• Gum Hole is a semi permanent waterhole on Whistling Duck Creek. Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
• Set up camp under shady coolibah trees along Whistling Duck Creek. Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
• Sunrise and sunset are the best times for photography. Photo credit: © Queensland Government
• Spot the many birds that live and nest in the trees around the waterhole. Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
• Early morning reflections on Whistling Duck Creek at Gum Hole camping area. Photo credit: © Chris Whitelaw
• Soft light, pink and grey galahs and a rising moon at dusk. This is a photographer's dream. Photo credit: © Rob Brodribb
• Red-tailed black-cockatoos at Gum Hole camping area. Photo credit: © Courtesy of Outback Pics, Longreach

Pitch your tent under shady coolabah and bauhinia trees beside this tranquil waterhole. Used as a camp site for many generations by the Maiawali people their connection to this waterhole known as Nandibargoola is strong. Drovers too have rolled out their swags here in times gone by.

Enjoy a refreshing dip, take your kayak for a paddle or relax underneath a shady tree. Grab your binoculars at dusk and dawn for a spot of birdwatching and watch as the surrounding trees and grasses come alive with birdlife. Be aware that at times the waterhole can be very low and perhaps not as inviting as the images suggest!

Escape the afternoon heat and explore pastorals relics, learning about the landscapes of the channel country along the nearby Warracoota circuit drive, before relaxing around a camp fire under a stunning star-lit sky.

Getting there and getting around

Gum Hole camping area is in Diamantina National Park, 306km south-west of Winton.

The camping area is 19.5km from the Ranger Base on Springvale Diamantina River Road.

For more details see getting there and getting around.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Gum Hole camping area is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

Check park alerts for the information on park access, conditions and closures and local council offices for road conditions.

Camping area features: individual tent sites shaded by coolabah and bauhinia trees along Whistling Duck Creek.

Location: approximately 500m from the turn-off to Gum Hole signed on Springvale Road.

Access: the camping area can be reached by 4WD only. Read 4WD with care for important information on 4WD safety and minimal impact driving.

Number of sites: 8 separate but unnumbered sites. Camp only in the existing clear areas at least 10m away from the riverbank.

Camp sites are suitable for: tent camping beside your vehicle. Caravans and camper trailers are not permitted (please use Hunters Gorge camping area).

Camp site surface: clay.

Facilities: pit toilet.

Open fires: permitted in fire rings provided, except when fire prohibitions or fire bans are in place, bring your own clean-cut firewood. Fuel stoves are recommended.

Generators: not allowed, except for medical reasons (conditions apply).

Essentials to bring: all food and drinking water, sturdy rubbish bags, insect repellent, sun protection, first aid kit, reliable torch, vehicle spares and sufficient fuel. Read more about before you visit.

Bookings: book online or learn about our camping booking options.

Mobile phone coverage: unavailable; satellite phones and UHF radios recommended.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Diamantina safely and camp with care.