: In town.
  • Local opal galleries and shops: Scattered throughout the town.

Camping & Travel Resources

  • Nearest Caravan Parks: This is the only park in Yowah.
  • Next Free Camps: Limited options on the remote access roads.
  • Nearest Dump Points: A public dump point is available in Yowah.
  • Nearest Petrol Station: Available on-site at the General Store (can be expensive).
  • Drinking Water Resupply: Available onsite.
  • Public Toilets: Onsite for guests.

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Yowah (Outback QLD)

  • Summer (Dec-Feb): Extremely hot. Temperatures often exceed 40°C. High chance of thunderstorms and potential for road closures. Travel is not recommended.
  • Autumn (Mar-May): Hot days with cooler nights. A prime time to visit as the landscape is often at its greenest. Temperatures average 15°C to 33°C.
  • Winter (Jun-Aug): The peak tourist season. Mild, clear sunny days with very cold nights, often dropping to near freezing. Ideal conditions for fossicking. Average temperatures from 5°C to 23°C.
  • Spring (Sep-Nov): Heats up very rapidly with dry and sunny conditions. Temperatures range from 14°C to 34°C.

 

 

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