Charters Towers Showgrounds – Camp in ‘The World’ of Gold Rush History

Journey back to the glory days of the North Queensland gold rush with a stay at the Charters Towers Showgrounds. This fantastic, low-cost campground is located in the heart of “The World”—the affectionate nickname given to Charters Towers when it was one of the biggest and richest cities in Australia. The showgrounds provide a vast, friendly, and well-equipped base for travellers exploring this magnificent historic city and its surrounding attractions. With an abundance of flat, grassy, and shady sites, the grounds can easily accommodate the largest caravans and motorhomes, making it a popular and practical choice for visitors on the Overlanders Way touring route.

The facilities at the Charters Towers Showgrounds are excellent, offering outstanding value for a modest nightly fee. Visitors have access to a large number of powered and unpowered sites, multiple clean amenities blocks with toilets and hot showers, laundry facilities, and a dump point, ensuring a very comfortable stay. The showgrounds are conveniently located, providing easy access to the city’s full range of supermarkets, shops, and classic outback pubs. The main drawcard is the city’s incredible living history. From the showgrounds, you are perfectly positioned to visit the Venus Gold Battery, one of the largest and best-preserved gold mills in the country, explore the poignant Miners Cottage, or be amazed by the grandeur of the heritage-listed buildings that line the city streets. For a truly immersive, affordable, and well-appointed base in one of Australia’s most historically significant cities, the Charters Towers Showgrounds is a golden opportunity.

Site Information

• Name: Charters Towers Showgrounds
• Address: 2-12 Show St, Richmond Hill QLD 4820, Australia
• Phone Number:

• GPS Coordinates: -20.072004, 146.252318

• Website:

Campground Details

• Location: At the Charters Towers Showgrounds, on the western side of the city.
• 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 areas.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, low-cost camping with fees payable to the on-site caretaker.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: Check with management for stays longer than 7 days.
• Facilities: Powered and unpowered sites, toilets, hot showers, dump point, laundry facilities.
• Potable Water: Yes, available on site.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Excellent for all 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, good walking shoes for exploring the city’s heritage.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are very welcome but must be on a leash at all times.
• Fishing: Fishing opportunities in the nearby Burdekin River.
• Short Walks: Plenty of space for walks around the showgrounds and to nearby parks.

Local Amenities & Attractions

• Local Pubs:
  • The Enterprise Hotel: Approx. 1 km
  • The Irish Molly: Approx. 1 km
  • The Commercial Hotel: Approx. 1 km
• Places to Eat:
  • Stock Exchange Bakery: Approx. 1 km
  • Extensive range of cafes, takeaways, and hotel bistros in the city centre.
• Local Attractions:
  • Venus Gold Battery: Approx. 4 km
  • The Miners Cottage: Approx. 1 km
  • Texas Longhorns Tours: Approx. 10 km
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Dalrymple Tourist Van Park: Approx. 1 km
  • Charters Towers Tourist Park: Approx. 3 km
• Next Free Camps:
  • Macrossan Rest Area, on the Flinders Highway.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Located on-site at the showgrounds.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple major 24/7 stations located in Charters Towers.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available on-site.
• Public Toilets (offsite):
  • Located in Lissner Park in the centre of the city.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

• Dry Season (Apr-Oct): The ideal time to visit. Days are warm, sunny, and dry with cool to mild nights. Temperatures average 12°C to 29°C.
• Wet Season (Nov-Mar): Hot and often very humid, with a high chance of heavy tropical downpours and thunderstorms. Roads can be affected by flooding. Temperatures average 22°C to 34°C.