Alligator Creek day-use area

🏕️ Alligator Creek Camping Area, Mount Elliot QLD

PAID CAMP

🌄 Description & Location

Nestled beside Alligator Creek within the Mount Elliot section of Bowling Green Bay National Park—approximately 25 km south of Townsville, off the Bruce Highway. Surrounded by shady riparian forest, this site blends peaceful creekside camping with adjacent day-use walkways and picnic zones.

🏞️ History

• Located on Bindal and Wulgurukaba Country, with longstanding cultural significance along the creek corridors.

• Today the site forms part of a Ramsar-listed wetland landscape preserved for both ecosystem and visitor enjoyment.

🧰 Facilities and Amenities

• ⚡ Powered sites suitable for tents, camper trailers, and small campervans

• 🔌 Walk-in tent sites a short stroll from vehicle parking

• 🚽 Flush toilets and cold outdoor showers provided

• 🍳 Picnic tables and electric barbecues in the day-use area

• ♿ Wheelchair-accessible sites, boardwalk, and amenities

• 📞 Pay phone onsite

• 🌐 Mobile reception available (Telstra strongest)

• 🔥 Campfires not permitted—fuel stoves only

🚗 Vehicle Access

• 🛣️ Accessible via Alligator Creek Road, 6 km off Bruce Highway

• 🚐 Sites reachable by conventional vehicles; unsuitable for motorhomes, buses, or large rigs

• 🛻 Vehicles park adjacent to their site, with defined bays and bollards

Stay Information (as at July 2025)

• 💰 Fees apply — national park camping permit required

• 📅 Booking essential (online beforehand)

• 🏢 Managed by Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service

• 🏕️ Site type: formal campground adjacent to day-use area

• ⏳ Max stay: 7 consecutive nights

• 🐾 Pets not permitted

• 🚿 Self-contained vehicles not required

• 🚪 Open 24/7 during park seasons (typically Apr–Nov; check for closures)

🍺 Nearby Pubs & Clubs

• 🍻 Mutarnee Tavern (~10 km): rustic country meals

• 🍺 Rollingstone Hotel (~25 km): classic bush pub

🏕️ Nearby Campgrounds

• 🌿 Cockatoo Creek Bush Camp (~5 km walk): unpowered bush site

• 🌄 Alligator Falls Walk-in Camp (~8.5 km hike): rugged creekside camping

🎣 Nearby Attractions

• 🚶 Scenic circular boardwalk to creek and lookout

• 🏊 Creek swimming (avoid after heavy rain—flash flooding risk)

• 🥾 Walks to Cockatoo Creek Trail and Alligator Creek Falls

• 🌲 Birdlife and freshwater ecosystems along the riparian zone

🛒 Nearest Supplies

• ⛽ Mutarnee (~10 km): fuel and general store

• 🏥 Townsville (~25 km): full services, grocery, medical

📋 Reviews Summary

👍 Positive

• 🌳 Excellent blend of creek shading and accessible amenities

• ♿ Wheelchair-accessible design highly valued

• 🏞️ Natural setting with easy walking access

⚠️ Cautionary

• ⚠️ Beware flash flooding—avoid creek after rains

• 🔥 No campfires permitted—bring fuel stove

• 📶 Signal varies—plan accordingly

🚨 Breakdown & Emergency Info

• ☎️ Emergency: Dial 000

• 📡 UHF channels: Road = 40, Emergency = 5

• ⛽ Fuel and supplies in Mutarnee; full services in Townsville

• 🧭 Check alerts for floods, fire bans, and creek conditions

🧭 Final Note

Alligator Creek Camping Area offers a refreshing mix of convenience and creek-side ambience. Ideal for families, wheelchair users, and small-vehicle campers wanting shade, showers, and easy creek access—all within a protected national park setting.