The Best Free Camping Spots in Queensland, Australia

Connect with nature on a camping trip to Charlotte Plains in Queensland, Australia
Connect with nature on a camping trip to Charlotte Plains in Queensland, Australia | © Genevieve Vallee / Alamy
Sally Smith

With deserted beaches, wild forests and unique wildlife, Australia’s great outdoors has it all – and there’s no better place to experience it than in the Sunshine State, where you’ll find lots of places to pitch with zero charges to pay. The best free camping in Queensland may occasionally be inaccessible by road, but follow our guide, and you’ll find free campsites without a hitch.

Notch Point, Ilbilbie

This camping area is located in Ilbilbie, south of Sarina, and offers a proper outdoors experience. The camp has no facilities, so most campers bring their camping gear to help them navigate the rough terrain, among other things. The site only allows a maximum stay of 24 hours to enjoy the fishing spots and picnic areas. It can also be very windy, depending on the season.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

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ANCIENT PERU

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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

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EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

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COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

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ULTIMATE EGYPT

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IMMERSIVE KENYA

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Fletcher Creek

There is nothing more refreshing than waking up to the sound of a flowing river. Fletcher Creek is located on the bank of a river, with no parking or tent areas. Campers just set up on any opening on the grass. The site allows campfires and barbecues, which makes it an ideal spot for family camping. Among all the free campsites in Queensland, Fletcher Creek allows the longest stay (one month).

Lake Somerset and Somerset Dam

The campsites are located in the Lake Somerset Holiday Park. The area is free but offers a wide variety of facilities that charge a fee. There are mini-golf courses for kids, and you can hire sports equipment and are allowed to enjoy the sporting oval and the playground. Other activities available in the park include swimming in clear lagoons, boating and water skiing. The sunsets are especially breathtaking by the lakefront.

Bedford Weir

Bedford Weir is the most outdoorsy of the free camping sites. It is a man-made impoundment along the Mackenzie River, offering fun activities close to the camp, including fishing, bird watching, walking, water skiing, kayaking and swimming. It is an ideal family camp spot, due to the fact that it has a wood barbecue area and a playground nearby. Fans of the barramundi and saratoga fish are in for a treat, as you’ll find plenty of them here.

Cumberland Historic Mine Site

Cumberland Historic Mine Site offers campers beautiful scenery and has a rich mining history. It is best suited for people with camping trucks since the camp is a parking area. There are no camping facilities, so campers must bring their own supplies. Despite the lack of camping resources, it offers a serene and beautiful environment for bird watching. The billabong is covered with water lilies and attracts black cockatoos, willie wagtails, rare budgies and whistling kites, among other birds. The site is 35km (22mi) east of Georgetown and has no cell reception or power.

Lloyd-Jones Weir

Southwest of Barcaldine lies this camping spot, which most campers refer to as peaceful and tidy. It is located along the river and surrounded by trees, which provide a lot of shade. The campsite offers an opportunity to see various species of birds from the tree cover – something especially nature photographers appreciate. The camp has a sandy beach next to a lagoon with clear water. Swimming in the lagoon and sunbathing at the beach is truly living the dream! The area offers most facilities, including barbecue stands, clean water, power and cell reception.

Babinda Rotary Park

The Babinda Rotary Park is located off the Bruce Highway in the Cairns region. Although the area is wetter than most parts of Queensland, it is nonetheless one of the best places to camp in this part of Australia. Visit Josephine Falls to take pictures, and observe birds perching around the fall. Especially for photographers, this is a great campsite. There are also boulders that provide a real climbing experience. Campfires are allowed in the park as it gets quite cold.

Kroombit Tops National Park

Kroombit offers the ultimate outdoors experience for campers. Travellers across Australia are fond of this area. It has a changing landscape that offers beautiful scenery for photographers and a breathtaking experience. The WWII Liberator Bomber is still in the position where it crashed more than 50 years ago. The area has two camping sites with all the necessary facilities, but campers are advised to carry fresh water and avoid camping close to dead trees. Two-wheel-drive automobiles can handle the terrain, but four wheels will allow you to venture further.

These free camping spots provide the best nature has to offer. Since the areas are free, they tend to fill up very quickly during the holidays. Visit the camps during off-peak times to avoid overcrowding, and refrain from using caravans, as they tend to get stuck on the narrow roads of the campsites.

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