Site to Sights
Palmer River Roadhouse
Lakeland QLD
Category:
Caravan Park
Atherton QLD
Area
QLD: TABLELANDS REGION
GPS:
-18.2025003, 142.24550059999999
Nearby Sights/Things To Do
🛣️ Palmer River Roadhouse — Lakeland QLD
PAID CAMP
🚩 Description & Location
Situated on the Mulligan Highway about halfway between Lakeland and Mount Carbine, the Palmer River Roadhouse is a popular fuel, meal, and overnight stop for travellers exploring the Cape York route. The campground sits behind the roadhouse with both powered and unpowered options.
🪶 History
The Palmer River area has strong gold mining history from the late 1800s and was once home to one of Queensland’s biggest gold rushes. The roadhouse continues the tradition of servicing travellers and workers in the region.
🚻 Facilities and Amenities
⚡ Powered and unpowered sites
🚿 Amenities block with hot showers and toilets
💧 Potable water available
♻️ Dump point on site
🍳 BBQ and picnic areas
🍽️ On-site restaurant and bar
🐾 Pets allowed (conditions apply)
🚮 Waste bins
🚗 Vehicle Access
🛣️ Directly on the Mulligan Highway with easy drive-through access. Suitable for caravans, motorhomes, and camper trailers. Open year-round, though conditions can vary in the wet season.
🏕️ Stay Information (as at August 2025):
📅 Booking: not essential; pay at roadhouse
🏛️ Managing body: privately owned and operated
⛺ Site types: powered and unpowered
🐕 Pet policy: pets allowed (conditions apply)
🚪 Gate/access: access during roadhouse hours; after-hours by arrangement
☎️ Phone: +61 7 4060 3240
📧 Email: palmerriverroadhouse@gmail.com
🌐 Web: palmerriverroadhouse.com.au
💲 User Price Reviews
“Powered site cost $30” (Aug 2025)
“Unpowered was $25 a night” (Jul 2025)
“Paid $28 for powered back in May” (May 2025)
“$22 unpowered site in March” (Mar 2025)(Seasonal variations in rates may apply)NOTE: These are user submitted prices, confirm with camp operator.
📝 Reviews Summary
✅ Positives:
🛒 Fuel, food, and drinks on site
💧 Potable water and dump point available
🚗 Drive-through access for larger rigs
🐾 Pet friendly
📍 Convenient highway location
⚠️ Cautions:
🚚 Road noise from highway
☀️ Limited shade
📶 Patchy mobile signal
🍻 Nearby Pubs & Clubs
🍺 Palmer River Roadhouse Bar — on site
🍴 Mount Carbine Hotel (~30 min south) — meals and drinks
🏕️ Nearby Campgrounds
🏞️ Mount Carbine Caravan Park — larger park with shaded sites
🌳 Lakeland Downs Camping — budget-friendly highway stop
🌄 Nearby Attractions
🪨 Palmer River Goldfields historic area
🏞️ Mount Carbine Tableland views
🌄 Mulligan Highway scenic stops
🛒 Nearest Supplies
🛍️ Small store at roadhouse
⛽ Fuel at roadhouse
🏬 Larger range in Lakeland (~30 min north)
🚨 Breakdown & Emergency Info
📻 UHF CB: Road Channel = 40 | Emergency = 5
⛽ Fuel: on site
🏥 Medical: Cooktown Hospital (~1 hr 30 min north)
📶 Mobile signal: patchy; Telstra best chance
🔚 Final Note
Palmer River Roadhouse offers everything needed for a practical, easy overnight stop — with the bonus of a bar, meals, and a slice of Queensland’s gold rush history.