As I slowly travelled further west through Queensland, I kept hearing so much about the famous outback Julia Creek Artesian Baths Houses at the Julia Creek Caravan Park.
By this point, the Julia Creek Bath Houses had already made my bucket list!
So, by the time I got to Hughenden (3 hours down the road), I booked us in for a night purely so that I could submerge myself in the hot, artesian, spring water. Because, let’s be honest, there’s no luxury of a bath or even a long hot shower in a caravan when you’ve only got a 30L hot water tank!
Wow, they did not disappoint!
This little western Queensland town has put themselves on the map by offering such a unique experience for travellers and locals alike. Book yourself in for a 45-minute soak in one of the private bath houses.
Each house has two claw-footed baths, so you can relax with your partner or even the kids if you like. For extra indulgence, order the delicious cheese platter and pour yourself a nice glass of bubbly as you watch the sun set over the Australian Outback.
Julia Creek were into their fifth year of drought when we visited, so the travellers that come and stay in the region form a massive part of the town’s economy. It’s easy to see why there are no empty shop fronts and abandoned businesses around when the local council are putting in such a massive effort to welcome travellers with open arms.
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Julia Creek Artesian Baths
What are the Julia Creek Artesian Baths?
Six Bath Houses have been constructed and perched overlooking the outback plains of western Queensland. Four have been made to replicate large water tanks, while the other two are more like luxurious cabin huts.
Within each Bath House are two single claw-footed baths, which are filled with steaming hot water straight from the Great Artesian Basin.
The artesian water, like many waters that come from inside the Earth, are said to have healing and positive wellness qualities. Since the baths were established in 2018, tourists have been travelling hundreds of kilometres out of their way to enjoy the Outback attraction.
How do the Bath Houses Work?
The Bath Houses are within the Julia Creek Caravan Park. Bookings are required and we recommend doing it on arrival. Non-guests are also able to enjoy the Bath Houses, but won’t be eligible for the discounted rate.
Each session runs for 45 minutes (or 1hr 15mins if you go for the luxury package), which gives the staff 15 minutes to clean out the baths and run fresh water for the following session. You will have complete privacy for your session, so no need to worry about anyone poking their heads in or walking past.
We went for the 6pm session, which was absolutely perfect to lay back, soak and watch the sunset. Stargazing in the Outback is second to none!
When you book you will have the option to include a local Cheese Platter for $40, which will be ready for you on arrival. It was delicious and really completed our experience! Plus it’s a great way to support another local industry.
You may be wondering how we managed 45 minutes soaking in a bath without the kids? It was easy, we bribed them with Netflix & cookies back at the van! A bonus now that the kids are a little bit older.
Two Julia Creek Artesian Bath Experiences
There are now two different Bath House experiences to choose from. Depending on whether you want the luxury package or the relaxing experience, both have different pricing and session durations.
Boundary Rider Hut Bath House:
- Luxury experience
- 2 huts available
- 2 baths in each hut
- Session – 1 hr 15 mins
- Gift Pack included (pannikin, gift bag, loofah, bath salts, slippers & moisturiser)
Replica Rainwater Tank Bath House:
- Relaxing experience
- 4 huts available
- 2 baths in each hut
- Session – 45 mins
All Bath House guests have the option of order the Gourmet Grazing Platter upon booking, which will be delivered to your hut just before you enter for your session. Payment must be made at the time of booking.
Julia Creek Artesian Bath House Pricing
| EXPERIENCE | CP GUEST | VISITOR |
|---|---|---|
| Boundary Rider Bath Houses | REGULAR TIME: • $45 – Individual • $80 – Couple SUNSET: • $60 – Individual • $110 – Couple | REGULAR TIME: • $55 – Individual • $95 – Couple SUNSET: • $70 – Individual • $130 – Couple |
| Rainwater Tank Bath Houses | REGULAR TIME: • $25 – Individual • $40 – Couple SUNSET: • $35 – Individual • $60 – Couple | REGULAR TIME: • $40 – Individual • $70 – Couple SUNSET: • $50 – Individual • $90 – Couple |
| Gourmet Grazing Platter (optional) | $40 | $40 |
Julia Creek Caravan Park
The Julia Creek Caravan Park was such a great place to stay. After you’ve checked in with Marg at Reception, you will be met by Phil, who loves a good old yarn and will show you to the best camp site for you based on your personal needs.
There are heaps of drive-through sites if you don’t want to unhitch or you can choose your own spot in the open area and have a perfect view of those great outback sunsets.
Julia Creek Caravan Park FEATURES
💲 $35 powered/ $30 unpowered (+ $5 per child)
→ Drive-through sites available
⛺️ Tents, Camper Trailers, Caravans, RVs, Big Rigs
🏡 Cabins available
🐶 Dogs allowed
🚽 Toilets
🚿 Showers
♿️ Wheelchair accessible
💧 Drinking water
⚡️ Power
⬇️ Dump Point
🗑 Bins
♨️ BBQ’s
👕 Laundry (Washing Machines $4/ Dryers $5)
🍴 Camp kitchen
📚 Book Exchange (in laundry)
🔥 Communal Camp Fire
🛁 Julia Creek Bath Houses
📶 Telstra reception & Free Wi-Fi
We were really impressed with the Camp Kitchen. It offers FREE electric BBQ’s, big stainless steel sinks, full-sized fridge & freezer, toaster, microwave, oven, gas stoves plus a big screen TV that you can use any time you like.
5pm every night is HAPPY HOUR at the camp kitchen/ camp fire – everyone is welcomed with a smile.
While in town, we also spent 4 nights at the Julia Creek RV Camp, which is FREE and within walking distance to town!
Bush Dinner Night
Every Monday is Bush Dinner Night at Julia Creek Caravan Park, which runs from June to August.
For $15 – $25 per head you can enjoy a two-course meal prepared from local produce and cooked by a local non-profit group. This gives local organisations a chance to fundraise, while providing a great service to travellers.
Listen to an Outback Aussie yarn and maybe even some local entertainment around the campfire. Don’t forget to BYO plates, cutlery, drinks and chairs.
Campers down at the nearby Julia Creek RV Camp are welcome to join in and can even jump on the free courtesy bus.
Julia Creek Bush Dinner Night bookings are essential.
| BUSH DINNER NIGHTS | |
|---|---|
| When | Every Monday night from June till August |
| What to Bring | • Cutlery & plates • Drinks • Camp chairs |
| Cost | Adult (12 yrs and over) – $25 Child (< 12 yrs) – $15 Under 5’s – FREE |
| Address | Julia Creek Caravan Park Old Normanton Road, Julia Creek QLD 4823 |
Things to Do in Julia Creek
Swimming Pool & Water Park
Right across the road from the Julia Creek Caravan Park is a great 25m Swimming Pool. It also boasts a fantastic Water Park complete with slides, fountains, spray hoses and a tiny tots pool, all shaded for summer.
| JULIA CREEK SWIMMING POOL | |
|---|---|
| Cost | Caravan Park guests – FREE Non-caravan Park guests – Adult – $2.00 | Child – $1.00 |
| Opening Hours | WINTER: – Monday to Friday (2pm – 6pm) – Weekends (1pm – 5pm) SUMMER: – Monday to Friday (6am – 7am | 3pm – 6pm) – Saturday to Sunday (9am- 12pm | 3pm – 6pm) |
Cruiser Bikes
Julia Creek has FREE push bike hire so you can ride through town, go along the Nature Trail and follow the fully sealed walking/ riding track.
Also, next door you will find a Bike Park, which is set out like a road with traffic lights and road signs (the kids can learn and have fun at the same time).
Bikes available from Julia Creek Caravan Park year round and at the Donation Camp from April to October. Available with helmets and locks.
Julia Creek Historical Walk
Grab a map from the Info Centre and take a self-guided historical tour through the town. There are 38 signposted sites along the way. If you want to take a drive, the historical tour will take you to the outskirts of town.
On the main street you’ll find the Duncan McIntyre Museum. There you will find old machinery, rocks, fossils, Willy’s Jeep Truck and more. Entry is FREE.
Information & Interpretive Centre
The ‘At The Creek’ Centre is located on the main street of town. That’s where you’ll find all the brochures and friendly staff to point you in the right direction. You can also wander through the buildings onsite, which share much of the local story and history in an audio and visual way.
For a small donation of $5 per pair, you can witness the daily Dunnart Feeding and learn lots about these little local creatures. Your entry fee helps to cover their special dietary requirements, enclosure and health checks. Find out when the next feeding is on at the Info Centre.
For the full list of things to do in town, check out the article below.
Julia Creek would have to be one of the most RV Friendly towns we’ve visited yet!
Julia Creek Location
Julia Creek is located 260km east of Mount Isa and 640km southwest of Townsville.
| JULIA CREEK CARAVAN PARK | |
|---|---|
| Address | Julia Street, Old Normanton Road, Julia Creek QLD 4823 |
JULIA CREEK ESSENTIALS
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I live in Sydney and have travelled up to Queensland a couple of times. I’ve never heard of the Julia Creek Artesian Bath Houses though but it looks so interesting. It’s certainly a different experience and im a sucker for sunset views. I’d love to check this out one day 🙂
It only opened last year, so it’s still fairly new. Bloody loved it – such a great experience.
Wow what a unique place! I didn’t even know it existed. Gorgeous soaking tubs and a cheese platter… sign me up!
It’s one of a kind as far as I know – such a fantastic experience.
Julia Creek Artesian Bath Houses looks worth with pure relaxing bath with yummy food with bath. I never knew about such type of bath houses in Queensland but would love to go for it. I would not for a caravan trip here.
This is an interesting concept ! Love the sky window where you get to see the sky at night while having a nice bath ! I love onsen in Japan, so I must try this if I ever visit !
The sky window was great once the stars came out.
That looks like an beautiful and interesting place to relax. Never heard about these bath houses, but what a great idea to cool off on a hot in the Outback.
Absolutely!
I think these bath houses are really cute and a great idea. They seem very reasonably priced too. And the extra touch of having a cheese platter to enjoy while in the bath is really nice. Does it come with a glass of bubbly too?
They definitely offer something unique. The cheese platter was a lovely addition. You can certainly enjoy a bubbly – drinks are byo.
I must admit that this is one of the coolest things in travel I’ve come across. It’s so unique! I love the timing of your visit at sunset and the cheese platter would definitely have to happen. I also love the saying on the sign that says “no strangers here..only friends you haven’t met”. That is flat out awesome!
Honestly it’s right up there as being one of our fave travel experiences so far! It was such a friendly town too.
The bathhouses I find actually quite interesting. But does not it get very warm in this tin when the sun shines? But to lie there in the bathtub at sunset and observe the color of the sky – certainly very romantic.
We were lucky to visit during the winter and the hot water was just perfect, especially as we watched the sun set. I imagine it would be very hot in summer, but like any bath, you can set the preferred temperature of the water. A cold bath would probably be better!
This looks so interesting! I’ve never heard of bathhouses but these look like a nice little luxury during a hot day in the outback.
Well the beauty is, you can have it super hot in the winter or nice and cool in the summer.
I am still not sure about these bath houses but when the heat is on, then anywhere with water to take a cool dip into is the ideal place. 😀
Well the thing with these bath houses is that they water is super HOT. They’d be way too hot in summer to enjoy, although like any bath, you can fill it with cold water rather than hot. They were beautiful in mid winter though.