David Hall Rest Area – Gunpowder

The David Hall Rest Area is a classic outback free camp, providing a vital 24-hour stopover for travellers on the long and isolated Barkly Highway in far north-west Queensland. Positioned between the major mining city of Mount Isa and the border town of Camooweal, this rest area offers a safe and practical place to manage fatigue on one of Australia’s great outback touring routes. The site is a large, open, and mostly level gravel clearing set a short distance from the highway, providing a reasonable buffer from traffic noise. It offers plenty of space for all vehicle types, including the largest rigs, to find a spot for the night. This is a very basic bush camp intended for fully self-contained travellers, with facilities generally limited to just rubbish bins and perhaps a picnic table. Campers must be entirely self-sufficient, carrying their own water, power, and toilet facilities, and should be prepared to leave no trace. The true value of the David Hall Rest Area lies in its magnificent isolation. It provides a genuine outback experience, with incredible, expansive sunsets over the flat plains, followed by a truly breathtaking display of the Milky Way in the clear, dark night sky. For the self-reliant traveller, this is more than just a place to park; it’s an opportunity to experience the immense scale and profound quiet of the Australian outback.

Site Information

• Location: On the Barkly Highway, approximately 120 km west of Mount Isa and 70 km east of Camooweal.
• Site Suitable For: Fully self-contained vehicles only. Suitable for all sizes.
• Road Access: Sealed highway to the rest area 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: Rubbish bins. No toilets, showers, or power.
• Picnic Tables: Yes, a sheltered picnic table is available.
• Potable Water: No. Bring all your own water.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: None. A satellite phone or emergency communication device is highly recommended.
• TV Reception: No.
• Onsite Public Toilets: No.
• Rubbish Bins: No.
• Open Fires: Permitted if conditions are safe and there are no fire bans.
• Generator Use: Permitted, with consideration for other campers.
• Number of Sites Available: Very large open area with no defined sites.
• Essentials to Bring: Everything. Water, food, fuel, power, toilet, shower, and emergency supplies.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are permitted but must be kept under control.
• Fishing: No.
• Short Walks: Informal walks in the surrounding outback landscape.

Local Amenities

This is an extremely remote location. The nearest services are in Mount Isa (east) and Camooweal (west).

• Local Pubs:
  • Camooweal Hotel (approx. 70 km)
  • The Isa Hotel, Mount Isa (approx. 120 km)
  • The Barkly Hotel, Mount Isa (approx. 120 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • Available in Camooweal and Mount Isa.
• Local Attractions:
  • The vast outback landscape
  • Camooweal Caves National Park (near Camooweal)
  • Outback at Isa (Mount Isa)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Camooweal Post Office Hotel & Caravan Park (approx. 70 km)
  • Discovery Parks, Mount Isa (approx. 120 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Camooweal Billabong (donation camp, approx. 75 km west)
  • WW2 Airfield Free Camp (approx. 50 km east)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Public dump points are available in Camooweal and Mount Isa.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Available in Camooweal and Mount Isa. Ensure you have sufficient fuel for the long drive.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available in Camooweal and Mount Isa.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available in Camooweal and Mount Isa.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

The Barkly Highway region has a hot semi-arid climate, with extremely hot summers and mild, dry winters.