Imbil Island Retreat gets green light for mini golf, pool and expansion

A popular destination for the past four decades has been given the green light to undergo a massive facelift and triple its capacity.

Developer have been given the green light to give Imbil Camping Retreat a major overhaul which will triple its capacity and add amenities including a mini-golf course and pool.

Camping at Imbil is getting a major facelift with a mini golf course, pool and hundreds of new camping spots to be added as part of an expansion designed to triple its capacity.

The Imbil Camping Retreat, bordered by Imbil Island Rd and Yabba Creek, and a staple of the town for more than 40 years, was given the green light to expand by Gympie Regional Council’s planning department in September.

Developer Murphy Builders Queensland had asked to be allowed to significantly overhaul the 4.8ha site.

The retreat’s owners, Brooke Bastien and Mark Berry, signed off on the plans as part of the application when it was lodged in November 2020.

The overhaul includes tripling the number of camp sites from 45 to 150 and adding a jumping pillow, bar and cafe alongside the aforementioned pool and putting course.

The retreat, situated on Yabba Creek, has been a popular destination in the Mary Valley for four decades.

Six cabins will be provided on site, bringing the total number of available camping spots at the retreat to 156.

Of these, 47 will be unpowered sites, 42 will have power, and 51 will be informal campsites.

Guests will be able to enjoy outdoor movies at the retreat, but not between 10pm and 7am.

Almost 70 conditions have been imposed by the council as part of the approval.

The owners have until 2027 to begin work on the expansion, or the council’s approval will lapse.