When you have a backyard as stunning as we do, it would be a crime not to take advantage of its wonder and natural beauty. In my opinion, the camping spots Gold Coast/Kombumerri offers are some of the very best.
But, if you’re anything like me, you might be a camping newbie, worrying about your ability to survive in the bush with nothing but a tarpaulin hanging overhead and big questions like, what is it like out there without Wifi?
Fear not, for I have personally camped at and asked the Urban List team for the best camping spots on and around the Gold Coast, that can cater to even the most inexperienced campers. Read on for 10 of the Gold Coast’s top camping spots.
Best Gold Coast Camping Spots At A Glance:
Best National Park Camping
Sheepstation Creek Campground
Border Ranges National Park, Sheepstation Creek Rd, Border Ranges NSW 2474
From $24 per night
I recommend heading there in November, before summer's rains hit, pack a picnic and walk the Pinnacle track to enjoy uninterrupted views of Mount Warning/Wollumbin. It's a cracking spot to watch the sunrise and since wild weather can close this track, it's a safer time to visit.
Last time I went, we headed to Currumbin Creek for a refreshing swim after our stay. It was actually closer than I thought it would be to the campsite. An explore of the neighbouring Tweed region is a clever way to break up the roadtrip home. Book here.
The Settlement
Springbrook National Park, Carricks Rd, Springbrook QLD 4213
From $7.25 per night 
Despite my camping newbiness, I love nothing more than an arvo adventure to the mountains, but to truly surrender to the tranquillity, a night's stay never hurts. This National Park camping spot in the Gold Coast hinterland is just five minutes’ walk from one of the region’s most dramatic waterfalls, Purling Brook Falls.
With just eleven 2WD and 4WD accessible sites, The Settlement is Springbrook National Park’s only campground and has all the basics you need—toilets, drinking water (treat before drinking) and free electric barbecues (but no showers). Don’t forget the shade and mozzie repellent because you'll certainly need it. At only $7.25 per person a night, this is one of the Gold Coast's best camping spots on a budget. Book here.
Nightfall Wilderness Camp
Lamington National Park, 3009 Christmas Creek Rd, Lamington QLD 4285
From $985 per night
Don’t own a tent, nor have any desire to sleep on the rock-hard earth, but still eager for a night under the stars? Gold Coast’s original luxury glamping operation, Nightfall Wilderness Camp is limited to just eight guests at a time and has nailed it with the perfect combination of secluded wilderness and wholesome luxuries.
Finer details of each tent include elements like hand-carved stone basins, wire-brushed old timber floors, wood fireplace, rain-head shower and lush organic bedding. Not sold yet? How about chef-prepared organic meals, complimentary Australian sparkling wine, lazy hammocks, explorations into the tangled forest, or—wait for it—an outdoor massage by the creek.
Warning: you’ll be spoiled from actual camping for life. With the soundtrack of Christmas Creek on your doorstep it'll be near impossible to leave this dreamy patch of the aptly named area of the 'Lost World.' Though if you can, hire a local guide for step-by-step directions to hidden tracks, cultural insights, platypus viewing spots and even a packed lunch. Book here.
Best Hinterland Camping
Binna Burra
Binna Burra Lodge, 1040 Binna Burra Rd, Beechmont QLD 4211
From $25 per night 
Located on the doorstep of the Lamington National Park and with easy access to hundreds of walking tracks, lies Binna Burra Campgrounds. Binna Burra is one of the Gold Coast's most iconic camping grounds and offers a whole swag of facilities. Think free hot showers, shared fire pits, and free electric BBQs. As well as nice-to-haves like a camp fridge, microwave, boiling water in the camp kitchen and a coin operated laundry. There are plenty of non-powered campsites for up to four people and limited number of powered drive-on sites for small caravans.
I recommend staying during winter time, snuggle around the fire or visit the nearby Tea House cafe, which is full of basic supplies, retail goods and some of the best hot chocolates ever. The lower picnic area begins the Gwongoorool Track which is my top pick in Lamington National Park. For its volcanic ash cliffs, rocky track and close proximity to the Coomera River right down to the idyllic Gwongoorool pool. You may even spot a few eels, freshwater crayfish, and water dragons with the same idea. Book here.
Keep an eye out for the launch of Happitat Adventure Park launching in late 2025.
Bigriggen Park
196 Bigriggan Rd, Rathdowney QLD 4287
From $18 per night
A scenic 90-minute drive from the Gold Coast transports you to the bush camping you’ve been dreaming about. Think: towering gums, babbling brooks and native wildlife scurrying about (beware of the possums after your half-eated Pizza Shapes). Bigriggen is a 60-hectare campsite of grassy fields in the foothills of Mount Maroon that is surrounded with scenic spots for hiking, bush bashing, river swimming and fishing or, if you BYO boat or canoe, water sports at nearby Maroon Dam.
"Power is available if needed, but I recommended opting for the non-powered options in the grassy expanses where you can choose your own spot and the extra space which totally makes up for it," recommends Urban List Contributor, Brooke Darling. It's dog-friendly, a fave locale for keen fishers, offers epic swimming in the freshwater creaks and is home to kangaroos, parrots and kookaburras ready to welcome you. Book here.
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Best Beach Camping
Tweed Holiday Park Fingal Head
9 Prince St, Fingal Head NSW 2487
From $45 per night
If falling asleep to the methodical sound of crashing waves is more your style, dip your toes in the Gold Coast beachside camping scene with a short stay at well-established campground, Fingal Holiday Park. All the essential amenities like BBQs, wifi and laundry mean you’re never stretched too far from your comfort zone. While you’re there, I recommend a wander down the wild and hidden beaches of Litita Spit and Kerosene Inlet.
"Fingal's tiny lighthouse is one of my favourite landmarks to visit near the Gold Coast," shares Urban List Contributor Danielle Read. "A trip to Fingal is only deemed complete after you park up on Lighthouse Parade, make the trek down the sandy path shaded by beach bush and up the stairs to get a front row seat to this adorable lighthouse and beaut rocky outcrop looking over the ocean." Bliss. Stay at the Tweed Holiday Park and you'll be nearby for a shine-fuelled day out. Book here.
Stradbroke Island Camping
Various Locations and Prices
For the camping rookie who’s eager to graduate immediately to intermediate on the experience scale, challenge yourself to a weekend away at North Straddie. Under the shade of Pandanus palms, she-oak trees and awash with salty sea breezes, you’ll find basic beachside campgrounds peppered throughout, including Amity Point, Point Lookout and Dunwich.
Amity Point is my pick for epic sunsets and is a good bet for spotting dolphins morning or late afternoon year 'round. Expect timed hot showers, a coin operated laundry and beachfront spots suited to tents, camper trailers and caravans. While dogs aren't allowed, phone reception is good so you can spy on them through your doggy cam. Unpowered sites are from $49 per night and powered sites are from $69. Book here.
Flinders Beach is the dog-friendly camping option that's exclusively for 4WD campers. There are 200 unpowered van and tent sites from $22 per night, composting toilets and shower passes available for nearby Adder Rock Campground. You're permitted to use generators between 7am and 9pm at this beachfront spot and BYO firewood to cook on the fire. This is living. Book here.
Want someone else to do the cooking? Head to Stradbroke Island Beach Hotel for a few cheeky afternoon bevs and bites. This camping trip is an island getaway without the exotic price tag, best attempted outside of school holidays.
Best Camping For Families
Thunderbird Park
Corner Tamborine Mountain Rd & Cedar Creek Falls Rd, Tamborine Mountain QLD 4272
From $52 per night
Located on a property shared by Thunderbird Park—which doubles as an adventure playground—and Tamborine Mountain Glades, this camping spot might just be the best place to enjoy the spoils of Tamborine Mountain.
Set amongst the subtropical rainforest, this Scenic Rim camping spot places you within walking distance to a spring-fed creek and an ample supply of swimming holes. Both powered and unpowered sites are available, with the standard facilities on offer along with an onsite restaurant and kiosk, and you can hone your fire-building game at your own site (weather conditions dependant).
After you’ve set up camp, head to Thunderbird Park itself and try your hand at horse riding, ziplining or the Tree Top Challenge. Or, take the short drive into town to discover a world of dining options, hiking trails, art galleries and even a glow worm cave.
Take the short 9 minute drive to the family-friendly Curtis Falls Walking Track. It's a mere 1 km and ends with a beaut view of a waterfall. All that camping and walking rumbling your belly? "El Burro Cantina is the perfect pit stop after a hike to Curtis Falls," says Urban List Contributor Danielle Read. "Gobble up favourites like jalapeño poppers and hot sauce-dunked wings or build your own tacos. Bonus points: try one of six homemade hot sauces, ranging from mild to ‘yikes, my tongue!’. Bring your appetite - these servings are seriously huge."
Without question, this is one of the best camping spots on the Gold Coast for adventure-seekers. Book here.
Mount Barney Lodge Campground
1093 Upper Logan Rd, Mt Barney QLD 4287
From $20 per night
On-tap drinking water doesn't seem like a big perk in everyday life. But when you're camping, it's a gamechanger. Located a scenic 90-minute drive from the Gold Coast, Mount Barney National Park is a must-camp-at for the seasoned adventurer among us. The campgrounds on the mountain itself are only accessible by foot. That being said, there are a few campgrounds close by—chiefly the Mount Barney Lodge Campground—for those who are keen to explore the stunning natural beauty of Mount Barney and retreat to a safe haven at the end of the day.
Rising like a sentinel from the surrounding hills, admire Mount Barney from your air mattress, as well as various peaks of the neighbouring McPherson Range. Sites are unpowered, though there is plenty of space to throw your swag with capacity capped at 100 people, about 30 tents and the lodge offers a comprehensive school holiday program, should you have the kidlets in tow. There's a new dog-friendly campsite for $80 a night per person if that's your thing. Open fires are also permitted (current conditions dependant), so make sure to pack some extra marshmallows for a top camping experience near the Gold Coast. Book here.
Spring Gully Stays
334 Sarabah Rd, Sarabah QLD 4275
From $20 per person
Spring Gully is the creek-lined, shaded campsite that you might not have heard of, but you definitely won't forget. Snuggled into the Canungra Valley a 40 minute roadtrip from the Gold Coast, it's where you'll find me floating, bev in hand while basking in sunstreams. Well, there or at nearby family-run vineyard and seasonal dish slinging establishment, Sarabah Estate.
Choose from onsite safari tents, BYO camping equipment or go full bush camping by the fresh water creek. This is one of the best campsites near the Gold Coast for an authentic camping experience. Why? You'll only be equipped with the bare necessities like toilets, running water for hand washing and a shared kitchen. Not for the faint-hearted camper, but you will leave happy. Book here.
Hipcamp
Various Locations and Prices
You know when you hear about something and go “why did we not think of this?” This is one of those times. A couple of legends realised that if you can AirBnB a bricks and mortar type of situation, you can do the same when it comes to private land. Genius, really.
Behold, Hipcamp. Giving you access to the camping locations of your dreams, explore their extensive camping options and take your pick from the downright basic to the luscious of luxury. I'm talking everything from glamping to those ‘how’s the serenity’ type deals. Whether it’s a free-range camping experience to get you off the grid, like The Bush Clinic, a creekside escape ft. horses like The Lakes, or a campsite surrounded by paddocks like Logan Park Farm, consider your next Gold Coast camping trip sorted.
Looking for more camping spots?
- The Best Dog-Friendly Camping On The Gold Coast
- The Best Spots For Camping In Brisbane
- The Gold Coast's Best Caravan Parks
Image credit: Binna Burra Lodge, Mount Barney Lodge, Nightfall Wilderness Camp & Supplied
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