Here are a few of the veteran retreats around Australia- Enjoy the hospitality and the camaraderie:
Standown Park (Tin Can Bay)
91 Radtke Road, Kia Ora (halfway between Gympie and Tin Can Bay).
- Power
- water
- pets
- open fire
- showers / toilets / disable facilities
- coin laundry
- secure off the highway
- restful surrounds
- no cabins / onsite vans
Discount for veterans.
Contact owners Rod (ex 9RAR) and Pam Elkington (07) 5486 5144 or 0417 718 127.
Website www.standown.com.au
Cockscomb Veterans Camp (Central Queensland)
Set in the hills on the southern side of Mt Wheeler. Road access by two-wheel drive vehicles and only 30 minutes from Rockhampton. Cockscomb provides a quiet place away from the city, away from all mod cons, a quiet relaxing place to go when you want to get away and get back to some basic living and quality time.
When staying overnight, you will require your sleeping bag, camp stretcher, swag or hammock if you intend to sleep outside and a torch, matches, food and a rubbish bag, mosquito repellent and your medication. There is no electricity, although there is a limited 12V battery source from solar for lighting and a generator.
There is 3G digital mobile phone access in some areas on the site. While water is a available, it is limited. Bulk storage in three 15,900 litre poly tanks and various smaller poly tanks.
Caretaker:
Phone 04 7559 1027
Pandanus Park (Far North Queensland)
Follow the three red stripes from Mareeba, no facilities, take all and remove your rubbish. This is an isolated retreat in Cape York. Check out the website….. www.pandanuspark.com.au and you will learn all about it. It is the most peaceful of places, and they have a very moving Service at dawn on Long Tan Day.
Sapphire Gemfields (Central West)
Located behind the post office at the RSL. Power, toilets, showers, water, and barbecue are available. The Club bar is open Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. $5.00 per night
Contact Peter Johnson (ex 6RAR) 0439 797 175
Alaric Outback Retreat Inc formally known as Alaric Vietnam Veterans Retreat
For 14 years a block of grazing land and a 100-year-old homestead in Queensland’s outback 1,000 km from Brisbane has become a peaceful refuge for ex-service people who want to get away from it all.
Alaric Outback Retreat is on a remote outback station of nearly 50,000 hectares nearly 100 km north of Quilpie. Its aim is to provide a secure and relaxing haven for veterans of all conflicts. There are no formal activities – visitors can do as much or as little as they want. But there is a lot on offer for those who wish it, including opal fossicking, fishing, watching some of the 160 identified bird species, yabbying, reading, bush walking, watching television or just relaxing with nature. Organised day excursions are also available, at no cost, to Adavale, the recently opened Hell Hole National Park and working opal mines. Its very remoteness is part of the attraction. It is a retreat where Veterans of all conflicts can come for a day or a week or whatever. It is not a permanent residence, apart from a fulltime caretaker and a rostered duty officer who will also assist the caretaker. Agencies that offer counselling are available and will be encouraged to attend the retreat as and when needed by veterans.
Alaric Outback Retreat Inc is a Not-For-Profit organisation run entirely by volunteers who themselves are veterans and the organisation does not have any paid employees. The organisation is run entirely off donations from corporations, RSL Clubs, individuals and visitors to the retreat by way of compensation for their accommodation, meals and or power if utilised or required.
Donations encouraged from visitors who utilise the retreat facilities are very modest and are:
Special $50.00 per day includes accommodation, all meals.
An exciting expansion of activities is now available and being canvassed to ALL Services people – current and former members of the Defence Forces, State and Federal Police, Fire Brigade, Ambulance and State Emergency Services and their respective families.
In furtherance of the stated Objects of Alaric Outback Retreat Inc, its purpose is to advance social and public welfare by providing: (See Clause 3 and 3A of the Retreat’s Constitution)
- A temporary residential respite facility to assist members of the Services and their families with a physical or mental disability;
- A temporary residential facility where mid and body can rest and heal;
- Activities and opportunities for members of the Services and their families with a physical or mental disability to interact with other people and have the same life experiences as people who do not have a physical or mental disability.
Contacts:
- Phone. 0745301001
- Email. [email protected]
- Alaric Brochure
Rocky Creek War Memorial Park (North Queensland)
This camp spot is located at Tolga. The Atherton Shire Council maintains it. There is a 72-hour limit and a gold coin donation. There are toilets, barbecue, and non- potable water. It is a memorial site to all soldiers, who trained on the tablelands before being sent overseas. There is a caretaker on site.
Zac’s Place (Townsville)
Located on 715 Ross River Road, Kirwan, Townsville, run by VVAA Qld Branch. There is accommodation for up to 11 people with all facilities. Tariff is $25.00 for accommodation, breakfast and light lunch.
Contact manager Mrs Margaret Standfast
- Ph. (07) 4773 6980 or
- A/H (07) 4723 7022
Homestead Caravan Park (Central West)
Located along the Landsborough Highway at Barcaldine. Every day in the late afternoon during winter your hosts Ben and Thanh prepare the campfire with damper and billy tea proved prepared the old bush way. Entertainment nightly. They always have something special on for Vietnam Veterans Day 18th August. Cabins available.
For Reservations ph.
Ben or Thanh on (07) 4651 1308
Camp Gregory Veterans Retreat (Wide Bay Region)
The retreat is located on a 16-hectare property owned by Mr Roger Dwyer (168 Darville Rd WOODGATE QLD, 4660) allows for veterans to bring their own caravans and tents. The retreat also offers accommodation facilities in the form of dongas, a camp kitchen, bathrooms, and other shared facilities. You can visit the website at https://campgregoryveterans.com/
Contact (Day time phone calls only please):
- Kit (Brian) Camp Caretaker – 0499 728 800. It is preferred you contact Kit (Brian) on his mobile for Camp Visits.
- Roger Dwyer – (07) 4129 4030
- Simo – (07) 4126 2405
- Email: [email protected]
Raymond Deed Retreat (South West NSW near Mildura)
This retreat is located at Dareton. There is power, water, and pets OK for $10.00 per night.
Phone the caretakers
Col and Robyn Dunkley (03) 5027 4983
Murraguldrie Veterans Retreat
This retreat is run by VVAA South West NSW Sub Branch and is located on the edge of the Murraguldrie State Forest about a forty minute drive from Wagga Wagga, approximately seven kilometres from the Hume Highway, and turn off point to Tumbarumba on the Tumbarumba Road.
The retreat is a “Bush retreat” which has a shelter shed with some kitchen facilities, toilet/shower block and newly completed caravan parking area with separate area which can be used by camper trailers and tents. There is no power available but there is provision to plug in a generator for lights in the shelter shed and toilet areas. As the only water available is tank water, could you please arrive with full water tanks if possible, we also have hot water “Donkey” for showers.
This retreat is now open all year round as we are subject to fire bans there is ‘NO LIGHTING OF SOLID FUEL FIRES ON TOTAL FIRE BAN DAYS’ there is a BBQ in the shelter shed but you will need gas bottle (POL connector)
Please note the gate is locked.
Visitor Contact:
- Retreat Manager Les White 0428 226 097 or
- Tony Pearson 0401 100 514
- GPS: S35.50270° E147.42462°
Cockatoo Rise
Cockatoo Rise Retreat is situated 5.75 klms from Bairnsdale in the Gippsland lakes region. The retreat has powered caravan sites with water, all supplied, camping sites at ” Diggers ” barby , toilet and water plus shelter. A 9 hole golf course is available for those who want to have some fun . The golf course is available to travelling Vets and partners with all RSL members . A donation to help with running costs is appreciated . The Gippsland lakes has magnificent fishing with the sea and rivers also near by Bairnsdale has a very good shopping centre with all facilities. Telephone bookings Greg 0409418332. Dogs allowed by discussion with Greg. Website https://cockatooriseretreat.com.au
For a look at Cockatoo Rise, Channel 9 (A Current Affair) screened this program on ANZAC Day 2019:
https://www.9news.com.au/national/a-current-affair-anzac-day-cockatoo-rise-veterans-sanctuary-retreat-latest-news-australia/e0e2f8a6-6f7b-4bc7-b6da-716191866e70
Bubblagowrie Vietnam Veterans Village
Located between Stansbury and Giles Point Yorktown. Three Veteran Museums – $5.00 admission. Cabins $40.00 per night, vans $8.00 per night. There is power, water, restaurant, and vets memorial plot.
Contact owner Chris Soar (ex vet of Malaya):
- (08) 8853 4379 or
- 0419 853 294
Camp Andrew Russell
This camp is in South Australia and is located 35km South East of Loxton along the Murray Bridge Road, turn left (or right if coming from Adelaide) onto the Lameroo Road, taking the right fork along the road. The entrance is marked with a cream tractor tyre, just past a road sign.
You will need a key for access and thus need to contact John Hough (mobile) 0409 098 093
Contacts for Camp:
- Phil Scroop 0418835516,
- Tony Moody 0417824872
- John Hough 0409 098 093
Tasmania Veterans Retreat (Interlaken Retreat)
Offers house accommodation in the remote Central Highlands area, 20 minutes from Bothwell. $30.00 per double + $5.00 per extra person.
For Bookings Robin O’Connor
(03 6224 0881)
Camp Hart
Camp Hart is a combination of private and crown land vested with the Shire of Kulin. It is situated 3.5 hours south east of Perth, and 14kms east of Kulin. Camp Hart is a memorial park located next to Lake Jilakin and in the shadow of Jilakin Rock. It offers shade, ablution block, sheltered barbecue and bush kitchen.
Donations are welcome. Open to all ADF Veterans.
All inquiries are to be made to Roger Lingard
(08) 9527 8000 or 0419 944 627.
Paddy’s Flat, Meekatharra
Resort style facility with unit accommodation including a community kitchen, laundry, large swimming pool and BBQ area.
For booking information call:
Chris Atkins Caretaker and veteran on (08) 9980 1220
Bruce Rock
Situated 254 Km from Perth in the wheat belt. Vets always welcome but each year in November they conduct a Vietnam Veterans activity.
Most stay at the Bruce Rock Caravan Park
Ph. (08) 9061 1070
Meentheena Veterans Retreat
Situated in the heart of the Pilbara in Western Australia, Meentheena has so many things to offer for those who have an appreciation for wide open spaces, rugged and colourful landscapes, pristine billabongs, beautiful flora and fauna, stunning sunsets and the kind of silence that can only be found in the outback.
For further information regarding your visit to Meentheena or any other inquiries you may have, please send us an email or contact the following people:
- Office Phone: 0429 054 446,
- Email: [email protected]
- Postal Address: VRWA Inc.
- PO Box 15, Mandurah, 6210
Roper Retreat
Same as for Pandanus Park; take only photos, leave no footprints. Located 31 km along the Northern Territory Highway, turn north at Elsey Station sign, 3 km along you pass the Manager’s House and just 5km you reach the Roper.
- PH Tony 0401 100 514 or
- Jimbob 0419 414 209
Coral House
Located 107 Bagot Rd, Ludmilla run by VVAA NT.
Shared kitchen facilities, laundry and bathroom, linen, TV in common room three shared bedrooms providing seven beds.
Contact manager Jack Hamilton on
Ph. 8948 0050.
Darwin Retreat
About 1.5 hours’ drive from Darwin is a place called Pioneer Beach, western side of Cox Peninsula. The actual site used by the Vets is back from the beach about 5km in from the turn off that continues to Mandorah