Best Camping and Caravanning Sites in Australia

A great place to start your adventure

The Moonie Crossroads – An Essential Stopover in Australia’s Oil Country

The Moonie Crossroads – An Essential Stopover in Australia’s Oil Country

Rising like a welcome oasis from the vast plains of the Western Downs, The Moonie Crossroads Caravan Park is a legendary stop for travellers navigating the great outback highways. This is more than just a place to spend the night; it’s a quintessential Australian roadhouse experience, perfectly positioned at the critical junction of the Moonie and Leichhardt Highways. For decades, it has served as a vital hub for truckies, tourists, and locals alike, offering a friendly face, a cold beer, and a comfortable place to rest. The caravan park, located right with the pub and service station, embodies this spirit of outback hospitality. It’s a classic, no-fuss stop where you can pull in after a long day’s drive and instantly feel the relaxed, welcoming vibe of the bush.Moonie holds a unique place in Australian history as the site of the nation’s first commercial oil field, and the town proudly commemorates this heritage. A stay at the caravan park gives you the perfect opportunity to explore this history, from the Moonie Pipeline Monument to the interpretive displays that tell the story of the 1960s oil boom. The park itself provides spacious sites suitable for all rigs, with the pub serving as its social heart, offering hearty meals and a classic country atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to meet fellow travellers and share stories of the road. For anyone making the long journey between the coast and the deep outback, or travelling north and south, The Moonie Crossroads is not just a convenient stop—it’s an essential and memorable part of the Australian outback experience.

The Moonie Crossroads – QLD Location Map

The Moonie Crossroads Caravan Park

Address: 1 Moonie Hwy, Moonie QLD 4406
Website: mooniecrossroadsmotel.com.au
GPS Coordinates: -27.71763, 150.37005

Site Details and Facilities

  • Location: At the strategic junction of the Moonie and Leichhardt Highways.
  • Site Suitable For: Tents, camper trailers, caravans, and the largest of big rigs.
  • Road Access: Sealed highway access.
  • Site Surface: Primarily spacious dirt and grass sites.
  • Camping Permitted: Yes, powered and unpowered sites available.
  • Maximum Overnight Stays: Caters to travellers and short-term stopovers.
  • Facilities: Toilets and showers (via motel/pub), laundry facilities, on-site pub and bistro, service station.
  • Picnic Tables: Limited in park; extensive seating at the hotel.
  • Potable Water: Yes.
  • Mobile Phone Coverage: Primarily Telstra service, can be patchy.
  • TV Reception: Satellite equipment (VAST) is essential for reliable reception.
  • Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
  • Drive Through Sites: Yes, many available.
  • Rubbish Bins: Yes.
  • Open Fires: Generally not permitted; check with management.
  • Generator Use: Permitted with consideration for others.

Activities & Essentials

  • Essentials to Bring: An appetite for a hearty pub meal and a good story.
  • Pet Friendly: Yes, the park is well-known for being pet-friendly. Confirm with the hotel when booking.
  • Fishing: Limited local fishing opportunities.
  • Short Walks: Explore the small township and its historical markers, including the pipeline monument.

Local Amenities

Pubs & Restaurants

  • Moonie Crossroads Hotel: Onsite.
  • The Nindigully Pub: Approx. 145 km south.
  • The Club Hotel Motel (Miles): Approx. 90 km east.

Local Attractions

  • Moonie Pipeline Monument: In town.
  • History of Australia’s first commercial oil field: Surrounding the town.
  • Southwood National Park: Approx. 55 km east.

Camping & Travel Resources

  • Nearest Caravan Parks: This is the only park in Moonie.
  • Next Free Camps: Numerous rest areas are available on the surrounding highways.
  • Nearest Dump Points: The next major towns, like Dalby or St George, have public dump points.
  • Nearest Petrol Station: Onsite.
  • Drinking Water Resupply: Available onsite.
  • Public Toilets: Onsite for guests.

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Moonie (Western Downs)

  • Summer (Dec-Feb): Hot days with a high chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Averages range from 21°C to 34°C.
  • Autumn (Mar-May): Warm, sunny days and cool, crisp nights. A very pleasant time to visit. Temperatures average 13°C to 29°C.
  • Winter (Jun-Aug): The peak tourist season. Mild, clear sunny days with very cold nights. Frosts are frequent. Average temperatures from 4°C to 22°C.
  • Spring (Sep-Nov): Warms up quickly with typically dry and sunny weather. Temperatures range from 12°C to 31°C.

 

 

Leave a Reply