13 of the best camping spots in Brisbane

Kristie Lau-Adams Kristie Lau-Adams
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Tread beyond the urban jungle for unspoiled natural beauty at the best camping in Brisbane and just beyond.

You know its famed inner-city river, but did you know Brisbane is also home to extraordinary natural wonders? Camping in Brisbane and the wider region including North Stradbroke Island, Bribie Island, and the northern parts of the Scenic Rim, will open your eyes to incredible beach hopping, bushwalking, water sports, and stargazing. Grab your adventure kit and get moving with our guide to Brisbane’s greatest outdoor immersions.

1. Mt Barney Lodge, Scenic Rim

Distance from CBD: 1.5-hour drive.

Price: From $20 per night for an unpowered campsite to approximately $390 per night for a homestead.

Located within the Sunshine State’s glorious Scenic Rim, a cluster of sweeping valleys, mountains and top-notch wineries in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range, Mt Barney Lodge is for totally switching off.

Offering limited mobile coverage and restricting its guest capacity to no more than 30 tents and a handful of camper trailers, caravans, and homesteads, it’s firmly focused on showcasing its surroundings.

a family sitting around a bonfire at Mt Barney Lodge, Scenic Rim
Go on a camping holiday with your family at Mt Barney Lodge.

Guided activities take full advantage of nearby bushwalks and creek frontage, and they run a three-day Indigenous experience called Yarriba Dreaming to help you deepen your understanding of the land.

Amenities

If you’re roughing it at one of their campsites, there’s an amenities block with hot showers and toilets, open campfires, drinking water on tap and basic necessities like ice and milk to purchase. If you’re considering one of the self-contained camper trailers, you’ve also got a kitchenette. Meanwhile, each caravan, cabin, or homestead has a bathroom.

the Boolamoola Homestead at Mt Barney Lodge, Brisbane
Settle into the Boolamoola Homestead at Mt Barney Lodge.

2. Ketchup’s Bank Glamping, Scenic Rim

Distance from CBD: Just over a 1.5-hour drive.

Price: From approximately $269 per night to approximately $329 per night, depending on which tent you choose.

More of a glamper than a camper? Familiarise yourself with Ketchup’s Bank Glamping in the Scenic Rim, a heavenly retreat perfect for couples.

a couple relaxing at a luxury eco tent in Ketchup’s Bank Glamping, Scenic Rim
Hit refresh at Ketchup’s Bank Glamping.

Fitted out with the type of comfort you’d typically find in a five-star hotel, this exceptional camping experience in Greater Brisbane is luxury at its wildest. Choose from a range of eco-tents or the newer Baya Tiny House as ultra-green hills and an abundance of wildlife send you a million miles away from home.

a luxury eco tent in Ketchup’s Bank Glamping, Scenic Rim
Stay in a luxe eco tent.

Amenities

Each tent features bathroom facilities, a private campfire, a fully equipped kitchen, wi-fi, and more. If you opt for the high-end Baya Tiny House Eco Retreat, you’ll also score an indoor fireplace, loft area and private bar areas.

3. Lake Moogerah Camping, Moogerah Peaks National Park, Scenic Rim

Distance from CBD: 1.5-hour drive

Price: From $40 per night for an unpowered site and from $49 per night for a powered site.

A lesser-known Scenic Rim gem, Lake Moogerah Camping offers an escape to the most stunning of natural settings.

kayaking along Lake Moogerah
Kayak along the tranquil waters of Lake Moogerah. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

The lake itself, within Moogerah Peaks National Park, is ideal for fishing, frolicking, boating, or whatever water sport you’re currently obsessed with. There are no cabins but the location is brimming with nature trails, climbable (undeveloped) volcanic peaks, and that magnificent body of water so you’ll soak up the outdoors in style.

a man sitting by a bonfire outside his tent at Lake Moogerah Camping, Moogerah Peaks National Park, Scenic Rim
Sit by a bonfire outside your tent. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Amenities

Toilets, showers, a camp kitchen with electric barbecues, boat ramps, a kids’ playground, a kiosk selling basic groceries, and a little mobile reception.

4. Clancys Camping Area, Benarkin State Forest

Distance from CBD: 2.5-hour drive.

Price: No entry fee however a Queensland National Parks camping fee costs $7.25 per person per night and you’ll need a permit. Book it all online before you go.

Clancys camping area is located within the lush Benarkin State Forest adjacent to Emu Creek and offers spacious grounds for all, including four-legged family members (if they’re kept on a leash). The grassy Brisbane camping spot caters for up to 60 people at a time so you’re promised your own space to really lean into disconnecting. Canoe, swim, fish, stroll (the nearby trails are great for mountain biking too) or sloth — it’s a beautiful spot for nature-focused fun.

Amenities

Barbecue facilities, toilets, open fire facilities (BYO wood), and tap water. Also note, there’s no mobile coverage out here.

5. Bongaree Caravan Park, Bribie Island

Distance from CBD: A one-hour and 10-minute drive.

Price: From $38.40 per night for a powered site to $185 per night for a cottage during peak season.

Get your outdoor fix while remaining close to beautiful Bribie Island’s central dining and retail strip, Welsby Parade, at Bongaree Caravan Park. The laidback accommodation offers powered campsites, cabins, and two top-tier cottages and you’re within walking distance of two boat ramps to help you kick your escape into top gear. You’re also across the road from the popular Pumicestone Passage, a 35-kilometre channel of crystal-clear water within Moreton Bay Marine Park. Delicious dips come on tap.

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Amenities

Barbecue facilities, a camp kitchen, an amenities block with toilets and showers, a coin-operated laundry, and a small kiosk.

riding a jet ski at Moreton Bay, Bribie Island
Whisk away to Moreton Bay on a jet ski. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

6. Ocean Beach Camping Area, Bribie Island

Distance from CBD: Just under a 2.5-hour drive.

Price: No entry fee however a Queensland National Parks camping fee costs $7.25 per person per night and you’ll need a permit. Book it all online before you go.

A magnet for 4WD fans, the three-kilometre Ocean Beach Camping Area offers absolute beachfront bliss.

the Ocean Beach Camping Area 4
Stay in a beachfront campground set behind the dunes. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/Larissa Dening)

You’re set behind the dunes and near the remnants of historical Fort Bribie, not that you’ll want to leave that shimmering water for very long. Pitch a tent right next to your wheels and experience some of the best beach camping Greater Brisbane has to offer.

beachfront camping at Ocean Beach, Bribie Island
Wake up next to pure bliss at Ocean Beach. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/Larissa Dening)

Amenities

Barbecue facilities (BYO wood), micro-flush toilets, a toilet dump point, and cold showers.

7. Sandstone Point Holiday Resort, Bribie Island

Distance from CBD: A 1.5-hour drive.

Price: From approximately $45 per night for a small, powered site and all the way up to just under $700 per night (approximately) for an overwater three-bedroom villa.

a forest glamping retreat at Sandstone Point Holiday Resort
Settle into a forest glamping retreat at Sandstone Point Holiday Resort. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

A caravan park in Brisbane’s greater region guaranteed to win the hearts of mini adventure seekers is Sandstone Point Holiday Resort.

an aerial view of Bribie Island
Rent out a kayak and explore Bribie Island. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Featuring a mammoth, jaw-dropping range of family-friendly attractions and multi-sized villas (including a handful of posh overwater ones), glamping, two-story villas, camping and caravan sites, it’s a camping holiday with all the creature comforts.

al fresco dining at Sandstone Point Holiday Resort, Bribie Island
There’s a restaurant nearby if you need to refuel. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Plus, it’s located right on Pumicestone Passage so nature’s playground is a stone’s throw away.

Amenities

A swim-up bar (enough said), multiple pools, a jacuzzi, mini golf, a water park, a pump track for bikes and scooters, a jumping pillow, a fire pit, a tennis court, a kids’ playground, a bocce court, a gym, a bar, a restaurant, and even more. Seriously.

8. Lake Wivenhoe Camping, Somerset Area

Distance from CBD: A little under a 1.5-hour drive.

Price: Pitch a tent from $27 per night, grab a drive-on site from $33 and glamp from approximately $160 per night.

Seek out the largest lake in South East Queensland for a camping adventure centred entirely on all that brilliant blue.

the Wivenhoe Dam in Brisbane
Set camp on the serene Lake Wivenhoe. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Lake Wivenhoe Camping manages two sites, the Captain Logan Campground and the Lumley Hill Campground, where guests can take advantage of the lake’s calm, boat-free conditions right on their front step. Basic unpowered and powered sites are available, as are several glamping tents fitted with queen beds, kitchen utensils, and plush linen.

the forest view from Lake Wivenhoe
Be surrounded by lush greenery near Lake Wivenhoe. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Amenities

Electric barbecues, picnic tables, hot showers, toilets, a dump point, purchasable essentials, and canoe hire.

9. Archer Camping Area, D’Aguilar National Park

Distance from CBD: Just under two hours by car.

Price: No entry fee however a Queensland National Parks camping fee costs $7.25 per person per night and you’ll need a permit. Book it all online before you go.

the rough road towards Archer Camping Area, D’Aguilar National Park
Just a two-hour drive away by car, you’ll reach Archer Camping Area. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Rest your head deep within a subtropical rainforest at the beautiful Archer Camping Area. It’s as stripped back as camping comes but don’t let minimal facilities deter you. This site’s setting beside Neurum Creek is the stuff of holiday dreams and its stargazing vistas will keep you snap-happy even after the sun sinks. Swimming, bike riding, bushwalking, and kayaking are the order of the day, every day, so brace yourself for the restorative R&R you’ve been longing for.

tents set on the Archer Camping Area, D’Aguilar National Park
Pitch a tent within a subtropical rainforest. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

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Amenities

Septic toilets, shower cubicles (BYO hose though), and fireplaces.

10. Minjerribah Camping, North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah)

Distance from CBD: It’s a 45-minute drive to reach the SeaLink North Stradbroke Island ferry terminal (which transfers vehicles too) before jumping aboard for another 25 minutes if you’re without a car and 50 minutes if you’ve got one. Once you’re on the Island, you’re within walking distance from the grounds.

Price: From approximately $49 per night for an unpowered site to upwards of $300 per night for fancier options.

the North Gorge Walk on North Stradbroke Island
Traverse the scenic North Gorge Walk on North Stradbroke Island. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Holiday time on North Stradbroke Island is so wonderous it deserves direction of its own — which is why we’ve created an ultimate guide to camping on North Stradbroke Island for you to check before you go.

Minjerribah Camping manages all camping throughout the island, offering six unique locations across Dunwich, Amity Point and Point Lookout. Spanning basic campsites to cabins and glamping, the options are all treated to convenient beach access and idyllic swimming, and some of them also provide sensational 4WD adventures on the sand.

a couple relaxing outside their glamping tent at Minjerribah
The glamping tents at Minjerribah are equipped with modern comforts. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Amenities

It depends on the campground but you’ll typically have toilets, showers, a coin-operated laundry, undercover barbecue areas, boat ramps, and some phone coverage.

11. Brisbane Holiday Village, Brisbane

Distance from CBD: A 15-minute drive.

Price: From approximately $50 per night for an unpowered site, all the way up to a little under $400 per night (approximately) for a penthouse cabin.

One of the best caravan parks in central Brisbane, Brisbane Holiday Village is home to a range of accommodation options.

a caravan site at Brisbane Holiday Village
Brisbane Holiday Village offers an unpowered site that costs $50 per night.

Situated in Eight Mile Plains, south of the city, it’s close to Brissie’s hottest tickets — not that you need to leave the grounds if you don’t feel like it. Families are spoiled with a range of kid-skewed activities and play areas and there are dining facilities if you’re feeling extra lazy.

a man preparing at the outdoor kitchen of Brisbane Holiday Village
You’ll find barbecue facilities at Brisbane Holiday Village.

Amenities

Barbecue facilities, a restaurant, a pool with a splash area, mini golf, a kids’ playground, a tennis court, coin-operated laundries, several amenity blocks, a bike track, a multi-purpose sports field, and more.

12. Bells Caravan Park, Clontarf

Distance from CBD: One hour’s drive.

Price: From $35.30 for a powered site.

Kick up your heels and just breathe at Bells Caravan Park in Clontarf where caravanners and campers converge to soak up a beach life close to Brisbane city. It’s right near Hornibrook Pier, a chilled-out locals’ fishing spot, plus a bowls club if you feel the need to get social. Otherwise, it’s all about gazing out at Bells Beach and doing a whole lot of nothing, aka living the dream, at this Brisbane camping spot.

Amenities

A camp kitchen, two amenities blocks with showers and toilets, and a coin-operated laundry.

13. Scarborough Holiday Village, Scarborough

Distance from CBD: A one-hour and 20-minute drive.

Price: From $45 per night for a powered site, and from $150 per night for a double villa.

Head to Brisbane’s north to discover Scarborough Holiday Village and its all-year-round holiday vibes. Located on the Redcliffe Peninsula, Scarborough is famed for protected swimming and a charming village lifestyle, and this Brisbane camping spot puts you right in the heart of it. Choose from caravan sites plus one and two-bedroom villas complete with fully equipped kitchens, air conditioning, and a deck to help you breathe in the salt-kissed sea breeze.

the caravan site at Scarborough Holiday Village, Scarborough
Choose from caravan sites with fully equipped amenities at Scarborough Holiday Village.

Amenities

An amenities block, laundry, barbecue facilities, a kiosk, and a cafe.

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Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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How to spend three romantic days on Hamilton Island

(Image: Sharyn Cairns)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
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    From barefoot beach walks to moonlit dinners, this three-day Hamilton Island itinerary will have lovebirds swooning.

    Few Aussie destinations do romance quite like Hamilton Island. Set in the dreamy Whitsunday Islands, this popular honeymoon destination combines luxury retreats, palm-fringed reefs and spectacular dining with the easy rhythm of tropical living. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary or spontaneous couples’ weekend, here’s how to spend a loved-up three days on Hamilton Island.

    Day 1

    Morning

    A serene ocean-view room overlooking endless blue horizons.
    Let picturesque ocean views welcome you the moment you check in. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Nothing kills the holiday buzz faster than waiting at the baggage carousel. Luckily, our arrival couldn’t have been smoother. Staying at the boutique, adults-only Beach Club Hotel means VIP transfers are included, so the moment we land, a staff member greets us and whisks our bags straight from the baggage claim to our room. We don’t have to lift a finger.

    Occupying a prime piece of real estate on Catseye Beach, Beach Club is a peaceful retreat just steps from sugar-white sand and a turquoise lagoon. Within 10 minutes of stepping off the plane, we’ve arrived and are switched into holiday mode.

    We check into our room, immediately delighted by the sight of several wallabies grazing in the garden just in front of our private terrace. Beyond, picturesque ocean vistas stretch across the horizon. The room’s mini bar is stocked with bespoke sweet treats; the bathroom with premium Aesop amenities that add to the luxury.

    After we’ve checked out the resort’s beachside infinity pool – plotting the lounge chairs we’ll no doubt return to later – we head out to explore the island. Families glide by on hire bikes and chirping rainbow lorikeets dot the foliage. We decide to hike up to Passage Peak – one of the most scenic walks on Hamilton Island – which takes about 40 minutes one way and boasts panoramic Whitsundays views that will stick with you for long after you leave.

    Afternoon

    A romantic beachside lunch as champagne is served.
    Recharge with a laid-back lunch at Beach Club Restaurant. (Image: Nikki To)

    After working up an appetite, Beach Club Restaurant is the perfect place to snap up a light lunch. Think barramundi, nourish bowls, Wagyu beef burgers, brown butter toasties and Queensland chilli prawns. For those who don’t want to move from their prime perch on the beach or by the pool, there’s also the option to order bites via QR code from the resort’s lounge chairs.

    After our fill, we plunge into the hotel’s incredible infinity pool, its surface blending near seamlessly into the blues of Catseye Beach. Quiet and tucked away from the island’s hum, it feels illegal to do anything but relax here.

    Evening

    A curated flatlay of dishes from Catseye Pool Club.
    Celebrate your first evening over beautifully plated coral trout. (Image: Nikki To)

    There’s truly nothing more satisfying than a little R&R (rest & robe) time in your hotel room after spending the day in the sun. Fresh from a shower, we watch the ripe tangerine sun slowly dip below the palm-framed horizon from our plush terrace daybed. Two wallabies are still grazing on the grass. It’s a magical setting; I find it hard to believe I am only a few hours away from home.

    Come dinnertime, we zip over to nearby Catseye Pool Club, which is a short buggy ride from the hotel or a five-minute walk. A chic new haunt from Sydney-based pair Josh and Julie Niland, the restaurant is all about reconnecting over flavour-rich share plates using high-quality Aussie ingredients.

    We sit in a corner overlooking Catseye Beach – arguably the best seat in the house – with mini table lamps casting a soft glow about the contemporary indoor-outdoor setting. What comes next is pure delight; grilled prawns served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a Thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Then, elegantly plated coral trout served with kasundi and zucchini. We savour it all slowly, the conversation flowing easily between bites and sips while the moonlight transforms the ocean into molten silver.

    Day 2

    Morning

    An 18-hole golf course set against sweeping ocean views.
    Tee off side by side against a backdrop of sweeping ocean views. (Image: Andrea Francolini)

    A la carte breakfast is complimentary for guests of Beach Club, and we take full advantage of the fact. Barista-quality coffee and pressed juice – today it’s carrot, melon, orange and pineapple – arrive alongside pastries baked fresh this morning. For the larger meal, I treat myself to the buttermilk pancakes with praline butter.

    If you prefer an active start to the morning rather than lying in, you’ll find plenty of options. Perhaps tee off at the 18-hole golf course, where the views are as much of a drawcard as the sport itself. Designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, the course is integrated into the ridged landscape of Dent Island.

    Afternoon

    Artfully paired wines and bites from the Talk & Taste experience.
    Uncover new favourite wines together. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

    For wine-curious couples, Beach Club’s new Talk & Taste experience is a must. Held several times a week for up to eight guests, it’s an intimate tasting of Aussie drops paired with curated bites – all guided by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher.

    We opt for the white wine and seafood option, enjoying pours from Eden Valley to Launceston while Courtenay shares her knowledge and passion for the intricacies of wine making.

    Later, we drive our golf buggy up to One Tree Hill. This is one of the most popular spots on the island for sunset, but we chose to come a little earlier so we have more space to ourselves. We enjoy afternoon wine and cheese, admiring the 360-degree views of the island and its impossibly blue waters.

    Evening

    The moody, atmospheric interiors of Bommie Deck.
    Dress up for a romantic evening at Bommie Restaurant. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Since we are, after all, on holiday, we continue the tipples at Bommie Deck. Suspended above Hamilton Island’s marina, this architectural monument is a fabulous place for a sunset spritz.

    Just a few steps inside is Bommie Restaurant, the contemporary Australian fine dining establishment headed by chef Ryan Locke. Of anywhere on the island, this is the place to frock up and celebrate a special occasion – especially if theatrical culinary experiences take your fancy. The tasting set menu is a whirlwind of native Australian flavours and creative plating – with highlights including the cured venison wrapped in wattle seed seasoning. For dessert, a clever take on white chocolate and lemonade ends the night on a high.

    Day 3

    Morning

    A couple gliding across calm waters on SUP boards together.
    Ease into the morning with a paddleboarding adventure. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Another low-key morning means another blissful breakfast at Beach Club. This time, it’s smashed avo toast topped with Persian fetta, dukkah and poached eggs – a deliciously fueling start to the day.

    The weather today is perfect for a paddle, so we walk straight from our room onto the sand of Catseye Beach to pick up some SUP boards. Guests of Beach Club receive complimentary non-motorised water sports equipment, spanning everything from mini catamarans to snorkel gear and kayaks. Finding our balance on the boards is a fun challenge at first, but before long, we’re gliding across the glassy water like naturals.

    Afternoon

    A helicopter soaring above the iconic Heart Reef.
    Add the ultimate highlight with a Heart Reef flight together. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    No couples’ retreat is complete without a touch of pampering. Located in the resort area, Spa Wumurdaylin offers everything from body wraps and facials to de-stress massages using natural Australian products. The Soul Temple treatment begins with a heavenly feeling sugar scrub, followed by a Vichy vertical shower and underwater massage. I leave in a daze.

    If you prefer adventure to relaxation, there is an abundance of day trips from Hamilton Island, from snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef to Whitsundays helicopter tours – all of which make for unforgettable experiences that will bring you and your partner closer.

    Evening

    A couple standing at qualia, gazing out over the endless ocean horizon.
    Close your journey over a beautiful dinner by the sea. (Image: Sharyn Cains)

    Enjoy an elevated evening at qualia’s tranquil Pebble Beach restaurant, where a private beach setting complements the thoughtful, seasonal menu. Or perhaps continue relaxing at Beach Club, feasting on roast lamb and seafood at the poolside restaurant or soaking in ocean views from your room with in-house room delivery. And don’t forget the champagne – a weekend of love, fun and restoration is worth toasting.

    Getting there

    Hamilton Island has its own airport called the Great Barrier Reef Airport, which makes it fuss-free to get to. Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar offer short, direct flights from most major Australian cities, including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns. This means you’ll spend less time travelling and more time enjoying each other’s company.

    Visit hamitlonisland.com.au for more couples’ retreat ideas.