The Ultimate Guide To Brisbane’s Top Camping Spots

We Aussies love to camp, and frankly, we don’t need much of an excuse. New Year’s Eve? Let’s camp. Boxing Day? Camping sounds good. Tuesday? Bloody oath, no one else will be there. Find your next Brisbane campsite with our ultimate guide.

We Are Explorers acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the Countries on which these adventures take place who have occupied and cared for these lands, waters, and their inhabitants for thousands of years. We pay our respects to them and recognise that sovereignty was never ceded.

If you’re based in Brissie I don’t have to tell you that there’s an absolute mountain of campsites at your fingertips. Not only are you close to stunning World Heritage-listed rainforest spots, but you’re only a stone’s throw away from stunning islands like North Stradbroke Island, Bribie Island, and Moreton Island. And Lamington National Park is a day trip well worth taking.

We’ve pulled together all our lists of the best ways and place to camp near Brisbane so you don’t need to spend hours trawling for options. Plus, aside from a handful of holiday parks on the fringe of Brisbane city, most camping spots on the below lists are only a few hours’ drive away so you can easily hit them for a weekend and still be fresh on Monday morning.

Read more: Remember to leave no trace!

The Ultimate Guide to Camping in Brisbane

Top 7 Caravan Parks Near Brisbane

Writer: Leah Furey

Relax by the pool or head out to explore Bribie Island from the local caravan park! | Photo from Bribie Island Caravan Park

Set yourself up for a camping holiday at one of these top caravan parks near Brisbane and make the most of great swimming, surfing, and fishing spots nearby!

Read more: Best Fishing Spots Brisbane

These caravan parks offer all that you need to enjoy Brisbane’s warm weather, waterways, lakes, beaches, and fresh seafood! Facilities include caravan sites, hot showers, amenities blocks, plus other accommodation options, family-friendly facilities, and great local attractions.

Best of all you can choose your own adventure! Old school camping – swimming by day and stargazing at night – or a more modern touch – swim-up bars and your morning latte, just a short stroll from your bed.

1. NRMA Lake Somerset Holiday Park

2. Big4 Sandstone Point Holiday Resort

3. Bribie Island Caravan Park

4. Scarborough Village Holiday Park

5. Jacobs Well Tourist Park

6. Brisbane Holiday Village

7. Bells Caravan Park

More Info

9 Dog Friendly Camping Spots Near Brisbane

Writer: Saphira Bloom-Quinn

Shot by Ollie Khedun

Life doesn’t get much better than sitting by a roaring campfire with your four-legged friend by your side.

These campsites are much more than just ‘dog friendly’ – they have some extraordinary highlights that are sure to impress both you and your pooch. From off-track bush bashing and climbing crags to wild swimming, excellent birdwatching opportunities, and one of the world’s rarest trees, you might be surprised at what Queensland has to offer.

Taking your doggo along is a guaranteed way to have a camping adventure you’ll never forget.

1. Glastonbury Creek Camping Area
2. Amamoor Creek Camping Area
3. Clancy’s Camping Area
4. Lions Boulevard Park
5. Wongi Waterholes Camping Area
6. Bush Camping at Cordalba State Forest
7. Bluff Creek Campground
8. Wooyung Holiday Park
9. Log Dump Camping Area

More Info

16 Best Free Camping Spots in Queensland

Writer: Amy Fairall

There’s only one thing better than camping and that’s free camping. Here are some of the best free campgrounds around Queensland, from the beach to the Outback and every camp spot in between.

Photo by Stephan Ridgway via Flickr | License

Facilities at free campgrounds vary. Some will have toilets, some won’t. Some will be easier to access than others. Some will require a booking (which you’ll be grateful about during busy periods!), while others can be claimed by whoever rocks up first.

Make sure you check the Queensland Parks for relevant alerts and warnings before you head out, and let someone know where you and your group are going.

Happy camping!

Goodbye stress | Supplied by Tourism & Events QLD

1. Babinda Rotary Park Campground
2. Boulders Rest Area
3. Bushy Parker Park Campground
4. Toomulla Beach Campground
5. Kauri Creek Campground
6. Lake Elphinstone Campground
7. Notch Point Campground
8. Fletcher Creek
9. Wuruma Dam
10. Little Yabba Creek
11. Ngumbi Campsite (Mt Joyce)
12. Cumberland Historic Mine Site
13. Julia Creek Campground
14. Redbank Park
15. Fountain Springs Rest Area
16. Mary Kathleen Ghost Town

More Info

Moreton Island Camping

Writer: Ally Burnie

@redheadinajeep

Itching for a day or weekend trip to Mulgumpin/Moreton Island? ‘Course ya are. Here’s our big, beautiful guide to Moreton Island camping and all the adventures you can have on this Queensland island.

There are five campgrounds and five beach camping zones on Moreton Island, all of which are glorious beach camping sites. There’s the North West Camping Zone and a South East Camping Zone.

What’s the difference between a campground and a camping zone?

A campground is an allocated area with basic facilities such as showers, drop toilets, and designated waste facilities located nearby, while a camping zone is a larger area spread out between two points that don’t provide facilities and offer more secluded sites.

Staying in a camping zone means you need to bring your own toilet, but you can also use the facilities at the other campgrounds.

1. The Wrecks Campground
2. Ben-Ewa Campground
3. Comboyuro Point Campground
4. North Point Campground
5. Blue Lagoon Campground
6. North East Camping Zone
7. South East Camping Zone
8. South West Camping Zone

More Info

Main Range National Park Camping

Writer: Lisa Owen

Shot by Mitchell Quin

Not only does turning your favourite hike into an overnighter give you the chance to catch an epic sunset and sunrise, but you also get to turn the bush into your home for a couple of days. I found this cracker of a campsite, in the lesser-hiked Goomburra section of the Main Range National Park, with a ‘bush loungeroom’ view that can’t be beat.

The hike to this Main Range National Park campsite isn’t too strenuous as you start above 1000m elevation, however, there are technical elements of this hike so it’s really only suitable for skilled and experienced hikers. You’ll need sound navigational skills too as it’s easy to lose the footpad in this part of the Main Range National Park.

You also must be comfortable bush-bashing and negotiating narrow razorback ridgelines.

More Info

Mt Joyce is Brisbane’s Most Underrated Campground

Writer: Saphira Bloom-Quinn

@hikertrashling

I last did the Mt Joyce summit back in 2017, and thought it was a pretty good hike with a nice big campsite. Last year, I wanted to catch the southern Delta Aquariids meteor show, so I returned to Mt Joyce because it’s a short drive from the city, with free (yes, free) camping, and well-suited for stargazing.

As it turned out, my memory had not done the Ngumbi Base Camp at Mt Joyce justice – it’s an absolute banger of a campground with heaps of surrounding microadventures. I was quickly left wondering why I hadn’t been back sooner.

The walk to Ngumbi Base Camp is beginner-friendly with limited elevation and very wide tracks. More experienced hikers can make this microadventure more challenging by taking the steep return trip to the Mt Joyce summit.

The campsite has full facilities (rainwater tank, bench, and toilet), and with an old school building at the site, you don’t even need to pack a tent. Although Ngumbi Base Camp is just a two-hour walk-in from the carpark, you’ll feel worlds away.

More Info

Easy 4WD Tracks in Brisbane (Some With Camping!)

Writer: Ally Burnie

@rubywood

Looking for easy 4WD tracks near Brisbane (that are still bloody awesome and fun as heck)? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a new 4WD enthusiast or just looking for an easy track to do, we’ve got you sorted.

The good news is there are countless beginner and easy 4WD tracks near Brisbane for you to enjoy, and we’ve rounded them up in this neat little list. Most of them can be added onto a camping trip and have campsites nearby so you can get two days of 4WDing instead of one – win!

1. North Stradbroke Island
2. Mount Mee Forest Drive
3. Condamine River Track
4. Moreton Island
5. Janowen Hills 4WD Park

More Info

8 Best Campgrounds in Queensland From Cape York to the Sunshine Coast

Writer: Eva Davis-Boermans

Whether it’s a remote escape in ancient rainforests, a beach camping getaway, or a sunny spot near the Great Barrier Reef, Queensland has some of the best camping sites in Australia.

Remember to always check camping fees before you leave, book campsites where necessary, and stock up on water and other supplies. From the Gold Coast to the Great Barrier Reef, there’s no shortage of incredible places to camp and adventure.

1. Cooloola Recreation Area – Sunshine Coast Beach Camping
2. Big Crystal Creek Campground – Paluma Range National Park
3. Babinda Boulders Free Campground – Rainforest Camping Near Cairns
4. Notch Point Free Camp – Mackay Region
5. Booloumba Creek – Conondale National Park
6. Cathedrals on Fraser – K’gari UNESCO World Heritage Site
7. Whitsunday Islands – Great Barrier Reef Camping Sites
8. Seisia Holiday Park – Cape York Peninsula

More Info

FAQs Camping in Brisbane

Is Ocean Beach a good place to go camping during the school holidays?

One of the best camping spots in the state, this one is located in Bribie Island National Park and is a great pick for a school holiday camping adventure. Some of the camping spots are only accessible by 4WD so they’ll be less crowded too.

Lamington National Park, Binna Burra, Lake Moogerah, and Cylinder Beach on North Stradbroke Island are also great spots to get away with the family over summer.

How do you choose a good camping spot?

The ideal spot is going to look different to every camper so the best thing to do is ask yourself a bunch of questions to help narrow down your preferences.

• Do you need bathroom facilities or drinking water from a tap?
• What kind of camp set up do you have?
• Do you prefer forest, beach, lake, or city vibes?
• Does driving over sand dunes sound more appealing than outdoor activities like fishing, wandering through subtropical rainforests, swimming, or hiking?
• Do you want beach access from your tent?
• Do you enjoy sleeping in a tent or are cabins more appealing? Maybe glamping is your style?
• Do you want to feel a million miles away with only a short drive, or actually drive across half of Queensland?

Are campsites an option at Brisbane Holiday Village?

Yes, you can stay in a campsite, cabin, glamping tent, or even BYO caravan to Brisbane Holiday Village resort-style holiday park.

How much does a camping holiday cost?

Whoa big question. This can vary widely. If you take advantage of free campsites, bring food from home, and already have a tent and camping gear… all you’ll be paying for is petrol.

On the other hand, if you decide to go to a holiday park during summer when school’s out… you’ll need a bit more saved. Prices are really variable at holiday parks so check out a few you’re interested in to get an idea of your savings target. Also, consider the cost of basic groceries. These will be cheaper on the mainland, and more expensive offshore at places like North Stradbroke Island.

How to find free campsites Australia?

One of the best ways to find campsites with no camping fees in Australia is to use one of the many websites and apps that are popular for this purpose. A good one is WikiCamps.

Is wild camping illegal in Queensland?

You cannot wild camp in Queensland so you must camp in designated campsites

Can you camp on Bribie Island?

Yep, camping is available on Bribie Island at Ocean Beach, Gallagher Point, and Poverty Creek. Bribie Island is also a popular spot for 4WD adventures along Ocean Beach.

Day Trips From Brisbane

• 21 Best Outdoor Activities In Brisbane
• Guide To The Best Swimming Holes In Brisbane
• Hiking Queensland’s 10 Great Walks in 10 Days
• Beginner Climbing Spots in Brisbane

Feature image by Tourism & Events QLD