Category: Freedom Camp

Freedom Camp, Places, Point of Interest, QldLeave a comment

Mary Kathleen

Itching for Hitching

The Mary Kathleen abandoned town site is located halfway between Mt Isa and Cloncurry in western Queensland. Uranium was found here in 1954. A town was built for the miners and their families. When the mine closed in 1984 families were given 21 days to vacate. All of the buildings were sold, houses, shops and community buildings. The houses were sold for $3000 – $4000 and most of them went to the nearby towns of Mt Isa and Cloncurry. Even the swimming pool was filled in. Today there is consideration to reopen the mine site to extract rare earth minerals, … Continue reading Mary Kathleen

Freedom Camp, Places, Taking Directions, VicLeave a comment

Sebastian, Vic

Itching for Hitching

We intend to spend the night at the Sebastian Recreation Reserve so we take the Marong Bypass to avoid Bendigo. It is still raining, steady soaking rain. Gabbi Garmin decides to send us down a shortcut and before we know it we are sliding along on a stretch of very wet clay road, hanging on and hoping that our new four wheel drive does what it is meant to do. By the time we reach Sebastian we look like we’ve been to the outback with red mud from top to tail. Needless to say Gabbi gets told once again. Sebastian … Continue reading Sebastian, Vic

Freedom Camp, The Characters You Meet, WALeave a comment

Barradale, WA

Itching for Hitching

This morning we had doubts about towing the van up the steep road to Vlamingh Head lighthouse. It turned out to be easier than it looked and well worthwhile. We camp for the night at the Barradale Rest Area which is beside the Yannarie River. It is a well appointed rest area and we are kept entertained watching the road trains as they approach the bridge. The highlight being when one prime mover tows another fully loaded four tray road train across the bridge, now that’s torque. He’d have no trouble getting up to the lighthouse. Our neighbour John and … Continue reading Barradale, WA

Freedom Camp, Places, WALeave a comment

Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Itching for Hitching

Beasley River Rest Area in the Pilbara in Western Australia is well off the road with good facilities and shady trees. We’ve driven for two days without seeing a town. There are red mesas covered in buttons of green spinifex with purple ranges in the distance. Dry creek beds are lined with white ghost gums. Real Australia. We make camp and I bounce over the red dirt to meet a couple from Berlin and extol the virtues of the area. They look at me in shock “Vot zees?” he says. They leave shortly after, obviously he’s looking for the scenery. … Continue reading Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder

Freedom Camp, Top Spots, VicLeave a comment

Ayson’s Reserve

Itching for Hitching

We often camp at Ayson’s Reserve just outside of Elmore in Victoria. It is on the Campaspe River. Ayson’s is the original site of the Elmore Field Days before it became too large. It is perfectly flat with enough room for what looks like a hundred camps. There are toilets and a dump point. It is well grassed and maintained and stretches for about a kilometre along the river bank. This is a perfect spot to be in hot or cool weather. In summer you wake to the screech of cockatoos and the smell of hot dry bush. Which way … Continue reading Ayson’s Reserve

Freedom Camp, Top Spots, VicLeave a comment

Charlton Travellers Rest

Itching for Hitching

A favourite spot of ours is the Travellers Rest at Charlton, Vic. It is on the Calder Highway halfway between Melbourne and Mildura and it caters well to tourists. The manager Phil Brock makes everyone welcome. There are camp areas for those requiring power as well as ensuite sites and at the far end of the park there is a donation box area with water available for those free camping. A swing bridge crosses the river and links both areas of the park. Near the bridge there is a small herb garden for campers to use. There’s plenty of parking … Continue reading Charlton Travellers Rest