Gumlu tavern

🏕️ The GT – Gumlu Tavern & Caravan Park (Gumlu, QLD)

📍 Description & Location

A friendly, family-run pub and caravan park situated on De Salis Street, just off the Bruce Highway in the small coastal town of Gumlu (population ~124). The property combines a refurbished country-style tavern with a well-shaded caravan park area—perfect for travellers seeking a relaxed stopover between Townsville and Bowen.

🏞️ History

Gumlu’s rise began as a railway siding, later becoming known for its extensive fruit and vegetable farming—particularly tomatoes and mangoes. Its agricultural identity still thrives today, visible in the large roadside sculptures of a pumpkin and mango. The tavern has long served as a social anchor in this small, close-knit community.

🚿 Facilities and Amenities

• 28 powered sites and 5 unpowered grassed sites (caravans, campervans, camper trailers only)

• Toilets, hot showers, and laundry

• On-site tavern with pub meals, drinks, meat raffles, darts, and pool

• Drinking water and rubbish bins

• Grassed picnic areas with shade

• Fire pit and occasional live music nights

Note: No tent camping permitted. No dump point on-site. Nearest confirmed dump point located in Bowen.

🚗 Vehicle Access

• Wide entry and open layout—suitable for large rigs

• Drive-through parking for caravans

• Adjacent to Bruce Highway—minimal deviation for overnight stays

• Easy turnaround space for trailers and boats

📝 Stay Information (as at July 2025)

• Power Sites: Tariff Rate 2

• Unpowered Sites: Tariff Rate 1(Tariff Price Chart at bottom of page)

• Booking: Recommended—especially for powered spots

• Authority: Privately operated

• Site Type: Tavern caravan park

• Maximum stay: 48 hours

• Pet Policy: Dogs allowed (outdoors only)

• Self-containment: Not required

• Access notes: Operates within tavern hours only

• Contact: +61 477 847 846

🍻 Nearby Pubs & Clubs

• This is the local tavern—no other licensed venues in Gumlu.

🏕️ Nearby Campgrounds

• Molongle Beach Caravan Park (~4 km east): Basic coastal campground with beachfront access and seasonal opening

🌿 Nearby Attractions

• Big Pumpkin and Mango Sculptures: Fun photo stop at the Gumlu rest area

• Cape Upstart National Park (~30 min NW): Remote coastal park, 4WD access only

• Seasonal Farm Tours: Local growers sometimes offer fruit picking from April to November

🏪 Nearest Supplies

• Gumlu General Store: Fuel, drinks, snacks (located next to tavern)

• Bowen (~66 km SE): IGA, pharmacy, hardware, clinic

• Home Hill (~39 km NW): Grocery store, fuel, medical services

⭐ Reviews Summary

Positives:

• Welcoming staff and social pub feel

• Clean, shaded powered sites

• Generous meals at affordable prices

• Convenient for highway travellers

Cautions:

• Not suitable for tent camping

• Facilities only available during tavern hours

• Site occasionally closed during low season

🆘 Breakdown & Emergency Info

• Emergency: 000

• Fuel: On-site petrol station

• Mobile signal: Generally good (Telstra and Optus)

• Mechanic: Available in Bowen or Home Hill

• UHF Channels:

  • Road Channel = 40

  • Emergency Only Channel = 5

• Tip: Prepare for strong coastal winds—tie down awnings securely

📝 Final Note

The GT in Gumlu is a classic highway-side gem—a true locals’ pub with shady powered sites out back. If you're after a warm feed, cool drink, and easy overnighter in your van or motorhome, this is one of North Queensland’s better-kept secrets. It’s a friendly place with no frills, just the essentials and some laughs around the bar.