Budget Paradise

Last updated . 21 April 2020

Australian Traveller reader Jaimie Solway from Townsville has found a paradise to squeeze inside even the meanest weekend budget. Budget Paradise Bingil Bay, Far North Queensland

AT reader Jaimie Solway from Townsville has found a paradise to squeeze inside even the meanest weekend budget.

There’s a camping ground at Bingil Bay about 3km north of the well-known Mission Beach that’s described as “where the mountains meet the ocean.” For only $11 per couple per night, four of us stayed in a tent with our blow-up mattresses (and brought the dogs along as well).

We spent the afternoon walking up and down the beach, and went for a swim in the crystal clear water, with 180-degree views of the surrounding luscious green mountains. We then set up our foldout camp chairs on the beach and carried our esky well stocked with beer, wine, cheese and crackers onto the ocean front (about 50m from our tent) and watched the sun set.

Once the sun went down, we retired to our tent where we cooked up a BBQ (facilities provided at no charge), and continued drinking, laughing and playing cards until we went for a midnight dip. (Some might not recommend this due to crocodiles, but it was fun anyway!)

We awoke the next morning and unfolded the tent flap to see pristine blue ocean, green mountains and a cool breeze. We christened our brand new fishing rods, and I caught a (very small) fish on the first cast, then threw him back. Then we cooked bacon and eggs for four and drove home with the dogs in tow. I think the dogs had an even better weekend than we did chasing each other up and down the beach all day!

All in all, the trip cost us food and drink (we would have had that expense at home anyway), the cost of petrol (shared between four), bait ($8) and $11 for the campsite. Not bad for a weekend of waking up to the waves crashing 50m in front of you and turning around to be surrounded by rolling green mountains.