Discovery Parks - Ayr

Located on the Bruce Highway midway between Townsville and Bowen in tropical North Queensland, Ayr is the heart of sugarcane country and much more than a stop along your coastal road trip tour. Take the time to explore the treasures of the Burdekin region, including stunning beaches, wetlands bursting with birdlife, quaint boutiques, and one of the country’s best dive sites.

Discovery Parks – Ayr is the perfect place to base your stay, with a range of accommodation options for all kinds of holiday maker. For those arriving with the caravan, camper trailer, motorhome or tent, spacious sites are nestled among the lush tropical gardens, with drive through and larger slab sites available to suit your individual needs.  
Self-contained cabins and villas are ideal for couples, families, and groups, with well-appointed facilities and enough space to settle in, spread out and relax. If you are travelling with your four-legged family member, sites and selected cabins are pet friendly.

The park boasts a range of family-friendly facilities and conveniences so you’ll have everything you need whether your stay is short or long. Cool off in the swimming pool and spa, cook up a storm in the fully-equipped camp kitchen and BBQs or simply relax and explore the beautifully manicured grounds – nothing says tropical north Queensland like picking a mango fresh from a tree! There’s fun for the kids too, with an excellent playground and jumping pillow. Plus, with a guest laundry and kiosk for those last minute essential items, all your holiday needs are covered. 

While it’s best known for its thriving sugarcane and mango industries, the Burdekin region is perfect for nature lovers, with spectacular native wetlands, plains and stunning stretches of sandy, sparking beach. The Mount Inkerman Nature Trail is a must-do, taking you through some of the area’s best native bushland to the Mount Inkerman scenic lookout with the best views in town. Ayr’s local creeks and estuaries provide incredible nature walks and are ideal for crabbing and fishing, or spend the day at Alva Beach for fishing, crabbing or windsurfing.

The historic Burdekin Bridge (or ‘Silver Link’) spans the Burdekin River, linking the bustling townships of Ayr and Home Hill by road and rail. Head into the Ayr town centre for historic town walks, charming boutique shopping, and a growing art trail that spans both Ayr and Home Hill. Be sure to grab a photo in Plantation Park with the 60m long giant carpet snake sculpture.

For divers, Ayr is home to one of the country’s best diving locations, with the shipwreck of the SS Yongala located just 12 nautical miles from Alva Beach. The wreck is the largest intact wreck in Australian waters, and sank during a cyclone in 1911.

Further afield the Burdekin Region is on the doorstep of the iconic Great Barrier Reef. Townsville and Magnetic Island are an easy hour’s driving distance, or head out to explore the incredible coastal scenery of Cape Upstart National Park. Inland you can take in the ancient lava flows and fossilised limestone at Dalrymple National Park – this is an area with plenty to explore!