Keen for another camping weekend and need some inspiration?
In South-East Queensland we are spoilt for choice. From our beautiful beaches to the Scenic Rim & Hinterland, here are just a few options…
GORDON COUNTRY
Approximately 2 hours, 10 minutes from Brisbane, Gordon Country is a real bush camping experience. With so much space, creeks to swim in and many camping areas to choose from, it’s ideal for any kind of camping trip. Campfires are permitted and you can also bring along your dog for a small fee. You can read our full review of Gordon Country here.
BESTBROOK MOUNTAIN RESORT
Just over 2 hours from Brisbane, on the other side of Cunningham’s Gap. We’ve been here loads of times with the kids and they love it! Farm animal feeding every day at 8am, horse riding lessons and trail rides (attracts a fee), butter and damper making, wagon rides, boomerang throwing, whip cracking - the list goes on! There is an onsite restaurant offering home cooked meals and a swimming pool for the warmer months. There are creeks for the kids to play in and if you don’t want to camp, there are basic cabins available. Bestbrook offer mainly unpowered camping sites but there are a few powered camping sites available too. Dogs are also permitted. Find out more here.
SPRING GULLY STAYS
Spring Gully Stays is a family favourite of ours located in the Canungra Valley. Approximately 1 hour, 15 minutes from Brisbane. It’s off grid bush camping, there are creeks and a waterhole to swim in, kids can take their bikes & campfires are allowed. There are no facilities other than portaloos. www.springgullystays.com.au
On the other side of the creek, you can also book out the safari tents, kitchen & bbqs for group bookings & events for a weekend. There is also plenty of space for tents and caravans with some powered sites available as well as bathroom facilities. However, you must book well in advance for this area. We held a 40th birthday there and it was awesome (booked 12 months ahead). We brought in caterers and a band and it was the ideal venue for a good old bush bash.
Not far from the turn off out to Spring Gully Stays is the road up to Lamington National Park for bushwalking (we recommend a 4.4km return sunset hike to Morans Falls). If coming from Brisbane, you’ll drive past O’Reilly’s Canungra Valley Vineyard where you can stop in for lunch, wine tasting, ice-cream & you can also pre-order a picnic to enjoy by the creek. The Mountview Alpaca Farm is also on-site & you can feed & walk an alpaca! (great day trip).
BIGRIGGIN CAMPING PARK
Bigriggen is about 1 hour, 30 mins from Brisbane near Rathdowney. You can swim and fish in the creek, campfires are allowed and so are dogs! There are amenities blocks and the office stocks basic items you may have left at home. Can get quite busy but a nice weekend getaway with mates. Read our blog post here
KENILWORTH HOMESTEAD
Kenilworth Homestead is 1 hour, 50 mins from Brisbane. Lots of lush green grass to camp on & campfires are allowed. Situated on the Mary River - great for swimming & canoeing. Huge at Easter with lots of activities & entertainment for the kids (must book in advance). It’s Dog-friendly! Nearby is the Kenilworth Bakery (famous for its 1kg Donut Challenge) & also Kenilworth Dairies where you can buy their cheese & other items. We have been many times and the kids really enjoy it. Great for large groups! www.kenilworthhomestead.com.au
BOREEN POINT CAMPGROUND
Boreen Point Campground is a bush and beach family holiday destination situated on Lake Cootharaba about 2 hours from Brisbane. We have been visiting here since we were kids and have many fond memories of this place. Great for sailing, canoeing, fishing and crabbing. Its shallow tea tree coloured waters make it ideal for small children. Fires are permitted in receptacles provided. There are hot showers and flushing toilets as well as a camp kitchen with gas bbq’s. There are lots of camping spots set in a natural bush setting as well as a number of powered sites. Dogs are permitted in caravans and motorhomes. You can hire kayaks and stand up paddle boards from the office. Up the road from the campground is a small cafe offering takeaway food and coffee as well as a family pub within walking distance. Only 25 minute’s drive from Noosa! www.noosaholidayparks.com.au/boreen-point
HABITAT NOOSA
Habitat Noosa is an award winning 65 acre Eco Camp located about 2 hours from Brisbane. Canoe up the Everglades, take a bushwalk or book one of the tours on offer from the office. Glamping options and cabins are available as well as a number of powered sites and lots of unpowered camp sites. There is an onsite micro brewery in addition to a fully licensed bar and bistro and gelato bar! Campfires are permitted within a firepit only however at certain times of year there may be a total fireban in place. www.habitatnoosa.com.au
CEDAR GROVE CAMPGROUND
Amamoor State Forest Great to visit on a quiet weekend. Make sure you book with Qld National Parks before you go as it’s not a huge campground. Beautiful little rainforest walk. Cedar Grove Campground
BOOLOUMBA CREEK
High clearance vehicles recommended for creek crossings after rain. Beautiful blue waterholes for swimming. Campround 3 has a beautiful creek to swim in but not suitable for camper trailers or caravans. Campround 4 has an open paddock style campground with a small amenities block. A short drive away you can access the walking track to Booloumba Falls which is a must do while visiting. Dogs are not permitted. Booloumba Creek
NEURUM CREEK BUSH RETREAT
Neurum Creek Bush Retreat offer lots of beautiful powered and unpowered bush camping areas. As the name suggests, it runs alongside Neurum Creek and is in a beautiful area right next to the D’Aguilar National Park. Campfires are allowed, the amenities consist of hot showers, flushing toilets and also the long drop compostable variety, depending on which area you are camped. There is a small shop at the office selling firewood, ice and other items you may have left at home. There is a fenced off bike track for kids and some walking tracks up behind the camping area with stunning views! There is a beautiful creek for swimming, however this can be very low at certain times of the year. Neurum Creek is dog-friendly too! A great place to relax for a few days, we prefer to visit during the cooler months. Neurum Creek Bush Retreat
IMBIL CAMPING RETREAT
Imbil Camping Retreat is a country getaway on the banks of Yabba Creek approximately 2 hours from Brisbane. Campfires are permitted. Dog-friendly. Read our full review here
BORUMBA DEER PARK
Reopened in August 2020 this is definitely a family favourite. Borumba Deer Park has it all - powered and unpowered camping, cabins, deer feeding, farm animals, discos in school holidays/long weekends, canoeing & it’s dog-friendly. There is also a playground and a mini putt putt course. Campfires are also permitted. Be sure to add this one to your list! Borumba Deer Park
NOOSA NORTH SHORE BEACH CAMPGROUND
Noosa North Shore Beachfront Campground Located right on the beach at Noosa North Shore. Has just undergone refurbishment. Book early to avoid disappointment. Noosa North Shore Beach Campground
NOOSA NORTH SHORE RETREAT
http://www.noosanorthshoreretreat.com.au/ Located about 2 minutes drive from the beach in a bush setting. Lots of rainbow lorikeets! Dogs are permitted. Dogs are allowed on the beach at Noosa North Shore but at the first cutting only. Noosa North Shore Retreat
INSKIP POINT
Beautiful dog-friendly beachside camping right across from Fraser Island. Read our blog post here
FRASER ISLAND
Our all time favourite camping destination. We love camping at Cathedral Beach as we find it’s central to everything we like to do on the island. Here’s our blog post
MORETON ISLAND
Another beautiful island paradise a bit closer to home! Camp on the beach in various areas all over the island or book a glamping tent at Castaways, Bulwer through Moreton Island Adventures
STRADBROKE ISLAND
Go to Minjerribah Camping for all your camping options. Flinders Beach is dog-friendly too!