Smedley - Budget Rest Areas around Northern Territory

INTRODUCTION

In 1994, a little booklet titled Bush Camps & Rest Areas Around Australia was compiled in the spare room of a small house in Adelaide and slowly appeared on bookshelves around the country. It was a godsend to those travelling on a budget as it gave them the option of free camping at numerous locations on Highway 1 while they made their journey around the country. As this kind of information was not available in any other publication at the time, the books popularity quickly grew to a point where it became known as the travellers bible. Over the next few years it was expanded to include other major highways and today, with the help of Explore Australia, that little booklet has grown into a substantial reference source that is a wealth of information for the budget-conscious traveller.

This book lists the exact location of all the best roadside rest areas along Australias major highways where travellers can avail themselves of the facilities provided by local authorities for a brief overnight stop. There are also numerous camping areas listed in national parks, state forests, council reserves and other similar places that provide readers with quality campsite options as they travel on a budget. Details of parking areas (or day-use-only areas), which are convenient places for a brief stop, provide readers with the information to plan for a lunch break or a stroll around a small town to explore the history of the place.

The author continues to seek out new budget campsites in an endeavour to provide the most comprehensive and definitive guide of its type to those who wish to experience this great country. Travel safely and remember: so many miles to travel, so many wonderful places to stop and explore!

NOTE

Various rules and regulations apply to all the areas listed in this guide. Please adhere to all signs restricting camping, fires or other behaviour and in the absence of any signs, allow common sense to prevail. Locality names listed in this guide are derived from signs at the site or the nearest local landmark.

The distances quoted in this book should be regarded as approximate. They are calculated from the nearest township and shown as being on the left (L) or right (R) hand side of the road depending on the direction being travelled.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The author would like to acknowledge and thank the following people for their invaluable assistance with the compilation of information and photographs for this book: Gary Cleggett, Bob and Julie Close, Grahnia Crisp, Jerry and Julie Edwards, John and Bronwyn Govett, Len Grundy, Stephen Money, John and Chris Parry, Dave Price, Charmaine Rasmus, Gordon Schultz, Noel Smedley, Rhyanna Smedley and Vanessa Smedley.

LEGEND TO SYMBOLS

	A camping fee applies; you may need to pay it in advance (when purchasing a permit) or at the campsite.
	The toilets are wheelchair-accessible.
	Some pets are allowed, usually small dogs. They will need to be on a leash when outside.
	Vehicles of any kind (2WD or 4WD) can only reach the campsite in dry weather.
	There is a facility to dump caravan toilet waste.
	There is a fireplace or barbecue (electric or gas) at the site. When fire bans are not in place, fires can be lit, generally in designated fireplaces. Barbecues are usually coin-operated.
	Fuel is available for purchase at or near the site.
	There is a kiosk or cafe at or near the site, where basic food supplies or prepared food can be bought.
	Telstra Next G mobile-phone service available.
	No pets are allowed.
	Not suitable for large caravans or motorhomes, but suitable for small caravans (up to 5m in length) and motorhomes (up to 7m).
	There is a picnic table with seats.
	There is a sheltered picnic table with seats.
	There is childrens playground equipment available.
	Site recommended for day use only.
	Site suitable for overnight stay.
	Scenic surroundings or lookout nearby.
	The site has shade available depending on the time of day.
	Showers are available at the site but they may not be wheelchair-accessible. A fee may be charged for access to the shower block, or coins may be required to turn on the hot water.
	Suitable for large caravans (up to 8m in length) and motorhomes (up to 10m).
	There is a payphone at or near the site.
	There is a toilet at the site. It may be a pit or composting toilet.
	Water is available. It may or may not be drinkable. If it is drinkable, it would be wise to boil/treat it before consuming.

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

CAMPING AREA

A camping area is an established campground usually situated some distance from the highway in a national park, state forest, council reserve or similar area. Camping areas usually provide a good range of facilities, such as toilets, tables, seats, shelters and fireplaces. Some have a water supply and showers but a power supply is not generally available. They are often situated in areas of great natural beauty and offer visitors a range of activities, such as swimming, fishing, bushwalking and photography. A fee is usually charged, which is payable to the resident ranger/caretaker on arrival, or a self-registration system may apply, details of which are available at the site.