| Cost | Free (donation at the pub bar) |
|---|---|
| Location | Noccundra, Queensland (between Thargomindah and Eromanga) |
| Pet Friendly | Yes |
| Campfires | Yes (BYO firewood) |
| Facilities | Council toilets and showers (200m from waterhole), tennis court, playground, BBQ, picnic facilities. Swimming and fishing available |
| Vehicle Access | See Camps App |
| In Camps App | Yes – search for Wilson River Camp |
If you are driving between Thargomindah and Eromanga or on route to Camerons Corner or The Dig Tree – make sure you stop off at Noccundra Hotel.
We would have happily stopped at the peaceful Wilson River Camp or Noccundra Waterhole. Drop your donation for camping at the bar. You can fish and swim on this tributary of Coopers Creek. You might even catch yabbies in winter!
Council toilets and showers are near the pub, just 200m from the waterhole. You’ll also find a tennis court, playground, BBQ and picnic facilities there. Remember to BYO firewood, and your pets are welcome.
Instead, we dined on some of the BEST burgers we’ve ever had. I would go back to the remote pub, just for another, they were so very good!
The publican told me he bakes them himself each morning – and I peeked inside the dining room to finally find a doorway even I could bump my head on! It really takes you back in time. There is a big outdoor area to eat in.
This remote outpost of Noccundra Hotel is the second oldest hotel in Queensland to have been continually licensed.
Built within the Nockatunga Station grounds, it sure does have some interesting history – including a memorial to the ill fated Andrew Hume Expedition.
The first hotel was built in 1860 to keep stockman from the local stations from wandering into town! After it burnt down, the current hotel was built in 1882 with sandstone quarried from Mt Pool, NSW and transported via camel train.
So hard was the Gidgee timber, they had to use wire and not nails to attach the roof! Furthermore, the doorways are so low not so much to keep out riders on horses, but for temperature control.
The Channel Country is worth experiencing – I didn’t expect it to be so hilly and beautiful. We loved this section of the Natural Science Loop. Let us know if you have been there, or hope to check it out!
Look up this Queensland site in the brand new Camps 12 or your CAMPS Pendium in the Queensland book (the box set has state by state books). If you have our CAMPS AUSTRALIA WIDE App – simply go to the map or list and search for the site name!
Download the Camps App for iPhone/iPad or Android
Frequently Asked Questions
Is camping at Noccundra Waterhole really free?
Yes, camping is free but donations are appreciated. You can drop your donation at the Noccundra Hotel bar.
What facilities are available at Wilson River Camp?
Council-maintained toilets and showers are located near the pub, about 200m from the waterhole. You’ll also find a tennis court, playground, BBQ and picnic facilities.
Can I bring my dog to this campsite?
Yes, pets are welcome at Wilson River Camp.
Are campfires allowed at Noccundra Waterhole?
Yes, campfires are permitted but you must bring your own firewood.
Can you swim and fish at the waterhole?
Yes, swimming and fishing are available on this tributary of Coopers Creek. You might even catch yabbies in winter!
What’s special about the Noccundra Hotel?
The Noccundra Hotel is the second oldest hotel in Queensland to have been continually licensed. Built in 1882 with sandstone from Mt Pool, NSW, it features extremely low doorways for temperature control and a roof attached with wire instead of nails due to the hardness of the Gidgee timber.
Is the food at Noccundra Hotel worth trying?
Absolutely! The pub serves some of the best burgers, with the publican baking them fresh each morning. There’s a big outdoor dining area available.
How far is Noccundra from major towns?
Check the Camps App for current details on distances and travel times.
