Deepwater National Park is the perfect remote camp, set back behind the sand dunes among the trees and just a short stroll to the beach, making it a beautiful location for anything from a weekend or short getaway with the family, through to a longer term stay.
A question that came to mind when thinking about this recent stay was how do you feel returning to a place you loved the last time you visited? For me, there is a little mix of excitement to experience it again combined with the fear that if it doesn’t live up to the memory, there is a risk of feeling disappointed.
It was this mix of feelings that we had as we headed back to Deepwater National Park, just outside of Agnes Waters / The Town of 1770 on the Queensland Capricorn Coast, within the Gladstone Region.
The first time we had visited was on a very similar trip in April 2021 that combined a visit out west to Carnarvon Gorge followed by a few stops along the Central Queensland coast. Our time in Deepwater National Park was brief, but it was a key moment on our trip that allowed us to feel true relaxation and harmony with the natural landscape around us.
This trip, with a bit of an expectation shadowing our arrival, luckily left us with the exact same feeling of this stop being one that was pivotal in being able to feel relaxed and quite possibly the best night of sleep I’d had in a long time.
Trip Overview
We arrived at Deepwater National Park from the Baffle Creek side, coming in from the south past Wreck Rock Campgrounds and day use area. To get to this point at Wreck Rock, you’ll be able to arrive using a conventional vehicle, but to head into the park any further to the Middle Rock Campground where we stayed or to access from the north from Agnes Waters, you’ll need a 4WD as it involves a soft sand track.
After letting out some air from the tires, we began the drive in through the dense forest. The access track from this side is not too bad so if you were not overly confident driving on sand tracks or were towing a camper trailer or caravan, then this would be the recommended way in. The access track from the north has a few sections which are a little bit softer, but like all sand tracks, lot’s of external conditions such as traffic and weather dictate the conditions.
Both campgrounds provide shady camp sites in the trees, set back just a short walk off the beach behind the dunes. I love these sites because they provide you with the benefits of both beach camping and bush camping with the quiet and shade of being among the trees combined with the white noise of the ocean crashing to lull you to sleep each night.
Plus, protection from the wind which is always nice when camping near the beach.
There are toilets and a cold outdoor shower at Wreck Rock but for Middle Rock, you’ll need to be fully self sufficient.
In terms of things to do at Deepwater National Park, well that really depends on what you’re into and what type of holiday you’re looking for.
For me, I grabbed a gin and made the 200m walk down to the beach over the dune from the campsite and spent the afternoon reading while Jarryd tried his luck along the water fishing for tailor.
Both times we’ve stayed at Middle Rock have been on a Sunday night and therefore we’ve been lucky to have only a few other campers in the area. I can imagine that this area would get quite busy on Saturday nights or school holidays so definitely plan your visit accordingly and if you can go mid-week then you’ll be treated to a pretty special remote camp.
Getting There
Just over an hour north of Bundaberg, located nearby to Agnes Waters / 1770, Deepwater National Park is a secluded camp and a great place to visit when exploring this area. Whether you’re looking for a single night, or somewhere to stay a week with the family, this is the perfect spot to get away.
Deepwater National Park can be accessed by 4WD vehicles only from the north from Agnes Water, with Middle Rock being 14km and Wreck Rock being 17km.
From the south, Wreck Rock is accessible by conventional vehicle with Middle Rock being an additional 3km accessible by 4WD track only.
For more information about access and any current park alerts, make sure to review the Queensland National Parks website.
If you’re visiting from the north, make sure to stop at the paperbark forest on your way in or out along Springs Road. This short and easy walk is definitely worth the pitstop.
Essential Info
- Campfires are allowed.
- There are toilets and a cold outdoor shower at Wreck Rock but for Middle Rock Campgrounds, you’ll need to be fully self sufficient.
- There is patchy Telstra phone service at the campgrounds and better service on the beach, enough to make a phone call etc.
- Middle Rock Campground is accessible by 4WD vehicle only.
- Ensure to take care to leave the campgrounds as you found it and take all rubbish out with you! Rubbish bins are not provided.
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