The Calliope River Rest Area is one of those old favourites that have been used for decades. It is just off the Bruce Highway about five minutes north of the turnoff to Gladstone or a bout 20 mins south of Mount Larcom.
There are now two rest areas at Calliope River. One on each side of the river and since the old bridge has been closed you get to then in different ways. The one on the north side has only been recently developed and therefore has more modern facilities but as a result also has more people use it. The entrance to the north side is just south (about 400 metres) of the Calliope River bridge on the Bruce Highway. Go past the historical village and follow the signs. There is usually plenty of room there but it is also very popular in the winter with the Grey Nomads. Good facilities, some nice shade and grassy areas and a few tables and chairs. Right beside the river.
The south side area is accessed either from the town of Calliope or a bitumen road turn off going west between the Gladstone turn off and Calliope River Bridge. When you go onto the bitumen turn off go right when you get to the end, only a few hundred metres. This will take you onto the old Bruce Highway and down to the now disused bridge and the older Calliope River rest area. This area is a lot larger than the one on the northern side but had been used by travellers for many decades and it shows. It has a toilet block up at the higher lever and lots of area to camp. Some of the campsites are right on the rivers edge and some on much higher ground. Either of these places are a good place to rest for a night or more. Gladstone is about a forty minute drive away. Calliope township has reasonably good shopping. Rockhampton is a little over an hours drive north.