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
๐ฃ๏ธ Palmer River Roadhouse โ Lakeland QLD
PAID CAMP
๐ฉ 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.
๐ชถ History
The Palmer River area has strong gold mining history from the late 1800s and was once home to one of Queenslandโs biggest gold rushes. The roadhouse continues the tradition of servicing travellers and workers in the region.
๐ป Facilities and Amenities
โก Powered and unpowered sites
๐ฟ Amenities block with hot showers and toilets
๐ง Potable water available
โป๏ธ Dump point on site
๐ณ BBQ and picnic areas
๐ฝ๏ธ On-site restaurant and bar
๐พ Pets allowed (conditions apply)
๐ฎ Waste bins
๐ Vehicle Access
๐ฃ๏ธ 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.
๐๏ธ Stay Information (as at August 2025):
๐ Booking: not essential; pay at roadhouse
๐๏ธ Managing body: privately owned and operated
โบ Site types: powered and unpowered
๐ Pet policy: pets allowed (conditions apply)
๐ช Gate/access: access during roadhouse hours; after-hours by arrangement
โ๏ธ Phone: +61 7 4060 3240
๐ง Email: palmerriverroadhouse@gmail.com
๐ Web: palmerriverroadhouse.com.au
๐ฒ User Price Reviews
โPowered site cost $30โ (Aug 2025)
โUnpowered was $25 a nightโ (Jul 2025)
โPaid $28 for powered back in Mayโ (May 2025)
โ$22 unpowered site in Marchโ (Mar 2025)(Seasonal variations in rates may apply)NOTE: These are user submitted prices, confirm with camp operator.
๐ Reviews Summary
โ Positives:
๐ Fuel, food, and drinks on site
๐ง Potable water and dump point available
๐ Drive-through access for larger rigs
๐พ Pet friendly
๐ Convenient highway location
โ ๏ธ Cautions:
๐ Road noise from highway
โ๏ธ Limited shade
๐ถ Patchy mobile signal
๐ป Nearby Pubs & Clubs
๐บ Palmer River Roadhouse Bar โ on site
๐ด Mount Carbine Hotel (~30 min south) โ meals and drinks
๐๏ธ Nearby Campgrounds
๐๏ธ Mount Carbine Caravan Park โ larger park with shaded sites
๐ณ Lakeland Downs Camping โ budget-friendly highway stop
๐ Nearby Attractions
๐ชจ Palmer River Goldfields historic area
๐๏ธ Mount Carbine Tableland views
๐ Mulligan Highway scenic stops
๐ Nearest Supplies
๐๏ธ Small store at roadhouse
โฝ Fuel at roadhouse
๐ฌ Larger range in Lakeland (~30 min north)
๐จ Breakdown & Emergency Info
๐ป UHF CB: Road Channel = 40 | Emergency = 5
โฝ Fuel: on site
๐ฅ Medical: Cooktown Hospital (~1 hr 30 min north)
๐ถ Mobile signal: patchy; Telstra best chance
๐ Final Note
Palmer River Roadhouse offers everything needed for a practical, easy overnight stop โ with the bonus of a bar, meals, and a slice of Queenslandโs gold rush history.