Off-Grid Drive Vibes on the Isaac Coast
A 3-day high-clearance coastal loop south of Mackay
This one isn’t for hatchbacks. It’s for well-packed rigs, recovery boards, extra water, tide charts bookmarked and fuel tanks topped up.
Starting in Mackay, this three-day adventure heads south toward St Lawrence before looping back north along the rugged Isaac Coast. Bitumen gives way to gravel and sand as wetlands and grazing country shift to remote beaches and tidal headlands.
It’s the Isaac Coast the slow way. Off-grid, tide-aware and best enjoyed over a few days before rolling back into Mackay dusty, salty and very satisfied.
Day 1 – Bitumen fades, wetlands glow
Mackay → St Lawrence
Ease into the off-grid rhythm.
Head south from Mackay along the Bruce Highway and turn off toward St Lawrence. It’s an easy detour and a good first reset before things get rougher.
On the way down the coast, BarraCrab Caravan Park, about 25 minutes north of St Lawrence, is worth keeping in mind for a beachfront stay if you feel like stretching the trip out a little longer.
Base yourself at the St Lawrence Recreation Reserve. It’s two-wheel-drive friendly, spacious and well maintained, with hot showers and room for big rigs. Consider it your last comfortable night before the real remote begins.
Spend the afternoon wandering to the St Lawrence Wetlands. Nationally recognised and seasonally alive with birdlife, this place is about stillness and scale. Depending on the time of year, you might see migratory species, raptors or thousands of birds lifting across the plains at sunset.
Big skies. Long light. A proper exhale before tomorrow’s tracks.
Day 2 – High clearance required
St Lawrence → Cape Palmerston National Park
Today the disclaimer matters.
Access to Cape Palmerston National Park is strictly high-clearance 4WD. Soft sand, tidal sections, washouts and narrow tracks mean preparation is non-negotiable. Check tides. Check weather. Carry recovery gear. Travel smart.
Turn off near Ilbilbie and head east. From the park boundary, allow around 45 minutes just to reach Cape Creek camping.
And then, it opens up.
Windswept headlands. Mangroves and swamps. 344-metre high Mount Funnel rising above 7,200 hectares of protected wilderness. Beaches that stretch uninterrupted, part of the greater Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
Camp at Windmill Bay, Cape Creek or Clark Bay (permit required). There are no facilities. No water. No bins. This is self-sufficient camping in its purest form. If you prefer a base with amenities before or after heading into the park, Cape Palmerston Holiday Park offers an easy coastal stop with powered sites, cabins and direct beach access.
Spend the day beach driving (tide aware), fishing or crabbing (croc and stinger aware), or scrambling up the cape for sweeping views toward the Northumberland Islands.
It’s raw. Exposed. Spectacular.
Day 3 – Remote, raw and worth it
Cape Palmerston → Notch Point
If you thought yesterday felt remote, Notch Point dials it up again.
Tucked along the Isaac Coast near Cape Palmerston, Notch Point (within Yarrawonga Reserve) is one of Queensland’s most scenic free camps and one of its least forgiving if you’re under-prepared.
The turn-off from the highway south of Sarina leads to unsealed roads, sandy sections and narrow tracks that demand high clearance and patience. After rain or around high tide, expect slow going.
There are zero facilities here. No potable water. No power. No rubbish collection. Stock up beforehand at the Ilbilbie Roadhouse and bring everything you need.
Once set up, it’s pure Isaac Coast magic – rolling green hills meeting blue ocean, cattle wandering past camp, dolphins offshore and prime fishing for whiting and flathead.
Swimming? No. This is crocodile country. Respect the signs. Fish smart. Camp smart.
Notch Point isn’t for everyone. And that’s exactly why it’s the perfect way to end this drive.
Before You Go
- High-clearance 4WD essential for Cape Palmerston and Notch Point
- Check tide times before beach driving
- Carry extra water, fuel and recovery gear
- Permits required for camping inside Cape Palmerston National Park
- Leave the Toyota Yaris at home
And for those who want to swap the remote camps for a few creature comforts on the way back north, the team at Cape Palmerston Holiday Park at Clairview offers an easy coastal reset with beachfront sites, hot showers and a cold drink within reach.