General News
7 October, 2026
New park for travellers
A NEW tourist park near Dimbulah will provide “no frills” camping opportunities to cater for the increasing number of travellers looking for self-sufficient areas to park and stay.
Recently approved by Mareeba Shire Council, the tourist park will operate from a 187-hectare rural property off Carbonate Creek Road for up to 74 people at any one time.
The facility responds to the increasing demand by self-sufficient travellers for alternative short-stay camping at cheaper rates.
A report to council said the park would support rural economic diversification, did not require any works on site, and would not compromise the site’s existing and future rural potential.
“In recent years, Mareeba Shire has experienced an increase in demand for self-contained campgrounds which serve to provide ‘no frills’ budget locations for travelling tourists to stay for short periods of time,” the report stated.
“The rural zone is considered the logical location for such facilities due to the significant natural appeal and very low density.”
The tourist park has a direct connection to the site’s natural values and the multiple manmade dams/ponds.
The tourist park would not provide formal amenities but would rely on self-sufficient vehicles adhering to a “Leave no Trace” principle of leaving the site in the same or better condition than when arriving.
Property applicants Dimbulah Ponds Pty Ltd described the park as being “within a picturesque country outback setting looking over the surrounding mountains”, approximately 6.4km from the Burke Development Road.
As such, the proposed campground was close to the highway and an easy access for the self-contained such as campervans or caravans.
The “rugged” landscape includes undulating hilly terrain, natural drainage, gullies, and a seasonal creek network across the property.
A farm dwelling and sheds are clustered over about seven acres, and the property has some grazing infrastructure and nine dams.
“On the property, an all-weather internal driveway ... will provide a clear point of access into the site, where (campers) can then go and find a camp spot wherever they please within the designated area,” the application said.
The park is expected to operate all year round, with visitors having to register on entry. Overnight fees will be collected daily by a park manager.
