The best campsites on the Sunshine Coast, Qld

Words Hema Maps Editorial Pics Robert Crack, Chris Whitelaw and Supplied

South East Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is full of incredible natural wonders and is in the perfect spot to base yourself to explore nearby attractions. Keep reading to discover some of our favourite camping spots in the region.

Noosa Beach on the Sunshine Coast is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike

The Sunshine Coast is teeming with coastal and hinterland wilderness areas, within which are some of the best camping spots in South East Queensland. Whether you’re en route to hopping over to K’gari (Fraser Island) or retreating inland, the Sunshine Coast offers multiple options in the great outdoors for all types of travellers. 

Join us as we explore eight of the Sunshine Coast’s best camping locations.

1. Double Island Point

A secluded coastal haven that’s only accessible by four-wheel drive vehicle, Double Island Point combines so much of what makes the Sunshine Coast superlative: crystalline waters, fantastic surfing, pristine beach camps and a distinct separation from the crowds down south.

Reaching the point is a matter of driving up the beach through Cooloola Recreation Area and tackling the challenging Leisha Track, or by driving down from Rainbow Beach in the north. The headland’s isolation results in a basic camping experience in sublime surrounds, making Double Island Point an idyllic destination to slow down and smell the sea air. The Double Island Point Lighthouse is also only a short drive (or walk!) away.

2. Booloumba Creek camping areas

Booloumba Creek, Conondale National Park (Credit Robert Crack)

Behind the sand and spray of the Sunshine Coast’s beaches are rolling ranges and subtropical rainforests punctuated by walking trails, natural attractions, 4WD tracks and scenic campsites.

Conondale National Park and its four Booloumba Creek camping areas are a sterling example of these features, placing campers alongside a picturesque creek that bisects enticingly dense rainforest. Aside from swimming and four-wheel driving, Booloumba Creek camping areas are also close to Booloumba Falls and multiple walking trails, most notably access to the Conondale Range Great Walk. It’s a great spot to base yourself in SEQ. 

3. Peach Trees camping area

Green, expansive and surrounded by wildlife, Peach Trees is an archetype straight out of a camper’s dream. Situated north of Jimna and west of Eumundi, the campground has seemingly endless sites with lots of space, with tall trees interrupting its carpet of grass while offering dappled shade for those underneath. The campground is also in a great place from which to explore Jimna State Forest. 

There’s a creek nearby to take a dip in as well, as well as multiple short walking trails that explore the surrounding forest. Kangaroos and wallabies frequent the camping area’s lawns in the morning and late afternoon, creating a relaxed atmosphere within this quiet wilderness setting.

4. Coochin Creek camping area

Thanks to its proximity to broad and bountiful Coochin Creek, Coochin Creek camping area is an angler’s dream. With a nearby boat ramp, toilets, barbecues and all kinds of vehicle access for campers and caravanners, the camping area’s green and well-shaded sites offer basic facilities in the perfect place for water-based activities. The campground’s location also makes mosquito repellent highly recommended. 

Accessible from the Bruce Highway in Beerburrum State Forest, Coochin Creek debouches into Pumicestone Passage and then the ocean a further 3km upstream, while the Passage is located in the popular waterway between Bribie Island and the mainland.

5. Charlie Moreland camping area

One of the standout camping areas in an area replete with contenders, Charlie Moreland’s grassy sites and proximity to Little Yabba Creek make it a perfect destination for a relaxing family getaway. 

A few kilometres down the main road from Kenilworth (and then inland along unsealed Sunday Creek Road), the campground is tucked away in the spectacular Sunshine Coast Hinterland — a location enticing enough to tug campers from the charms of the beach.

6. Archer camping area

Situated at the northern end of D'Aguilar National Park (southwest of Woodford) is Archer camping area — a quiet string of camping sites adjacent to the winding course of Neurum Creek. The campground also links up with the 4WD tracks that course through the Mount Mee section of the park, which takes four-wheel drivers over forest-covered hills that deliver sweeping vistas and a light offroad challenge.

7. Ocean Beach camping area

Ocean Beach camping area (Credit Chris Whitelaw) 

Set behind the foredunes of Bribie Island’s eastern beach, Ocean Beach is a basic campground that’s accessible by 4WD along a 16km beach track. Split into two distinct camping zones to cater for busy periods and different types of campers (Zone 1 camp sites have greater separation for less interaction between campers), the campground requires a booking, while a vehicle permit is mandatory for those driving in the national park and recreation area. 

Meanwhile, offshore there is a variety of ocean life such as dolphins and turtles, while the adjoining beach is pristine and often deserted, making it the perfect destination for a true oceanfront escape. A short walk up or down the beach rewards visitors with amazing sea life sights, not to mention countless water activities.

Related articles

Free and budget campsites: Queensland 

Top 4 free camps in southwest Queensland

Tips for family 4WD touring on a budget