Waterloo Plains Environmental Park – Wandoan

Waterloo Plains Environmental Park is a highly regarded community-run campground located conveniently on the edge of Wandoan township in Queensland’s Western Downs. This large, grassy parkland offers travellers an excellent, low-cost stopover, operating on a donation basis to help maintain its impressive facilities. The site provides a vast, open area with plenty of space for all types of rigs, from big buses and large caravans to smaller campervans and tents, ensuring visitors can find their own private spot. A key feature of the park is the picturesque Waterloo Creek, which runs alongside the camping area, attracting a variety of birdlife and creating a peaceful, natural atmosphere. The park is celebrated for its clean and well-maintained amenities block, which includes flushing toilets and hot showers—a welcome luxury for a donation camp. There’s also a camp kitchen, barbecues, and a dump point, making it suitable for both self-contained and non-self-contained campers. A beautiful walking track meanders through the park and into town, passing by the heritage-listed Juandah Heritage Site, which showcases the region’s pioneering history. With its combination of space, excellent facilities, and tranquil setting, Waterloo Plains is a shining example of country hospitality and a perfect base for resting and exploring the Wandoan area.

Site Information

• Location: On the northern edge of Wandoan township, easily accessible from the highway.
• Site Suitable For: All vehicle types, including big rigs, caravans, motorhomes, camper trailers, and tents.
• Road Access: Sealed road to the entrance, with a good quality dirt/gravel internal road.
• Site Surface: Mostly grass, with some dirt patches. Generally level.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, donation-based camping. A donation box is located onsite.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: Generally a 72-hour limit applies.
• Facilities: Excellent amenities block with flushing toilets and hot showers, camp kitchen, BBQs, picnic tables.
• Potable Water: Yes, drinking water is available.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Good coverage with Telstra and Optus.
• TV Reception: Yes, generally good reception.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes, flushing toilets.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes, bins are provided.
• Open Fires: Permitted in designated fire pits only, unless a local fire ban is in effect.
• Generator Use: Permitted, but please be considerate of your neighbours regarding noise and running times.
• Number of Sites Available: Large, open, unpowered area without defined sites.
• Essentials to Bring: While facilities are great, you should still bring your own supplies. A donation is expected.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are welcome but must be kept on a leash and cleaned up after.
• Fishing: Limited fishing may be possible in Waterloo Creek.
• Short Walks: A scenic walking path runs through the park, along the creek, and into town.

Local Amenities

All amenities are within walking or a very short driving distance in the town of Wandoan.

• Local Pubs:
  • The Juandah Hotel-Motel (approx. 1 km)
  • Wandoan Hotel (approx. 1 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • Both local hotels offer meals, plus a roadhouse and local cafes.
• Local Attractions:
  • Juandah Heritage Site (adjacent to the park)
  • Wandoan Windmill & Visitor Information Centre (approx. 1 km)
  • Wandoan War Memorial (approx. 1 km)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • This is the primary caravan park/campground for Wandoan.
• Next Free Camps:
  • Chain Lagoons Rest Area (approx. 70 km south)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • A public dump point is located onsite at the park.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Available in Wandoan (approx. 1 km).
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available onsite.
• Public Toilets:
  • Available onsite and in the town centre.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

Wandoan experiences a subtropical climate with hot summers and mild, dry winters.