| At a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Cost | Free camps featured |
| Location | Multiple locations across WA, QLD, NSW, VIC |
| Pet Friendly | Mumballup Tavern (WA) and Nana Glen Equestrian Centre (NSW) are pet-friendly |
| Campfires | See Camps App |
| Facilities | Varies by location – includes taverns, picnic areas, equestrian centres |
| Vehicle Access | See Camps App |
| In Camps App | Yes – all locations featured |
To celebrate Mother’s Day, we’ve rounded up Australia’s “mother named” destinations and free camps, from WA’s wheatbelt to the tropics of Queensland.
STUCK FOR A PRESSY? Time is ticking. Here are some mother-loving presents that you can get for mum, even if you have left it to the last minute…
Mumballup’s pet-friendly free camp is described as a good old country pub and a handy stop between the Eastern Wheatbelt and the South West. See it in the CAMPS App…
In Noongar culture, Mumballup is the place of the mummara (small, mischievous, magic, and often invisible beings).
The Mumballup Tavern, also known as the Forrest Hotel, was built in 1907 using handmade bricks and pit sawn timber. Originally called the Forrest Wayside Inn, it served travellers from the Blackwood and Collie districts heading to Bunbury.
Before Roelands Hill Road opened in the 1920s, the main route from Collie to Bunbury passed through Mumballup and Donnybrook, making the inn an important stop. It also became a gathering place for local settlers, and for about seven years the old spirits storeroom even doubled as the district’s school.
I keep looking at this list and I don’t have to change a thing. I’m sure your mum would love these suggestions too.
Mother Beddock, QLD
This walking loop looks over Bowen and the Coral Sea is supposedly named for a pimple! There are stacks of caravan parks and more sites out of town…
We stopped right at a caravan park on Horseshoe Bay the last time we were in Bowen and had a lovely time with our kids. I remember those beautiful beaches and rocks, hikes with World War II and lookouts, as well as fantastic markets. I would love to go back and stay for longer. If you were driving on the Bruce Highway between Airlie Beach and Townsville, Bowen is a must stop.
Okay, it is not Nanna – but Nana Glen Equestrian Centre, NSW that has the pet-friendly budget camp, but still! We love the Orara Way near Coffs Harbour.
And it is not named for bananas, like I’ve always thought. It’s actually an indigenous word meaning two-tailed lizard, Ngarla. We stopped at the Golden Dog Tavern with the BIG Golden Dog, not far away at Glenreagh.
You’ll find this picnic area on the Brabralung Trail and Great Alpine Road near Hotham. Just a day-use area, here’s 2 free camps closer to Dinner Plain.
Named for a woman who once ran accommodation/hotel for Brandy Creek mine and Cobungra Diggings workers. The shanty also catered to passing traffic.
From here: https://www.mthotham.com.au/news/2023/behind-the-names
and more here https://www.mthotham.com.au/news/2019/icons-and-legacies
Ma Ma Creek, QLD
Learn how this hamlet got its name on the marvellous Heifer Creek Road. Closest free camps: Heifer Creek Cutting, or Lake Clarendon Reserve near Gatton.
The village is named for the creek, not a Ma. It seems to have derived from an Aboriginal term Mia Mia, which meant bark shelters or huts. However, it was a mother, Mrs. Fleurine Elsie Andrews built the war memorial in 1920 for her three sons, James, George and Bertie Andrews, who died fighting in World War I. The community still uses the private War Memorial for Anzac Day ceremonies for all soldiers.
Wishing all mums – including my darling mum, Pat, and mum-in-law, Judy, a Happy Mother’s Day! Gentle wishes to the mums, the hopeful mums, the grieving hearts, and the women who mother in quiet, unseen ways. May today hold kindness, comfort and a little extra care for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which free camps mentioned are pet-friendly?
Mumballup Tavern in WA and Nana Glen Equestrian Centre in NSW are both pet-friendly free camps. Check the Camps App for current pet policies at other locations.
Is Mother Beddock in Bowen suitable for caravans?
Mother Beddock is a walking loop with lookout views. There are stacks of caravan parks in Bowen town and more sites out of town. Check the Camps App for current caravan-friendly sites near Bowen.
Can I camp overnight at Mother Johnsons in Victoria?
No, Mother Johnsons is a day-use picnic area only on the Brabralung Trail near Hotham. There are 2 free camps closer to Dinner Plain for overnight stays. Check the Camps App for current details.
Where is the closest free camp to Ma Ma Creek?
The closest free camps to Ma Ma Creek are Heifer Creek Cutting or Lake Clarendon Reserve near Gatton. Check the Camps App for current details.
What facilities are available at Mumballup Tavern?
Mumballup Tavern is described as a good old country pub and handy stop between the Eastern Wheatbelt and the South West. Check the Camps App for current facilities and camping details.
Is Bowen a good stopover on the Bruce Highway?
Yes, Bowen is a must-stop if you’re driving the Bruce Highway between Airlie Beach and Townsville. It features beautiful beaches, rocks, World War II lookouts and fantastic markets.
What does Nana Glen mean?
Nana Glen is an indigenous word meaning two-tailed lizard, Ngarla. It’s not named after bananas. The Nana Glen Equestrian Centre offers pet-friendly budget camping near Coffs Harbour on the Orara Way.
Are these mother-named locations suitable for families?
Yes, these locations offer a range of family-friendly experiences from country pubs to coastal beaches and mountain picnic areas. Check the Camps App for current details on facilities and access for each site.
