Discover Camoola

Camoola appears in the described drives both as the end point of one leg and as the starting point of a route to Stonehenge. For planning your trip, the main consideration is which route and natural attractions you would like to include. The following information distinguishes between route characteristics, activities in the surrounding area, and conditions you should check before driving or taking part in an activity.

Routes with Camoola as a stop

The scenic Back Roads to Winton Drive follows back roads from Longreach to Winton via Lochern National Park, Stonehenge and Jundah. On the leg from Longreach to Lochern National Park, the route continues to Camoola. The drive combines sealed and unsealed roads; a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. Check road conditions before setting out.

Another leg runs from Camoola to Stonehenge and follows an unsealed road back to the Longreach–Jundah Road. The two route descriptions provide different guidance: the Back Roads to Winton Drive focuses on the scenic drive and changing road surfaces, while the leg from Camoola to Stonehenge specifically notes the unsealed connection to the Longreach–Jundah Road. Check conditions on your planned route in advance.

Scenery in the surrounding area

XXXX Hill is a viewpoint offering 360-degree views of the Thomson River floodplains and the surrounding Johnstone Ranges. Check the route and viewpoint locally before setting out. Lochern National Park is also nearby, with 20 kilometres of river frontage along the Thomson River. XXXX Hill offers the described panoramic view, while the long river frontage highlights the Thomson River as a feature of the park's landscape.

Activities in Lochern National Park

There are no walking tracks in Lochern National Park. You can walk along the river and around the waterholes, or follow the Lochern Habitat Drive. The drive is about 40 kilometres long (return) and takes two to four hours. Visitors can also cycle on the Habitat Drive. Check current route conditions and park access before setting out.

You can canoe and kayak at Broadwater Waterhole in Lochern National Park. Check water conditions and any applicable restrictions before taking part. Fishing is permitted in the park's waterholes, subject to size and catch limits; check the current rules before fishing. Bush camping is also permitted at Broadwater Waterhole. Check current permit and access requirements in advance.

A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for access to the Broadwater Waterhole camping area. In dry conditions, two-wheel-drive vehicles may also be able to reach it with care. Access is affected by weather and road conditions, so check these before setting out. The camping area is suitable for tents pitched beside vehicles and off-road camper trailers. There are no facilities or mobile phone reception. Before your trip, also check the condition of the site and communications coverage.

Windmill history in Camoola and the surrounding area

A 22-foot Comet D Patter windmill was erected in 1902 at Camoola Park in Longreach. It bears the number 1053 and patent number 2185-16, and was built to pump water from an artesian bore for livestock. A description from July 2024 mentions a visitor seating area in Iningai Park beneath a shelter made from a Comet windmill blade. The area allows visitors to view details of a Comet windmill and its construction; the blade came from Camoola Park in Longreach. The two references concern different windmill features: a historic installation and a blade that forms part of the shelter described in Iningai Park.

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For the broader travel overview: Queensland.