James Norman Hedges Rest Stop – Helidon Spa

The James Norman Hedges Rest Stop is a valuable free 20-hour rest area for travellers, strategically located on the Warrego Highway at the base of the Toowoomba Range. Situated at Helidon Spa, this facility provides a safe and convenient place to pull over before or after navigating the steep and demanding climb to Toowoomba, making it an essential stop for those towing caravans or driving heavy vehicles. The park offers a spacious, sealed, and relatively level area, with designated parallel parking bays that are well-suited for large rigs, motorhomes, and caravans. It’s a functional and well-maintained site, equipped with essential amenities for a comfortable short stay, including clean toilets and sheltered picnic tables. While it is located beside a very busy highway, its primary purpose is to aid in fatigue management, which it does exceptionally well. The location is also historically significant, being in Helidon Spa, once famous for its natural mineral waters. While not a tourist destination in itself, its proximity to the attractions of the Lockyer Valley and the city of Toowoomba makes it a practical base for a brief period. It allows travellers to rest and then easily access nearby towns and points of interest. For its excellent location and practicality as a safety stop, the James Norman Hedges Rest Stop is a vital and well-used part of the Queensland road network.

Site Information

• Location: On the Warrego Highway at Helidon Spa, at the eastern base of the Toowoomba Range.
• Site Suitable For: All vehicle types, especially large caravans and motorhomes.
• Road Access: Sealed highway.
• Site Surface: Bitumen.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, this is a free 20-hour maximum stay rest area.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: 20 hours.
• Facilities: Toilets, rubbish bins. No showers or power.
• Picnic Tables: Yes, sheltered tables are available.
• Potable Water: No. Bring your own drinking water.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Excellent for all major carriers.
• TV Reception: Excellent.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes.
• Open Fires: Prohibited.
• Generator Use: Not recommended due to proximity to the highway and other campers.
• Number of Sites Available: Large sealed area with room for many vehicles.
• Essentials to Bring: It is best to be fully self-contained with water, power, and shower facilities.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are permitted on a leash.
• Fishing: No.
• Short Walks: Walking around the large rest area.

Local Amenities

The nearest services are in the towns of Helidon and Withcott. All major services are in Toowoomba.

• Local Pubs:
  • Helidon Hotel (approx. 1 km)
  • Withcott Hotel (approx. 8 km)
  • The Royal Hotel, Toowoomba (approx. 20 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • The local pubs, plus cafes and a famous pie shop in Withcott.
• Local Attractions:
  • The historic Helidon Spa town
  • Table Top Mountain (for experienced hikers)
  • Toowoomba’s Queens Park and Botanic Gardens
  • Cobb & Co Museum, Toowoomba
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Helidon Spa Eco Village (check for tourist sites)
  • Toowoomba Motor Village (approx. 18 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Lake Apex Park, Gatton (24hr, approx. 25 km east)
  • Heifer Creek Rest Area (20hr, approx. 40 km west, top of the range)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • A public dump point is available at the Gatton Showgrounds.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple service stations are available in Helidon and Withcott.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available in Gatton or Toowoomba.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available onsite.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

The Lockyer Valley has a subtropical climate, with hot, often stormy summers and mild, dry winters.