Free camping in Queensland
Where you can legally park up for the night, how long you can stay, and 9 free and low-cost places near Brisbane, Gold Coast and Cairns and along the classic routes.
- Places listed
- 9
- Sources
- All official
- Checked
- 25 October 2026, against official sources
The sign wins. Councils change rules often. If a site is signed "No camping", don't camp there, whatever this page or an app says.
Where you can sleep in a campervan in Queensland
Rest areas
Cars and campervans may stop at a state rest area for up to 20 hours unless the sign says otherwise, but rest areas are officially not camping sites or accommodation.
Source: Queensland Government: Rest areasHeavy vehicle rest areas
Heavy vehicle rest areas are for trucks only. Fines may apply if you are not driving a commercial or heavy vehicle and use one.
Source: Queensland Government: Rest areasRest area fines
Police and Transport Inspectors can issue penalties from $266 to $2,669 for breaking rest area rules.
Source: RACQ: New rules for use of roadside rest areas in QueenslandSleeping in a vehicle in Brisbane
It is illegal to camp overnight in a vehicle on a road in Brisbane (including road shoulders, footpaths and reserves). Exceptions: managing fatigue, personal safety, an emergency, signed designated areas, and tourism accommodation such as caravan parks.
Source: Brisbane City Council: Camping on roadsGold Coast
Council says it is illegal to camp on Gold Coast beaches, roads and parks. Officers patrol public areas 7 days a week and fines may be issued.
Source: City of Gold Coast: Camping area licenceCouncils set their own rules
Douglas Shire (Port Douglas, Mossman, Daintree) only allows overnight stays in licensed caravan parks or camping grounds, and warnings or fines may follow for unauthorised stays.
Source: Douglas Shire Council: Camping grounds and caravan parksNational parks
You must book and pay for a camping permit before you arrive at a camping area in Queensland's parks and forests.
Source: Queensland Government: Camping fees9 free and low-cost places in Queensland
Each one is confirmed on an official page, linked on its card. Prices and limits are as published on 25 October 2026; check the link before you go.
Near Brisbane
- 1
Sunshine Coast Holiday Parks - Mooloolaba (council-run)
Mooloolaba, about 1 hr north of Brisbane
Caravan park- Price
- fee: see source
- Access
- 2WD sealed
- Booking
- Book via sunshinecoastholidayparks.com.au
Nothing free and legal exists inside Brisbane, so the council-owned Sunshine Coast parks (also Coolum, Cotton Tree, Dicky Beach, Maroochydore, Mudjimba) are the honest first night north.
Official info: Sunshine Coast Council: Camping and holiday parks ↗ - 2
Charlie Moreland camping area (Imbil State Forest)
Sunshine Coast hinterland, near Kenilworth
National park- Price
- fee: see source
- Facilities
- toilets; campfires allowed; caravans and camper trailers allowed
- Access
- 2WD only from the east on Sunday Creek Road (unsealed, concrete causeway; take care in wet weather)
- Booking
- Book and pay online before you arrive (parks.qld.gov.au or 13 QGOV)
Beside Little Yabba Creek. No rubbish bins, so take your rubbish with you.
Official info: Queensland Parks: Camping in Imbil ↗
Near Cairns
- 3
Rocky Creek War Memorial Park and Rest Area
Tolga, Atherton Tablelands (about 1 hr from Cairns)
Low cost Self-contained vans only- Price
- Donations of $5/vehicle/night
- Max stay
- Registration is valid for 72 hours from date of signature
- Facilities
- toilets (8am-6pm)
- Access
- 2WD sealed
- Booking
- Register via Tablelands Regional Council, 1300 366 361
Camping is for fully self-contained vehicles only, so check your van has its own toilet and water before relying on it.
Official info: Tablelands Regional Council: Caravan parks and rest areas ↗ - 4
Wonga Beach Caravan Park (council-run)
Wonga Beach, Douglas Shire (about 1.5 hrs north of Cairns)
Caravan park- Price
- Per night - $45
- Facilities
- amenity block, mobile reception, laundry
- Access
- 2WD sealed
- Booking
- Phone 0437 937 991 or email wongacaravanpark@gmail.com (online bookings unavailable at time of reading)
Douglas Shire has no free camping, so this council-run beachfront park is the reasonable-price option for the Daintree trip.
Official info: Douglas Shire Council: Wonga Beach Caravan Park ↗ - 5
Murray Falls camping area (Girramay National Park)
Near Cardwell, about 2.5 hrs south of Cairns
National park- Price
- fee: see source
- Facilities
- toilets, showers, barbecues (wood/fuel/coin), picnic tables, campfires; caravans allowed
- Booking
- Book and pay online before you arrive (parks.qld.gov.au or 13 QGOV); book ahead for holiday periods
A big grassy camping area where you fall asleep to the roar of the falls. Crocodiles and cassowaries live here.
Official info: Queensland Parks: Camping in Girramay National Park ↗ - 6
Danbulla camping areas, Lake Tinaroo (Downfall Creek, Kauri Creek, School Point and others)
Atherton Tablelands, about 1.5 hrs from Cairns
National park- Price
- fee: see source
- Max stay
- 21 nights
- Facilities
- varies by camping area; generators only at Downfall Creek and Fong-On Bay
- Access
- Council signs say Danbulla Road is unsuitable for caravans; check the road with Tablelands Regional Council
- Booking
- All sites must be booked and paid before you arrive; phone signal is unreliable, so book before you set off
Lakeside sites, good for a swim or a canoe at Kauri Creek.
Official info: Queensland Parks: Camping in Danbulla ↗
On the road: Brisbane to Cairns
- 7
Smalleys Beach camping area (Cape Hillsborough National Park)
Cape Hillsborough, north of Mackay
National park- Price
- fee: see source
- Max stay
- 14 nights
- Facilities
- toilets (no showers); campfires in the fire rings; caravans allowed; no generators
- Booking
- Book and pay online before you arrive (parks.qld.gov.au or 13 QGOV); you must arrive within 24 hours of your booking start
Crocodiles and marine stingers can be present. No bins, so take your rubbish out.
Official info: Queensland Parks: Camping in Cape Hillsborough ↗ - 8
Broken River camping area (Eungella National Park)
Eungella, inland from Mackay
National park- Price
- fee: see source
- Facilities
- toilets (no showers); campfires in the fireplaces provided; caravans allowed
- Booking
- Book and pay online before you arrive (parks.qld.gov.au or 13 QGOV)
Next to Broken River, where you may be able to spot a platypus.
Official info: Queensland Parks: Camping in Eungella ↗ - 9
Jourama Falls camping area (Paluma Range National Park)
Between Townsville and Ingham
National park- Price
- fee: see source
- Facilities
- toilets, showers, barbecues (wood/fuel/coin), picnic tables; no campfires; space for caravans and motorhomes
- Access
- Access may be cut in the summer wet season when creeks rise
- Booking
- Book and pay online before you arrive (parks.qld.gov.au or 13 QGOV); book ahead in school holidays
Tips for camping in Queensland
- Check the sign at every rest area: 20 hours is the default, but the sign overrides it, and fines run from $266 to $2,669. Source: RACQ: New rules for roadside rest areas
- Don't use a heavy vehicle rest area in a campervan; they are for trucks and fines may apply. Source: Queensland Government: Rest areas
- In Brisbane you may sleep in your vehicle on a road only for fatigue, safety or an emergency; otherwise use a caravan park or other tourism accommodation. Source: Brisbane City Council: Camping on roads
- Many Queensland council free camps are self-contained only. If your hire van has no toilet and shower, plan on a paid park or a booked national park site. Source: Tablelands Regional Council: Caravan parks and rest areas
- Queensland national park camping must be booked and paid before you arrive. Source: Queensland Government: Camping fees
More on apps, powered sites and keeping your fridge running: free camping vs powered sites.
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