15,500+ Campsites Verified By Aussie Campers Over 30 Years
15,500+ Campsites Verified By Aussie Campers Over 30 Years
Camps Australia Wide
Queensland’s national parks hold some of the finest camping in the country, from beachfront sites to remote gorges and forest clearings. Most need a booking and a permit, and facilities range from full to none. We have been checking camps around Queensland since 1992, so the guidance here comes from travellers who have actually been there.
National park camping in Queensland
Below is our guide to national park campsites across Queensland, grouped by region and by season. When you are planning the trip, CAMPS 13 lists national park campsites right around the country, and the Camps Australia Wide App puts Personally Checked sites, with GPS coordinates and offline maps, in your pocket.
We are adding our favourite Personally Checked Queensland national park campsites to this page. In the meantime, CAMPS 13 lists national park campsites across the state, and the Camps Australia Wide App helps you find and map verified sites as you travel.
Queensland is a big place, so timing shapes both the weather and how busy it gets. Here is the rough rhythm of the year.
While the southern states rug up, the northern dry season turns on warm days and mild nights. This is peak season for the tropical coast and the outback, so northern spots fill early and prices lift. Book ahead for the popular ones.
Good for: Tropical North, the North Queensland coast and outback stopovers.
From late spring the tropical north gets hot and sticky, with storms and the odd road closure. This is a good time for the southern coast, the rivers and the ranges, quieter outside the school holidays. Keep an eye on Christmas and Easter, busy statewide.
Good for: South East Queensland, the Southern Queensland Country and the Capricorn coast.
Queensland breaks roughly into these travelling regions. Here is the lay of the land, then open the Camps Australia Wide App or CAMPS 13 to find sites in the area you are headed.
Around Cairns, Port Douglas and the Atherton Tablelands, handy for the reef, the rainforest and the Daintree.
Townsville, the Whitsundays and Mackay, with easy access to the islands and the beaches.
Winton, Longreach and Barcaldine, big-sky country with long, quiet stretches between towns.
Rockhampton, Yeppoon and Agnes Water, a natural stop on the run up the coast.
The Western Downs, Chinchilla and the Granite Belt, quieter and often better value.
Within reach of Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and the hinterland.
Fresh from our blog. These update on their own as we publish new Queensland stories, so the page never goes stale.
Prefer a book on the dash? CAMPS 13 is our go-to for free and low-cost camping right around the country, including national park campsites, all personally checked.
Shop CAMPS 13
The Camps Australia Wide App finds Personally Checked sites near wherever you are, works offline when you lose coverage, and lets you filter for your setup. It is $14.99 a year, and most travellers tell us it pays for itself on the first night of the trip.
Get the Camps Australia Wide AppA little planning goes a long way. A few simple habits help every time.
Yes, Queensland has many national park campgrounds, from drive-in sites with facilities to remote bush camps. Most are managed by the state parks service and many require a booking and a fee.
Usually yes. Most Queensland parks require a camping permit or online booking before you arrive, and vehicle entry fees may apply. Sort it before you go, as reception is often poor in the park.
Fees are generally modest and set by the parks service, charged per site or per person, sometimes plus a park entry fee. Check the official parks website for current rates.
Usually not. Dogs are restricted in most national parks to protect wildlife. Look for nearby state forests or reserves if you are travelling with a pet, and check the rules first.
It ranges from toilets, water and fireplaces at popular sites to nothing at all at remote ones. Come self-sufficient, check fire rules, and carry out what you carry in.
Heading across the border? We have it covered there too.
Wherever the road takes you in Queensland, we hope you find a cracking spot and love it out there. For new sites as we check them, our free weekly newsletter is well worth a look.
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