If you’ve already conquered the best camping spots on the Gold Coast, then we challenge you to gather your mates, pack the car, and go further afield.
To help you out, we’ve found the best camping spots worth driving north for. And they even cater to the most inexperienced campers! Happy camping.
Boreen Point
Lake Cootharaba
Right on the edge of Lake Cootharaba, north of the Sunshine Coast, with water views and shady trees, you can’t go wrong with the Boreen Point Camping Park. It’s easy to access, and has loads of great facilities including hot showers, flushing toilets and drinking water, gas barbecues and wood burning fireplace barbecues (BYO firewood). There’s also a great little cafe a short walk away to get your morning coffee fix and a kiosk to hire canoes or SUPs.
Where: Esplanade, Boreen Point
Driving distance from the Gold Coast: 2.5 hours
Bluff Creek
Kenilworth
Head north to Kenilworth and be blown away by the Bluff Creek Campground. Created by the Johnson family, who themselves are avid and passionate campers, this 100-acre patch of camping paradise has water-frontage on a creek and direct access to the Mary River. A few nights here will be a dream for anyone who loves lots of space, beautiful views, and great facilities. They already had us at hot shower and flushing toilet, but the fact that they’re close to swimming spots on the river and bike trails, allow open fires, and are close to local eateries (when we’re tiring of burnt sausages); make it an ideal spot to set-up camp and sun-down with a relaxing beer or vino. Weekend sorted!
Where: 44 Wilcox Road, Kenilworth
Driving distance from the Gold Coast: 2.5 hours
Noosa North Shore
Noosa
If waking up on the beach is more your style, you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful spot than the Noosa North Shore Campsite. There are only eight powered sites—handy if you want to bring the kettle along with you)—but plenty of unpowered sites, all nestled amongst the natural vegetation right on the beachfront. You’ll need to take your own drinking water, but there is a small kiosk down the road for when you run out of ice, as well as an amenities block. But the key thing here, is that you get to wake up to the sound of crashing waves and can get away with a morning swim in place of your usual morning shower. Pure and utter bliss!
Where: Wilderness Track, Noosa North Shore (you’ll need to catch the ferry across Noosa River)
Driving distance from the Gold Coast: 2.75 hours
Poverty Creek
Bribie Island
Not to be mistaken with Poverty Point further north in the Cooloola area (where there are no—we repeat—NO toilets), Poverty Creek is on the western side of Bribie Island overlooking Pumicestone Passage and with views of the Glass House Mountains. If we’re honest, this one requires a little more work, where you’ll need a 4x4 to access the site; will have to put up with micro-flush toilets and cold showers; and you’ll need to bring your own drinking water. BUT, if you’re willing to get past these little barriers, then there is an entire island to explore with beautiful beaches, great views, 4x4 driving tracks, fishing, kayaking, plenty of wildlife, and even a bit of history. Definitely one to add to the books.
Where: Western side of Bribie Island
Driving distance from the Gold Coast: 2.25 hours
Cobb & Co. Nine Mile
South Of Gympie
This one’s for the family! Cobb & Co. is a family-run campsite situated on 50 acres of lush grounds near Woondum National Park and Six Mile Creek. There’s a long list of activities to entertain the kids, including swimming in the billabong, playing on the massive pirate ship fort, flying foxes, petting farm, BMX track, and horse rides. Making life even easier, there are some luxury camping options; a couple of fully-equipped camp kitchens; and a kiosk for when you run out of supplies (you’ll just need to bring your own drinking water). So, while you can still get out into nature and visit some beautiful walking tracks and rock pools, there’s so much to keep the kids busy onsite.
Where: 1484 Noosa Road, Tandur
Driving distance from the Gold Coast: 2.5 hours
Amamoor Creek
West Of Noosa
Set amongst a tall rainforest and beside the creek, Amamoor Creek campsite is the epitome of tranquility (unless you’re there in August during the Gympie Music Muster—not so tranquil then). There are an endless number of walks in the area and the creek is great for spotting platypus. The facilities include water (not suitable for drinking!), toilets, cold showers, barbecues, and fire rings for an open fire. Dogs are also allowed! This is the perfect camping spot for anyone who wants to get away and live simply for a few days, but doesn’t want to pee in the bush.
Where: Amamoor Creek Road, Amamoor
Driving distance from the Gold Coast: 3 hours
Borumba Deer Park
West Of Noosa
Another family-run camping park perfect for the kids (or the under-prepared camper) is Borumba Deer Park. Situated on the beautiful Yabba Creek, there are loads of outdoor activities to occupy all ages, with the convenience of boats and kayaks for hire, great fishing spots, and even mini-golf! The facilities are great and include a kiosk, camp kitchens, log-fire spaces, kids’ playground, and the usual (but very necessary) amenities blocks. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to feed some of the wild deer; and the Mary Valley and Borumba Dam are just a stone’s throw away. Sounds like the perfect family camping spot and all within driving distance of the Gold Coast.
Where: 1133 Yabba Creek Road, Imbil
Driving distance from the Gold Coast: 2.5 hours
Looking for something a little closer to home? We got you with a handful of sweet camping spots on the Gold Coast.
Image credit: Unsplash