The best places to camp in Airlie Beach

Craig Tansley Craig Tansley
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Sleep in camping sites set in hectares of tropical gardens within walking distance of town in caravan parks which offer the most cost-effective way to stay in Airlie Beach.

There’s no more affordable way to stay in Airlie Beach than camping under the stars in some of North Queensland’s best caravan parks, complete with water parks, swimming pools and loads of other family features. Here are the best Airlie Beach camping spots to stay at during your next visit.

NRMA Airlie Beach Holiday Park

At NRMA Airlie Beach Holiday Park you can pitch your tent amongst five hectares of tropical gardens and grass right beside Airlie Beach’s best-kept secret beach, Cannonvale Beach.

an aerial view of NRMA Airlie Beach Holiday Park
The resort-style park is situated near the beach.

There’s a resort-style pool, splash park, bike hire, BBQs and an onsite cafe, and you’re right next to the Bicentennial Walkway which takes you all the way to town along the Coral Sea.

an aerial view of the pool at NRMA Airlie Beach Holiday Park
Cool off at the pool surrounded by tropical gardens.

Purists might prefer unpowered campsites, but those looking for more convenience have the option of electricity.

a cabin at NRMA Airlie Beach Holiday Park
Stay in a cabin or boutique bungalow.

Address: 234 Shute Harbour Road, Cannonvale

Pet-friendly: Only permitted on selected sites. Contact the park directly.

Big 4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort

There’s no better place for a family to pitch a tent than at Big 4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort. Stay in powered sites across 10 hectares of landscaped, tropical gardens of palms and flowering shrubs set against the backdrop of a national park above, but all on the edge of Airlie Beach.

an aerial view of Big 4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort
The Big 4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort comes with a lagoon-style pool.

There are 13 water slides, a 32-metre lagoon-style pool, mini-golf, and two giant jumping pillows and you’ll also be able to access the only animal park in this part of Queensland (with plenty of goats and chickens for the kids).

waterslides at Big 4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort
There are 13 waterslides at the resort.

Address: 25-29 Shute Harbour Road, Jubilee Pocket

Pet-friendly: No

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Big 4 Whitsundays Tropical Eco Resort

You’re just a short walk from the main street of Airlie Beach, but you’ll camp on either powered or unpowered grass and slab camping sites cocooned within three hectares of green tropical rainforest, adjacent to national park.

two women sitting outside a cabin at Big 4 Whitsundays Tropical Eco Resort
Retreat into a rustic cabin at Big 4 Whitsundays Tropical Eco Resort.

While you’re close to all the amenities of town, you might struggle to leave your bushy oasis with its kids’ playground, inflatable ninja challenge, jumping pillow, go-kart track, solar heated swimming pool and movie nights held out under the stars.

a solar heated swimming pool at Big 4 Whitsundays Tropical Eco Resort
Soak in a solar heated swimming pool.

Address: 2955 Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach

Pet-friendly: Yes

Tasman Holiday Park Airlie Beach

You won’t believe how quickly you can get to the main street of Airlie Beach and the town’s stunning beaches and beachside parks from Tasman Holiday Airlie Beach.

an aerial view of Tasman Holiday Park Airlie Beach
Tasman Holiday Park Airlie Beach is a tropical oasis.

It’s just a quick walk to everything the town offers (though you won’t have to go further than a few metres for your morning coffee with a coffee van out front each morning).

the glamping tent at Tasman Holiday Park Airlie Beach
Sleep in a glamping tent at Tasman Holiday Park Airlie Beach.

Opt for a powered site or choose an ensuite site with its own private bathroom. There are BBQs, a kids’ playground, pedal karts and daily bird feeding.

the pool at Tasman Holiday Park Airlie Beach
Laze by the pool.

Address: 1 Jubilee Pocket Road, Airlie Beach

Pet-friendly: Yes

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Discovery Park Airlie Beach

Situated just below the lush, green national park on the edge of Airlie Beach (Conway National Park) you’ll feel like you’re camping in the middle of the wilderness at Discovery Park Airlie Beach.

the Bali villa at Discovery Park Airlie Beach
Be transported to Bali in one of the Discovery Park Airlie Beach villas.

Local wildlife like kangaroos, possums, wallabies, brush turkeys, goannas and rainbow lorikeets hang out amongst the tropical rainforest of the park.

a look inside one of the cabins at Discovery Park Airlie Beach
Each cabin is complete with modern comforts.

Spend time at the swimming pool looking up at the national park – there’s also a toddler pool, outdoor spa baths, kids’ playground and a water park.

the bedroom inside a cabin at Discovery Park Airlie Beach
Stay in a rustic but cosy cabin.

Address: 2634 Shute Harbour Road, Jubilee Pocket

Pet-friendly: No

Nomads Airlie Beach

This is camping for the young and young-at-heart right in the beating heart of Airlie Beach. At Nomads Airlie Beach there’s a great bar on-site and you’re only metres from the main street, but you’ll have some peace and privacy amongst five hectares of tropical gardens away from the dorm rooms. There are two resort-style pools and volleyball courts – so if you are looking for a bit of fun, there’s no better spot for a bargain-rate price anywhere in Airlie Beach.

Address: 336-354 Shute Harbour Road, Airlie Beach

Pet-friendly: Yes

Now discover the 10 best restaurants in Airlie Beach.

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Craig Tansley
Craig Tansley has been a travel writer for over 20 years, winning numerous awards along the way. A long-time sucker for adventure, he loves to write about the experiences to be had on islands, on the sea, in forests or deserts; or anywhere in nature across Australia, and the world.
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Airlie Beach accommodation
Airlie Beach

A guide to the best Airlie Beach accommodation

Airlie Beach accommodation for every budget: from swish hotels and resorts to well-kept family-friendly camping grounds and caravan parks, these top five picks will cover most bases.

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Wine, dine and vintage gems: 8 things you didn’t know about Toowoomba

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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    There’s more to Australia’s Garden City than meets the eye.

    With Victorian-era and traditional Queenslander buildings, an abundance of manicured gardens and the famous Carnival of Flowers painting the streets in vibrant colours each spring, Toowoomba is one of the most charming regional cities in Queensland Country.

    While its beauty alone is reason enough to visit, there are lesser-known sides to Toowoomba that locals love most, from its burgeoning culinary scene to its artistic flair. Located just a 90-minute drive from Brisbane (or a direct flight from Sydney), it’s all too easy to discover on a long weekend away.

    1. There’s an awesome local arts scene

    tour group walking in front of toowoomba street art
    Find incredible works of art around Toowoomba’s streets. (Credit: Nathan McNeil)

    Australia’s second largest inland city is a flourishing arts and culture hub waiting to be discovered. Over 100 vibrant street art murals and graffiti works decorate the city, and they’re best viewed along Bank Lane and Searles Walk.

    Regional Queensland’s oldest public art gallery can also be found in Toowoomba – it’s home to 20th-century Australian works created by Queensland artists and those connected to the Toowoomba region.

    2. It has world-class farm-to-table dining

    rosalie house aerial toowoomba secrets
    Stop into Rosalie House to wine and dine.

    As a regional city, Toowoomba has direct access to incredibly fresh produce that’s shaping its culinary scene. At sunset, head to the verandah at Rosalie House Cellar Door Restaurant for a grazing-style dining experience and to discover Queensland’s underrated wine scene. Indulge in dishes such as Warilba lamb rump and roasted pumpkin with ginger-roasted potatoes and lime yoghurt, paired with their delicious cool-climate wines.

    For a more relaxed affair, sweet tooths should make a beeline for award-winning The Baker’s Duck. Be sure to try their cult favourite strawberry cheesecake danish; you’ll learn why 35,000 of these treats are sold annually.

    3. Small bars are doing big work

    table spread at Uno Más small bar in toowoomba secrets
    Pop into small bars like Uno Más.

    Toowoomba doesn’t disappoint with fantastic pubs, but discerning drinkers can take happy hour to the next level at one of the city’s impressive small bars. Savour Spanish-style bites paired with a thoughtful line-up of wines at the newly opened Uno Más Tapas & Wine Bar. On Thursdays, head to Cork & Lever to tap your feet to live music over creative cocktails made with their all-Australian gin collection. And enjoy elevated toasties and premium drops at the cosy Press’d Coffee & Wine. Or try newly opened The Book Pour.

    4. There’s no shortage of fabulous stays

    Bunnyconnellen
    Chill out in beautiful surrounds at Bunnyconnellen. (Credit: Salt Media)

    Whether you prefer the buzz of the city centre or retreating to the hinterland, there are stylish stays aplenty to settle into in this idyllic corner of the world. Apartment-style living can be found at Quest Toowoomba; partly housed in a heritage church building in the city, it’s a comfortable and convenient base. And at The Arbour Boutique Apartments, spacious rooms are injected with old-world charm.

    In the hinterland, enjoy bucolic bliss at the boutique Bunnyconnellen, where an 1880s farmhouse and self-contained cottage are backdropped by rolling hills. And at the secluded Ravensbourne Escape, one-bedroom studios, two-bedroom chalets and three-bedroom holiday homes overlook Ravensbourne National Park and the Brisbane and Lockyer Valleys.

    5. It’s a nature-lovers paradise

    extinct volcanic peak Table Top Mountain
    Tackle Table Top Mountain. (Credit: Ariana Potamianakis)

    Toowoomba is hugged by national parks, making it a haven for nature lovers. On its doorstep you’ll find the extinct volcanic peak Table Top Mountain, where keen hikers can tackle the challenging two-kilometre return trail which rewards them with 360° views of the Lockyer Valley and surrounds.

    For a more gentle experience, Ravensbourne National Park offers peaceful walking trails within lush rainforest. It’s a top spot for bird watching as there are over 110 bird species that call the area home, including the paradise riflebird. Crows Nest National Park is home to platypus and koalas, and its refreshing natural swimming spots, like Kauyoo Pool, are a great place to beat the heat.

    6. Wellness enthusiasts are well looked after

    Toowoomba’s cool and calm energy lends itself to a wellness-focused getaway. Slated to open in August 2026, soak in the serenity at Vikasati Toowoomba, a bathhouse oasis with outdoor hot and cold magnesium pools, ice baths and Finnish saunas. Rest and recharge at City Cave Toowoomba, which offers float therapy, infrared sauna and massage services, or visit Kalm Springs for LED therapy, cryotherapy and float therapy.

    7. It’s preserved its 19th-century charm

    inside Queensland Museum Cobb + Co
    Learn all about the history of Cobb+Co.

    History buffs can step back in time at Toowoomba’s fascinating cultural and historical museums.

    Explore 50,000 years of Darling Downs and Toowoomba history at the Queensland Museum Cobb+Co; it’s known for its impressive National Carriage Collection of 47 restored horse-drawn vehicles, which were put to use for Queensland’s urban expansion. Visitors can also try their hand at blacksmithing or leadlighting in heritage workshops, refuelling with traditional scones at the onsite cafe.

    Train enthusiasts can celebrate the golden era of rail travel on a heritage steam locomotive thanks to the volunteer-driven, community-led organisation DownsSteam Toowoomba. Vintage train rides range from a two-hour journey between Toowoomba Station and DownsSteam Railway Museum to an overnight adventure from Toowoomba to the Southern Downs and Granite Belt

    8. There are vintage gems waiting to be found

    Whether it’s to pick up a unique piece for your home or a one-of-a-kind accessory for a loved one, you’re guaranteed to find something special in one of Toowoomba’s antique and vintage stores. Range Antiques sells everything from furniture, rugs and lamps to fine porcelain, jewellery and art, while Toowoomba Antiques & Collectables is a treasure trove of Art Deco, farmhouse, retro and mid-century modern pieces.

    Start planning your weekender of a lifetime in Queensland Country region at queenslandcountrytourism.com.au.