Creekside Surprises
After Seaforth, we swapped beach views for a shady little Hipcamp called Creek and Antique. Getting there was an adventure in itself — a slightly hairy river crossing that had Neil behind the wheel and Cameron standing at the edge of the water, arms crossed, watching the motorhome inch through with a face full of doubt, and a few choice words. The motorhome made it through just fine, but not without a few nervous glances at the water level.
We spent a couple of days relaxing by the creek, enjoying the peace, until an almighty scream from Neil had the whole campground on alert. The culprit? A snake slithering a little too close for comfort. After that, we decided a small campsite shuffle was in order, moving ourselves a little further away from the creek…just in case.
The next day, we packed up and headed north towards Proserpine, with a quick afternoon detour to Airlie Beach. It was all sunshine, turquoise water, and bustling cafés, but the sheer number of people was way more than our crowd-averse selves could handle. Beautiful, yes, but we were happy to keep rolling.
Continuing up the Bruce Highway, we eventually pulled into Home Hill, settling into the free roadside comfort stop right in town. It wasn’t fancy, but it was perfectly placed, and after a long day on the road, it felt like exactly where we needed to be, before tackling the big city of Townsville!
Exploring the unbeaten paths of Australia, one adventure at a time! 🌿 Follow along as we uncover hidden gems, tackle rugged terrains, and head Off the Main Road to embrace the thrill of exploring offbeat destinations. 🚙💨
Where?
“Creek & Antique” was a Hipcamp setup beside flowing water — not a featured tourist stop, but exactly the kind of quiet, semi-wild place we love. The site offered shade, creek access, and the kind of solitude we seek after busy coastal stops.
This stretch of the Bruce Highway between Seaforth and Airlie Beach, then up through Home Hill toward Townsville, moves you from tropical beaches into more rural, agrarian landscapes, with occasional stops, free comfort sites, and moments of calm in between the towns.
How to Get There
From Seaforth, you turn inland onto tracks that lead toward creek country. Be ready for unsealed paths, creek crossings, and possibly soft ground after rain. The main sealed route onward passes through Airlie Beach, then north along the Bruce Highway to Home Hill and beyond.
What to See & Do
Creekside camping & nature walks — simply sitting beside water, listening to the creek flow
Wildlife surprises — snakes, birds, and critters that appear when you least expect them
Airlie Beach detour — for a dose of coastal bustle, café life, and ocean views
Roadside stops & comfort sites — places to stretch legs, rest, and reset
When to Visit
This kind of creek-side camping works best in the dry season (May–September) when creek crossings are safer, roads are more passable, and mosquitoes are less ferocious. In wet months, crossings can be risky, soft, or closed, and snake encounters may increase, so caution is wise.
Final Thoughts
The calmness of creek hours and the jolt of unexpected wildlife made this stretch feel alive in its contrast. We love it when travel isn’t all wow moments — sometimes the small surprises, the crossings, the quiet nights by water, make us feel more alive. Creek & Antique and its surrounding stretch gave us that.
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