Awoonga Accommadation? (Not The Caravan Park)

[BR65]

Hi all, first visit over here to the dark side of "fishing the fresh water" and was hopeing for some help.
I am thinking about a trip up to Awoonga in October, along with half of Brisbane by the looks of it, and was looking at alternate accommadation choices to the caravan park.
I have read the threads giveing it a bagging, and had a simillar experience there last year (booked 2 sites in advance, arrived to find someone else had been allocated one of them, very crowded etc etc).
Also read about a place called Willowgrove, can any one recommend it or not, how is boat security and any other tips that they know of.
Is Willowgrove located on the highway , east side right next to the river/servo, only going on a hazy memory now.
Any thoughts would be appreciated, or should I try Mondurran (for the first time)?
Regards
Brian.

[jimbamb]

Yep thats willowgrove near the bridge on the highway.Neat park,owners helpfull access to river at back.Its about 10 k to dam but not a problem as the gates are always open at the dam now.
Its a nice place to stay..
Monduran good also.good access to water quiet and clean..Both dams are quite different so worth a visit to both.

[aussiebasser]

I highly recommend Willowgrove. Yes, east side of highway over the Boyne. Also has a ramp into the river. Under new management and undergoing some improvements soon.

[Rob_Bartlett]

I can definitely vouch for Willowgrove being a top spot to have your base camp. Airconditioned cabins and a swimming pool are really welcomed during the midday heat peak to cool down and have a sleep before chasing a few more barra into the evening. The fishing in the river behind the park is also surprisingly good. We had a ball with our bream gear with plastics on bream, jacks,trevally,moses perch, flatties small cod and a decent queenie. All this within 200m of the ramp at the back of the park.

It's only a 10 minute drive to the dam and is much more relaxed than at the dam.

Rob

[luckyone]

After fishing awoonga u can do some crabbing in the boyne river at the back of willo grove. Nothing like barra and mud crab for tea. Justwatch out for the high tides at the ramp as they cover the whole area when they come in.CHEARS................. KEITH

[mylestom]

A Couple of parks at Bernarby on the turn off with Willowgrove being the pick.

Rumour that Awoonga lease been sold, but know when the new owners will take over. Will be interesting to see what improvements are made.
But at peak times it does get a bit crowded with a bit of extra bookings being made for the number of sites.
Then you have problems with crowding and also maintenance of facilities, ie toilets showers not cleaned till late in the day. Running out of hot water. Camp kitchens especially down the back not cleaned on regular basis.

Would be pleased to be proved wrong, but so far from reports, things havent improved for the campers but the office and kiosk area and main entrance road in camp have improved.

October will be crowded anywhere you go.
But for me this time its Monduran.

Great facilities with less distance to travel.

Boat ramp in just about in Caravan park.

Also really like getting up in the sticks fishing for great barra and also some bass into the equation.

Trolling, flicking hard bodies and soft plastic with not the wind problems that you get at Awoonga.

Lots of places that aren't fished as much.

Gps and sounder are very necessary in the sticks though.

Trev
c u dere in early Oct

[jim_farrell]

Also 'Greenacres Motel Van Park'. Across the highway from willowgrove. I stayed there and couldn't fault the service. Great communal bbq kitchen area and the owners were great. Not as many facilities as willowgrove and no river at back door.
0749750136 Alan and Andrea

Jim

[BR65]

Thank you all who replied.
I have booked Willowgrove today and am looking forward to chaseing some fish in a months time.
A bit of a diversion in the salt water sounds right up my alley if the barra are quiet.
Think maybe Mondurran in November, but sounds like I will need to get a hand held GPS for the tinny first.
Again, thank you all.
Regards
Brian

[mylestom]

Even a awoonga a Gps is a great investment.
Bloody big dam and to find where the fish are or were a Gps is very helpful.
Trev

[Jeremy87]

willowgrove. short walk down to the boyne, good facilities store accross the road and the road house does an awsome works burger.

[Old__Fart]

No point in making a reservation at the Dam Park, as so many times they double book or put you in a spot no where near where you had been promised.

Dont let the poor operation of the park put you off a great fishery.

[mylestom]

Great fishery, pity that the Gladstone Area Water Board who actually own the park and lease it out don't want to do something about the park.

Have contacted the manager of GAWB and he just puts you back to the Park.

GAWB will at some time have to step up to the plate and secure their investment.


Enjoy your Fishing at Awoonga.

Maybe they will also look at the parking at the Boat ramp.

Trev

[BR65]

Cheers all,
allthough after reading some of the threads put up today, this barra fishing sounds like a cut throat sort of a game!!!!!!!!
Thought fishing was about enjoyment, chillin out and maybe catching a feed.
Dont know why peoples egos come into it.
Any ways, Im just a simple salt water boy.
Regards
Brian

[jim_farrell]

Brian, any time on the dam is enjoyable whether you catch fish or not. Have a great time mate.