While camping might conjure up images of mosquitoes invading your shoddily-constructed tent, pre-dawn wakeups and a concerning lack of adequate toilet facilities, we’re here to tell you it’s not all bad. Emerging from your tent, coffee in hand and watching a sunrise rise over the ocean—or mountains—all to yourself just hits different.
The Sunshine Coast might abound in natural splendour but camping takes getting back to nature to a whole new level. Noosa is undoubtedly one of the Sunshine Coast’s best camping spots, with off-the-beaten-track gems mixed with family-friendly campgrounds, close enough to the shops to get your daily caffeine fix. Scroll on for Noosa’s best camping spots in 2023.
Habitat Noosa
Noosa National Park
Image Credit: Habitat Noosa | Lumea Photography
It would simply be impossible to write about Noosa’s best camping spots without writing about Habitat. Habitat Noosa is an eco-camping and glamping spot that's located 25 minutes north of Noosa at the stunningly beautiful Elanda Point. Sprawling across 65 acres of bushland, you can choose to camp at unpowered or powered sites, book a cute little cabin or go all out and sleep in a luxury glamping tent, complete with an ensuite.
There’s also an on-site bar serving up Habit Noosa’s own in-house craft beer, meaning there will be ample afternoon drink opportunities to be had. Did we mention there’s a nine-hole golf course, too? The team behind Habitat Noosa have literally thought of everything and it’s obvious from the moment you step onto this stunningly impressive camping property.
Boreen Point Campground
Great Sandy National Park
Right on the edge of Lake Cootharaba, with water views and shady trees, you can’t go wrong with the Boreen Point Campground. It’s not too far to drive, is 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 (stocking our favourite Doonan roasters, Flying West Coffee) and a kiosk to hire canoes or SUPs.
Noosa River Holiday Park
Noosaville
Image Credit: Noosa River Holiday Park | Instagram
For those who like to be amongst the action, you can’t go wrong with Noosa River Holiday Park. On the banks of the Noosa River, this caravan park and campground is one of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular holiday parks—and for good reason.
Take it easy and enjoy your slice of Noosa, while overlooking the picturesque Noosa River, or get out amongst the action at the nearby Hastings Street hub. You’ll find plenty of amenities, including hot showers, laundry facilities, a camp kitchen, BBQ, fridge, chargers and kiosk.
Ingenia Holiday Park Noosa
Tewantin
Another central Noosa camping spot, Ingenia Holiday Park Noosa needs very little introduction. Once you see the location, you’ll be sold. This family-friendly camping ground is next to Tewantin National Park and is just a short drive from Hastings Street.
There is a mixture of cabins, campgrounds and caravan sites, as well as a swimming pool, jumping cushion, games room, camp kitchen, BBQ facilities and kiosk. While it’s great for a family-friendly getaway, this probably isn’t a campground for those wanting seclusion and peaceful quiet.
Upper Noosa River
Cooloola Recreation Area
Image Credit: Noosa River | Tourism & Events QLD
These secluded spots takes a little bit of work to get to, but that’s what makes it one of the best camping spots on the Sunshine Coast. It also means that you’ll shake off any non-serious campers, who don’t want to work up a sweat finding and then setting up camp.
There are a few ways you can get to these campsites, but our tried and tested option is hiring a kayak or canoe from Elanda Point and paddling across Lake Cootharaba and up the Everglades (one of only two Everglades in the world) to campsite 3’s cute dock. It’s about a 28-kilometre paddle each way and the lake passing is tough if there is wind, but when you experience the beauty of this untouched paradise, you won’t give a damn. The further you venture upstream, the more secluded and stunning your camping spots become.
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Lake Borumba Camping Grounds
Lake Borumba
Lake Borumba Camping Grounds is located on the banks of Yabba Creek, an easy 800 metre walk from the stunning Lake Borumba. You'll feel totally secluded on the 25 acre property, which adjoins Imbil State Forest and Yabba State Forest—a bush walker's paradise.
The campgrounds are usually quiet and the facilites include hot showers, a camp kitchen, free kayaks, table tennis, a volleyball court, toilets and a kiosk. Float down Yabba Creek, explore the surrounding state forests or venture to Lake Borumba for boating, water skiing, fishing and swimming. Easily one of Noosa hinterland's best camping spots.
Noosa North Shore Beach Campground
Noosa North Shore
Image Credit: Noosa North Shore | Instagram
If waking up on the beach is your style, you couldn’t ask for a more beautiful spot than the Noosa North Shore Campground. There are powered and unpowered sites, all nestled amongst the natural vegetation right on the beachfront, with plenty of kangaroo friends regularly visiting.
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 if you're looking for the best beachfront camping spot in Noosa
Borumba Deer Park
Imbil
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 pet-friendly facilities are well-equipped and include a kiosk, camp kitchens, log-fire spaces, kids’ playground and the usual (but very necessary) amenities blocks. You can feed some of the wild deer and the Mary Valley and Borumba Dam are just a stone’s throw away. With site fees starting from $18 per adult, this Noosa hinterland camping spot is also very affordable.
Pomona Caravan Park
Noosa Hinterland
For those looking for a Noosa hinterland camping experience, Pomona Caravan Park is up there. Nestled in the Noosa hinterland, this pet-friendly camping ground comes decked out with a camp kitchen, BBQ facilities and hot showers, so you’re not roughing it out.
The camp grounds are within walking distance of the country town of Pomona, as well as a historic silent movie theatre and live music venue. Plus you’ll be spoiled with views of Mt Cooroora all to yourself.
Hipcamp (The AirBnB Of Camping)
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 Noosa camping spots of your Insta-dreams, take your pick from the downright basic to the luscious of luxury. We’re talking about 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, an interactive farm stay or a creek-side oasis with nary another tent in sight, consider your next Noosa camping trip sorted.
Looking for more camping inspiration? Check out more:
- Queensland's best camping spots
- Queensland's best free camping spots
- The Sunshine Coast's best glamping spots
Image Credit: Tourism & Events Queensland