Brilliant coastal camps near sand in the Sunshine State
Are you looking for the best beach camping spots in Queensland? Then you have come to the right place.
In this post, I’ll highlight 15 fantastic places to pitch a tent or set up your RV or trailer near sand in the Sunshine State.
Outlined below is how the post has been structured.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Best Beach Camping Spots in Queensland
2.1 Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island
2.2 K'gari, Fraser Coast
2.3 Eddie’s Elim Beach Camp, Hope Vale
2.4 Noah Beach, Cape Tribulation
2.5 Sandy Bay, South Molle Island
2.6 Smalleys Beach, Cape Hillsborough
2.7 Noosa North Shore, Noosa
2.8 Swamp Bay, Whitsundays
2.9 Lady Elliot Island, Bundaberg
2.10 Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast
2.11 Cylinder Beach, North Stradbroke Island
2.12 Mission Beach, Cassowary Coast
2.13 Lady Musgrave Island, Bundaberg
2.14 Moreton Island, Brisbane
2.15 Inskip Peninsula, Rainbow Beach
3. FAQs
I hope you find this guide a useful resource of where to head to for your next Queensland camping adventure!
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you interact with them).
Read Time: 14 Minutes
Introduction
Do you love camping by the beach? Well if you didn’t know already, the Sunshine State is a brilliant place to do it!
From the Gold Coast at the southern end of the state all the way up to Cape York and around to the Gulf of Carpentaria, there are plenty of beach camping spots in Queensland where you can pitch your tent or park your RV or trailer near the sand.
While they might differ in terms of the amenities and facilities that are available, they all offer exceptional experiences among brilliant coastal landscapes that you will never forget.
It doesn’t matter if you stay for just one night or a couple of months, many people argue there is no better way to enjoy some down time.
If this sounds like music to your ears, then get ready to make some mental notes. Here are the 15 best places to go camping by the beach in Queensland.
Best Beach Camping Spots in Queensland
Are you looking for the best beach camping spots in Queensland? Here are my recommendations of 15 best coastal destinations to camp by the sand.
You can making reservations and organisation permits from the Queensland Government Parks and Forests website.
Whitehaven Beach, Whitsunday Island
The 7-km stretch of perfect white sand that makes up Whitehaven Beach, was voted as the number one beach in the world a couple of years ago by TripAdvisor. But did you know you can camp on it?
As it is a national park, there are no permanent residents on the island and camping numbers are capped at just 36 throughout seven different pitches, so you’ll have a decent part of it to yourself.
Bookings are essential, and a permit will set you back (currently) $6.95. Thankfully, it’s easy enough to get to via Scamper Water Taxi, which can drop you off and pick you up again at pre-arranged times from and to Airlie Beach. They can even provide you with camping gear if you don’t bring any of your own.
The campground is protected by coastal eucalypts that provide good shade. You’ll find the facilities are limited overall, though there are hybrid toilets and some picnic tables. Make sure you bring plenty of food with you and other supplies.
Once at Whitehaven Beach, make sure you walk the full length of its sand, swim in its gorgeous blue waters and take a hike up to the Hilltop Inlet to see the famous swirling sands.
K’gari, Fraser Coast
Formerly known as Fraser Island, K’gari is a must-visit tourist destination best explored by 4WD and camping. Overall, the world’s largest sand island houses 45 specially designated national park camping areas—most of which are on absolute beachfront—which accommodate over 380,000 people every year.
These camping areas tend to be more suited for different types of experiences. For instance, if you are travelling with children, the dingo fenced sites of Central Station and Dundubara are terrific options. Likewise, those wanting a more remote experience should head north of Indian Head to Moon Point or Coongal Creek. For those with boats, Waddy Point, Ungowa or Garry’s Anchorage are your best bet.
Whichever one you decide to stay at, make sure you secure a permit and make a booking before getting to the island.
Once there, the likes of 75 Mile Beach, the Maheno Wreck and Lake McKenzie should all be high on your list of places to visit.
Eddie’s Elim Beach Camp, Hope Vale
If you are looking for a remote campsite where you might well be the only person there, then Eddie’s Elim Beach Camp is the place to go. Situated about half an hour’s drive east of Hope Vale and about an hour from Cooktown, it is located directly on the beautiful Elim Beach in an area backed by gently swaying paperbark trees.
The campground is run by a Thiithaarr Warra elder called Eddie Deemal and offers an experience that is all about reconnecting with nature. The only facilities you’ll find are cold showers and toilets, and to reach it in the first place, you’ll ideally need a 4WD.
True be told, it is a bit of a journey to get there. However, you won’t care a jot when you are sitting by the campfire under a perfect starry sky, listening to the soothing sounds of nature by night.
During daylight hours, be sure to check out the stunning coloured sand cliffs that are close to the shoreline.
Noah Beach, Cape Tribulation
It’s fair to share that few beach camping spots in Queensland offer quite as magical an experience as Noah Beach in Cape Tribulation. Placing you just 50 metres from the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest, that dates back 130 million years, it resides in one of the most breathtaking settings in Australia.
Located about 80 km to the north of Port Douglas, the campground contains 15 sites that are a little on the basic side with bio-cycle toilets and tap water being the only amenities here. You’ll also get virtually nothing in the way of cell phone coverage. However, the trade off is that it is the only place in the world where two World Heritage-listed areas reside side-by-side.
While the camping area is accessible for 2WD and 4WD, as there are tight turns and low-hanging trees, caravans are a no-go, which means you’ll have to bring your own tent.
Again, bookings are crucial here, and the area is so remote, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve stumbled into the filming location for the next series of Survivor.
Sandy Bay, South Molle Island
If you can’t get on to Whitsunday Island, consider heading over to South Molle Island, which is just to the west of it. The Sandy Bay campground is arguably one of the best beach camping spots in Queensland to escape for a few days of rest and relaxation.
It resides on its west coast and has room for 36 campers. You won’t find much in the way of facilities, other than toilets and picnic tables, but it is easy to get to by ferry from Shute Harbour or Airlie Beach.
During your time on the island, there are mountain biking and hiking trails you can explore, as well as a beautiful shoreline for beachcombing. If you fancy a spot of snorkelling, head over to the northern part of Sandy Bay, but be aware of the presence of stingers.
Beach Camping Checklist
Here is a list of essentials to take to Beach Camping Spots in Queensland.
Smalleys Beach, Cape Hillsborough
If you plan on visiting the Hibiscus Coast to see the wonderful site of wallabies and kangaroos fossicking at sunrise on Cape Hillsborough Beach (as featured on the recent Qantas advertisement), then you should consider basing yourself at Cape Hillsborough.
You’ll find it within the Cape Hillsborough National Park, about a five minute drive from where the daily event takes place. The campground counts flushing toilets among its amenities. It also allows campfires, which is handy in the cooler winter months. As there are only 11 sites available, you’ll have to book well in advance of your visit.
At this Queensland beach camping site you can camp right on the sand, though you should look out for crocodiles. That said, there are safe swimming spots in the Smalleys Beach Shallows, so bring your togs, and several paths that you can hike on.
Should you require supplies, or just crave a bit of city time, Mackay is just a 50 km drive away.
Noosa North Shore, Noosa
Over on the Sunshine Coast, Noosa Heads has a reputation for being one of Australia’s premier holiday destinations. But it also is home to one of the best beach camping spots in Queensland.
You’ll find it at Noosa North Shore which, despite being just a few minutes away from Hastings Street, seems like a complete world away.
Getting to the Noosa North Shore Beach Campground involves a quick and easy two-minute ferry ride across the Noosa River. Once there, you’ll be able to enjoy fishing, 4WDing, bushwalking and surfing.
There aren’t anything in the way of cafes or boutique shops at the campground, and facilities and amenities are limited to say the least, so, you’ll have to come fully prepared.
However, you will be able to enjoy a wonderful back-to-nature, so its well worth spending some quality time here.
Swamp Bay, Whitsundays
Swamp Bay might not sound like the most appealing place to pitch a tent. However, this fabulous campground, just 12 km from Airlie Beach, is undoubtedly one of the best secluded beach camping spots in Queensland.
Nestled on one of the best beaches on the Whitsundays mainland, within the rainforest terrain of Conway National Park, the camping area only has four tents, which means there is a good chance you’ll have it to yourself. It also presents magnificent views of Daydream Island, especially at sunset, that will captivate you for hours.
To get to it, you’ll have to walk 2 km from the Mount Rooper car park to the site at the beach. (Make sure you bring your reef shoes). You’ll also have to bring pretty much everything you need with you, as the only facilities are picnic tables, a shelter shed and pit toilet.
However, the opportunity to see plenty of waterfalls, hike through rainforest and take in the spectacular views of the surrounding coastline is something you should spend a few days doing.
Lady Elliot Island, Bundaberg
Ok, so you can’t pitch your tent on Lady Elliot Island, but you can stay at one of its fabulous glamping tents, which is reason enough to include it in this list of the best beach camping spots in Queensland.
The island is well known for offering a range of eco-friendly accommodations and recently, two new tents have been added to it. Those who choose to stay in them will benefit from all the trimmings of the resort, while still enjoying an – albeit luxury – camping experience.
Lady Elliot Island is relatively easy to get to, with regular flights leaving from Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Hervey Bay and Bundaberg every day. Best of all, if you are glamping you won’t need to bring too much in the way of luggage, as pretty much everything is already set up for you.
That said, if you fancy venturing under the water, you’ll want to bring suitable equipment as the area is renowned for its world-class diving. It also captivated David Attenborough with its wildlife, which you should take the opportunity to photograph.
Coolum Beach, Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast boasts some incredible stretches of coastline and the part around Coolum Beach is particularly attractive. If you stay at Coolum Beach Caravan Park you’ll have a front row view of a shoreline which is incorporated within a gorgeous 15 km stretch of sand that runs past Peregian Beach, Marcus Beach and Sunrise Beach to Sunshine Beach.
Unlike some of the other beach camping spots in Queensland on this list, the Coolum Beach Caravan Park provides you with direct access to an area patrolled by surf lifesavers, and a host of cafes and restaurants, serving up a wide range of international cuisines.
It also has top-notch facilities and amenities in the form of flush toilets, hot showers, a laundry, a camp kitchen and even Wi-Fi.
Should you fancy venturing away from the beach, take a trip to nearby Noosa National Park or hike up Mt Coolum for incredible views of the Coral Sea and surrounding area.
Cylinder Beach, North Stradbroke Island
Given how close it is to Brisbane, and the fact it boasts incredible scenery, it’s no surprise North Stradbroke Island is such a popular place to visit.
There are plenty of campsites you can lay down your pegs near the beach across the island, but the best is probably Cylinder Beach, which resides on land traditionally owned by the Quandamooka people.
As well as being the second largest sand island in the world behind K’gari, it is also probably the most comfortable of all beach camping spots in Queensland near the state capital. There you’ll find toilets, showers, picnic tables and barbecues, as well as several restaurants and cafes. However, bookings are essential due to sheer visitor numbers.
It shouldn’t come as a surprise because North Straddie, as the locals call it, is a terrific spot for four-wheel driving, fishing, surfing and hiking, particularly along the magnificent North Gorge walk.
Moreover, if you head there during whale watching season, you’ll also have a fantastic vantage point to observe humpbacks during their annual migration, as well as the odd dolphin and manta rays.
Mission Beach, Cassowary Coast
Over on the Cassowary Coast, almost smack in the middle of Townsville and Cairns is the spectacular Mission Beach, which boasts an idyllic 14 km stretch of palm-fringed beachfront.
You’ll find several council-run caravan parks and campgrounds here, but if you are looking for something that places you on prime beachfront, then you should head to Kurrimine Beach.
The site here has a decent set up, which includes powered and unpowered sites, flush toilets, hot showers, laundry and even free Wi-Fi. There is no pre-booking as it operates on a first come, first serve basis, so it’s best to arrive early to secure yourself a spot.
If you do, you’ll get to enjoy spending time at a beach with all the ambience of paradisaical tropical island and superb views of the Coral Sea.
Lady Musgrave Island, Bundaberg
If your idea of a good time camping involves predominantly having seabirds for company, then head on over to Lady Musgrave Island. You won’t find many visitors there, but as over 1500 marine species call the area home, you’ll have plenty of wildlife to acquaint yourself with.
As it has nothing in the way of water, food or shelter, it is the perfect destination for those wanting to visit rustic beach camping spots in Queensland – so make sure you bring everything you need with you. To get there, you’ll have to catch a boat from Bundaberg, and get a permit.
However, if that is too primitive for you, consider joining the Lady Musgrave Experience. They take care of all your food and accommodation needs via their Sleep on the Reef experience, which takes place on a deluxe 56 foot custom designed yacht.
Moreton Island, Brisbane
Moreton Island is another popular Queensland island destination from Brisbane, lying about 57 km from the mainland, just to the north of Stradbroke Island.
While the fabulous Tangalooma Resort is a lovely place to base yourself during your time on the island, the Tangalooma Wrecks campground presents itself as one of the best beach camping spots in Queensland.
Located just a short 4WD or walk from the ferry landing, it resides in an area that provides an awesome view of the sunken shipwrecks that were sunk deliberately to form a break wall. For those who enjoy diving or snorkelling, this comes in very handy as they are renowned for being top spots for those activities.
You are advised to book well in advance of your visit because the campground is very popular, due in part to it providing visitors with untreated running water, hybrid toilets, and cold showers.
On arrival, you’ll no doubt spend much of your time enjoying the many remote beaches, braggy headlands, lagoons, and creek that make up the island’s unique landscape. You’ve also got to try sand-tobogganing as well!
Inskip Peninsula, Rainbow Beach
For those who fancy visiting one of the best beach camping spots in Queensland, but would rather not have to set foot on a boat to do so, pitching a tent at the Inskip Recreation Area is a terrific option.
Set on a 500-metre wide peninsula, interspersed between cypress pine and she-oaks, the campground here is split into four separate sections, all of which are named after local shipwrecks.
Each of them offers varying levels of comfort and accessibility, which you are welcome to bring your dog to, and provides you with either estuary or beach views.
Overall, the peninsula is a lovely spot for fishing, sunbathing or taking your board out for a ride. But, when you feel like decent coffee or doing some 4WD along the sand, make your way over to Rainbow Beach for a nice change of scene.
FAQs
Here are some answers to questions that are frequently asked about the best beach camping spots in Queensland.
What are the best beach camping spots in Queensland?
There are hundreds of beach camping spots in Queensland, stretching all the way from the Gold Coast to Cape York and out west to the Gulf of Carpentaria. Some of the best of them include the campgrounds at K'gari on the Fraser Coast, Whitehaven Beach in Whitsunday Island, Noah Beach at Cape Tribulation and Smalleys Beach in Cape Hillsborough.
Is camping on the beach a good idea?
Camping on the beach can be a lovely experience. However, you need to be mindful of whether you are allowed to do it or not and what potential wildlife issues you might have. Additionally, wind can be a problem, so if you think it might be stiff be sure to find a sheltered position behind a dune.
Is beach camping legal in Queensland?
Yes, there are several legal beach camping spots in Queensland. However, in some parts of the state it is not legal. Before pitching up a tent you should find out from the local council where you are able to camp on the beach without issue.
How do I keep my tent from blowing away whilst beach camping?
To prevent your tent from blowing away at any of the beach camping spots in Queensland, you should try using sandbags or stakes. If you don't have any of those available, try using weighted objects like bricks or large pieces of driftwood to keep your canopy tent in place during high winds.
