Neville Hewitt Weir Camping and Picnic Area

🚐 Neville Hewitt Weir Camping and Picnic Area – Baralaba, QLD

📍 Description & Location

• Neville Hewitt Weir Camping and Picnic Area is a free, riverside campground on the Dawson River, located just outside the small rural township of Baralaba, Central Queensland.

• The site is named after a prominent local politician and sits near the weir structure itself, offering peaceful, open bush camping with access to riverbank recreation.

• It’s popular with travellers passing through the Banana Shire, especially those looking for a quiet, cost-free stay with minimal facilities but generous space.

🛠️ Facilities and Amenities

• Free unpowered camping

• Toilets

• Picnic shelters and seating

• Rubbish bins

• Boat ramp nearby

• Shaded grassy areas for tents, RVs, and trailers

• Pet-friendly (under control)

• No showers, power, or potable water

🛻 Vehicle Access

• 2WD accessible in dry conditions via Baralaba-Rannes Road

• Suitable for motorhomes, camper trailers, caravans

• Open areas allow flexible parking and easy turning for larger vehicles

📝 Stay Information

• Free to stay; no fees or permits required

• First-come, no booking necessary

• No maximum stay limit advertised (generally acceptable for short-term stays)

• Managed by Banana Shire Council

• Suitable for self-contained travellers; no water or dump point on-site

• Donations or respectful use encouraged

🕰️ History

• The weir was constructed on the Dawson River to support local agriculture and provide water to Baralaba and surrounding areas.

• The campground itself has become a low-cost community facility supported by the Banana Shire Council, continuing the legacy of Neville Hewitt’s contribution to regional infrastructure.

• The site has long been used for fishing, community gatherings, and restful overnight stays for road travellers.

🏕️ Nearby Campgrounds

• Baralaba Showgrounds (sometimes available for overflow or events)

• Apex Park – Moura (approx. 45 min southeast)

• Lake Murphy Conservation Park (basic bush camping, 1 hr east)

• Biloela Caravan Parks (1 hr northeast)

🌄 Nearby Attractions

• Dawson River – boating, fishing, kayaking

• Baralaba Historical Village

• Baralaba Golf Club

• Lake Murphy Conservation Park (bushwalking and birdwatching)

• Moura Coal & Town Heritage Displays

💬 Reviews Summary

• “Basic and quiet spot right on the river—great fishing!”

• “Flat ground, peaceful vibe, and plenty of space for any setup”

• “Toilets clean but bring everything else—there’s no water”

• “Loved waking up to birdsong and mist on the Dawson”

🌾 Final Note

• Neville Hewitt Weir is the kind of stopover you didn’t expect to linger at—but the river, space, and simplicity just might keep you for another day.