Monte Cristo Rest Area – Billa Billa

The Monte Cristo Rest Area is a quintessential free 24-hour bush camp, providing a vital and peaceful stopover for travellers on the long and often featureless Leichhardt Highway. Located in the remote locality of Billa Billa, roughly halfway between the major agricultural hub of Goondiwindi and the Moonie Crossroads, this site offers a safe and spacious place to pull over and rest. The campground is a large, open, and level dirt/gravel area set in a pleasant, treed environment well off the highway, which helps to minimise traffic noise. It offers plenty of room for all types of vehicles, from big rigs to smaller campervans, to find their own space. Visitors must be completely equipped and adhere to the ‘leave no trace’ principle, taking all rubbish with them. The appeal of this rest area is its tranquillity and simplicity. It’s an opportunity to immerse oneself in the quiet of the Queensland bush, enjoy the native birdlife, and experience a spectacular, uninterrupted outback sunset and a brilliant starry night sky. For the fully self-contained traveller, the Monte Cristo Rest Area is not just a functional stop for fatigue management; it’s a genuinely peaceful retreat.

Site Information

• Location: On the Leichhardt Highway, approximately 50 km north of Goondiwindi.
• Site Suitable For: Fully self-contained vehicles only. Suitable for all sizes.
• Road Access: Sealed highway to the entrance of the rest area.
• Site Surface: Dirt and gravel.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, this is a free 24-hour maximum stay rest area.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: 24 hours.
• Facilities: None.
• Picnic Tables: Yes.
• Potable Water: No. Bring all your own water.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Very limited to non-existent. A Telstra signal might be found with an external antenna.
• TV Reception: No.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish Bins: No. You must take all rubbish with you.
• Open Fires: Permitted if conditions are safe and there are no fire bans. Use existing fire pits and bring your own wood.
• 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 rubbish bags.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are permitted but must be kept under control.
• Fishing: No.
• Short Walks: Informal walks in the surrounding bushland.

Local Amenities

This is a remote location. The nearest major town with full services is Goondiwindi (approx. 50 km south).

• Local Pubs:
  • The Queensland Hotel, Goondiwindi (approx. 50 km)
  • The Victoria Hotel, Goondiwindi (approx. 50 km)
  • O’Shea’s Royal Hotel, Goondiwindi (approx. 50 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • Extensive options including pubs, clubs, cafes, and restaurants in Goondiwindi. The Moonie pub is approx. 60km north.
• Local Attractions:
  • Goondiwindi Botanic Gardens of the Western Woodlands
  • The Gunsynd Statue, Goondiwindi
  • Goondiwindi Natural Heritage & Water Park
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Goondiwindi Tourist Park (approx. 50 km)
  • Goondiwindi Holiday Park (approx. 50 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Goondiwindi Botanic Gardens (donation camp, approx. 50 km south)
  • Moonie River Rest Area (24hr, approx. 60 km north)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • A public dump point is available in Goondiwindi at the showgrounds.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple 24/7 service stations are available in Goondiwindi.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available at the Goondiwindi showgrounds.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available in Goondiwindi.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

The region has a semi-arid climate with hot summers and cool, dry winters.