Whether you’re after white sand beaches or a secluded bush setting, nothing quite beats Queensland camping for a great big dose of Mother Nature.
But how do you choose where to go when Queensland is so wonderfully diverse?
Here are a few of our favourite camping spots that we’d recommend pitching your tent or driving your camper to.
North Stradbroke Island
If you fancy camping on an island but don’t want to drive too far from Brisbane, then consider North Stradbroke Island aka ‘Straddie’ for your getaway. This island offers heaps of land and water-based activities and wildlife galore with koalas and kangaroos, dolphins and turtles to please nature lovers. Go between May and November and you’ll also be in prime whale watching territory with the annual humpback whale migration passing right by. In terms of camping, there are six beachfront camping grounds spread between the island’s three towns which are connected by paved roads.
How to get there: the island is reached by vehicle ferry or water taxi from Cleveland on the mainland; the journey time is one hour.
Popular activities: kayaking, swimming, scuba diving, sandboarding, bush walking, whale watching.
Girraween National Park
Take a step back in time to the dinosaur age when you go camping in Girraween National Park. It has awesome ancient rock formations suitable for climbing and the second largest rock monolith after Uluru, dramatic Bald Rock. It takes 3 ½ hours drive from Brisbane to reach Girraween National Park but it’s pretty scenic through Cunningham’s Gap, so worth it, we think, especially in spring when the wildflowers are out in bloom. If passengers are getting itchy-footed, you can stop along the way for a bush walk and admire the stunning views. There are two main camping areas in the park, Castle Rock and Bald Rock Creek. Both offer semi-grassed and semi-shaded sites suitable for tents, caravans and camper trailers, and are quiet campgrounds with no through traffic.
How to get there: Take the Cunningham Highway through Stanthorpe and carry on south. Follow the signs to Girraween National Park, it is relatively easy to find, but take note there is no cellphone coverage. The road is partially dirt but well maintained and fine for cars, caravans and camper trailers.
Popular activities: wildlife spotting, bushwalking, swimming, biking, hiking and photography.
Moreton Island
Featuring tall sand dunes, sandy beaches stretching for miles, gorgeous crystal clear creeks and lagoons, remote Moreton Island is popular with Brisbanites looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Camping on Moreton Island takes a bit of planning as its camping zones have no facilities. You’ll need to bring your own drinking water, rubbish bags, first-aid kit and shovel. You’ll also need a camping permit before you arrive on the island, and a vehicle access permit if you want to use a 4WD. Offering five camping zones it does have lots of space for camping though, so you’re not likely to bump elbows with your neighbour.
How to get there: Moreton Island is a 40 km ferry ride from Brisbane; journey time two hours.
Popular activities: swimming, diving, snorkeling, surfing, sailing, quad biking, dolphin feeding, whale watching, bushwalking, wildlife spotting.