Elliott Heads Holiday Park is one of several well appointed and well kept caravan parks within the Bundaberg Holiday Parks chain (under the auspices of the Bundaberg City Council) and seems to offer something for everyone, whether young or old.
The park is nestled right on the ocean front, with the Elliott River and its magnificent estuary and sand flats on the southern side. It can be quickly accessed from Bundaberg after heading south via Goodwood Road where prominent signs show the way.
A few kilometres along Goodwood Road, McCarthy Street is noted on the left with Elliott Heads Road an extension of that street. Elliott Heads Road then allows access to Lihs Street, Elliott Heads where the park is located. A 15-20 minute drive is about average from Bundaberg to Elliott Heads.
Upon arrival, park managers Mark and Judi McLean-Jones will ensure that visitors can select a suitable site whether camping, caravan or camper trailering. Camping sites are both powered or unpowered to cater for all comers, and there are numerous concrete pads set down for caravan owners.
For those without their own means of accommodation there are well set up cabins, some with en-suites, available as well.
Visitors soon discover that one of the really great attractions of this peaceful holiday park is that it’s virtually at the end of the road. No noisy road traffic! The gentle lapping of waves on the beach, perhaps the hum from a distant outboard engine powering offshore or gentle bird calls from within nearby trees; these will be the main sounds prevailing.
Within the park, useful features for occupants to enjoy include a neat camp kitchen, a free BBQ, shelter sheds and seating, children’s playground, laundry facilities plus well kept and maintained amenity blocks.
There is plenty of shade within the park with ever present beach views of endless white sand to tempt occupants. Simply sit at a vantage point and just watch the waves, or have a swim or do some snorkelling, or perhaps take a long walk. Or better still, put some tackle together and enjoy the fishing.
For those not quite so obsessed with the feel of a fish on the line there are the nearby attractions of the Bundaberg Rum distillery, the Bert Hinckler Museum, plus many other enjoyable features, including an art gallery as well as excellent dining out facilities.
Bundaberg offers virtually every aspect of infrastructure likely to be required by travellers. In fact it’s quite a modern city in that regard. Health professionals, numerous retail outlets, all are present. For the boater or angler there are Midtown Marinas, Bundaberg Marineland, Sea Jay boats, and BCF as well. For those interested there are also golf and bowls clubs, ample places to shop and dine out in comfort.
As an added bonus Bundaberg has also been mentioned time and again as having the most stable climate in Australia. Not too hot in summer, yet not to cool in winter. This is thanks in both instances to the influence of moderating sea breezes.
Elliott Heads is the entrance to the Elliott River with the main outflow channel (or channels depending on the season) skirting around the southern area of the low headland. Beach fishing in this area will see the usual suspects of whiting, bream, flathead being taken by bait anglers with the offshore reef fishing grounds on tap for the boater. There is also an artificial reef around 2km directly offshore from Elliott Heads.
One thing worth remembering is that the nearest boat ramp is located at Riverview, around 10 minutes drive west of Elliott Heads. A decent connecting road makes the run to Riverview to launch the trailer craft an easy matter and, with the tide filling the Elliott River estuary, it’s a great run offshore for a crack at the reef fish at this time of year.
Summer fishing of course will see pelagics such as mackerel, several tuna species and similar added to the list of possible catches.
With the Elliott River so handy, a lot of anglers like to fish the tide up or down with live bait for flathead, grunter or mangrove jack. It’s very easy to organise a bit of tackle and a seat and just wait for that nice smooth run that signifies the livey has been taken.
Overall, this is a well set out, friendly camp grounds with great potential for the keen angler to get stuck into some fish without a great deal of effort. Luckily it was spared the wrath of Cyclone Oswald, which brought little joy to the Bundaberg region but the passage of time has now seen that city recovering. A visit to assist the region with patronage, would be well received.
For more information contact telephone (07) 4159 6193 or on the internet at --e-mail address hidden-- .
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