St Helens Gardens Tourist Park

🏕️ St Helens Gardens Tourist Park (Calen, QLD)

📍 Description & Location

Nestled on 6 acres alongside the peaceful St Helens Creek, this family-owned caravan park offers a blend of shaded greenery, tropical palms, and creekside serenity. Just off the Bruce Highway and around 10 minutes from Calen and 45 minutes from Mackay, its quiet setting and creek ambience make it feel like a hidden oasis.

🏞️ History

Originally a working rural block, the park has been transformed into a welcoming green haven. Operated by a local family, it has earned a steady reputation for hospitality, tree-lined layout, and its popularity among both short-term travellers and festival-goers heading to nearby events.

🚿 Facilities and Amenities

• Powered and unpowered sites, including drive-through powered options

• Ensuite cabins and grassed areas for tents and RVs

• Central camp kitchen and BBQ area

• Covered swimming pool

• Toilet and shower blocks (4 total)

• Self-serve laundry with washer and dryer

• On-site dump point

• Drinking water taps, rubbish bins, gas bottle refill

• Pet-friendly: includes dog wash station

• Birdwatching spots along the creek

🚗 Vehicle Access

• Sealed internal roads and level, grassy sites

• Drive-through powered sites ideal for larger vehicles

• Easy access from Bruce Highway via Ferris Road

📝 Stay Information (as at July 2025)

• Power Sites: Tariff Rate 3

• Unpowered Sites: Tariff Rate 2(Tariff Price Chart at bottom of page)

• Booking: Recommended—especially for drive-through powered sites

• Authority: Family-operated private caravan park

• Site Type: Tourist caravan park

• Maximum stay: Not stated

• Pet Policy: Dogs allowed

• Self-containment: Not required

• Access notes: Reception open daily 9 AM–6 PM; contact if arriving after hours

• Contact: (07) 4958 8152 or 0480 537 065

🍻 Nearby Pubs & Clubs

• Calen Hotel (~3 km): Local pub with meals and bar

• Darumbal Hotel (Mackay, ~45 min): Bistro, bar, live events

• Bruce Highway Roadhouse: Takeaway, fuel, snacks

🏕️ Nearby Campgrounds

• Cameron’s Pocket Creek Camp (~7 km): Small creekside bush camp

• Ballantyne’s Strawberry Farm Camp (~8 km): Seasonal farm-stay camping

🌿 Nearby Attractions

• St Helens Creek: On-site walks and swimming

• St Helens Beach (~10 km): Coastal day-use area with picnic tables

• Ballantyne’s Strawberry Farm: Pick-your-own fruit (seasonal)

• Mount Ossa National Park (~15 km): Trails, rainforest, scenic views

🏪 Nearest Supplies

• Calen township (~3 km): General store, service station, pharmacy, butcher

• Mackay (~45 min): Full shopping, medical services, and hardware

⭐ Reviews Summary

Positives:

• Peaceful and green setting along a creek

• Pet-friendly with good facilities for travellers

• Drive-through sites and pool appreciated by long-haul campers

Cautions:

• Some traffic noise from Bruce Highway

• Amenities slightly dated but well-kept

• Notify reception in advance for late check-ins

🆘 Breakdown & Emergency Info

• Emergency: 000

• Fuel: Calen service station (~3 km)

• Mobile signal: Reliable across carriers

• Mechanic: Available in Mackay

• UHF Channels:

  • Road Channel = 40

  • Emergency Only = 5

• Safety Tip: Good overnight option for those travelling the Bruce Highway north or south

📝 Final Note

St Helens Gardens Tourist Park offers a restful break for road-trippers and nature-seeking caravanners. With shaded sites, friendly hosts, and direct creek access, it’s a charming alternative to larger, noisier parks. Whether overnighting or staying longer, it delivers a calm experience just minutes off the highway.