Balgal Beach Campground

🏖️ Balgal Beach Campground – Balgal Beach, QLD

📍 Description & Location

Nestled beside the mouth of Rollingstone Creek and overlooking the Coral Sea, this beachfront campground offers shaded drives through Casuarina-lined spots. It's located at 3 Tooth Street, approximately 59 km north of Townsville—direct access from Bruce Highway via Balgal Beach Drive and Marlin Street.

🏞️ History

Originally part of a pastoral lease dating back to the 1880s, the Balgal Beach area was formally subdivided in the late 1940s, its name deriving from an Aboriginal word meaning "stone." The estuary and creek mouth have long attracted anglers and beachgoers.

🔧 Facilities & Amenities

• 🚽 Flushing toilets, including accessible disabled options

• 🚿 Cold outdoor shower near playground

• 💧 Water taps (non-potable—bring your own or boil)

• 🍖 Electric BBQs & picnic tables

• 🛻 Dump point adjacent to public toilet block

• 🐾 Pet friendly, dogs allowed on leash

🚙 Vehicle Access

• 🛣️ Sealed public roads leading to a gravel campground site

• 🚐 Drive-through bays suitable for caravans, campervans, trailers, 2WD and large rigs

• 🚗 Easy access; arrive early in peak season to secure a spot

🏕️ Stay Information (as at July 2025)

• 🏷️ Type: Beachfront campground on Council-managed reserve

• 💰 Cost: Free

• 🕒 Stay Limit: Max 48 hours, once per week strictly enforced

• 📅 Booking: Essential—reserve via Townsville City Council

• 🏢 Authority: Townsville City Council

• 🚐 Self-containment: Not required

• 🔐 Note: Height restriction of ~2.4 m at main entrance; alternative high-clearance access exists

🍻 Nearby Pubs & Clubs

• 🍻 Fishermans Landing Kiosk & Café (onsite): Fish & chips, drinks

• 🍺 Rollingstone Hotel (~5 km south): Country pub

• ⛳ Mystic Sands Golf Resort (~2 km): Bar & restaurant with golf views

⛺ Nearby Campgrounds

• 🏕️ Balgal Beach Rest Area 2: Similar facilities just north of the main site

• 🌳 Crystal Creek Caravan Park (15 km south): Formal park with powered sites, showers, dump point

🌄 Nearby Attractions

• 🎣 Rollingstone Creek & foreshore: Fishing and walks

• 🏝️ Boatramp to Palm Island: Launch point for reef trips

• 🏖️ Stinger-safe swimming net on the beach (Nov–May)

🛒 Nearest Supplies

• 🍟 Fishermans Landing Kiosk: Groceries, meals, drinks onsite

• 🛍️ Rollingstone (~5 km): Service station, general store, café

• 🏥 Townsville (59 km): Supermarkets, fuel, medical

⭐ Reviews Summary

👍 Positives:

• 🌊 Prime beachfront location with fishing and sea views

• 🧽 Clean facilities including flushing toilets and BBQs

• 🐾 Pet-friendly

⚠️ Caution:

• 🛏️ Limited drive-through bays—arrive early

• 🦟 Mosquitoes and sandflies present—bring repellent

• 🚿 No hot showers

• 📅 Booking and stay limit strictly enforced

🚨 Breakdown & Emergency Info

• 📞 Emergency: 000

• ⛽ Fuel: Rollingstone or Townsville

• 📡 Mobile: Coverage available; TV reception good

• 📻 UHF Channels: Road = 40; Emergency Only = 5

• 🛠️ Mechanical: Rollingstone service station

• 🎒 Tip: Book early, bring repellent and potable water

📝 Final Note

Balgal Beach Campground is a well-equipped, free beachfront stay with stellar views, good amenities, and an easy vibe. It’s a perfect coastal stop for short stays—just make sure you book ahead and come early to grab a spot. Bring water and bug spray, and settle in for a laid-back oceanfront escape.