When it comes to Queensland, ‘The Sunshine State’ is more than a mere moniker, it’s a promise – a promise of hot days that burn bright, and balmy nights that beckon you to escape the concrete confines of Brisbane city, and sleep under a blanket of stars.
Happily, there are loads of great camping experiences not far from the city limits – from free spaces to pitch a tent in the wild to idyllic trailer spaces with great facilities.
Roll out your swag and grab your marshmallows as we explore some of the best outdoor bedrooms surrounding Brisbane.
1. Somerset Dam
At only around an hour and half north-west of Brisbane, Somerset is a great place to spend an invigorating long weekend.
Here, you can walk, cycle, or even ride a horse along the historic Brisbane Valley Rail Trail, dotted with well-maintained heritage stations, sip your way along the wine trail, or soak up some culture along the art trail – but it’s Somerset Dam that makes this place special.
24-years in the making, the cool waters of the dam itself invite you to swim, boat and fish, or even give water skiing, tubing wakeboarding and jet skiing a go at The Spit. Adrenaline junkies can even skydive, gifting the brave sweeping views from the Pacific Ocean to the Great Dividing Range.
When it’s time to rest, the options are plentiful. Somerset Park Campground boasts 78 sites, powered and unpowered, with room for vans and tents. While fires are mostly permitted, facilities are confined to flush toilets.
On the dam, Lake Somerset Holiday Park offers 45 hectares of options – from free-form tent camping to powered and unpowered trailer sites. Facilities include a camp kitchen, barbecues and kiosk, plus playground – and even mini-golf – for the kids. The amenities are well maintained, too, and firewood (for barrel fires only) can be bought at the kiosk.
Good to Know: You’ll need to arrange your boat and fishing licenses prior to doing either at the Dam. Neither campsite mentioned here welcomes pets.
2. Flanagan Reserve
If sitting back with a cup of campfire tea, immersed in leafy, tranquil surrounds while turtles and kangaroos frolic nearby sounds like your idea of heaven, you need to add ‘stay at Flanagan Reserve’ to your holiday wish list.
Just under two hours’ drive south of Brisbane, this idyllic hideaway is comprised of 12 hectares of campgrounds enveloped in beautiful World Heritage Listed bush and is best explored by 4-wheel drive – although it’s accessible without one, too.
Spend the day tubing down rapids and swimming in the refreshing Logan River at the foot of Mount Barney National Park, and the night swapping stories around the barbecue before enjoying a hot shower and drifting off to the song of frogs and crickets.
The expansive camping area means plenty of room for tents, vans and trailers, man’s best friend is welcome (so long as they truly are friendly) and their ‘family pack’ makes camping with your whole crew fairly good value.
For those seeking a challenge, Mount Barney offers some fantastic – if tough – hikes and climbs, so bring your gear to earn an amazing view. Afterwards, you can relax in a canoe on the still waters.
Good to know: Sites here are unmarked, so arrive early during peak times, and respect others’ space. Bring coins for some of the facilities. If you need supplies, there’s a small shop nearby.
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3. Lake Wyaralong
Only an hour south-west of Brisbane, the Ngumbi Base Camp on the shores of Lake Wyaralong is the isolated gateway to Mount Joyce, the picturesque, southernmost peak of the Teviot Range. The whole area is a natural paradise — and best of all, your waterfront accommodation is free!
This trail-access-only camp is a hidden treasure, rewarding the dedicated explorer with a serene place to call home while you discover the many hiking and mountain biking trails or make the most of the tranquil water as you kayak alongside pelicans, cormorants, and sea eagles.
As its name suggests, many campers use this as a stop before trekking up Mt Joyce, which boasts awe-inspiring views over the Scenic Rim, but with 40 kilometres of trails, you can choose from a range of bushwalks, with a new view around every bend.
After a day of adventure, relax with a lakeside picnic, then lie back and drink in the colourful sunsets over the lake. After moonrise, marvel at the sparkling sky above — low light pollution means you’ll be treated to some of the best stargazing in the state.
Here you’ll find six campsites. They can’t be booked in advance, but if you miss out you might find room to sleep in the Old School House – a restored historic building.
Toilets, picnic tables and a water tank are all provided. Once your stay is over, be sure to check out the sculpture park on the drive out of the Lake.
Good to know: This free camping spot is walk or kayak in only and takes around two hours to reach from the car park. While you can boil the tank water available, it’s best if you bring everything you need – and take everything you bring, to keep it pristine.
4. Tamborine Mountain
Tamborine Mountain, also known as Mount Tamborine, is a mere 50 minutes north-west of the Gold Coast, but a world away from its glitz and glamour.
Dazzling instead with natural beauty, Tamborine Mountain (whose name, as the spelling suggests, doesn’t refer to the instrument, but is actually a Yugambeh word meaning ‘wild lime’) is a wonderful adventure escape for all ages.
Here, you can stroll through the canopy on the rainforest skywalk, an experience that takes you up into the treetops of the lush forest, overlooking expansive gorges and crystal streams.
Between the serenity of the Japanese Garden and the exotic beauty of the Botanic Gardens, where native flora blooms, you’ll want to ensure you enjoy an extended stay here. Luckily, bountiful camping options allow you to do just that!
At ThunderBird Park, your flock can make friends with some of the feathered variety, with comfortable camping surrounded by native wildlife on the banks of Cedar Creek.
There are shady spots for tents and vans, with unpowered sites for two coming in at $42, and bigger, powered sites available for large groups. Neat and tidy facilities include fire pits, showers, toilets, a camp kitchen and laundry. Make sure you tiptoe to the creek at dusk to spot the area’s resident platypus!
Good to Know: The campsite grounds can be a little rocky, so an extra layer under your swag is a wise addition. It’s also pet-and kid-friendly, and gets busy, so, if you’re hoping for a more serene escape, you might consider some of the glamping on offer in the area.
The beauty of Brisbane, the Gold Coast and stunning Scenic Rim area is that you can be staring up at a skyscraper one hour and gazing up at a red iron gum the next.
You really need not drive far before you can explore diverse and rugged landscapes and sleep under clear night skies. All you really need is a tent, some walking shoes and a spirit of adventure – so what are you waiting for?
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