Free camping sites in Queensland

Camping and caravanning is one of the more rewarding ways to explore and experience a place. This is especially true in a country famous for the great outdoors.

There are plenty of free campsites tucked away around Queensland – but if you don’t know where they are you can easily miss them. People often assume that it won’t be difficult to find a place to stopover on a budget but soon discover it can be a lot more expensive than anticipated. Or worse, they can’t find somewhere to stop and continue driving when they are tired.

Here’s a preview of free Queensland campsites we have found during our travels, discover more with our App and comprehensive Camps Guidebooks.

Lauren, Sean, Izzy and Blair welcome campers and are looking forward to reopening the Toompine Hotel

Free camping is open: Toompine Hotel, Queensland

Lauren, Sean, Izzy and Blair welcome campers and are looking forward to reopening the Toompine Hotel Great news for Toompine Hotel, south of Quilpie, Queensland – camping is still open, renovations continue for the family friendly pub and a Christmas surprise! Update: Great news – the bar and cafe are now open – order a pub feed when you are there! We drove past Toompine last winter, south of Quilpie, and checked that the hotel was still closed. Publicans, Stu and Lauren Bond updated us today. Lauren said, “Unfortunately we are still restoring the hotel. Camping is always open. There

Read More »
Fishermans Rest Mitchell, Queensland

Fishermans Rest Mitchell, Queensland

What an awesome free camp, located 5.5km west of Mitchell in Queensland. There is plenty of room in this grassy riverside camping area along the banks of the Maranoa River. We did attempt a bit of fishing but as usual we had no luck. For those with a boat, there is a boat ramp here. There is a drop toilet, some rubbish bins and also a shaded picnic table. This free camp was very relaxing and one that we will definitely visit again. For more information check out the CAMPS guide books, new CAMPS Pendium boxed set and CAMPS AUSTRALIA WIDE App. If

Read More »
Sandy Creek Pub, Queensland

FREEDOM CAMP OF THE MONTH – Sandy Creek Pub, Queensland

There were still a few campers around, and a couple of vans leaving when we dropped into Sandy Creek Pub, last week. You camp in the grassy paddock next door with some farm animals, and enter via a gate. The pub is not far from the Cunningham Highway, near Warwick in Queensland’s Darling Downs. We loved the sign here about patronising the hotel. The site is for patrons only, with a donation for charity and a fee for a shower. But it is great to find this freedom camp here, because the only other options in Warwick, are caravan parks.

Read More »
Mount Britton, Queensland - Image Bert Scott

History and views at freedom camp, Mount Britton, Queensland

Mount Britton, Queensland – Image Bert Scott Mount Britton is an abandoned gold mining town, founded in 1880 and noted to be a ‘spooky’ yet very interesting site. Mount Britton is 42 km north west of Nebo, or 122 km south west of Mackay, in north Queensland. When visiting, it is hard to believe that in the goldmining era in 1883, Mount Britton was a thriving township with a population of 1500 and services that included; a post and telegraph office, lands office, school of the arts, numerous hotels, stores, butcher and baker. By 1884, the town was declining with

Read More »
QLD Cunningham Highway (The Pocket Reserve)

Cunningham Highway (The Pocket) Reserve, Queensland

Cunningham Highway (The Pocket) Reserve is free, pet friendly with a bonus of water views and birdlife. It was our first night camping of our Outback Queensland trip, and we were on route to Cloncurry – via Goondiwindi, Carnarvon Gorge, Winton, Longreach, and more. Our youngest, a 15-year-old, was watching a footy game – as he was in our local footy tipping comp. We turned off the highway, and as we drove a couple of hundred metres down to the water, he and his brother squealed – it’s SOS only, Dad. They were talking about their mobile range. Of course,

Read More »
Marg McIntosh Park Widgee QLD

Camp at Marg McIntosh Park, Widgee, Queensland

The Gympie Region in Queensland have doubled their free and budget options for RV travel and camping! Marg McIntosh park is pet friendly, allows free RV overnights and has: Toilets BBQs Picnic tables Mobile coverage Shade It is suitable for big rigs, caravans, motorhomes and camper trailers (self contained) with a stay limit of 20 hours – but hopefully this will be extended when the Gympie RV strategy is implemented. The camp is located beside a road, and water – so does have great views! Widgee also has a showground you can camp at, closer to the town. Find more free and budget

Read More »
Proposed Tin Can Bay freedom RV park moved out of town

Proposed Tin Can Bay freedom RV park moved out of town

Great that a new freedom RV site is planned for Tin Can Bay, Queensland BUT the draft presented to Gympie Regional Council late last year proposed the more convenient site as the Depot off Coral Trout Drive (pictured). Council officers said it was visible, not used for any other purpose, was not in proximity of houses and only 200m to shops. We did a site visit and noted it was a large flat area, also in walking distance to Tin Can Bay Inlet. The local councillor suggested there was the potential for misuse and compliance issues and a larger site

Read More »
Dumaresq River Texas Queensland

Dumaresq River Free Camp and Queensland Rabbit Works at Texas, Queensland

Dumaresq River image from the Camps Australia Wide App Travel ‘Deep in the heart of Texas’…. Texas, Queensland – that is! The camping area at Dumaresq River is actually just south of town and unique – as you are perched right on the state border. Step over either bridge and you are in NSW! Pet and Big Rig friendly, this site has a 14 day limit and is for self contained vehicles only. Bonuses include level grassy areas, wooden BBQs and rubbish bins. Be sure to leave a donation in the box at the shed. Drive over the cattle-grid for riverside

Read More »
Free camp oasis at Leichhardt Falls, Queensland - Image Julie Holt

Free camp oasis at Leichhardt Falls, Queensland 

This is a very popular and scenic stop along the Queensland Gulf section of the Savannah Way. Best for self contained vehicles as there are no facilities – it is free and pet friendly. Make sure you leave no trace when you leave. The rocky plateaus and water provide great photo opportunities and exploring. Water levels will vary depending on the season. Julie Holt sent in these photos and told us, “The birdlife was amazing. The birds and wildlife were so natural, even though the cockatoos were noisy. Lucky for me I could take my hearing aids out to sleep!”

Read More »

Shop Australia’s #1 free & budget Campsite Guides

Download our App & put all these sites in your pocket!

Discover tips, reviews & ideas for your next adventure

Subscribe to our Email Newsletter

Stay up to date with our free weekly email newsletter and get the latest travel tips, reviews and news straight to your inbox.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly Newsletter and receive

15% Off

your next order in our Online Shop!