Best Camping Spots on The Sunshine Coast
Not sure where to camp on the Sunshine Coast? Here’s a rundown of our top 10 camping spots in the region.
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The Sunshine Coast has a beautifully diverse landscape and, while it’s famous for stunning beaches, there is also the lush landscape of the Hinterland to explore. Whether you are more of a beach or a bush lover, there is ample camping in the area to suit all tastes – or you can take a mini road trip and explore a few spots to get the best of both worlds. We have spent many weekends camping in the region and if you’re not sure where to start, here are some personal favourites;
Habitat Noosa – Everglades Ecocamp
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/2CRMr9wUiR7c6b9i6
Price: $35 for undesignated bush camping / $70 for a waterfront spot – per night for 2 people)
Accessibility: 2WD accessible, suitable for campervans
Amenities:
- Hot showers
- Toilets
- Camp kitchen
- Restaurant
- Micro-brewery!
Located on the banks of Lake Cootharaba, Habitat Noosa is a sprawling 56-acre site in the National Park. With plenty of space to choose your spot, access to the Noosa Everglades (hire kayaks or hop on a boat trip), a restaurant and a brewery onsite you’ll be pushed to find another campsite like it. The facilities are spotless and well-maintained, there are easy bush walks to enjoy and plenty of kangaroos make an appearance most evenings. The ground still plays host to educational groups (it used to be an Education Centre) so be aware there may be lots of children around at times. If you’re an early bird, the sunrise over the lake will not disappoint!
Book here: https://www.habitatnoosa.com.au/
Bluff Creek Campground, Kenilworth
Location: https://g.page/BluffCreek?share
Price: $15 per person per night
Accessibility: 2WD accessible on an unsealed road, suitable for campervans. There are some 4WD drive tracks that must be avoided in the vans!
Amenities:
- Hot showers
- Flushing toilets (as well as portaloos dotted around the site)
- Heaps of space
- Access to the Mary River
- Fire pits provided (firewood available for purchase)
One hundred acres of campground means you can find your own private spot with views for miles and direct access to the Mary River. The river is great for swimming, fishing and kayaking plus there are some long walking tracks to explore. If it’s a clear night, you’ll see more stars than you can remember and fires are allowed so you can stay warm whilst stargazing. Bluff Creek is a personal favourite, simply for the ease of access and the fact you feel a million miles away from anywhere. If you like your own space, head here!
Book here: https://www.kenilworthcampgrounds.com/
Imbil Camping Retreat, Imbil
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/66Qoq6dJ9AGN93bL6
Price: $35 for unpowered / $40 for premium waterfront – per night for 2 people
Accessibility: 2WD accessible, suitable for campervans
Amenities:
- Hot showers
- Flushing toilets
- Camp kitchen
- Access to Yabba Creek
A truly relaxing retreat on Yabba Creek, this campsite in Imbil is green and spacious with lovely, clean facilities and friendly owners. The majority of the unpowered sites are unmarked, so you have the freedom to choose your spot – if you want to be next to the creek make sure you request a Premium Waterfront site for an extra $5. It does get busy over peak periods and school holidays so we recommend arriving for the 11am check-in to nab your spot. Campfires are allowed in the rings provided and wood is available to buy onsite or from the little grocer / petrol station in town. A great stop if you are road-tripping around the Mary Valley region.
Book here: https://www.imbilcampingretreat.com.au/
Noosa North Shore Beachfront Camping
Location: https://g.page/noosanorthshorebeachcampground?share
Price: $35 for an unpowered site, per night for 2 people
Accessibility: 2WD accessible, suitable for campervans
Amenities:
- Hot showers
- Flushing toilets
- Absolute beachfront camping
- Camp kitchen
- Fires are not allowed
To get to Noosa North Shore, drive to Tewantin and take a short car ferry ride across the Noosa river – the ferry fare is $10 each way. The North Shore couldn’t feel further away from Hasting Street and Noosa Heads if it tried and at times you’ll feel miles from civilisation – in a good way. The campground is truly beachfront and you can park your van with a view better than any 5* hotel. Choose a spot at the top of the campground, furthest away from reception, to wake up to the sound of waves or tuck into the bushland behind the beach for a bit more seclusion and the high chance you’ll be neighbours with a friendly Goanna. A super popular spot, bookings are essential.
Book here: https://www.noosaholidayparks.com.au/noosa-north-shore
Amamoor State Forest
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/TKGwLj2YZ4mQxdiq9
Price: $6.85 per person per night. You must pre-book online and fill out a tag for your dashboard upon entry (there is no reception).
Accessibility: 2WD accessible on an unsealed road, suitable for campervans.
Amenities:
- Toilets only
- No showers
- No drinking water
- No phone reception
- Serene bush camping
There are two camping areas in the Amamoor State Forest, Cedar Grove and Amamoor Creek. Located within minutes of each other along an unsealed road (suitable for our vans) they provide grassy areas for camping next to the tall rainforest and the creek. You can have fires in the fire rings provided but you must bring your own wood. There are some easy walking tracks to follow around the forest area and plenty of wildlife to spot – look out for platypus in the creek. During the annual Gympie Muster, Amamoor Creek is used for festival campers, so check dates if you are traveling in August. There’s no shop or reception at the sites, so bring everything you need. Both camping areas have toilets but no showers – this is bush camping at its best!
Book here: www.npsr.qld.gov.au
Cotton Tree Holiday Park
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/RrDzNJuJrJCULW1YA
Price: $55 per night for 2 people on a concrete slab powered sites – these are the only suitable for campervans.
Accessibility: 2WD accessible (sealed roads around the park), suitable for campervans.
Amenities:
- Hot showers
- Flushing Toilets
- Camp kitchen
- Free WiFi
- Beachfront
- Close to cafes and boutiques in Cotton Tree
If a holiday park is more your thing, you can’t go wrong with this beautiful spot at Cotton Tree. Situated at the Maroochy River mouth it has access to the calm water in the river and Maroochydore beach. It’s a great spot for surfing, even for beginners, paddle boarding and swimming in the river mouth. It is popular with families so there will likely be plenty of children around. It’s the best of both worlds here – the beach is swathed with palm trees that can feel like a tropical island but with plenty of shops and cafes just across the road in Cotton Tree, a skinny iced latte is never too far away! Bookings essential.
Book here: www.sunshinecoastholidayparks.com.au
Noosa River Holiday Park
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/xF6DGUYBqwD43HEb8
Price: $41 per night for 2 people.
Accessibility: 2WD accessible (sealed roads around the park), suitable for campervans.
Amenities:
- Hot showers
- Flushing Toilets
- Free WiFi
- Riverfront
- Close to Noosa
On the banks of the beautiful Noosa River, this holiday park is in a prime position to enjoy everything Noosa has to offer. It’s a popular spot for good reason, with waterfront sites and great facilities. The campground is only two kilometres from Hastings Street and Noosa Main Beach, with gourmet restaurant options and boutique shops. Head to Noosa National Park to walk the coastal track, and look out for koalas lazing in the trees. Bookings essential. [image from Noose River Holiday Park Facebook page]
Book here: https://www.noosaholidayparks.com.au/noosa-river
Kookaburra Park, Kenilworth
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/SkNV8PQbpfMAs8cf6
Price: $30 per night for 2 people.
Accessibility: 2WD accessible on an unsealed road, suitable for campervans. There are some 4WD drive tracks that must be avoided in the vans!
Amenities:
- Hot showers
- Flushing toilets
- Fire pits provided
- Feed the animals every day at 9am
- Access to the Mary River across the road
Newly opened in 2020 and run by a young couple with big dreams, Kookaburra Park is a slice of paradise just outside of Kenilworth in the Mary Valley. With plenty of space and unpowered sites available, they also offer areas for hire – fantastic if there is a large group of you traveling together. Home to an animal sanctuary for deer, sheep, goats, pigs and more they feed the animals every morning and welcome guests to join in. There is a Jurassic Trail walking track to enjoy and access to the Mary River for kayaking etc – or simply kick back and enjoy the beautiful scenery from your camp spot. As with many Hinterland spots, the star show at night is amazing and if you’re camping in the cooler months, expect cold nights and mornings even on warm days. On Saturdays and Sundays, there is a coffee cart open from 8am-12pm at the park entrance – it also sells an array of local produce to chuck on the BBQ or take home. What more could you ask for!
Book here: https://www.kookaburrapark.com.au/
Borumba Deer Park, Imbil
Location: https://g.page/Borumbadeerpark?share
Price: $18 per person per night
Accessibility: 2WD accessible on an unsealed road, suitable for campervans.
Amenities:
- Hot showers
- Flushing toilets
- Large camp kitchen and BBQ areas
- Fire pits
- Access to Yabba Creek
There’s plenty of space at the deer park and you can choose to camp on the grassy area near the entrance and amenities or down right next to Yabba Creek. The creek is the highlight of the park, perfect to cool down on a hot day. Kayaks are available for hire if you fancy a paddle or just float along on your giant inflatable unicorn and take in the views. Most camp spots have fire pits, there’s wild deer and even mini-golf so you’ll be entertained all weekend! It’s popular with families during school holidays so check the dates if you’re after some quiet time.
Book here: https://www.borumbadeerpark.com/
Kenilworth Homestead
Location: https://goo.gl/maps/UCZoAS9fv5JTr7F7A
Price: $16 per person per night
Accessibility: 2WD accessible on an unsealed road, suitable for campervans.
Amenities:
- Hot showers
- Flushing toilets
- Fire pits
- Access to Mary River
Another Kenilworth gem, the Homestead is set on lush green fields and unpowered sites are undesignated so there are plenty of options for your stay. Only 2km from Kenilworth, you can enjoy a short walk into town – with a doughnut reward from the infamous bakery waiting for you! The campground has access to the Mary River, easy walking tracks, farm animals to pat and coffee over the weekends. Popular with families, school holidays can be very busy. The Homestead often hosts Terra Firma fire pit BBQs on Saturdays – so keep an eye out for these during your stay and don’t miss out on the feast.
Book here: https://www.kenilworthhomestead.com.au/
Ready for your next camping trip on the Sunshine Coast?
Wherever you choose to stay, you’ll be surrounded by natural beauty and the region is small enough to explore a few spots over a single trip. Contact us if you need any more tips and we look forward to seeing you here soon.