O'Brien's Creek Campground

🏕️ O’Brien’s Creek Campground — Mount Surprise QLD

PAID CAMP

🚩 Description & Location

🌿 Remote bush campground on Elizabeth Creek, around 37 km northwest of Mount Surprise. Shady unpowered sites on red gravel and creekside grass, offering quiet fossicking access and birdlife in savannah woodland setting.

🪶 History

🪧 Traditional lands of the Ewamian People. The campground lies adjacent to designated fossicking fields for topaz, smoky quartz, citrine, and aquamarine—alluvial stones washed from local granite. Gem hunting here dates back to early station days.

🚻 Facilities and Amenities

• 🚽 Basic toilets and hot-water showers onsite

• 💧 Potable water available

• 🔌 No powered sites; generators allowed

• 🐶 Pets permitted (confirmed)

• 🔥 Campfires allowed (check local conditions)

• 🛞 Dump point: not available onsite—nearest in Mount Surprise township

🚗 Vehicle Access

➡️ Graded dirt road access via O’Brien’s Creek Road. Suitable for 2WD and 4WD in dry conditions. Unsealed sections may become boggy after rain. Low-level creek crossing often present—check before entry.

🏕️ Stay Information (as at August 2025):

• Tariff Rate: Tariff 2–3 (Tariff Price Chart at bottom of page)

• Booking: None—first come, cash only

• Managing body: Private operator via Mount Surprise Station

• Site type: Unpowered bush sites

• Maximum stay: Not stated

• Pet policy: Pets allowed (confirmed)

• Gate/access: Entry via signed dirt track; informal office shed for payment

• Contact: Phone (07) 4062 3001 (via Mt Surprise Station)

• Self-containment: Required—no dump point or waste facilities

🍻 Nearby Pubs & Clubs

• 🏠 Mount Surprise Hotel – food and drinks

• 🛣 BP Roadhouse Café – meals and takeaway options

🏕️ Nearby Campgrounds

• 🏕 Planet Earth Adventures – powered, grassy sites in Mount Surprise

• 🏕 Mount Surprise Tourist Van Park – simple caravan park with cabins

• 🌋 Undara Experience – campground with access to guided lava tube tours (32 km)

🌄 Nearby Attractions

• 💎 O’Brien’s Creek Fossicking Area – access with Miner’s Right

• 🌊 Elizabeth Creek – swimming, birdwatching and sunrise photo ops

• 🚂 Savannahlander Rail Stop – historic rail journey via Mount Surprise

🛒 Nearest Supplies

• 🛒 BP Roadhouse and general store in Mount Surprise (~37 km)

• 💍 Gem shop for fossicking gear and tourist info

• 🏥 Local clinic in Mount Surprise; hospital services in Cairns (~285 km)

📝 Reviews Summary

✅ Positives

• 🌿 Peaceful bush setting with creek access

• 🧼 Clean amenities for a remote site

• 💎 Easy access to fossicking zone

• 🐾 Pet-friendly and generator-friendly

• 🤝 Friendly staff and regular fossicker community

⚠️ Cautions

• 💵 Cash-only, no bookings accepted

• 🌧️ Road access may close in wet season

• ☀️ Limited shade and hot temps mid-day

• 🛞 No powered sites or dump facilities

🚨 Breakdown & Emergency Info

• 📻 UHF CB: Road Channel = 40 | Emergency = 5

• ⛽ Fuel and clinic: 37 km in Mount Surprise

• 📶 Mobile signal: Limited; Telstra only with weak coverage

• ⚠️ Remote site—self-reliance essential; carry spares, water, and shade options

🔚 Final Note

Ideal for gem fossickers and quiet bush campers, O’Brien’s Creek Campground provides a peaceful base with creek swims, topaz searches and birdlife. Best from May to September when weather is cool and dry.