Gulf Savannah
Behind the pub and roadhouse are some basic motel-style rooms and a grassy area for camping (no power). The pub serves dinner (mains $16 to $24) from…
Must-see hotels in Queensland
Whitsunday Coast
With Airlie Beach only a couple of hours up the highway, Mackay suffers from a lack of backpacker hostels. Gecko's Rest is about it, and while it's…
Gulf Savannah
You wouldn't stay here for the accommodation (slightly tired motel rooms, paper-thin walls), but the location, just up from the boat jetty, is excellent…
Cape Tribulation
Once a budget place (it still has air-con dorms), Ferntree is going more for the family resort look with a range of accommodation, pool area, Daintree Bar…
Outback Queensland
Shakespeare Hotel has the pick of the pub rooms in town, a cabin and good meals (mains $13 to $28, Thursday to Tuesday). It's the big red corner building…
Gold Coast
You can overnight at the Polish Place in European-style timber chalets with spectacular views. A fire in 2016 gutted the on-site restaurant and it was…
Burleigh Palms Holiday Apartments
Gold Coast
Even though they’re on the highway, these large and comfortable, if bland, self-contained units are solid value. And, most importantly, it's a quick, easy…
Fraser Island & the Fraser Coast
Right across from the train station, this unlovely hostel is one of the most reliable places to get steady farm work. Staff can help with paperwork and…
Thursday Island & Horn Island
Jardine is a fairly standard central motel with tidy, nondescript rooms and included breakfast. The inhouse Somerset restaurant is open to nonguests and…
Midway Caravan Park & Service Station
Gulf Savannah
The local roadhouse has a small van park attached. Some of the sites are drive-through, shade is minimal, and the location is in the heart of town, such…
Outback Queensland
The Commercial has basic, comfy pubs rooms, motel units and cabins, and its friendly, bougainvillea-filled beer garden is a good place to dine (mains $12…
Gulf Savannah
You can't miss the 'big barra' out the front of this dusty campground and ageing motel on the road into town. It's really only an option if the others are…
Outback Queensland
The Red Rock is a standard-issue budget motel, popular with visiting miners. Rooms are fine, if simple, but prices are reasonable. There's no pool.
Outback Queensland
This well-grassed park south of the centre has shady sites, some en-suite cabins and free billy tea and damper with live entertainment in winter.
Cairns & Far North Queensland
This popular free campground (maximum 24 hours) is in the Lions Park opposite the Kairi Hotel.
Fraser Island
This shady, basic camp site sits near a mangrove-rich area that's great for fishing.
Fraser Island & the Fraser Coast
Very useful for families looking for a convenient and affordable beach house.
