Groper Creek, the idyllic caravan park that's a grey nomad's dream
The Groper Creek Caravan Park attracts travellers to the banks of the Burdekin River. (Facebook: Groper Creek Caravan Park)
Tucked away in sugar cane country on the mouth of the Burdekin River is north Queensland's best kept secret — or so the locals say.
Groper Creek is home to about 50 permanent residents and a collection of weekend and holiday homes.
Every house, along with the payphone, has been built on stilts to avoid inundation from floodwaters.
The lifeblood of the small fishing village is the caravan park on the water's edge.
Even the payphone at the Groper Creek Caravan Park is on stilts. (ABC News: Lily Nothling)
Putting the little-known destination on the map has been a years-long effort by friends and park managers Jeanette Garvey and Wendy Coplick.
"We always call it our piece of paradise," Ms Garvey said.
"A lot of the locals didn't want other people to really discover us so I've got a bit of a rap over the knuckles for … promoting it."
But personal tragedy and a pandemic has made it a rollercoaster journey.
Friends Jeanette Garvey and Wendy Coplick run the Groper Creek Caravan Park. (ABC News: Lily Nothling)
A whirlwind start
Ms Garvey and her husband Danny took over running the park in 2019 after a decade living in Groper Creek.
"We knew most of the caravanners that were travelling in and out all the time … and we thought, 'we can have a go at this'," Ms Garvey said.
The business was in bad shape, the office was filthy and they were left with a bucket full of keys – some to locks that have never been found.
The park's office is full of old photos and mementos. (ABC News: Lily Nothling)
They got to work preparing the park for the tourist season but then the COVID pandemic struck.
"We spent all that time getting things schmick, up to standard and looking really great, and we were locked down," Ms Garvey said.
But Groper Creek did not stay quiet for long.
The Groper Creek Caravan Park is popular with grey nomads. (ABC News: Lily Nothling)
"When Australians weren't able to travel overseas, they all bought a van," Ms Garvey laughed.
"We had vans just lined up, lined up, lined up – they'd all come in and almost be double parked sometimes.
"It was just crazy. We were just turning people away. We just couldn't cope because we were limited as far as the spaces go."
In the months and years that followed, the couple worked around the clock to give travellers the best stay they could.
Their efforts were rewarded with tourism award nominations, glowing reviews and growing recognition for their tiny town.
Jeanette and Danny Garvey didn't expect the influx of travellers they received during the pandemic. (ABC News: Lily Nothling)
Personal tragedy
As the business was going from strength to strength, tragedy struck.
Ms Garvey's husband Danny died suddenly of a brain aneurysm in late 2022.
"We were working all over the Christmas New Year period and basically he came up the steps and just said, 'hey, I've got a headache'," she said.
"You've got your lifelong partner with you and then suddenly, they're not there."
The caravan park clings to the edge of the Burdekin River. (Facebook: Groper Creek Caravan Park)
After Danny's death, long-time friend and grounds-keeper Wendy Coplick stepped up to help Ms Garvey run the park.
"When a mate asks you something like that, under those circumstances, you don't hesitate," Ms Coplick said.
"You do what you do for mates."
Ms Garvey said continuing to work during her grief had "sort of been therapy".
Groper Creek is known for its fishing and crabbing. (ABC News: Lily Nothling)
Proving the 'knockers' wrong
Ms Coplick has been responsible for maintenance while Ms Garvey controls the bookings.
"I stay off that computer and she stays off my mower," Ms Coplick said.
"I think that's part of the reason we're such a good team."
Both women live less than 100 metres from the office.
Operating the park together has only strengthened their bond.
The phones ring hot at Groper Creek Caravan Park. (ABC News: Lily Nothling)
"We made the pact that it was both of us or none of us, and if at any point the running of the park came between our friendship, that was it, it was gone," Ms Coplick said.
"We had a lot of knockers, people who didn't think we could do it.
"A lot of people didn't think we'd be successful because we're two women."
Handing back the keys
The duo has welcomed visitors from all walks of life – from grey nomads with $200,000 caravans, to families doing the big lap of Australia, to solo travellers who just want to pitch a swag in the shade.
"We have met some fantastic people and we've made lifelong friends," Ms Coplick said.
Groper Creek is home to a big pelican population. (ABC News: Lily Nothling)
The women recently made the decision not to renew their management contract in 2025.
"It's relentless, it's 24/7, there's always work to be done," Ms Garvey said.
"[We] just feel the need that it's time for us to put our feet up and probably enjoy what all the other guys do when they come to Groper Creek."
After an unrelenting workload, Jeanette Garvey and Wendy Coplick are looking forward to retirement at Groper Creek. (ABC News: Lily Nothling)
The friends will continue living in their "piece of paradise" during retirement.
"It'll actually be nice to sit down and have a drink with Jeanette without being interrupted," Ms Coplick said.
"I'll miss [the people], but then in saying that, we live here, so we're still going to see them when they come back."