Potable Water Locations Qeensland Free Refill Stations & Caravan Taps

Here is a comprehensive directory for Queensland.

Crucial Queensland Water Rules:

• The "T-Handle" Tap Key: In many QLD public parks and showgrounds (especially Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Toowoomba), taps have their handles removed to prevent vandalism. You must carry a 4-Way Anti-Vandal Tap Key (available at Bunnings) to open these.

• Artesian Water (The Outback): West of the Great Dividing Range (e.g., Winton, Longreach, Cunnamulla), water comes from the Great Artesian Basin.

  • It comes out of the ground hot (30°C–40°C).

  • It often smells like rotten eggs (Sulphur). This is safe to drink but tastes better if you let it sit in a jug open to the air for 24 hours to let the gas escape.

• Paid Stations: In high-tourism coastal areas (Gympie, Rainbow Beach, Fraser Coast), free water is rare. Expect to use Coin/Card operated bulk fill stations (approx. $4–$6 per 1000L).

A-Z Directory of Potable Water Sites (QLD)

A

• Agnes Water:

  • Visitor Info Centre (Round Hill Rd): Tap near the car park/dump point.

  • Workman's Beach Camp: Rainwater tank often available (boil recommended), town water at main amenities.

• Airlie Beach:

  • Proserpine Lake (Peter Faust Dam): Tap near the amenities block (requires drive out of town).

  • Note: In town, water is scarce. Use caravan parks.

• Atherton:

  • Platypus Park (Herberton Rd): Tap near the dump point.

• Augathella:

  • Meat Ant Park: Tap near the amenities and playground.

B

• Babinda:

  • Babinda Boulders: Tap in the picnic area (check thread).

  • Rotary Park Rest Area: Tap near the dump point.

• Barcaldine:

  • Australian Workers Heritage Centre: Tap in the car park area.

  • Showground: Taps available at powered sites (if staying) or near amenities.

• Bedourie:

  • Visitor Centre: Tap available near the amenities.

• Biloela:

  • Queensland Heritage Park: Tap located near the dump point.

• Birdsville:

  • Birdsville Billabong: Taps located near the shelters/amenities (Artesian water – warm).

• Blackall:

  • Ram Park: Tap near the dump point.

• Bollon:

  • Wallam Creek Free Camp: Taps scattered throughout the camping area.

• Bowen:

  • Mullers Lagoon (Soldiers Rd): Tap near the dump point.

• Brisbane (Greater):

  • Note: Most taps in Brisbane parks require the Anti-Vandal Key.

  • Nudgee Beach: Tap near the boat ramp/dog park wash down (separate potable tap).

  • Sherwood Arboretum: Tap near the BBQ area.

  • New Farm Park: Taps near the rotunda (often busy/hard to park RVs).

• Bundaberg:

  • Hinkler Hall of Aviation (Botanical Gardens): Tap near the dump point.

  • Kendalls Flat (Johnston St): Tap near the dump point.

• Burketown:

  • Showgrounds: Tap available near the amenities.

C

• Cairns:

  • Greenpatch Reserve (Gordonvale): Tap near the amenities block.

  • City Centre: Very difficult. Use paid caravan parks or stations south of the city (Babinda).

• Camooweal:

  • Billabong Sanctuary: No water.

  • Post Office/General Store: Sometimes allows fill for a fee.

• Cardwell:

  • Gregory Street: Tap near the dump point and public toilets.

• Charleville:

  • Showgrounds: Tap near the dump point.

• Charters Towers:

  • Showgrounds: Tap near the dump point area.

  • Defiance Mill Park: Tap near amenities.

• Childers:

  • Showground (Ridgway St): Tap near the dump point.

• Chinchilla:

  • Botanical Gardens: Tap near the dump point.

• Cloncurry:

  • Showgrounds: Tap near the dump point.

• Cooktown:

  • Charlotte St (Works Depot): PAID Station (Blue unit). Card payment only.

  • Racecourse: Tap near dump point.

• Coen:

  • Taylor St (JS Love Bldg): PAID Station (Blue unit).

• Cunnamulla:

  • John Kerr Park: Tap near the amenities.

  • Warrego River Camp: Taps available (Artesian).

E

• Emerald:

  • Showgrounds: Tap near the dump point.

  • Botanic Gardens: Tap near the BBQ areas.

G

• Gayndah:

  • River Walk (Capper St): Tap near the dump point.

• Gin Gin:

  • Rest Area (Bruce Hwy): Tap near the toilet block/dump point.

• Gladstone:

  • Visitor Information Centre (Bryan Jordan Dr): Designated RV fill point.

• Gold Coast:

  • Warning: Many parks use spear pumps (bore water) for irrigation which stains vans brown. Only use taps connected to buildings/BBQs.

  • Nerang (Yarrimbah Dr): Council fill station (Check for commercial lock).

  • Broadwater Parklands (Southport): Taps near BBQ areas (difficult parking for large rigs).

• Goondiwindi:

  • Redwood Park: Tap near the dump point.

• Gympie:

  • Archery Park (Cross St): PAID Coin-operated water station.

  • Lake Alford (Bruce Hwy): Tap near the dump point.

H

• Hervey Bay:

  • Visitor Info Centre (Maryborough-Hervey Bay Rd): Tap near the dump point.

• Home Hill:

  • Comfort Stop (Railway Ave): Taps available in the free camp area.

• Hughenden:

  • Showgrounds: Tap near the dump point.

I

• Ilfracombe:

  • Recreation Centre: Tap near the dump point.

• Ingham:

  • Showgrounds: Tap near the dump point.

  • Tyto Wetlands: Tap near the RV parking area.

• Injune:

  • Possum Park: Tap near the dump point.

• Innisfail:

  • River Glades Park (Esplanade): Tap near the dump point.

J

• Julia Creek:

  • RV Stop (Old Normanton Rd): Taps at sites (Free camp permit required).

K

• Karumba:

  • Esplanade: Taps near the boat ramp wash down (ensure you use the potable one, not the raw water washdown).

L

• Longreach:

  • Apex Park (Landsborough Hwy): Tap near the dump point.

  • Kite Street: Heavy vehicle rest area often has a tap.

M

• Mackay:

  • Ram Chandra Place (Hume St): Tap near the dump point.

• Mareeba:

  • Doyle St (Industrial area): Council designated water fill point (Key often required, check Info Centre).

  • Rodeo Grounds: Tap near dump point.

• Maryborough:

  • Airport (Saltwater Creek Rd): Tap near the dump point.

  • Showgrounds: Tap near the dump point.

• Miles:

  • Showgrounds: Tap near the dump point.

• Mission Beach:

  • Dump Point (Porter Promenade): Tap usually available nearby.

• Mount Isa:

  • Sunset Oval: Tap near the dump point.

  • Visitor Info Centre: Tap often available for travellers (Ask staff).

• Mundubbera:

  • Black Stump Park: Tap near the dump point.

N

• Normanton:

  • Showgrounds: Tap near the dump point.

O

• Oakey:

  • Showgrounds: Tap near the dump point.

P

• Proserpine:

  • Showgrounds: Tap near the dump point.

Q

• Quilpie:

  • Bulloo Park: Tap near the dump point.

R

• Rainbow Beach:

  • Clarkson Drive: PAID Station. Coin/Card. 25mm outlet.

• Richmond:

  • Lake Fred Tritton: Taps near the BBQ/Amenities.

• Rockhampton:

  • Kershaw Gardens (High St): Tap near the dump point (easy access).

  • Music Bowl (Yaamba Rd): Tap near the dump point.

• Roma:

  • Big Rig (Riggers Rd): Tap near the dump point.

S

• St George:

  • Showgrounds: Tap near the dump point.

• Stanthorpe:

  • Showgrounds: Tap near the dump point.

• Sunshine Coast:

  • Note: Unitywater operates fill stations, but most are commercial.

  • Nambour Showgrounds: Tap near dump point.

  • Cooroy RV Stop: Tap available for staying guests ($10 fee).

T

• Tambo:

  • Stubby Bend: Tap near the dump point.

• Taroom:

  • Showgrounds: Tap near the dump point.

• Thargomindah:

  • Explorers Caravan Park (Opposite): Tap at the public dump point.

• Toowoomba:

  • Showgrounds (Glenvale Rd): Tap near the dump point.

• Townsville:

  • Bluewater Rest Area (Bruce Hwy, North): Tap near the toilets.

  • BP Cluden (South): Tap near the truck truckers lounge/dump point.

• Tully:

  • Showgrounds: Tap near the dump point.

W

• Warwick:

  • Australiana Park: Tap near the dump point.

• Windorah:

  • Information Centre: Tap near the amenities.

• Winton:

  • Showgrounds: Tap near the dump point (Artesian water).

• Wondai:

  • Sportsground: Tap near the dump point.

Y

• Yeppoon:

  • Sewage Treatment Plant (Access Rd): Tap at the public dump point outside the gates.

How to verify a tap in QLD

1. The "Coin Slot" Check (Gympie/Fraser Coast): If you see a stainless steel box with a digital screen next to the tap, it is a paid station. Have $1 and $2 coins ready.

2. The "Hot" Check (Outback): In the outback, run the water for 10 seconds. If it gets hot, it is artesian bore water. It is safe to drink but you may want to cool it in your fridge before drinking to reduce the sulphur taste.

3. The "Recycled" Purple Pipe: QLD uses Purple pipes and taps for Recycled Water (Dust suppression/irrigation only). NEVER fill your tanks from a purple tap.