Charleville Showgrounds Camping – Your Base for Outback Stars & Bilbies

Located in the heart of Queensland’s legendary Mulga Lands, the Charleville Showgrounds offers a fantastic, low-cost camping experience for travellers exploring the outback. As a major hub on the Matilda Way, Charleville is a must-visit destination, and the showgrounds provide the perfect base with a vast, spacious, and friendly environment. The grounds can accommodate the largest of rigs, making it a popular choice for caravans and motorhomes, especially during the peak winter tourist season. It’s a classic country showground that provides a comfortable and secure place to stay while you discover the town’s world-class attractions, from gazing at the stars to meeting the adorable and endangered Bilby.

The facilities at the Charleville Showgrounds are a major drawcard, offering outstanding value for a modest nightly fee. Campers have access to a huge number of powered and unpowered sites, a well-maintained amenities block with toilets and hot showers, laundry facilities, and a public dump point. This comprehensive offering ensures a comfortable and hassle-free stay. The showgrounds are conveniently located, just a short drive from the town centre where you’ll find a full range of services, including supermarkets, pubs, and cafes. The main reason to visit Charleville is its unique attractions. The showgrounds are the ideal launchpad for a night at the incredible Cosmos Centre and Observatory, a visit to the Top Secret WWII USAAF Base, and the heartwarming Charleville Bilby Experience. For an authentic, affordable, and perfectly positioned base to explore the wonders of the outback, the Charleville Showgrounds is an unbeatable choice.

Site Information

• Name: Charleville Showgrounds
• Address: Partridge St, Charleville QLD 4470, Australia
• Phone Number:

• GPS Coordinates: -26.401309, 146.255124

• Website:

Campground Details

• Location: At the Charleville Showgrounds, on the eastern side of the township.
• Site Suitable For: All vehicle types, from tents to the largest motorhomes and fifth-wheelers.
• Road Access: Sealed road access.
• Site Surface: Mostly flat grass and dirt.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, low-cost camping with fees payable to the on-site caretaker.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: Check with management for stays longer than one week.
• Facilities: Powered sites, toilets, hot showers, dump point, laundry facilities.
• Potable Water: Yes, available on site.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Excellent for Telstra. Good for other major carriers.
• TV Reception: Excellent.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes.
• Open Fires: Strictly prohibited.
• Generator Use: Permitted with consideration for others, but powered sites are plentiful.
• Number of Sites Available: Huge, unmarked area with capacity for hundreds of vans.
• Essentials to Bring: Cash for fees, binoculars for stargazing, a warm jacket for cool desert nights.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are very welcome but must be on a leash at all times.
• Fishing: Fishing for Yellowbelly and Murray Cod in the Warrego River.
• Short Walks: Plenty of space for walks around the showgrounds and along the Warrego River walk.

Local Amenities & Attractions

• Local Pubs:
  • Hotel Corones: Approx. 2 km
  • The Cattle Camp Hotel: Approx. 3 km
  • Warrego Hotel Motel: Approx. 2 km
• Places to Eat:
  • Heinemanns Country Bakery: Approx. 2 km
  • Blue Gum Cafe: Approx. 2 km
  • Bistro meals available at all local hotels.
• Local Attractions:
  • Charleville Cosmos Centre & Observatory: Approx. 4 km
  • Charleville Bilby Experience: Approx. 2 km
  • Top Secret WWII USAAF Base Tour: Approx. 6 km
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Cobb & Co Caravan Park: Approx. 3 km
  • Bailey Bar Caravan Park: Approx. 4 km
• Next Free Camps:
  • Warrego River free camp area, just north of town.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Located on-site at the showgrounds.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple major 24/7 stations located in Charleville.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available on-site.
• Public Toilets (offsite):
  • Located in Graham Andrews Parklands in the centre of town.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

• Dry Season (Apr-Oct): The ideal time to visit. Days are warm, sunny, and dry with cool to cold nights. Temperatures average 8°C to 26°C.
• Wet Season (Nov-Mar): Very hot and often humid, with a chance of heavy downpours and thunderstorms, which can cause localised flooding. Temperatures average 22°C to 36°C.