Best Camping Locations Near Brisbane
If you notice that the weather is getting chillier or being outdoors feels comfortable enough without much of the scorching heat beating down on you, it is a great time to start planning a camping trip with your family or friends in Brisbane. Camping is a great activity, especially if the location you have chosen comes with scenic views as well as the beautiful views that natural beauty has to offer.
If you do not live in Australia, you might want to know that the Greater Brisbane region is home to the country’s national parks, and various lakes and beaches that are worth pitching your tent at. In this article, we have compiled the best camping locations for your perusal.
Lastly, to save you much of the trouble associated with travelling to and fro the camp grounds, you can book bus hire in Brisbane. This way, you can rest assured that you will be able to get to your camp sites in an organised and comfortable manner while having enough space to hold your camping gear and equipment.
D’Aguilar National Park
Located near Brisbane’s city centre, the national park starts ten kilometres from the Central Business District area and stretches out north into the Moreton Bay Region. If you plan to camp here, be prepared to discover sheltered pockets of the subtropical rainforest, remote gorges, scenic views of Moreton Bay and the vast expanses of eucalypt woodland. In fact, the park covers more than 35,000 ha of land and there are endless walking trails and activities to indulge in. Also, there are a number of viable camp sites where you can set up tent safely.
Glamping
If you dislike the idea of bush toilets, temporarily forgoing life’s luxuries and sleeping on the floor but would still want to camp, then Brisbane is a perfect location that provides glamping experiences. Some of these locations include:
- Lake Somerset Holiday Park
- Murphy’s Creek Escapes
- Spicers Canopy
- Nightfall Wilderness Camp
- Mount Barney Lodge
- Ketchup’s Bank Glamping
- Castaways on Moreton Island
Moreton Island
The island is just a stone’s throw away from Brisbane. If you wish to visit the Moreton Island National Park, simply head on to the barge or ferry and you can discover miles of natural flora, creeks and lagoons that are amazingly crystal clear, tall sand dunes, stunning beaches and an abundance of wildflowers and wild marine life! The island is home to various camping spots that you can choose from, and they include:
- Comboyuro Point
- The Wrecks
- Ben-Ewa
- Blue Lagoon
- North Point
Murphy’s Creek Escape
This location provides adventure-goers a waterfront camping park in a natural bush setting and it is an hour and a half away from Brisbane. Campers would be delighted to know that they can choose between a glamping experience and a normal one, but that normal camping experience comes with hot showers! The glamping experience, on the other hand, comes complete with luxe linen, king-size beds, rain shower heads and claw foot baths. At this camping location, you may indulge in activities that include rope courses, mountain biking sessions, archery, a 235m flying fox, abseiling and dipping in the billabong.
Lamington National Park
With the availability of Gondwana Rainforests and its natural beauty, extensive walking tracks, spectacular views, ancient trees and lush rainforests, you simply could not ask for more! The location comes ready with two camping grounds. First, there is the Binna Burra Mountain Lodge that is privately managed and bush camping is permitted except for December and January. The second is Green Mountains, and it is a public one. The Australian World Heritage Area is a great place to visit as it is protected and undisturbed, and is filled with unique flora and fauna.
North Stradbroke Island
Over here, you can find some of the most stunning scenery that is available in Australia. You may want to organize a camping trip and gathering with your family and friends at this island and take in the awesomeness of its rolling surf, scenic headlands, as well as white sandy beaches. If you want to visit the world’s best whale-watching site that is land-based, you can do so at Point Lookout. Did we mention? There are plenty of camping areas that are available, and they include Amity Point, Home Beach, Thankful Rest, Main Beach, Cylinder Beach, Flinders Beach, Bradbury’s Beach and Adder Rock. You will definitely be spoilt for choice!
Mount Barney National Park
Head on down to this national park if you are looking for a challenge. Its rugged mountain peaks are known to rise above the surrounding landscape, which is also where the camping areas are located and you can only reach it by foot. It is pertinent that you come well-prepared for the camping trip as there are not facilities at these camp sites. Routes in this national park can range from moderate to very steep and there are no easy walks throughout this park. However, with those gritty issues aside, you can rejoice knowing that the ancient forest is home to many rare plant species and animals. This will bring the nature-side of you out easily!
Before visiting any of these locations, you should do ample research at home and book these camp sites early to avoid disappointment. In some cases, you may need to obtain a vehicle access permit to arrive at these camp grounds. You may also consider calling or visiting the Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre to engage the staff’s help to organise your vehicle access permit. If you are staying in a national park, remember to check the park alerts for important notice such as planned burns.
Here is a handy reminder on the essentials you need to bring along: insect repellent; rubbish bags; firewood or gas stove (the firewood must be untreated mill off-cuts); clean water for washing, cooking and drinking. Campers are also encouraged to help in the reduction of bush toileting. They can do so by bringing along portable toilets with them, especially if they are camping away from facilities.