Camp Gedling

Historical

Camp Gedling was purchased in the early 1980s from the Gedling family, who were active supporters of the Ignatius Park College Community. Since then it has served the College and a range of other community organisations, businesses and individuals as a venue for educational, training and recreational activities.

The high set, weatherboard building near the camp fireplace is the original science lab from Our Lady's Mount Christian Brothers College which was located on Stanton Hill above the present city centre, before the College was relocated to Cranbrook and became the present Ignatius Park College.

Camp Gedling's thirty-year history includes some quite significant events in the development of Townsville and its hinterland. These include active use of the new Hervey Range Road officially opened in the mid-seventies, the establishment of High Range Military Training Area and a fifteen-year nickel mining operation linking the ore deposits at Greenvale to Yabulu and Townsville port. This contemporary history and the colourful pioneering background of Thornton's Gap have added value to the area as a popular tourist destination.

Features

IPC Camp Gedling is a community-friendly campsite owned and managed by Ignatius Park College and supported by 200 years of education in the Edmund Rice Tradition.

For users of the great outdoors in the Townsville and wider Charters Towers communities, Camp Gedling has a number of unique features:

Location

• For Townsville and Thuringowa users, it is only 35 minutes drive and suitable for one-day activities as well as extended overnight stays
• Charters Towers and district users have the convenience of an overnight space that provides quick access to coastal and offshore attractions, such as Magnetic Island, Great Barrier Reef Wonderland, Tropical Museum and adjacent beaches
• Camp Gedling is the closest mainland campsite to Townsville providing basic facilities with camping space for up to 70 people
• Local caterers are available to provide for some or all catering needs as well as information on the historical background of Thornton's Gap and Hervey Range
• The campsite is in a rural Australian setting of dry tropics bushland and under the care of active traditional ownership
• It is semi-remote, away from suburbia, but with relatively quick access to emergency services. An on-site caretaker is available to assist in the event of an emergency of a medical or material nature
• At an altitude of 350 metres, Camp Gedling is often considerably cooler than lower coastal areas and is situated at the top of the escarpment it very often sports an accompanying cool breeze

It has a number of significant educational opportunities that derive from its location

• Facilities are basic without ‘mod-cons' and provide a measured and safe degree of challenge to basic living activities i.e. a bush camping experience
• Water availability on the property is directly dependent on seasonal rainfall and so its conservation is a priority for all users - an excellent opportunity for a hands-on approach to developing a water-wise mentality in students and other community users
• The campsite works well for small, intense training groups e.g. sporting teams as well as for larger, general camping groups of up to 70
• The dry tropics bushland is a good resource of hands-on experiences that supplement classroom topics in Science and other related disciplines. The Spear Grass flats, escarpment and Hervey Range plateau provide obvious and useful habitat contrasts
• Hervey Range and more specifically, Thornton's Gap, have a rich pioneering heritage as the only thoroughfare in the late 19th century, linking pastoral and mining enterprises of the Burdekin Basin with Townsville. Access to some local collections of artefacts and memorabilia are available for educational purposes
• The results of a combined JCU-Thuringowa-Kirwan State High School archaeological dig conducted adjacent to Camp Gedling in 2005 are housed in the Thuringowa Central Library and are available as learning resources and for the progress of ongoing fieldwork
• By arrangement, the Traditional Owners of the area are available for educational sessions and visits that can include a range of bush skills, art and Indigenous culture
• The endangered Gulburu Gecko has recently been found in the Thornton's Gap ecosystem
• In clear weather, without the glare of suburban lights, the night sky is ideal for astronomy and navigation exercises
• The Hervey Range plateau topography offers a range of navigational challenges. Thornton's Gap, Speed Creek, the old Greenvale rail line access road and the main Hervey Range Road provide well-defined boundaries for small and focussed as well as larger, extended exercises
• Walks out to the escarpment edge and to hills west of Camp Gedling can be made by arrangement with the landowners. The old Hervey Range Road that links the Council reserve at the bottom with Pipers Lookout at the top is an easy and enjoyable two and a half-hour walk
• Excellent abseil sites are located along top of the escarpment and can be accessed with landowners' permission
• The campsite has suitable outdoor space for team building, personal development and ‘bush sports' activities.
• A communal camp fireplace that also doubles for kup-murri preparation is available
• A high challenge ropes course is available for hire by arrangement with the College
• Water holes at the highway bridge at Keelbottom Creek can be easily accessed for water based activities subject to seasonal flow in the creek

Location

Ignatius Park College - Camp Gedling is located at Hervey Range approximately 35km from Townsville on the Hervey Range Development Road. It is located on top of the range just beyond Piper's Look Out.

Accommodation

Campsite for 60 - 70 people comfortably.
Small family groups are also welcome.

Catering

Self-catering. Contact Ignatius Park College for details

Amenities

Showers and toilets (septic)
Staff quarters

Indoor facilities

Open, covered dining area and adjoining kitchen

Upstairs hall (The original Our Lady's Mount Science Lab)

Outdoor Facilities & Services

• Open areas for general activities and bush sports
• High challenge ropes course

Contact Details

Property Manager
Trevor Rethamel | Property and Services Manager
T: 4796 0222  |  M: 0417645846

Personal and professional development including team building, bushcraft and navigation is available. Please contact the College to discuss. 

Bookings

Bookings are to be submitted through the College's Event Coordinator and the Property and Services Manager.
All fields of the form must be completed and signed.

Camp Layout

• Camp Gedling is a basic camp site. As such it offers the following services only:
• Kitchen, self catering to be arranged by hirer.
• Covered dining and activity area 
• Activity Hall 
• Land Line Telephone located in Kitchen.
• Electrical Supply
• Hot Water 
• Septic Toilers ( Including disabled shower toilet block)
• Camping and outdoor activity areas 
• Regulated water supply
• Bore and Dam water are for irrigation and washing only, this water is not suitable for drinking. 

 Rainwater supply to the kitchen and dining area is filtered and treated with ultraviolet light.  Depending on usage and rainfall throughout the year, water supply may become inadequate in the drier months. 

Wildlife

• Kangaroos, dingoes, spiny anteaters and many other animals and plants are part of the attraction of Camp Gedling.  Please enjoy and protect them. 
• Taipans, Brown Snakes, Rough Scaled Snakes are some of the venomous snakes that have been seen in the area. Scorpions, Red Backed Spiders, Centipedes and wasps have also been seen on the property. 

Camp Fires

•  There is only ONE open fireplace on the property.  It is sometimes used for traditional food preparation; hence the cooking stones by the fireplace.  Please keep the stones together. 
• Fallen timber on the property has normally been sufficient for campfire activities.  To ensure adequate supply we recommend BYO. If at all possible replace the firewood used for the next group.  
• Local and state-wide fire bans are imposed occasionally. Check with the caretaker or local residents for current information.