Welcome to the second state/territory in our free and budget camping spots series — this time we’re covering sunny Queensland. But the offerings and variety are huge, so we’re bringing Queensland to you in three parts.
In the first part of Queensland’s best free and budget camping spots we covered Brisbane region’s Ben-Ewa Camping Area, Moreton Island (Mulgumpin) and North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah), and Queensland Country region’s Benarkin State Forest. If you missed it, check it out here.
In this second part, we’re continuing with more Queensland camping options that won’t bust the budget.
Mulgowie Hall and Recreation Reserve, Queensland Country region
Situated less than 20 kilometres from the Warrego Highway roughly midway between Brisbane and Toowoomba, the Mulgowie Hall Campground is located adjacent to Laidley Creek in the small town of Mulgowie and is the perfect place at which to base yourself for exploring the rural idyll that is the Lockyer Valley.
With stunning views out to Mount Castle in Main Range National Park, this paid campground has plenty of room for big rigs, motorhomes, caravans and camper trailers on level, grassed sites. Camping in tents is permitted too. A four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended for this campground.
There are toilets, hot showers, drinking water and powered sites available. Powered sites are $25 per night and unpowered sites are $20, payable at the local pub, the Mulgowie Hotel (‘The Mulga’) just across the bridge. Your pooch is welcome too, as long as it is on a leash. Maximum stay is seven days.
If you want to take a break from camping cooking, stroll back over to The Mulga for a parmy, a steak, a burger, a pasta, a pizza or the roast of the day for dinner. Don’t leave it too late on Sunday–Tuesday, though, as the pub closes at 7pm. Email bookings@mulgowiehall.com.au for bookings.
The Mulgowie Hotel (Credit: Visit the Lockyer Valley Facebook)
Caravan parks
AAOK Riverdale Caravan Park, Bundaberg North, Bundaberg region
The friendly and affordable Riverdale Caravan Park is a 15-minute drive north of Bundaberg centre and a 15-minute drive to the beach at Bargara. This caravan park has an absolute riverfront locale on the Burnett River. It is pet friendly on the powered and unpowered sites but not in the rooms or units.
Many sites are expansive and shady. This park has excellent amenities, with a designated barbecue area with free gas barbecues and ample seating, a well-appointed camp kitchen and laundry facilities. For fishos, the park is a stone’s throw from the Bundaberg North Lions Park Boat Ramp on Ferry Street where there are toilets, rubbish bins and a picnic area.
All caravan sites are powered (and have water) and the tent sites are unpowered. Fees for small, powered sites (small campervans and tents) are from $38 per night, with water and power included. Unpowered sites are from $28 per night. Price on application for long bays and standard-sized bays.
If you time your stay between November and late March, be sure not to miss the nesting loggerhead turtles at Mon Repos Conservation Park . The cute turtle hatchings are best viewed after nightfall, between January and March. Explore riverdalecaravanpark.com.au/ or contact 07 4153 6696 for more information.
Bundaberg Post Office and War Memorial
Charters Towers Tourist Park, Townsville Region
As well as being a convenient place to stop for a night or three if driving the Overlanders Way between Townsville and Tennant Creek, historic Charters Towers is one of the most beautiful towns in Queensland, with a rich architectural heritage and pastoral, mining and wartime history in spades.
I can attest that the beautifully treed grounds are a haven for native birds, and this adds to the ambience. Since the park is located well back from the Flinders Highway it is blissfully unaffected by the noise of road trains at night.
Powered sites and drive-through powered sites start from $40 per night (for caravans and camper trailers under 18 feet) and powered sites with ensuite start from $55 per night.
There is a camp kitchen, a laundry, a pool with spa, wi-fi throughout the park and a shop which sells refreshments, snacks, beer and wine. You can explore the park’s website or phone 07 4787 7944 for more information and bookings.
Sunrise at the Charters Towers Tourist Park (Credit: Charters Towers Tourist Park Facebook)
Tasman Holiday Parks - Fisherman’s Beach, Capricorn region
Located at Fishermans Beach near Emu Park, this park is about 20km from Yeppoon and about 45km from Rockhampton.
It has direct beach access, a camp kitchen, free electric barbecues and sheltered dining tables, a laundry, free wi-fi, a kiosk, two amenities blocks and two dump points.
They have off-grid sites (no power, no water) from as little as $32 per night in low season. These sites are located behind the dunes and are on flat ground, so they are suitable not only for tents but for camper trailers and campervans too.
Powered sites for tents (or swags), camper trailers, campervans and caravans up to 25 feet (including drawbar) start from $47 per night in low season.
The park can accommodate longer caravans however you will need to phone ahead (07 4939 6202) and enquire. Head here for more info.
Fisherman's Beach Holiday Park (Credit: Tasman Holiday Parks website)
Bush camps
Macrossan Reserve Camping Ground, Townsville region
No picnic tables. No fireplaces. No open fires. No dogs off leash. No wastewater discharge. No motorbikes. No unregistered vehicles, camper trailers or caravans. No camping within eight metres of any infrastructure. No responsibility if you injure yourself or your property is damaged. No need to book. No hot showers. No shade (well, not much of it, at any rate). No stays longer than seven days in a period of four calendar weeks. No disabled access.
That’s a whole lot of ‘no’.
But it comes with another ‘no’ … No fees.
Couple that with its location proximate to Charters Towers where the Flinders Highway hooks up with the Gregory Developmental Road, and you’ll appreciate why this camping ground is so popular.
The Macrossan Park Camping Ground ticks the ‘free camping’ box, for sure. Situated on the Flinders Highway (Overlanders Way) approximately 22km east of town, Macrossan is managed by Charters Towers Regional Council. It has a basic amenities block with cold showers.
You may see people swimming in the Burdekin River here. You certainly will never catch me swimming here though; saltwater crocodiles can come up the river during wet season and get ‘cut off’ from the lower reaches. No, salties aren’t supposed to be this far up the river but try telling them that!
Due to the popularity of Macrossan Park Camping Ground, you may find it too crowded to set up camp or perhaps even too noisy with so many people. If so, we recommend Bivouac Junction Holiday Camp , where from only $20 per night (low season) for an unpowered riverside site for up to four people, or from $25 per night (low season) for a powered riverside site, you may find that you want to spend a week here rather than a day. There’s a basic camp kitchen, fire pits, toilets and hot showers. Contact 0477 873 804 or visit bivouacjunction.com.au/ for more information.
Return for part three
We’re not finished with Queensland’s best free and budget camping spots yet! Come back next week for part three.
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- Best camping spots in the Flinders Ranges
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