Bloomsbury Free Overnight Rest Area

The Bloomsbury Free Overnight Restarea is a well-utilised and essential free camp for travellers navigating the Bruce Highway between Mackay and Proserpine, at the gateway to the Whitsundays. This spacious, council-supported rest area provides a safe and convenient 24-hour stop for all types of vehicles, though it is especially suited to self-contained caravans and motorhomes. Set back from the main highway, the site consists of a large, level, gravel and dirt area, offering plenty of room for even the largest rigs to pull in and get a good night’s sleep. While the facilities are basic, they cover the essentials for a short stay, with a toilet block and rubbish bins provided. Its key advantage is its practicality, breaking up a long drive and allowing travellers to rest before continuing their journey to iconic destinations like Airlie Beach or Eungella National Park. The adjacent roadhouse is a major bonus, offering fuel, takeaway food, and basic supplies, meaning campers don’t need to unhitch to get a meal or top up. The site is purely functional rather than scenic, but it serves its purpose perfectly as a no-nonsense, no-cost stopover, and is a credit to the local council for providing such a valuable resource for the travelling community.

Site Information

• Location: On the Bruce Highway at Bloomsbury, between Mackay and Proserpine.
• Site Suitable For: All vehicle types, including large caravans and motorhomes.
• Road Access: Sealed highway to the entrance.
• Site Surface: Gravel and dirt.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, this is a free 24-hour maximum stay rest area.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: 24 hours.
• Facilities: Toilets and rubbish bins. No showers or power.
• 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: Prohibited.
• Generator Use: Permitted, with considerate use for other travellers.
• Number of Sites Available: Very large open area without defined sites.
• Essentials to Bring: Best to be fully self-contained with water, shower, and cooking facilities.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are permitted on a leash.
• Fishing: No. Nearby coastal areas like Midge Point offer fishing.
• Short Walks: Walking around the large rest area.

Local Amenities

Services are available at the adjacent roadhouse. The nearest small town is Bloomsbury, with major services in Proserpine (north) or Mackay (south).

• Local Pubs:
  • Bloomsbury Hotel (approx. 2 km)
  • Midge Point Tavern (approx. 15 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • The roadhouse next door offers takeaway food. The local pubs also serve meals.
• Local Attractions:
  • Midge Point Beach and fishing spots (approx. 15 km)
  • Eungella National Park (significant drive inland from Mackay)
  • Gateway to Airlie Beach and the Whitsundays (approx. 65 km to Proserpine)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Travellers Rest Caravan and Camping Park (approx. 1 km)
  • Midge Point Holiday Park (approx. 15 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Guthalungra Rest Area (24hr, approx. 100 km north)
  • Waverley Creek Rest Area (24hr, approx. 200 km south)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • A public dump point is available in Proserpine.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • A large roadhouse is located onsite.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available for a fee at some service stations or caravan parks in Proserpine or Mackay.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available onsite.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

The Bloomsbury area has a tropical climate, characterised by a hot and humid wet season and a warm, dry winter season.