Clairview Beach Rest Area – Clairview

The Clairview Beach Rest Area is a legendary free 24-hour camp and one of the few places on the Bruce Highway where travellers can park their rig right on the edge of the Coral Sea. Located in the tranquil seaside village of Clairview, this spot is a welcome oasis on the long drive between Rockhampton and Mackay. The campground offers a long, narrow strip of grass and dirt directly overlooking the beach, providing stunning, uninterrupted views out to the ocean and nearby islands. The area is famous for its massive tidal range; at low tide, the water recedes for hundreds of metres, exposing vast sand and mudflats, which are great for walking and exploring. This is also renowned mud crabbing and fishing territory. While the facilities are basic, they include toilets, cold beach showers, and picnic tables, making it a comfortable stop for self-contained travellers. The site can accommodate a good number of caravans and motorhomes, but due to its immense popularity, it fills up very quickly, especially during the peak winter season. An early arrival is almost essential to secure a prime waterfront position. The adjacent caravan park offers more facilities and a small shop, while the local pub, BarraCrab Caravan Park & Motel, serves meals and cold drinks. For a classic North Queensland beachside camping experience without the cost, the Clairview Rest Area is an unmissable destination.

Site Information

• Location: On the beachfront at Clairview, just off the Bruce Highway.
• Site Suitable For: All vehicle types, though space can be tight. Best suited to caravans and motorhomes.
• Road Access: Sealed road to the camping area.
• Site Surface: Grass and dirt. Can get boggy after rain.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, this is a free 24-hour maximum stay rest area.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: 24 hours. This is patrolled.
• Facilities: Toilets, cold outdoor showers, rubbish bins. No power.
• Picnic Tables: Yes, some sheltered tables are available.
• Potable Water: No. Bring your own drinking water.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Generally good for Telstra.
• TV Reception: Good.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes.
• Open Fires: Prohibited.
• Generator Use: Permitted, with considerate use for neighbours in the tight space.
• Number of Sites Available: Limited space, fills up very quickly each day.
• Essentials to Bring: It is best to be fully self-contained. Bring insect repellent for sandflies.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are permitted on a leash.
• Fishing: Yes, excellent beach fishing and mud crabbing (be croc-aware).
• Short Walks: Fantastic walks along the huge expanse of beach at low tide.

Local Amenities

Clairview is a very small settlement with limited services.

• Local Pubs:
  • BarraCrab Caravan Park & Motel (has a licensed bar/restaurant) (approx. 500 m)
• Places to Eat:
  • The BarraCrab Caravan Park & Motel serves meals.
• Local Attractions:
  • Clairview Beach and its massive tides
  • St Lawrence Wetlands (seasonal, approx. 30 km south)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • BarraCrab Caravan Park & Motel (adjacent to the rest area)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Waverley Creek Rest Area (24hr, approx. 40 km south)
  • Flaggy Rock Cafe Rest Area (24hr, approx. 70 km north)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Available at the BarraCrab Caravan Park for a fee, or at St Lawrence Sportsgrounds.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Fuel is available at the BarraCrab Caravan Park. The nearest major service stations are in Marlborough or Sarina.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Check for availability at the caravan park, otherwise St Lawrence or Sarina.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available onsite.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

The Clairview area has a subtropical climate with hot, wet summers and mild, very dry winters.