The property
A private ridge of bush, water and sky, 8 km from Mareeba.
About us
Mareeba Bush Stays is a family-run property in Chewko, just out of Mareeba. Norman and the family live on site, so there is always someone around to point you to the best spot for a sunset or the quickest way into town.
We built it for the kind of stay we like ourselves: plenty of room, a quiet night and the bush on your doorstep, without having to rough it.
Property facilities
Everything on the ridge, from the powered sites to the redclaw in the dams.
- Powered sites (12)
- Unpowered sites
- Glamping tents (4)
- Big rig friendly
- Drive-through sites
- Dump point
- Toilets and showers
- Laundry
- Camp kitchen
- BBQ area
- Fire pits
- Drinking water
- Mobile reception
- Generators permitted
- Pet friendly (policy to confirm)
- Management on site
- Gravel internal roads
- 150-acre private property
- 50 acres of cleared space
- Ridge-top views
- Bush walking tracks
- Two freshwater dams
- Fishing and redclaw
- Wildlife corridor
- Birdwatching
- 8 km from Mareeba
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
Room to spread out
The property covers 150 acres. About 50 are cleared for the tents and campsites, and the rest is left as bush, with walking tracks and a wildlife corridor linking the two freshwater dams.
Bring a rod for the redclaw, a pair of binoculars for the birds, and a jumper for the cool Tablelands nights in winter.
Why we are different
Most caravan parks put you in rows. Here the sites follow the ridge, the tents are spread down the slope, and the bush is left to do its thing. You get the space and quiet of a bush camp, with hot showers, a camp kitchen and someone on site who knows the area.
See it from above
More about us
Have a special date coming up?
A birthday, an anniversary or just a weekend for the two of you. Stay with us, and add a celebration pack so it is waiting when you arrive.