Ben Lomond Station in Whitsundays opens new campsites near Bowen

A Whitsunday cattle farming operation is expanding its camping capacity to accomodate campers who are looking to get back to nature. Don’t forget to bring your own toilet and shower.

New camp sites are opening up on a cattle property less than half an hour out of Bowen.

Ben Lomond Station, an active cattle farm near the Gregory River, will have 12 new sites available for campers looking to get back to nature.

Located on Joccheim Rd, Ben Lomond station is 25 minutes south of Bowen and 35 minutes north of Airlie Beach on the West side of Cape Gloucester.

Owned and operated by landowners Rob and Colleen Pegg, the property has hosted campers since 2020, but with the new sites hopes to bring in even more campers.

Rob and Colleen Pegg, graziers south of bowen, are opening up 12 new campsites on their expansive property.

In their application to the Whitsunday Regional Council, the Peggs wrote previous owners of the property had hosted local campers for free.

When they took it over in 2014 these campers continued to use the property, sometimes arriving by boat, without the Peggs’ permission.

The Eden Lassie Creek runs close to many of the campsites and, as a tidal estuary, presents unique fishing opportunities.

Looking to provide a “safer and managed area for campers” the Peggs designated several campsites and directed campers to book their spot on Hipcamp.com.

Referring to the experience as ‘nature based’ camping, the sites have few facilities and campers are required to bring their own shower, toilets, and dispose of their own rubbish and grey water.

Mud crabs, fish and prawns are abundant in Eden Lassie Creek.

The new campsites are situated close to the Eden Lassie Creek and are accessible only 4WDs via a basic dirt road.

With an active social media presence, the Pegg’s highlight the ability to fish in the estuary as campers can cast nets for banana prawns and even catch mud crabs.

The campsites each have a designated fire pit area, but besides that campers must bring their own equipment and supplies.

“Nature based camping at its best,” they wrote.

Firewood is available for purchase on the property and the Peggs offer a book exchange for campers as well as handmade soaps and midge spray as some of the sites few amenities.

“Ben Lomond station has an abundance of flora and fauna such as Burdekin plum trees, mango trees, wallabies, kangaroos and bird and fish species,” the Peggs wrote.

All bookings must be made via Hipcamp or by personal invitation.