Where can you go camping near Brisbane? We've rounded up some of the closest camp sites, within a couple of hours drive. The most popular places include camping sites on Fraser Island, Stradbroke Island, the Sunshine Coast and Byron Bay. Book early!
In Brisbane
Travelling to Brisbane and need a spot to pitch the tent? Then there are city-based caravan parks, with camp sites.
On the northside there is Newmarket Gardens and Brisbane Northside Caravan Village. Samford Showgrounds also offer large caravan and camping sites when events aren't using the grounds.
On the southside of town, try Brisbane Holiday Village and Gateway Village Resort.
Private campgrounds
There are a number of privately-owned campgrounds that offer a bush camping experience. Some of them allow well-behaved dogs and traditional open fires (two things you can't have in a national park camping area):
- Murphy's Creek Escape, near Toowoomba
- Sharp Park River Bend County Bush Camping, near Canungra
- Kilkivan Bush Camping Park
- Thunderbird Park at Mount Tamborine
- Goomburra Valley Campground
- Binna Burra Campground - small camping area near the rainforest tracks of Lamington National Park. There are also on-site tents, perfect for those without their own gear
- Neurum Creek (near Woodford)
- Elanda Point campground (north of Tewantin at the Noosa everglades) - with large, grassy sites and canoes for hire
- Lake Somerset - camp on 45 hectares of land surrounding Somerset Dam. The dam is nice and full, promising good fishing and boating, including water skiing. It offers more of a caravan park setting than secluded camping.
National Park and State Forest camping
You'll also find many camping spots in south east Queensland's national parks and State forests. Some of them have amenities such as toilets and showers but many only have basic facilities. Check what is provided at each campsite and pack accordingly.
You can book park or forest camping sites online, via the DERM website.
North of Brisbane
There are many bushland sites perfect for a tenting holiday.
- D'Aguilar National Park, near Mt Mee - two sites are accessible by car, the others you'll need to trek to
- Mapleton Forest Reserve - 100km north of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast hinterland
- Coochin Creek - halfway to the Sunshine Coast. Take insect repellent.
- Kenilworth Forest Reserve - the Charlie Moorland site is good for caravans and conventional vehicles. You need a high clearance 4WD for Booloumba Creek.
- Cooloola National Park, at Harry's Hut and small sites up the Noosa River. Canoe and 4WD access only
- Inskip Peninsula - one section is OK for conventional cars, otherwise you need a 4WD
- Amamoor State Forest (30k SW of Gympie) - Cedar Grove and Amamoor Creek camping areas. This is where the National Country Music Muster is held each August
- Jimna State Forest
- Brooyar State Forest - Glastonbury Creek Camping (dogs allowed on leash) 2.5 hours north of Brisbane in the Mary Valley. Sites must be pre-booked.
Plus, we can't forget Fraser Island. It isn't quite close enough for a weekend trip but it is a definite must-do camping experience. There are sites right on the beach or amongst the island's amazing forests. You need a 4WD to camp on Fraser Island.
South of Brisbane
- Green Mountains, Lamington National Park (35k S of Canungra)
- Moogerah Peaks National Park - 10k W of Boonah - only a small site that needs to be booked in advance
- The Settlement campground on Springbrook Plateau, Springbrook NP (40 k south of Nerang)
And you can usually pitch a tent at any of the coastal caravan parks along the coast. Top spots include the Broadwater, Burleigh Heads and Kingscliff.
West of Brisbane
Take a look at a map and overview of national park or state forest camping in the region west of Brisbane.
- Crows Nest National Park - go bushwalking or sit beside the creek
- Main Range National Park at Spicer's Gap and Goomburra campgrounds
- The Settlement at Springbrook National Park - a grassy campground in an open area, it links to the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
- Bunya Mountains National Park (200k NW or 3 hours drive from Brisbane) The home of the enormous Bunya Pine and known for cracking-cold winters.
East of Brisbane
The islands of North Stradbroke and Moreton are really popular camping destinations. You will need to arrange a barge or ferry ticket, pre-book your site and arrange a permit for your 4WD vehicle.
North Stradbroke Island
Bribie Island, only 45 minutes north of Brisbane, offers close but basic bush camping for those with a 4WD who can access the sand tracks and beach. Permits required. There are also caravan parks if you want to camp somewhere with more facilities.
Luxury camping
We know the words 'luxury' and 'camping' aren't usually used in the same sentence, but there are places where you can indulge in an already set up tent and some fabulous spoiling...
Spicers Canopy
At Spicers Canopy, huge luxury tents include things like King-size beds, pillows, fluffy towels, armchairs and everything you need to forget you're camping!
Silk Pavilions, Mount Burrell
At Silk Pavilions in the Tweed Valley, these tents can hardly be called tents, with glamourous outdoor bathrooms and verandahs with amazing views.
Binna Burra Campsite
Binna Burra's Rainforest Campsite has pre-pitched safari tents with beds, tables and vinyl floors. It is not of luxury standard but makes for an easy camping getaway, minimal gear required.
Camping equipment
Don't get caught out in a leaky tent! Find a camping store near you.
Another possibility is to hire a camper trailer or gear for a few days. Here are the businesses that hire camping and leisure equipment.
Please note: this list of camp sites is not exhaustive for south east Queensland. Once you get out there you'll discover many more.
Where's your favourite south east Queensland campsite?
