Best Queensland Campervan Spots

Queensland boasts some of the best places in Australia to take a campervan. Whether it’s an ocean view, a peaceful rainforest setting, or a spot by a crystal-clear creek that you’re craving, there are endless possibilities to help you reach those holiday goals in the Sunshine State. Read on to discover where to take your Gold Coast Campervan to make the most of your Queensland road trip.

Where would you like to relax in the evening?

Wherever you park your campervan, you’ll be treated to the relaxing sights and sounds of late afternoon / evening Queensland. Set up overlooking the ocean and let the sounds of the waves lull you to sleep. Find a spot in a national park and listen to the native birds and animals settling down for the night. Or park by a river and catch up on the adventures of the day by a crackling campfire. Whatever you prefer, there’s an amazing campsite waiting for you and your campervan.

What activities do you enjoy during the day?

Pick your campsites based on the types of activities you like to do during the day. If you love to get out in the water, check out the multitude of campgrounds by the ocean, rivers, creeks and dams. Walking/hiking enthusiasts can take their pick from the countless national parks in this state.

Trails range from simple, 15-minute strolls through rainforest and other scenic environments, to challenging day hikes up and down mountain tracks and across all kinds of terrain.

Camping options

As with your choice of place to holiday, there are plenty of options when it comes to deciding on what type of campground you’d like to book.

Caravan/holiday parks

These offer many facilities, including powered/unpowered sites, hot and cold water, camp kitchens, and often other desirables such as a pool or a games room. Some may allow camp fires, others may have large communal campfire settings; some may not allow them at all. It’s always best to check what types of facilities are on offer to see whether they have what you’re looking for.

Hipcamps

These are spaces rented out to campers on privately-owned properties. Properties can range from small acreages to large farms/stations. The number of campsites offered is generally much smaller, with quieter, more intimate settings than commercial caravan parks. If you’d like to get away from it all, this might be the way to go. Register online on the Hipcamp website or download their app and discover the myriad of places you can escape to. Previous visitors leave handy reviews on each campground, which can also be very useful when deciding where to stay.

Farm stays

Farm stays are becoming increasingly popular for those who enjoy a more rural setting for their ideal holiday. Park your campervan on a working farm and meet the animals, help with some of the daily tasks and breathe in that fresh country air. Find out about some of the best farm stays on offer at queensland.com

Queensland National Parks

Our national parks have some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia and, no doubt, the world. They generally do not provide powered sites, and some have eco-friendly toilet facilities, but the proximity to the pristine environments of these national parks and the walks, views and wildlife far outweighs the lack of some of the more indulgent creature comforts caravan parks can offer.

The price per night is also a great attraction, if you’re on a budget. Check out the many campground locations in Queensland’s national parks and book through the Parks and Forests website.

Our favourite camping spots along beaches of Queensland

There are so many sensational places to camp along the Queensland coast, we’d be here for a very long time if we let you in on each and every one’s special secrets, so here’s a few of our favourites to whet your appetite for a campervan adventure along the beaches of Queensland:

Maroochydore

Maroochydore is located in the heart of the Sunshine Coast. Here you’ll find one of the most popular caravan parks in Queensland, Cotton Tree Holiday Park, sitting at the estuary of the Maroochy River and alongside Maroochydore Beach.

Cotton Tree Holiday Park has everything for lovers of swimming, snorkelling and everything to do with water sports. Kayak or take a stand-up paddle board up the estuary; catch a wave in the surf; throw in a line off the banks of the river or off the beach. Or grab some snacks, pull up a camp chair, and watch the sun go down over the river and the Sunshine Coast hinterland. For a relaxing time in and out of the water, Cotton Tree Holiday Park is pretty hard to beat.

Hervey Bay

Hervey Bay sits on the Fraser Coast, about 4.5 hours’ drive from the Gold Coast. The town is renowned as a centre for whale watching – during the peak season, between August and September, whales can be seen swimming and playing in the calm waters of the bay. There are plenty of whale-watching tours to choose from, and it’s a must-do if you’re there during whale-watching season. Hervey Bay also has the largest artificial reef in Australia, covering over 50 underwater sites of varying compositions. It’s a great place for snorkelling, too, with coral-covered reefs and plenty of fish to see.

An excellent place to stay to make the most of these fun experiences is Torquay Caravan Park, as recommended by a customer of Gold Coast Campervan Hire who took Destiny to this spot. According to the hirer, it’s a great spot to unwind and take in the views, then wander across the road for a drink or meal at the hotel or one of the local restaurants.

Agnes Water and 1770

Located at the southern end of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, the two coastal towns of Agnes Water & 1770 offer pristine beaches and national parks, abundant wildlife, and unique activities like the Paperbark Forest Boardwalk.

Agnes Water Holiday Park has a fabulous beachfront location. It overlooks Agnes Water Beach, a patrolled surf beach (check surf club for patrol times) that stretches 6 kilometres up to 1770 headland. Check out the sunrise from the beach. Go for a swim or a surf, or take a long beach walk up to the headland. Keep soaking up those fabulous beach views before/after your adventures at the park’s Holiday’s Café.

Port Douglas

If you’re thinking of taking a road trip up to Far North Queensland, the popular seaside resort town of Port Douglas is an excellent place to park your campervan while you explore the Great Barrier Reef, Mossman Gorge, Daintree Rainforest and the Atherton Tablelands.

Tropic Breeze Caravan Park is located close to everything in Port Douglas. It’s just a minute or two walk to the famous white sands of Four Mile Beach and only around five minutes to the town centre. Wander into town for a bite to eat at one of the many quality restaurants and eateries, some retail therapy, or to simply relax in Rex Smeal Park overlooking the water. The Port Douglas Markets are held every Sunday in the park and a must-do if you’re in town over a weekend. Mossman Markets are also fun to visit, held in Mossman every Saturday (about 20 kms from town).

National parks to explore in Queensland

As we mentioned above, Queensland National Parks have some of the most spectacular scenery in Australia and, no doubt, the world. Some of our favourite inland parks include:

Girraween National Park – just under 300 km inland of the Gold Coast, Girraween has a spectacular landscape of granite outcrops and giant boulders. There are plenty of options for the avid naturalist, walker or hiker, with trails ranging from short walks to challenging hikes. Find a site and discover this beautiful park.

Springbrook National Park is located in the Gold Coast hinterland. Park your campervan in The Settlement camping area and go chasing waterfalls through stunning rainforest that offers views all the way down to the coast. Take the Twin Falls Circuit and pass behind two waterfalls, or the 4km Purlingbrook Falls Circuit down to the base of the falls and back. If you prefer a shorter, 600m walk, check out the ancient Arctic Beeches at the stunning view across the volcanic rim, over the Tweed Valley down to Byron Bay and Mount Warning (Wollumbin) on the Best of All lookout track.

Mount Tamborine

Originating from a volcanic eruption 22 million years ago, Mount Tamborine perches along the northern edge of the ancient caldera that stretches from the northern rivers of New South Wales up to the Gold Coast / Scenic Rim hinterland.

Thunderbird Park is an adventure park located next to the Cedar Creek section of Tamborine National Park and a great place to base yourself while you explore the park and the mountain above. Stretching over 112 hectares, there’s an abundance of wildlife and plenty of water, with Cedar Creek flowing through the property down to Cedar Creek Falls, a 10-minute walk from the property.

Challenge yourself on the park’s zip lines and high ropes, or go fossicking for prehistoric thundereggs of panning for crystals at the Thunderegg crystal mine. For a more relaxing time, take a dip in one of the many rock pools dotted around the property or join in the daily Rainbow Lorikeet feeding session.

Take the creature comforts anywhere across Queensland

So now you have a few ideas to get your creative holiday planning juices going, it’s time to book a campervan to make those dreams come true. Campervans are the best way to go for a stress-free road trip. No matter where you choose to park, at the end of a day exploring (or relaxing) you’ll come back to a familiar, comfortable bed and all the little luxuries and appliances you need for a perfect camping holiday.

Explore our available campervans to start your journey plan

So, what are you waiting for? Book your Gold Coast Campervan and head off on your dream Queensland road trip today! Our campervans come fully equipped with everything you need to make your adventure easy and stress free.

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