Something Spiritual campsite planned for Netherdale in the Pioneer Valley

A new campsite in the Pioneer Valley promises to offer a nature retreat for those looking to get away from it all – including those recovering from trauma.

A new campsite could soon be coming to the region with a Pioneer Valley property owner promising to create a space for solo campers and family units alike.Â

A Pioneer Valley property is transforming an area close to Cattle Creek into a campsite to promote nature tourism and give travelling bikies a motorcyclists a place to stay.

Owner of the property at 6162 Mackay-Eungella Rd Dean Towns has lodged a proposal with council create two campsites on his Netherdale property.

Mr Towns has been in the region since 1983 when he was brought by some friends and decided he wanted to retire here.

“I see great potential up here for something that caters for the motorcycle community,” Mr Towns said.

“We’ve got some beautiful places around here … we think we can make it a place people come and see.”

Mr Towns said there was a shortage of accommodation in the Pioneer Valley and he saw a need for his planned campsite, which he named Something Spiritual.

RPS Group planner Sharon Etwell said the Something Spiritual campsite was designed to “promote appreciation of the natural environment”

Ms Etwell said the campsite would have a particular focus on mental wellbeing and “supporting ex-defence personnel”.

Mr Towns — himself an ADF reservist of six years — said a lot of veterans travel around on bikes and he’d been in touch with the Finch Hatton RSL sub branch.

“They’re an absolutely terrific outfit,” Mr Towns said.

The campsite is proposed for a site just off the Mackay-Eungella Rd and within walking distance of Cattle Creek.

A new campsite could soon be coming to the region with a Pioneer Valley property owner promising to create a space for solo campers and family units alike.

Two camping areas — built on high ground near the centre of the property — would hold 14 campsites with views of the surrounding property and bush.

Ms Etwell said while there were a total of seven camping spaces on each site, four spaces would be vacant at any given time “so as to allow the sites to rest and re-establish”.

Each camping area would have a community kitchen with gas cooking facilities, hot water and a toilet block.

A mix of campsite options would be available including 9 sqm plots as well as a 16 sqm covered site with a heavy canvas tent under a roofed structure supplied with kitchen facilities, gas hot water show and basic toilet.

6287 Mackay-Eungella Road just up the road from the proposed campsite, Netherdale.

Two large 30 sqm covered sites would also be available for family or groups of up to six people.

These covered campsites are aimed at the glamping market and Mr Towns said he hoped to tap into the market created by the new Finch Hatton mountain bike track.

“I think it will go a long way to promote the brilliant work council have done in establishing the mountain bike trail,” Mr Towns said.

The site would have phone reception and is supplied with water from rainwater tanks or bores.

Ms Etwell said only minor work was required to build transform the 4.58ha lot into a campground and campers would be able to access the campgrounds via an existing gravel access road off the Mackay-Eungella Rd.

“The proposal will complement the existing rural character of the Netherdale area,” Ms Etwell said.

Mr Towns said he was aiming to have the first camping spaces opened for the summer holiday, with the rest to come.

“Its going to be in several phases but we’re going to concentrate on getting the ablutions set up,” Mr Towns said.

The proposal to build a new campsite comes after a 120 acre property near Yalboroo in the Mackay region was named one of the top 15 campsites in Australia.

Originally published as Something Spiritual campsite planned for Netherdale in the Pioneer Valley