Emerald Botanic Gardens Overnight Stop (FC)

Just off the Capricorn Highway near the Emerald Botanical Gardens is a small overnight rest area that you can camp at with a maximum stay of 20 hours. It is a basic spot on the edge of the Nogoa River. The public toilets and town is within easy walking distance.

There can be some road and railway noise and gets very muddy after rain. The council often closes the campground if the weather is bad.

HOW TO GET THERE
Driving through Emerald on the Capricorn Highway turn South opposite Coles Supermarket into a short dead end road which provides direct access into the rest area.

SITE ACCESS
Continue to the end of the road to the River bank.

FEES & BOOKINGS
There is no charge for the use of this facility, so if you are staying at this site we encourage you to help keep it clean, and please visit and support the nearest town or village.

THINGS TO DO
A ‘must-see’ on any visitor’s list is the Emerald Botanical Gardens. Situated on both sides of the river, the 42 hectares of gardens include a rose garden, maze, wedding chapel, sculptures, rainforest, and 6 kilometres of walking tracks leading to different plant communities.

Adjacent you’ll find the ‘straw bale’ Visitor Information Centre where the friendly staff can provide  information on exploring Emerald and the surrounding Central Highlands.

There are great photo opportunities down the street at the National Trust listed Railway Station. Built in 1900 and restored in 1986, the building has elaborate wrought iron lacework and pillared portico.

For more history, head into the Centre of Town and to view the ancient fossilised tree at the Town Hall aged 250 million years. Discovered in 1979 when a new railway bridge was being built across the Mackenzie River, it was presented to the town by BHP, who operated the Gregory Crinum Mine.

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