Things you need to know

CHECK IN
12 noon - 4 pm
NO CARD OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS
4-6 pm : CASH ONLY


Just turn up for unpowered no bookings

  • Our office closes at 4 pm, you will have to contact via our mobile number 0407620360 after that time. We are usually on the campground until 6 pm so please check in by that time at the latest. 
  • Unpowered Bush Camp Sites have No Water Hookup water fill up can be arranged for extra cost
  • Check in no earlier than 12 noon due to cleaning and checking of sites
  • 12 Powered sites with hook up water. We can accommodate 20 powered sites if booked as a group.
  • Powered sites are separate from the bush camping area, and you can only camp in that section if you require power.  Our new "Wilmavale Place" that is in the powered site section is USED AS A BAR AND PIZZA AREA. Our large events lawn and pavilion are well under way and we look forward to hosting our first function here soon
  • Powered sites are not available on our website.   


  • YOU WILL HAVE TO PROVIDE A NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT  ON POWERED SITES TO ENSURE YOUR SITE IS RESEVRED IF BOOKED IN ADVANCE 
  •  FILL OUT THE ONLINE BOOKING REQUEST FORM,  OR PHONE OR TEXT 0407620360 gidgeesmith@bigpond.com

Camp Policy

A debt amount will appear on your Credit Card statement from Smithco Management Pty Ltd, but we trade as Gidgee's Bush Camp.
We have a small campground with limited sites, so we have put the following policy into place regarding bookings and cancellations. 

  • If rain becomes an issue, we will address it as it arises.  Over the last 6 years we have only had to help 4 vehicles off the bush camp side of the grounds none of which were bogged.  
  • Unfortunately we have had to create rules for those people that struggle with good manners and straight out common sense.


WE HAVE BASED THE FOLLOWING BOOKING AND CANCELLATION POLICY ON THE DURATION OF OUR BOOKINGS (3 day average) AND THE ISSUES WITH CANCELLATIONS WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST.  WE TRY TO WORK WITH OUR CLIENTS WHEREVER POSSIBLE, HOWEVER WE NEED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE IMPACT THAT CANCELLATIONS, HAVE ON THIS BUSSINESS AND OUR LIMITED STAFF, BOTH FINANICALLY AND MENTALLY. 
•    WE WILL NOT TOLERATE ABUSIVE BEHAVOUR IN ANY WAY, SO PLEASE READ THIS INFORMATION CAREFULLY AND FEEL FREE TO RAISE ANY CONCERNS YOU HAVE IN AN APPROPRIATE WAY, YOU WILL FIND US OBLIGING WHEN WE ARE APPROACHED IN POLITE MANNER. 
WE HAVE A FANTASTIC LITTLE TEAM HERE AT GIDGEE SMITH. WE HAVE GREAT REVIEWS WITH LOTS OF HAPPY CAMPERS AND CUSTOMERS IN OUR OTHER BUSINESS VENTURES WHICH ARE OPERATED FROM THIS PREMISES, AND IT IS OUR GOAL TO KEEP IT THAT WAY

**Booking and Cancellation Policy**

**Deposit and Cancellation Policy for Individual Site Bookings on Powered and Unpowered Sites**

  • $10 deposit for the first night booked.
  • $5 deposit per night for subsequent nights.
  • Cancellations must be made within 14 days of arrival, and deposits are non-refundable.
  • All balances must be paid in full 7 days prior to your arrival date.
  • No refunds will be given for unused nights if you choose to leave early. Cancellations must be made 14 days prior to the booking date to receive any refunds.
  • Powered sites have crusher dust and a sealed road, making them resistant to rain and flooding.
  • Unpowered sites have good runoff and dry out within a couple of hours. We try to adjust bookings in this section before major weather events. restrict camping in certain areas, close the bush camp side down, or offer up grades to powered site section, or close the section)

DEPOSIT AND CANCELLATION POLICY FOR GROUP BOOKINGS ON POWERED SITES

  • $10 deposit for 1st night booked. 
  • Then a $5 deposit per night after that
  • Any cancellations of bookings must be made within 14 days of arrival, and there is no refund on deposits. 
  • On arrival if you choose not to stay the number of nights booked ON A POWERED SITE, or you require a less sites, NO REFUNDS will be given for the days you do not stay or the site you do require. To receive any refunds, cancellations must be made 14 days prior to booking date.
  • You CAN NOT USE deposits on cancelled sites to pay balance on sites still required.
  • Powered sites have crusher dust on them and a direct sealed road into them, so rain has not been an issue.  We are not subject to flooding here at the campground. 
  • Unpowered site must of the ground has really good run off and is dried out within a couple of hours.  We try to adjust bookings in this section prior to a major weather event happening (restrict camping in certain areas, close the bush camp side down, or offer upgrades to powered site section, or close the section)

Gidgee’s Bush Camp Common Rules 

​Unfortunately we have to have rules because it seems some people struggle to use their common sense, which makes it hard on everyone. This is our family home, and happy place and we are just trying to ensure that others enjoy it too.

Entry or Booking

Pre-Bookings are available online, or by phone.  Be ready to pay a $10 booking fee as a deposit which is non refundable on powered sites.  As a Private caravan park, we can also restrict your entry at any point in time. 

Check in and out

Check out is at 10 am. Amenities are closed from 10am to 11am for cleaning.  Later check in and check outs sites are by arrangement only and could incur a surcharge.

Emergency/Medical 

Call 000 in case of an emergency or present to local clinic and ring number on the front door. 24/7 medical assistance available. Please notify park managers as soon as possible of any medical issues that have required a 000 call. 

Noise

With most caravanners using caravan parks/Bush Parks for peace, it’s not proper to pump up your speakers’ volume in the dead of the night. Sure, you’re free to be happy, but be mindful that you do not disturb your neighbor's in doing so. 
Hence, it is advised that caravanners stop making noise starting at 9-10 pm. Be wary that too much noise can have you expelled from a Bush Park. 

Drugs and Alcohol

Drinking alcohol is prohibited to persons under 18. Moreover, illicit drugs are illegal. Any person found to have the same will be expelled and police will be notified. If you’re a psychedelic party goer, this Bush Camp is not for you! 


Pets

Cats & dogs are permitted, sorry pet rabbits are not allowed in Queensland. Always cross-check with the manager before bringing your pet into the park. Pets must be controlled at all times and owners should be mindful of other visitors not being pet lovers. Pets should not be left unattended or unleashed at any time.  Please be aware as a working farm we run our dogs in the afternoons from 4pm onwards.  They may also be assisting with stock work during other times as well.  Please clean up and dog poo if it is on the lawn area and fill in any holes left by pets. DO NOT TIE PETS TO BACK OF VANS WHERE THEY CAN DAMAGE TREES ON POWERED SITES


Dams

Under no circumstances is there any swimming allowed in the private dams on this Bush Camp.    Yabbie  catching is permitted but catch limits apply.  DO THE RIGHT THING UNLESS THIS WILL BE STOPPED.  


Water  

Is for drinking only not for filling of water tanks or washing vehicles etc.  There is water hook up on powered sites only, and if you need a fill up on the unpowered sites please ask when booking in ARE WE WILL ARRANGE WATER OFF THE POWERED SITE AREAS 


Size of the Van

One caravan per site, and you are charged by the number of people per site not the size of you setup unless you have a rig longer than 17 mtrs on powered sites.  Camps must be 5 meters apart. 
 

Speed Limits

Your speed must not exceed 10 km per hour when inside the Bush Camp. Note that roads inside the Bush Camp are shared by pedestrians. 


Safety

For the overall safety of caravanners, restrict your movements to your campsite. Do not cut through another’s campsite. Always report any illegal or suspicious activity in a Bush Camp to the owner or concerned manager. Keep in mind that the regulations aim to keep everyone safe. In case of emergencies and natural disasters, you MUST listen to the caravan park manager or refer to the emergency guidelines often put up in the Camp Kitchen.  


Cycles and Tracks

Gidgee’s Bush Camp is not fitted/ equipped with a cycle track. In fact, some even advise you against cycling within the park. But in case you wish to ride, always ride your bicycle with care, as within the speed limits of the camp and concern for pedestrians. Safety gear most be worn and we take no responsibility for person injury to yourself or others, and will not cover the cost of damages to your bicycle or equipment


Insurance

Caravan insurance isn’t only mandatory but a true necessity. Park rules specifies that the park administration will not be responsible for any injury or damage to property without insurance. 
For caravanners with insurance, your insurer will take care of all the damages.  

Park Reception Timings 

Reception is open usually from 8 am to  4.30 pm Monday to Friday.  We are usually around the site somewhere and you can contact us via mobile 0407620360 


Trash

Please Do Not litter in a caravan park, and use supplied bins for disposal of rubbish 


Our Fire pits

We have several large communal fire pits in the camp kitchen and powered sites area.  We supply the wood for those.  Please don't remove stacked wood for other fire pits or personal fires

Our smaller fire pit camp sites can be used but you must either bring your own fire wood, purchase some from us or collect it.

​You can also reserve one of the smaller fire pit areas around the dam
for an additional $5 per day to ensure you get that site.  You will still have to bring or purchase wood for those pits.  

Fires 
In case of emergencies like caravan fires or accidents within a caravan park, follow a proper decorum to curb spreading the fire and damages. Fires are permitted in the provided fire places or the kitchen stove. No fires will be lit in windy weather. 

 

Fire Wood

We only provide fire wood for communal fires, and the wood stacked in those areas is not to be used for personal fires or the smaller fire pits around the camp ground.

You will need to either bring your own wood for personal fires or it is for sale at the office.  

Persons wishing to make a person fire must 

A). Have a fire pit that is off the ground and contained

B). They must provide their own wood.  DO NOT us the wood that is cut near the communal fire rings.

C). All coals and ashes must be returned to the ash pit near the camp oven area. Ash buckets and a shovel are provided in that area to do this. Do not dump ashes in the camp fire rings or on the ground.  the area must be left completely clean after use

D). Any damage to grass will incur a $200 penalty for turf replacement.

E). Fire pits are to be small in size with a  cleared perimeter. 

F). Only burn wood or briquettes. No green wood or rubbish burning is permitted. 
G). Accelerants are NOT permitted in any form. 

H). A responsible person should be in attendance at all times and assumes all levels of responsibility and liability, including damage to their own property, neighboring sites or GAHP property. 

I). An adequate way to extinguish the fire is required at all times – fire extinguisher or primed hose.

J).  Please be respectful to other campers when using fire pits 

Dump Point/Watering 

There is a dump station/water point at our local Rec Grounds if required on departure. 


Complaints and Suggestions 

Most caravan parks have people who can receive suggestions and settle complaints of the caravanners expertly. You can talk to a manager and comment on a facility at the park too. 


Conclusion 

Always be conscientious and comply with the Bush Camp rules and regulations. These rules are designed to give you the best possible stay. Hence, it pays to cooperate with park owners and ensure that they have sufficient manpower and facilities to make your stay safe, comfortable and memorable.