Map copied from Microsoft Encarta World Atlas with thanks
If you enable JavaScript, the image in the above map changes as you roll the mouse over places that we've visited.
Weather Averages Comparison Tables copied from weatherunderground with thanks. Click on the link for full weather reports on their site.
Brisbane January February March April May June July August September October November December High Temperature ( F / C ) 85 29 84 29 83 28 79 26 74 24 70 21 69 21 71 22 75 24 78 26 81 27 84 29 Low Temperature ( F / C ) 70 21 70 21 67 20 63 17 57 14 52 11 49 9 50 10 55 13 60 16 65 18 68 20 Precipitation ( in / mm ) 7 169 6 148 6 140 4 104 4 97 3 74 3 68 2 46 1 33 4 105 4 110 5 132
Amberley January February March April May June July August September October November December High Temperature ( F / C ) 87 31 87 30 85 29 81 27 75 24 70 21 69 21 72 22 77 25 81 27 85 29 87 31 Low Temperature ( F / C ) 70 21 70 21 67 20 63 17 57 14 52 11 49 9 50 10 55 13 60 16 65 18 68 20 Precipitation ( in / mm ) 7 169 6 148 6 140 4 104 4 97 3 74 3 68 2 46 1 33 4 105 4 110 5 132
Cairns January February March April May June July August September October November December High Temperature ( F / C ) 89 32 88 31 87 30 84 29 82 28 78 26 78 26 80 27 82 28 85 29 87 31 88 31 Low Temperature ( F / C ) 74 24 74 24 73 23 71 22 68 20 64 18 62 17 64 18 66 19 69 21 72 22 74 23 Precipitation ( in / mm ) 16 397 17 422 18 449 9 224 4 107 2 50 1 26 1 22 1 33 2 44 4 100 7 190
Charleville January February March April May June July August September October November December High Temperature ( F / C ) 95 35 94 34 89 32 83 28 74 23 68 20 67 19 71 22 78 26 85 30 91 33 95 35 Low Temperature ( F / C ) 71 22 70 21 65 19 57 14 49 9 41 5 39 4 42 6 49 10 58 14 64 18 68 20 Precipitation ( in / mm ) 3 70 2 57 2 59 1 34 2 41 1 19 1 24 1 22 1 21 1 31 2 42 2 53
Cloncurry January February March April May June July August September October November December High Temperature ( F / C ) 100 38 97 36 94 35 90 32 83 28 78 26 78 25 82 28 89 32 96 36 100 38 101 38 Low Temperature ( F / C ) 77 25 76 24 73 23 68 20 60 15 54 12 51 11 54 12 61 16 69 20 73 23 76 24 Precipitation ( in / mm ) 4 108 4 98 3 78 1 27 0 11 0 6 0 2 0 4 0 6 0 8 1 21 2 53
Longreach January February March April May June July August September October November December High Temperature ( F / C ) 99 37 96 36 94 34 88 31 80 27 74 23 73 23 78 26 85 30 92 34 97 36 100 38 Low Temperature ( F / C ) 73 23 72 22 68 20 61 16 54 12 46 8 44 7 47 8 53 12 62 16 67 20 71 22 Precipitation ( in / mm ) 3 70 3 73 2 50 2 41 1 32 1 14 1 23 1 14 0 8 1 18 1 26 2 48
Mount Isa January February March April May June July August September October November December High Temperature ( F / C ) 98 36 96 35 93 34 89 32 82 28 76 24 76 24 81 27 87 30 94 34 98 36 99 37 Low Temperature ( F / C ) 75 24 74 24 72 22 65 19 58 14 50 10 48 9 51 10 58 14 65 19 71 22 74 23 Precipitation ( in / mm ) 4 96 3 86 3 65 1 16 1 17 0 3 0 9 0 5 0 8 1 20 1 24 2 62
Rockhampton January February March April May June July August September October November December High Temperature ( F / C ) 89 32 88 31 87 30 83 29 79 26 74 23 73 23 76 24 81 27 85 29 88 31 89 32 Low Temperature ( F / C ) 72 22 72 22 69 21 65 18 58 15 51 11 49 9 52 11 56 14 63 17 67 20 70 21 Precipitation ( in / mm ) 5 124 5 120 4 109 2 51 2 59 1 35 1 32 1 30 1 27 2 46 3 78 5 125
Townsville January February March April May June July August September October November December High Temperature ( F / C ) 89 31 88 31 87 31 85 30 82 28 78 25 77 25 79 26 82 28 85 29 87 31 89 31 Low Temperature ( F / C ) 76 24 75 24 73 23 69 21 64 18 58 15 56 14 59 15 64 18 69 21 74 23 75 24 Precipitation ( in / mm ) 10 244 9 232 7 176 2 61 2 40 1 20 0 11 1 14 0 10 1 25 2 55 6 148
We've visited the following parks, so far. They are loosely categorised in relation to how they accommodate the requirements of a couple with no kids or pets. We want to be able to easily find the park, put the van in place, hook up to power, etc, and then start to relax or take in the local attractions. Some of the parks with tight sites will help you get your van in position, others don't. In at least one case when we asked for help, we've been told that we'd do better than the staff! We've refrained from making any specific commentary about the staff or permanents or facilities that we have no need for. (If you want to know more specifically what we thought of any of these, just write and we'll respond to you!)
Also check the reports that are included in Badger's caravan park reports site . Badger's site contains reports entered by ordinary travellers about their experiences with the caravan parks they've been to.
Our impressions are provided on the places we've stayed with our van so far:
Most of the front of the park is cabins, as well as a ring of these around the rear. Otherwise huge drive through sites. An older amenities block and two blocks of 4 "ensuite" style complete with soap and paper towel. A number of the permanents have dogs, so presume park is dog friendly.
Sites are only just big enough, so they assist by putting your van into position with a tractor. Amenities were fine. Most impressive dump point we've ever seen!
A holiday park that seems to be populated by many more permanents than tourists! Otherwise everything was adequate although the sites were only just big enough.
Quite sizeable grassed sites. Great and clean amenities with soap and dryers. There's a lake and creek in the park, so the ducks and water fowl (and magpies) do the rounds of the campsites to check if any food will be offered. Probably the best kept park we've been to!
Sites are quite tight, so they come and help direct you onto them. Everything else is pleasant enough. As the park is not close to anything, nor has any particular features within it, they run very good specials (like pay for 4 days get the next 3 free)!
Very scenic park with well established shade trees on 22 acres. Sites are well set up and quite large. 2 amenities blocks and soap and hand dryer provided. Grey kangaroos, rainbow lorikeets and king parrots in the park during the day. Rufus bettongs (little wallabies) come out at night. Bird feeding late each afternoon. Outdoor movies every Wednesday and Saturday evening. Wine tasting each Saturday. No mobile phone reception, and no dump point!
Our favourite park (but mainly because we love it around Noosa!) Huge sites, especially around the edge. Amenities clean and servicable with soap and dryers provided. Only problems are the mosquitos in breeding season, grass clippings continually on the floor of the amenities block and every second site in the middle of the park needs super long sullage hose to reach the drains provided.
Interesting "theme" park of 350 acres in the bush 20 kilometres north of Miles. World War 2 bunkers that have been refurbished into overnight accomodation. Almost like stepping back in time, although the facilities are up-to-date. As enchanting on a second visit as it was on the first!
Just over the Tropic of Capricorn on the coast. Other side of the road from the beach. (Great Keppel Island is visible in the distance). Park was basic but relaxed with peacocks wandering around. Supposedly emus roam about too, but not whilst we were there for a week. Beware of letting staff help you onto sites between the trees! We'll defintely be back!
Broadwater Tourist Park, Gold Coast, Queensland (Top Tourist) Larger park that accomodates the extra large motor homes (Swagman is just up the road). There are 11 sites that are right on the water! The guy beside us was catching bream for his breakfast and lunch whilst sitting under his awning! Apart from these (more expensive) exceptional sites everything else is a good standard.
Andergrove Van Park, Mackay, Queensland (Top Tourist) Pleasant park with immaculate amenities and quite large sites. Soap and dryer and tissues! provided. Plenty of bird life with plumed whistling ducks, rainbow lorikeets, geese, ibis and a few magpies. When registering, you drive past the tourist sites to the office then have to make a tight u-turn to go back to them. Minimal shady spots for your van.
Lovely park 2 kilometres past Airlie Beach with a fair amount of shade from well established trees and palms. Large number of motorhomes of all sizes during our stay. Amenities reasonably clean and soap and dryer provided. Dump point suitable for even the largest motorhome! If you go for a drive up the road to Bowen, we highly recommend the 'three sixty' licensed cafe restaurant - follow the signs to the Interpretive Centre on Flagstaff Hill. (07 4786 6360 Closed Tuesdays)
A 4 1/2 star park at the north end of town that has many more features than the ones we need. Lots of cabins and quite a few permanents all of whom get shady spots. The tourist spots in the middle of the park have little shade. Two amenities blocks. One that's been around since the 70's and is looking a bit sad, but still has soap and dryer and paper towels. They even offer to put your van on-site for you.
