Wake up on the ridge
Four glamping tents and a bush caravan park on 150 acres above Mareeba. Two dams, big skies and a long view over the Tablelands.
A private ridge of bush, water and sky, with room to spread out.
Mareeba Bush Stays is a family-run property in Chewko, just out of Mareeba. About 50 acres are cleared for camping and tents. The rest is left as bush, with walking tracks, a wildlife corridor and two freshwater dams.
Come for one night on the way up the Cape, or stay a week and do nothing at all.
Glamping tents
4
Powered sites
12
Unpowered camping
Plenty of room
Freshwater dams
2
Property
150 acres
To Mareeba town
8 km
Two ways to stay
Check in to a tent with a bath on the deck, or bring your own rig and set up under the gums. Same ridge, same view.
Glamping
Four safari tents with a queen bed, ensuite, kitchenette and an outdoor bath looking over the dam.
- Sleeps 2
- Air-conditioned
- Private deck and barbecue
- Linen supplied
From $260 a night
Caravan & RV
Twelve powered sites on the ridge and open unpowered camping. Big rigs welcome, pets on lead welcome.
- Drive-through sites
- Dump point
- Hot showers
- Pet friendly
Powered from $45 a night
Four tents, each with its own outlook
All four share the same fit-out. What changes is the view, the morning light and how far you are from your neighbours.
Find your way around
Tap a marker to see what is there. Tents sit on the slope above the west dam, caravan sites run along the top of the ridge.
Illustrated map, not to scale.
Glamping tents
Four architect-style safari tents on raised decks, each with its own outdoor bath, barbecue and a view down to the west dam.
- Queen bed, ensuite and kitchenette
- Spaced well apart for privacy
- Short walk to the fire pits
Powered sites
Twelve powered sites along the top of the ridge, with the widest views on the property.
- Drive-through access for big rigs
- Power and water at each site
- Level, compacted gravel pads
Unpowered camping
Open bush camping across the cleared ridge. Bring your solar and pick your own patch of shade.
- Unlimited sites, no fixed pads
- Generators allowed at set hours
- Campfires in rings provided
Amenities block
Hot showers, toilets and a camp laundry for caravan and camping guests.
- Cleaned daily
- Laundry with washer and dryer
- Accessible shower
Dump point
Black and grey water dump point near the entrance, so you can empty on the way out.
- Fresh water rinse tap
- Easy turnaround for large rigs
West dam
The lily-covered dam below the tents. Best at sunrise, when the birds are busiest.
- Brolgas, jabirus and whistling ducks
- Bench seat on the eastern bank
East dam
The larger of the two freshwater dams, ringed by melaleuca and ironbark.
- Catch-and-release fishing
- Kayaks welcome, no motors
Ridge bush walk
A marked loop along the ridge and down through the wildlife corridor. Allow about an hour.
- Wallabies at dusk
- Lookout over the Tablelands
Wildlife corridor
About 100 acres of the property is left as bush, linking the dams to the surrounding country.
- Please keep pets on lead here
- Stay on the marked track
Fire pits
Communal fire rings near the dam, with firewood bundles available to add to your booking.
- Lit after 5pm only
- Check fire bans before you light
Entry from Paglietta Road
110 Paglietta Road, Chewko. Eight kilometres from Mareeba, the last stretch is a well-graded gravel road.
- Self check-in after hours
Things to do
Plenty to do on the property, and the best of the Tablelands within half an hour.
Birdwatching on the dams On the property
Sit by the west dam at sunrise with a coffee. Jabirus, brolgas and whistling ducks are regulars, and the lilies flower most of the year.
Walk the ridge On the property
A marked loop of about an hour, along the ridge and back through the wildlife corridor. Go late in the day for wallabies.
Campfire under the stars On the property
There is no town glow out here. Light the fire ring, add a firewood bundle to your booking and look up.
Granite Gorge Nature Park 20 min
Boulder walks, swimming holes and rock-wallabies that will eat from your hand.
Mareeba Wetlands 25 min
Over 200 bird species, guided canoe trips and sunset cruises on the lagoon.
Coffee, mangoes and markets in Mareeba 10 min
Local coffee roasters, farm gates, a Saturday market and the Mareeba Heritage Museum.
Add to your stay
Add these when you book, or message us up to 48 hours before you arrive.
Breakfast pack
Local eggs, bread, Mareeba coffee, fruit and juice. Left in your fridge.
$45 per night
Firewood bundle
Dry hardwood and kindling, delivered to your fire ring.
$15
Celebration pack
Sparkling wine, local chocolates and flowers for a birthday or anniversary.
$85
Late check-out
Stay until 2pm and have one more bath on the deck.
$40
What guests say
Placeholder reviews. To be replaced with real Google reviews through a reviews feed.
Rated 5 out of 5
We had a bath on the deck while the sun went down over the dam, then sat by the fire until midnight. Best night of our whole trip.
Guest nameGlamping, month year
Rated 5 out of 5
Easy in and out with a 23 foot van. Level site, great power, and Norman knew every good spot on the Tablelands.
Guest namePowered site, month year
Rated 5 out of 5
Quiet, clean and the dog loved it. We booked two nights and stayed five.
Guest nameUnpowered, month year
Recognised and supported by
Tourism Tropical North Queensland logo
ATDW listed logo
Queensland Government logo
Coming soon
Meet on the ridge
We are building a space for small business retreats, team days and gatherings, with room for the whole group to stay. Leave your email and we will send details when bookings open.
Before you come
The questions first-time guests ask most. Still not sure? Call Norman on 0400 978 311.
What is included in a glamping stay?
Linen and towels, a kitchenette with fridge, microwave and kettle, tea and coffee, an outdoor bath, barbecue and air-conditioning. Bring your own food, or add a breakfast pack.
Will my caravan or motorhome fit?
Most likely. Powered sites are drive-through and suit setups up to 14 m including the tow vehicle. Use the rig checker to be sure.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, on caravan and camping sites, on a lead. Pets are not allowed in the glamping tents.
What is the road in like?
Sealed from Mareeba, then about 1.5 km of well-graded gravel on Paglietta Road. Fine for 2WD cars and caravans in all but heavy wet-season rain.
What are check-in and check-out times?
Check in from 2pm, check out by 10am. Self check-in is available if you are arriving late.
Getting here
110 Paglietta Road, Chewko. Head south-west out of Mareeba and you will be at the gate in about ten minutes.
- Mareeba 8 km
- Atherton 35 min
- Kuranda 40 min
- Cairns Airport 1 hr 5 min
Stay under the stars
No streetlights, no traffic, just the Milky Way over the ridge. Book direct for the best rate.