I’ve been asked before – where to camp near Brisbane?
So – here’s some place’s we’ve been as a family and why we like them!
Charlie Moreland National Park
Website, Book Here, Directions from Kallangur (North Brisbane)
Rating: 4.5 out of 5!
This is a really good camp site, and my family loves it.
It’s natural rainforest, and you have toilets. No showers though. So you can take a solar shower or swim in the creek. There’s some lovely walks – and a gold mine if you’re really keen to walk up and over to Broolumba Creek.
There’s also a really good creek for swimming and there was a rope swing for a while.
Be warned it does get cold there though – my friend went in July and it went to -4c which was pretty cold.
Why I like it? It’s secluded, it’s close, and it’s really cheap! And it still feels like forest. I’ve been 4 or 5 times and I’ll go again.
What would make it better? A shower with hot water!
Take: your own Firewood. There are fire rings there, and picnic tables available in the day-use area for cooking. And a Solar Shower!
Brooloo Park
Brooloo Park Website, Book Here, Directions from Kallangur (North Brisbane)
Rating: 4.5 out of 5!
Brooloo Park this is the furthest away – but it is also really private and nice. We’ve been there at Easter time and there’s only a few people there (only 7 campsites)
It is more expensive at $50/vehicle / night – and there are only very basic toilet amenities (not flushing).
Why I like it? It’s very secluded. Only 7 campsites on the property – and that means you don’t see anyone else the whole weekend. I think I heard in the distance someone playing guitar, once. At Easter. The most popular camping time ever. And no-one around? Perfect.
What would make it better? Perhaps a little platform around the toilet so that your feet don’t get wet in the dew.
Lake Somerset Park
Lake Somerset Website Online Booking Directions
Rating: 3.5 pepper pots
This is really quite good and close to Brisbane. Whilst a little more pricey than the national forest, it does have Hot Showers, a camp kitchen and all sorts
of amenites. you can even pay extra for powered site – this is basically a caravan park. It has putt-putt golf, and they had a special on where we got a game free for every night we stayed. Really fun.
Why I like it? It’s great for kids – they ride around the park all day on their bikes & meet other friends.
What would make it better? A sandy shore! Pickup the broken glass. And it feels a little commercial – but still fun.
Neurum Creek Bush Resort
Neurum Creek Bush Retreat , Directions From Kallangur (North Brisbane) ,
Rating: 3 pepper pots
This is a really great beginner’s campground. It has hot showers and toilets, and flat areas for camping.
Why I like it? It’s still out in the forest & it’s pretty. The creek is great for swimming!
What would make it better? It gets really crowded and the toilets do smell a bit as they are long-drops. Perhaps some ventilation in the toilets?
Where are your favourite camping spots? Get out amongst it!
Enjoy!
J
[...] Where to stay? National parks are cheap and usually well cared for. There’s also overnight stay places near national roads that are free. But these aren’t as pretty as national parks. See this post about where to go near Brisbane [...]
Hi Guys, Thanks for the review on our piece of paradise here at Brooloo Park. From your blog we picked up another happy customer last weekend.
So with this in mind we would like to reward you & friends/ clients with running a special from now until December School Holidays. If you would like to list it on your blog, ‘Pay for 2 nights get 3rd night Free & late checkout’(Pay $100/car with $200 of value). Exemption of School or Public Holidays & late checkout doesn’t flow into a weekend.
Well – thanks Vince! Always a pleasure to stay at the lovely Brooloo Park.
HI guys
Just wondering if you can help me out? A friend and I are planning on taking our 3 boys on a ‘real’ bush camping experience somewhere close to Brisbane. Can you recommend anywhere (walk-in access only) where we can light a fire and set up a small tent for the night? Don’t care about facilites. We’re both experienced bush walkers but being new to brisbane can’t find anywhere we can go.
Appreciate your help
Tony
I would recommend going to Scrub Road Bush Camp in D’Aguilar.
Can be accessed from Walkabout Creek.
Leave EARLY in the day, as it’s a 15 minute drive + 4 km walk from Walkabout Creek
and then hiking to the next campsite in the series.
I haven’t yet done this but would love to soon, as my youngest is 4 years old and nearly old enough to cope with the walk.
most of the campsites I have been to have been “car camping” because of the age here.
Then I would recommend going to D’Aguilar National Forest and Going to “Scrub Road Bush Camp” – it’s walk in only.
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/daguilar/camping.html
If you live on the south side of brisbane there’s the “Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk” camping – which can also be accessed from the derm website.
I’ve emailed you privately also. Good luck! Write a story – I’d be happy to host a guest post.
Hi
I am a mum of two toddlers ages 2 and a half and 4 and we (with their dad too) are coming into Brisbane mid June – can you recommend any kid friendly campgrounds within Brisbane. Have always toured ourselves (b4 kids) on bicycle and this is a bit of a different trip with the kids now, we have 5 weeks. Escaping the cold NZ winter here on the west coast of the south island. Thanks for your time…Lisa
Hi Lisa thanks for commenting. I think that family friendly equals some facilities
So I would recommend somerset dam or neurum ck bush resort.
Camping in beach areas such as cotton trees is always good as the facilities mean little ones can be kept busy.
A different and local ish experience would be at Brooloo park.
Are you wanting to camp the whole five weeks?? Wow
Let me know if you need more details! Jon
Great website! This is the sort of info I’ve been searching for everywhere. Thank you!
Hi Pepper Pots,
Brad here. Love your site. I have also been to O’Rielly’s Binna Burra and Darlington Park both in the Gold Coast hinterland. Great spots. Brooloo Park sounds ideal spot. Thanks for info. will check out national park site. Brad
Thanks Brad. It feels like TOO long since I’ve been camping – last one was earlier in March this year and it was quite wet the days leading up to it, so we never got to Charlie Moreland. But we still had fun! See you out there! Jon