Ravenswood Showgrounds – Camp Amongst the Ghosts of the Gold Rush

Step back in time and camp in one of Australia’s most significant and beautifully preserved ghost towns at the Ravenswood Showground. This unique, low-cost campground offers travellers a spacious and authentic base to explore a town rich in gold rush history and grand colonial architecture. Located just off the Flinders Highway between Townsville and Charters Towers, Ravenswood provides a fascinating detour into the past. The showgrounds themselves offer a vast, open, and peaceful setting, with plenty of room for all types of caravans and motorhomes to find a spot and soak up the atmosphere of a town that time seems to have forgotten. It’s an unforgettable experience where the grandeur of the 19th century meets the tranquility of the North Queensland bush.

The facilities at the Ravenswood Showgrounds are a credit to the small community, offering excellent value for a small donation. Campers can access powered sites, toilets, and showers, ensuring a comfortable stay while exploring the town’s many treasures. The real attraction is the town itself. A short walk from the showgrounds will take you to a streetscape dominated by magnificent, heritage-listed buildings like the Imperial and Railway Hotels, the courthouse, and the old post office. You can wander amongst the historic ruins, visit the graves of pioneers in the cemetery, or enjoy a cold beer in a pub that has been serving prospectors for over a century. The surrounding area also offers opportunities for fossicking and exploring old mine sites. For a truly unique, historically immersive, and budget-friendly stay, the Ravenswood Showground is an unmissable destination for any North Queensland adventurer.

Site Information

• Name: Ravenswood Showground Campground
• Address: School St, Ravenswood QLD 4816, Australia
• Phone Number: Not publicly listed (Community managed).

• GPS Coordinates: -20.097797, 146.892113

• Website: Not available.

Campground Details

• Location: In the historic town of Ravenswood, south of Townsville.
• Site Suitable For: All vehicle types, including large caravans and motorhomes.
• Road Access: Sealed road to the town, good gravel access within the showgrounds.
• Site Surface: Mostly flat grass and dirt.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, low-cost camping by donation.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: Flexible for short-term stays.
• Facilities: Powered sites, toilets, showers.
• Potable Water: Yes, a tap is available.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Primarily Telstra service. Other carriers will have little to no signal.
• TV Reception: Variable, may require a satellite dish.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes.
• Open Fires: Generally not permitted. Please check for local fire bans.
• Generator Use: Permitted with consideration for the quiet, historic environment.
• Number of Sites Available: Very large, unmarked area with abundant space.
• Essentials to Bring: Cash for donation, a good camera, and a sense of adventure.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are welcome on a leash.
• Fishing: Fishing opportunities in the nearby Burdekin River.
• Short Walks: Excellent historic walks all around the town and to the old mine workings.

Local Amenities & Attractions

• Local Pubs:
  • Imperial Hotel, Ravenswood: Approx. 1 km
  • Railway Hotel, Ravenswood: Approx. 1 km
  • The Commercial Hotel, Charters Towers: Approx. 90 km
• Places to Eat:
  • Imperial Hotel (pub meals): Approx. 1 km
  • Railway Hotel (pub meals): Approx. 1 km
• Local Attractions:
  • Ravenswood’s historic streetscape and heritage buildings.
  • Ravenswood Courthouse Museum.
  • White Blow Environmental Park (quartz outcrop): Approx. 20 km
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Dalrymple Tourist Van Park, Charters Towers: Approx. 90 km
• Next Free Camps:
  • Macrossan Rest Area, on the Flinders Highway.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Charters Towers Showgrounds Public Dump Point: Approx. 90 km
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Limited fuel may be available in Ravenswood (check availability). Major stations in Charters Towers (90 km).
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available on-site.
• Public Toilets (offsite):
  • Located in the park near the town centre.

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.