Visitor Information

Visitor Information

The business centre of the McKinlay Shire is Julia Creek, proudly situated on the Overlander’s Way, the main travelling route from Townsville that runs all the way to Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory. Located approximately 650km west of Townsville and 250km east of Mt Isa, Julia Creek lies in the heart of the Outback. Our Julia Creek Caravan Park won Gold at the Queensland Tourism Awards in 2020 and Silver at the Australian Tourism Awards in 2021.

McKinlay Shire comprises 4 towns - Julia Creek, Nelia, McKinlay and Kynuna. Julia Creek and Nelia are located on the Flinders Highway (Overlander’s Way). McKinlay and Kynuna are positioned on the Landsborough Highway (Matilda Way). These towns are all connected by a fully sealed network of roads. Julia Creek earned the tagline ‘Gateway to the Gulf’ with the sealing of the road north to Normanton in the 1960s. If you are travelling up to Queensland’s interior, Kynuna > Julia Creek > Burke & Wills Junction is the fastest, fully sealed route to the Gulf – we call it, ‘The Barra Express’. McKinlay Shire has a population of around 1100 people and covers an area of 40,728 square kilometres. We hope you join us at one of our many events or unearth our unbridled, natural beauty during your travels.

McKinlay Shire was named after the great Australian (Scottish born) explorer John McKinlay who undertook the first and greatest transcontinental feat in Australia, travelling from Adelaide to the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1861-62. The first settlers to the McKinlay Shire had to be hardy souls, and even today the shire is a place of extraordinary people who can cope with the outback Australian way of life, where community spirit overlooks the hardships of drought and isolation.

Council proudly operates the Julia Creek Visitor Information Centre, Julia Creek Caravan Park and RV Friendly Rest Area to provide a range of unique experiences and attractions for our guests. For more information please visit Home - At the Creek

 

Julia Creek Visitor Information Centre

Located on the main street of Julia Creek, ‘At the Creek’ is an accredited Visitor Information Centre offering unparalleled local information, a great selection of travel brochures and a unique array of souvenirs that can only be found in Julia Creek. Staffed by friendly locals, ‘At the Creek’ engages in many audio and visual displays housed in historic railway fettler cottages that focus on the themes of water, country and people. ‘Beneath the Creek’, the latest attraction at the centre, provides a hands-on interactive journey through many facets of life in the McKinlay Shire. Watch out for the wildlife! Visitors are able to view the dunnarts being fed daily during peak tourist season (April – September) and immerse themselves in a virtual reality mustering experience. 

 

Julia Creek Caravan Park

Julia Creek Caravan Park has over 40 powered caravan sites that can accommodate all sizes of rigs; powered camping sites on spacious lawn areas and large unpowered grass sites for those who are self-sufficient or want to pitch a tent or roll a swag. The Park also offers 5 fully air-conditioned self-contained cabins with kitchenette, dining area and bathroom that can accommodate either four or six guests. In addition, we have twin-single accommodation units with air-conditioning and shared bathroom facilities. All of our guests are invited to use our FREE Wi-Fi and cruiser bikes to explore all Julia Creek has to offer.

Don’t forget to enquire about our unparalleled Artesian Bath Experience which we highly recommend after a long day on the road. Soak your cares away and immerse yourself in the therapeutic minerals found in water sourced from the Great Artesian Basin. Guests are invited to bring along their own glass of bubbly and snacks to top off their experience. Bookings are very limited due to the popularity of this tremendous experience, please call or email the Park on 07 4746 7108 or jccaravanpark@mckinlay.qld.gov.au to secure your spot to avoid disappointment.

If you’re visiting us during June to September make sure you visit one of our famous Monday Night Bush Dinners where a small fee will get you a two-course home cooked meal catered by one of our local not-for-profit groups. Enjoy a few good bush yarns around the campfire while taking in a breathtaking outback sunset.

 

Julia Creek RV Friendly Rest Stop

Julia Creek is an RV Friendly town and has a designated free camping area alongside the water’s edge of Julia Creek. This area is suitable for self-contained RV’s and is located 1.3km on the eastern side of town. Picnic tables, bush cook camps and bins are provided. This is a relaxing area to enjoy some cheese and wine and watch the beautiful Julia Creek sunsets.

Free permits (valid 96 hrs) can now be obtained from the onsite Camphosts during peak tourist season (April to September) or from the Julia Creek Visitor Information Centre from October to March.

Bright coloured cruiser bikes are now available for free hire from the site. Theses bikes can be used to travel into town on the fully sealed walking/riding track, through town for a leisurely ride to get groceries, go for a picnic or do some sight seeing.

 

Conditions of Entry

  • Fully self contained (portable showers are not acceptable)
  • Built-in and/or propriety brand toilets secured in the van are accepted.
  • The van must have a black water holding tank or toilet cassette
  • No illegal dumping of black/grey water
  • No dumping of garbage
  • No open fires
  • Pets are allowed but must be restrained
  • Council and camp hosts have the right to move on any unsuitable vehicle and unruly patrons.

 

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