Chinchilla Weir, Queensland
Where Free Camping Feels Fancy
Let’s give a big round of applause (or at least a firm head-nod) to the Western Downs Regional Council for creating an absolute gem of a campsite. Honestly, they’ve outdone themselves.
Located just 9km south of Chinchilla (which is close enough to pop into town, but far enough that your phone reception waves goodbye), the Chinchilla Weir is an absolute hit with both locals and visitors. There’s a boat ramp if you want to pretend you’re auditioning for The Fast and the Flotation Device, and a pontoon perfect for canoeing, kayaking, swimming, or fishing (fishing permit required—sorry, no free fish).
And now for the best part—hold onto your camping chairs… it’s FREE.
Yes, free. As in “costs nothing but your gratitude and maybe a cheeky donation at the Chinchilla Visitor Information Centre.”
But don’t let “free” fool you—this place is the camping equivalent of winning the lottery. We’re talking:
• 14 powered sites (that’s right, powered—plug in the toaster, charge your phone, power up the hair straightener if you’re feeling glam)
• Toilets that don’t require a five-minute hike
• Picnic tables and shelters
• Kids’ playground (let them burn off that marshmallow energy)
• BBQs and a top-notch camp kitchen
• Wheelchair-accessible facilities
• Waste bins for your banana peels and burnt sausages
The setup is first come, first camped, so you don’t need to book—just roll up and cross your fingers. There’s a two-night maximum stay, which is just enough time to fall in love with the place and develop emotional attachment issues.
A few hot tips before you go:
• Bring your own drinking water (unless you’re into extreme stomach adventures)
• There’s no dump point onsite, but there’s one in town at 28 Park Street, for all your glamorous grey/black water needs
• Internet connection is… let’s call it nostalgic. Perfect for those who want to pretend it’s 1995. Got Starlink? You win. Otherwise, consider it digital detox therapy.
• No shops or pubs nearby, so BYO everything: food, drinks, snacks, regrets
We’ve stayed here twice, so we’re practically locals now. The access road is bitumen, and the campground itself is nice and flat—motorhome heaven. If the main area is full, there are backup spots around, but a word of warning: after rain, some of them turn into boggy traps. Unless you want to be the star of the next “Towed Out Tuesday,” proceed with caution.
And if you’re craving a little history with your hammock time, swing by the Cactoblastis Cactorum Monument on Clarks Road. It’s dedicated to the heroic little moth larvae that saved Queensland from a prickly pear apocalypse in 1924 by munching their way through the problem. Honestly, they deserve their own movie.
So there you have it—Chinchilla Weir.
Free, fabulous, and full of fun. Add it to your must-camp list, and maybe pack a cactus-shaped souvenir just for good measure.
Ciao for now, campsite cowboys and cowgirls!
