Broken River Bush Camp and Fern Flat Camping Area, Eungella National Park, QLD.

As there is no phone reception at either of the two campgrounds in the Broken River section of Eungella National Park we booked before arriving. We found it difficult to decide which campground to book. We noticed that generators are allowed at Broken River Camping Area so we thought Fern Flat Camping Area might be more enjoyable for us. However, when I went online to make the booking it stated that I had to choose a site number when booking. I wasn't keen to commit to a site number because we were concerned about ending up too far away from our ute. The service body on the back of our ute contains our kitchen, food, fridge and lighting so we prefer to camp beside it. In the end, we decided to book Broken River Camping Area which didn't have numbered sites. 

Broken River Camping Area

Broken River Camping Area. The area in the middle is not marked for camping.

When we arrived at Broken River there were two Kimberley Cruisers parked in the nicer side of the campground and one of them was running a generator so we opted for the other side of the campground. We were glad we did as the occupants of the caravan did leave their generator running all day, every day, while they went out and then turned it off the minute they returned in the late afternoon. 

Our site at Broken River Campground. There are two long narrow sites in this photo.

All in all, we didn't like this campground much. We were surprised that a campground advertised as "camp sites set amongst natural bushland" did in fact back onto a farm with a pigsty!!!  There was a brisk wind coming from this direction as well and it would have been a lot nicer if a few more trees and bushes were planted along the fence. The other thing we didn't like was how close together the sites were. We had someone beside us every night and we could hear every word they said to each other. I think the sites were probably more suited to small motorhomes than tents. 

To cap off this negative camping experience, I got stuck in the toilet at night when the lock broke. No harm done, as I just called for a screwdriver and was able to set myself free but I was glad it hadn't happened to a child. In the end, we left a day early even though we had paid for another night.

Of course, most people go to Broken River to see the platypus and on this front we were not disappointed. As soon as we put the tent up we went to see if there were any platypus about. Even though it was only 2 pm we saw a platypus straight away. 

Platypus in Broken River

Another highlight for us in the campground was an unexpected sighting of a Ulysses butterfly. It is hard to describe just how stunning these iridescent blue butterflies are. This one was zooming about in the brisk winds and never settled so we were unable to get a great photo of it but it was an exhilarating sight to see and a nice surprise as we hadn't realised that Ulysses come this far south.

Fern Flat Camping Area

Two car parks. One for the site on the right and the other for the site down below.

We checked out Fern Flat Camping Area while we were there and to our surprise we discovered that none of the campsites were numbered. The campground was also empty. This means we could have camped in one of the two sites that are close to a car park but we weren't to know this when we booked. The campground is a bit out of the way and has an isolated feel about it. The sites are quite small and shaded.

Amenities at the entrance to Fern Flat Camping Area

Path to two small campsites below.

Details for Broken River Camping Area:
Where: Eungella National Park, 86 km west of Mackay along Mackay-Eungella Road. From Eungella follow the Eungella Dam Road for about 5 - 6 km to Broken River. 
Access: Sealed roads. Very steep road up the  Clarke Range to Eungella. Caution required for trucks, buses and if towing a caravan. No vehicles longer than 11 meters allowed on Sundays.
Bookings & Fees: $6.35 per adult per night. Best to book online before arriving. Nearest phone reception is a the Sky Window Day Use Area. There is free WiFi for customers at the kiosk.
Sites: 8 grass and dirt sites. Sites are close together with no privacy. Sites are marked but not numbered. Listed as suitable for tent camping beside your vehicle, walk-in camping, medium sized caravans, camper trailers, small motorhomes.
Facilities: 2 long drop toilets, fires only in the few fire rings supplied. BYO clean milled timber. Quiet generators below 65dB(A) allowed between 9 am and 8 pm. Adjacent to Broken River. No water, tables, phone reception, bins or showers. 
Prohibitions: No domestic animals. 

Details for Fern Flat Camping Area:
Where: Eungella National Park, 86 km west of Mackay along Mackay-Eungella Road. From Eungella follow the Eungella Dam Road for about 5 - 6 km to Broken River. 
Access: Very steep road up the Clarke Range to Eungella. Caution required for trucks, buses and if towing a caravan. No vehicles longer than 11 meters allowed on Sundays. 600 m gravel road to the campground.
Bookings & Fees: $6.35 per adult per night. When booking you are asked to select the number of the site you want however on arrival there are no numbers on the sites. Book online. Nearest phone reception is a the Sky Window Day Use Area. There is free WiFi for customers at the kiosk.
Sites:  Tent camping. Listed as "Not suitable for camper trailers, caravans or motorhomes". 8 small dirt sites, maximum 4 people per site, most sites are a short walk from your vehicle. You can not park your vehicle beside your tent. 
Facilities: hybrid toilet ( a bit of a walk from most sites), fire rings BYO milled timber. No water, tables, phone reception, bins or showers.
Prohibitions: No domestic pets, no generators.