Affordable Queensland campground options
A survey conducted during 2022 indicated that the majority of CMCA members don’t like to fork out much for campgrounds. So, with plenty of you flocking to the northern states for winter, I decided to conduct some extensive research into Queensland’s most affordable and appealing campgrounds that are, ideally, in close proximity to towns and national parks. Here is the top dozen sites.
NORTH
Saunders Beach
The beach campgrounds around the city of Townsville — home to the new Museum of Underwater Art and gateway to Magnetic Island and the Great Barrier Reef — have been attracting travellers wishing to escape the chilly winter months down south since, well, forever really. Close to the mouth of the Althaus Creek, overlooking the Coral Sea, the shady campground at Saunders Beach has proven to be a popular place for stays of up to 48 hours. All sites are unpowered and must be reserved through the Townsville City Council website. RVs of all sizes are permitted. The Saunders Beach Bistro & Pizzeria comes highly recommended and is within walking distance of the campground.
Facilities: Toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, rubbish bins, barbecues. Pets are permitted. Telstra reception. Cool ocean breezes.
Cost: Free
Web: https://townsville.bookable.net.au
Saunders Beach, north of Townsville. Image: Tracey Harrison-Hill
Babinda Boulders
At 1611m, Mount Bartle Frere ranks as Queensland’s highest mountain. It is located inland from Innisfail in one of the wettest regions in Australia. Unsurprisingly, there’s plenty of water run-off from the mountain, helping to nourish the many sugar cane farms sprawled across the surrounding region. One such run-off is the fast-flowing Babinda Creek, which pauses momentarily to pool around a collection of smooth granite boulders named, imaginatively, as the Babinda Boulders.
Daytrippers from Cairns frequently make the journey south here to swim and kayak in and around these refreshing pools. But the real magic hour happens after they’ve all disappeared back to their hotels and backpacker hostels further north. A council-owned campground that’s just a short walk to the swimming hole and lookout points allows for stays up to 72 hours, with 13 unpowered — but spacious — sites capable of accommodating larger RVs. Get in early, though, as it fills up quickly. To avoid disturbing other campers, generators are banned between 8pm and 8am, and dogs are prohibited. It’s a pity the same ban doesn’t apply to hazardous March flies.
Facilities: Toilets, cold showers, picnic tables, rubbish bins, kid’s playground.
Cost: Free
Web: www.babindainfocentre.com.au
Babinda Boulders is a beautiful spot to swim and kayak. Image: Tourism and Events Queensland
CMCA RV Park Ingham
Though it’s a little inland from the coast, Ingham is close to Hinchinbrook Island, as well as numerous national parks and state forests. It’s also located along the banks of the Herbert River, one of white-water rafting’s biggest challenges. Sugar cane farms surround it. The CMCA RV Park here was the first to be established, setting the framework for future developments. It is set in a grassy park within walking distance of the Visitor Centre. As is the case with all CMCA RV Parks, travellers must be self-contained. It closes during the wet season and is open to members only, with a five-night maximum stay.
Facilities: Dump point, potable water, Happy Hour shelter.
Cost: $3 per site, plus $2 per adult.
Web: parks.cmca.au/park/ingham
Rafting down the Tully River. Image: Tourism and Events Queensland
Tully Gorge
The Tully River carves a destructive path through the Cardwell Range, forming a densely forested gorge that is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. It rains a lot here. In fact, Tully often tops the rankings as Australia’s wettest town, with an average annual rainfall of around three metres. It should come as no surprise then to learn that the river is one of our country’s premier whitewater rafting destinations; it’s where I first got hooked on the sport, way back in 1988 when I backpacked my way up the Queensland coast on a journey that changed my outlook on life thereafter. But there’s more to the national park than just rafting, with challenging hikes, spectacular views, and fascinating rainforest scenery that will leave you in awe of nature’s beauty. Of the two campgrounds in the Tully section of the national park, only the Tully Gorge camping area is suitable for RVs. It’s a large, open, grassy area with shady trees beside the Tully River. Don’t even think about jumping in the river for a swim, as saltwater crocodiles are known to lurk in the shallows. The ironically named Alligators Nest, closer to town, is recommended as a safer alternative.
Facilities: Cold showers, non-flush toilets, picnic tables (some sheltered), wood-fired barbecues (BYO wood), wheelchair access. Tap water is available but is not suitable for drinking. Generators and campfires are permitted (conditions apply).
Cost: $6.85 per person per night. Family rates apply.
Web: parks.des.qld.gov.au
The SS Maheno on Fraser Island
SOUTH
Spicers Gap
A volcanic upheaval that took place over three million years left behind a chain of mountains that stretches from southern Queensland to Barrington Tops in New South Wales. Called the Scenic Rim, it is part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area. It is also protected inside the Main Range National Park, where you can find towering native teaks, red cedars, and Moreton Bay figs. Early explorers forged paths through these mountains in search of grazing pastures that would help nourish the fledgling colony, while hikers these days follow in their footsteps on trails that lead through forested glades to lofty lookout points. One place that makes an ideal base is the Spicers Gap Camping Area, which conventional 2WD vehicles can access via Clumber. It’s an open, grassy area where you may spot snoozing koalas in the eucalypts around the camp.
Facilities: Compost toilets, tap water. Open fires are prohibited.
Cost: Free.
Web: parks.des.qld.gov.au
Bundaberg is a gateway to the Barrier Reef
Castle Rock
Massive granite outcrops and precariously balanced boulders dominate the landscape at Girraween National Park. The park nudges up against the New South Wales border, south of Stanthorpe. During spring, there’s an explosion of wildflowers, helping to explain its Indigenous name, which means ‘place of flowers.’ Hikers come to tackle 17km of trails, including the 11km return hike to Mount Norman. There are three camping areas inside the park, one of which is walk-in only. Of these, Castle Rock has semi-grassed and semi-shaded sites suitable for RVs.
Facilities: Shower cubicles (BYO shower), flush toilets, picnic tables, wood-fired barbecues (BYO wood), wheelchair access.
Cost: $6.85 per person per night. Family rates apply.
Web: parks.des.qld.gov.au
Canoeing through Boodjamulla. Image: Tourism and Events Queensland
Dandabah
The largest stand of ancient bunya pines (Aracauria bidwilli) in the world are found inside the Bunya Mountains National Park, 125km north-west of Toowoomba. Families will love it here, with plenty of space for the kids to run around and lots of rainforested hiking trails leading to lookout points and waterfalls; the most popular trail is the 4km Scenic Circuit. There are three campgrounds in the park but only one, Dandabah, is suitable for RVs. There’s plenty of grassy space for kids to run free and it’s close to town cafes and a general store. After dusk, the kids might want to go spotlighting in search of ringtail possums. During the warmer months, thousands of tiny chocolate wattled bats roost in the old timber schoolhouse at the edge of the picnic area.
Facilities: Picnic tables, shelter sheds, rubbish bins, flushing toilets, hot showers, untreated water, electric barbecues, Wi-Fi access. Open fires and generators are not prohibited.
Cost: $6.85 per person per night. Family rates apply. Maximum length of stay is 29 nights.
Web: parks.des.qld.gov.au
Sandstone Park. Image: Mark Daffey
EAST
Sarawak West
Are you looking to explore the magnificent Rainbow Beach, just north of Noosa? Perhaps the sandy stretches and freshwater lakes of Fraser Island are listed on your itinerary, or maybe a bit of fishing at Tin Can Bay is more your thing. Whatever it is that floats your boat, the Inskip Peninsula, where the Fraser Island ferry barge departs, makes for a great base camp. Six campgrounds are scattered along this peninsula, but we suggest you try Sarawak West — named after a mid-20th century navy minesweeper that plied this coastline on its weekly journey between Brisbane and Maryborough. It’s the furthest camping from the entrance of the Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area, but it’s also the largest and therefore popular with big groups. A limited number of sites are suitable for RVs. Check conditions before booking a site through the Queensland National Parks website (qpws.usedirect.com/qpws). Dogs are permitted, but must be kept on leashes.
Facilities: Non-flush toilets, wheelchair access.
Cost: $6.85 per person per night. Family rates apply.
Web: parks.des.qld.gov.au
Pyramid Camping Area. Image: Tourism and Events Queensland
CMCA RV Park Bundaberg
Tourism marketing boffins claim that Bundaberg is the town where turtles call home and where the beach meets the reef. It's the gateway to some of the world’s best diving on the southern Great Barrier Reef, and site of nesting loggerhead turtles at Mon Repos Conservation Park between November and March. It’s also the town that lends its name to an iconic rum distillery with a bear on its label. The grassy CMCA RV Park is within walking distance of the shopping centre and has shaded and open sites. As is the case with all CMCA RV Parks, travellers must be self-contained. It is open to members and non-members, with a 14-night maximum stay.
Facilities: Dump point, potable water, Happy Hour shelter.
Cost: $3 per site, plus $2 per adult (members).
Web: parks.cmca.au/park/bundaberg
Paddling on Babinda Creek. Image: Tourism and Events Queensland
WEST
Lawn Hill Gorge
Boodjamulla (or Lawn Hill) is one of outback Queensland’s big-ticket attractions. But it’s also remote — 270km northwest of Mount Isa, close to the Northern Territory border — so it’s not the sort of place you want to leave straight after you’ve recorded the moment via a selfie or two. Why stay? It's stunning. Think of a lush, spring-fed oasis with red sandstone walls and emerald waters that are best seen from the inside of a canoe. Plenty of walking trails snake through the park as well. The campground here is on the bank above Lawn Hill Creek, inside the gorge. Fourteen dedicated RV (up to 12m) sites are available on a first come, first served basis.
Facilities: Toilets, cold showers, wheelchair access. Campfires and generators are prohibited.
Cost: $6.85 per person per night. Family rates apply.
Web: parks.des.qld.gov.au
Girraween National Park. Image: Tourism and Events Queensland
CENTRAL
Sandstone Park
Carnarvon Gorge ranks as one of outback Queensland’s best natural attractions — a vast, verdant oasis that has barely been touched by the masses. Inside the park you’ll find towering sandstone cliffs, Indigenous rock art, and pockets of ancient rainforest. It’s no place to come to on a flying visit; you’ll want to hike, spot native wildlife, and cool down in refreshing waterholes. Just outside the park boundaries, close to the main entrance in the eastern section of the park, pet-friendly Sandstone Park offers a simple, cheaper alternative to staying closer to the Visitor Centre, perched on a ridge offering magnificent dawn views over the Central Highlands and surrounding mulga plains.
Facilities: Drive-through flat sites, dump point, toilets, potable water, personal fire pits, pet kennels. All sites are unpowered.
Cost: $35 per site (2 adults).
Bunya Mountains National Park. Image: Tourism and Events Queensland
Pyramid
Towering sandstone canyon walls. Deep swimming holes. Pockets of vine forest. Native wildlife in abundance. That’s what you get when you visit Porcupine Gorge National Park, 60km north of Hughenden. The gorge lookout is at one end of the gorge and the Pyramid Camping Area is at the other, beneath an isolated monolith that’s shaped like its namesake. It has 22 sites and basic facilities. Planning is crucial to secure your spot at this hidden wonder.
Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables, wheelchair access. Campfires are permitted in designated fire rings.
Cost: $6.85 per person per night. Family rates apply. Bookings must be made prior to visiting the park.
Web: parks.des.qld.gov.au
