📍13 Best Cheap & Free Places To Go Camping In The Gladstone Region. (National Parks & Council Campgrounds.) (2025.)

Curtis Island & National Park.

Taking up a massive 675km² just 14km off the coast of Gladstone, Curtis Island is one of the city’s breathtaking harbour islands and the region’s largest and most rugged, making it the perfect day trip and multi-day getaway destination for those craving remote landscapes and seaside scenery. And with its huge national park and conservation park occupying most of the terrain, it is a heaven for hikers, cyclists, wildlife lovers photographers, campers and 4WD adventurers.

2. South End Camping Ground.
Curtis Island.

Tucked away at the northern tip of South End township, this lovely council campground is the perfect base to explore Curtis Island after stepping off the Curtis Ferry Services barge most people take there and back.

After discovering the locality’s picturesque seaside scenery or coming back from seeing the breathtaking views from the Connor Bluff Lookout, one of the best viewpoints in the region or hiking or biking the conservation park’s trails, this beautiful campground, only 1km from the commercial boat ramp where the ferry docks is a great place to rest and recharge.

Plus, along with being near the ocean, and nicely outfitted with lots of trees providing much-needed shade, especially in the hotter months and a large shelter with several picnic tables and a toilet block, I also saw wild horses and kangaroos hanging around in there, which just made it that much more memorable.

Hot Tip: Drop into the Capricorn Lodge store and pick up some goods before heading off further past the town. The owner and workers were so kind to me when I visited for 6 days, so if you do pop in to see them, please tell them I said hi!

• Accessibility: Ferry & conventional vehicle. However some parts of the island are 4WD only, such as Curtis Island National Park, so you’ll have to decide whether it’s worth paying to take your 2WD over with Curtis Ferry Services.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: 20 groups can book, undefined sites/ shady grassy areas.
• Facilities: toilets.
• Cost: Cheap.
• Distance From Gladstone/ Travel Time: 16km/ 1hr 25mins.
• Things To Do Nearby: Curtis Island Conservation Park & National Park.
• Best Time To Visit: Year-round.

3. Turtle Street Camping Area.

If you’re chasing a more off-the-grid experience, Turtle Street Camping Area is a top-tier place to stay. Located 14km from South End in Curtis Island National Park, this unforgettable place offers visitors a gorgeous untouched slice of seaside paradise, thanks to the camping sites being right on the very edge of the sand dunes, giving you the ultimate beachfront views, unlike many places that are tucked further in amongst the trees.

These well-spaced sites also have the unique feature of only being accessible from the beach, so you’ll need to time your 4WD arrival or departure so that it doesn’t coincide with peak high tide, which comes pretty far in. This is even more of a concern during turtle nesting and hatching season (October-March) when green and loggerhead turtles are still occasionally are still on the beach during the daylight even, even though they are usually present at night.

But that’s also one of the best things about this place because seeing the mothers coming ashore to dig their nests (October-December) and the babies emerging a few months later (January-March) is absolutely magical! So if possible, time a visit during these months and prepare to get up in the middle of the night and use the moon, the fuller the better, to watch them, as they get easily distracted by lights.

Another highlight of Turtle Street is that the water is shallow and its shores are protected by the headland, so it is lovely for swimming. Plus, there’s a stunning tidal creek nearby, which offers another perfect place to take a dip, which is great because the only caveat about the sites is that many of them are not the slightest bit shady and made my being inside my tent during the day feel like being in the furnaces of hell, so a tarp to go over your whole setup is a must.

• Accessibility: 4WD or boat or walk-in.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: 8 small to large sites/ sandy but with little to no shade.
• Facilities: Picnic areas, and the two walk-in sites have seats. No toilets.
• Cost: Cheap.
• Distance From South End/ Drive Time: 14km/25min.
• Things To Do Nearby: Curtis Island Conservation Park Shared Trails.
• Best Time To Visit: October & March for turtle nesting season. Because it’s too hot in summer.

4. Joey Lees Camping Area.

Further up the coast, the Joey Lee’s Camping Area is a hidden gem offering even more seclusion. This spot is perfect if you’re after a peaceful retreat away from the crowds, but just like Turtle Street Camping Area, it is only 4WD accessible, however, there’s no worrying about the tides as it’s a standard straight road in to reach the shady campsites.

As for the scenery, the beach here faces the open ocean and offers bigger waves and there’s a short track to the beach on the other side of the headland for even more secluded seascapes to discover.

• Accessibility: 4WD or boat.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: 30 grassy sites.
• Facilities: No toilets.
• Cost: Cheap.
• Distance From South End/ Drive Time: 19.2km, 35min.
• Things To Do Nearby:
• Best Time To Visit: October & March for turtle nesting season. Because it’s too hot in summer.

Capricornia Cays National Park.

It’s hard to argue that there’s anything better to visit in Gladstone than its islands, especially when the ones sitting out in the harbour are just a small taste test of the magnificent that lies a little further offshore. That’s because the ones out there are part of the Great Barrier Reef, the globally-renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and largest marine ecosystem on the planet that occupies a massive 348,700km 2 of ocean real estate off Queensland’s shoreline!

And Gladstone is the gateway to several of them! Heron and Wilson Island are premium island resort destinations, with the former being one of the most famous coral cays. But accompanying them are also some pristine wildernesses that have nothing besides a campground and very little else, making them outstanding places to visit, snorkel, dive and experience nature in its wildest and most authentic state.

5. North West Island.

Nowhere in Gladstone is as unforgettable to camp at as North West Island. Located 77km, you guessed it, northEAST of Gladstone, lies this outstanding hidden gem. (Yeah, the name’s a bit misleading. LOL.) This place goes magnificently under the radar because it has no infrastructure, no structural accommodation and there are no day trips, leaving this spectacular pristine wilderness to those who seek adventures as wild and remote as they come.

The only way to get out here to this distant coral cay, which is the Great Barrier Reef’s second largest and stay at its bare-as-bones campground commercially is with a 6-hour barge trip across the Coral Sea with Curtis Ferry Services getting them to take your boat across or travel there yourself from the mainland, but it is well worth the massive undertaking.

That is because this place harbours such a rich biosphere, both above and below the water that it felt like I was in an entire National Geographic docu-series, it was teaming with that much wildlife, far eclipsing my former favourite island, Lady Musgrave Island, (next on this list.) which held the previous record for the most animals I’d seen at once!

We’re talking over 400 sea turtles, both in and out of the water (it was an insane turtle nesting season.), 200 rays of at least 4 different species, 7 sharks of 3 species and an insane amount of fish, ranging from the small and colourful to decent sized schools of ones measuring 60cm with a few even bigger solitary ones off in the distance. And that was just the marine animals!

The island also has thousands of black noddies and shearwaters, which are the most adorably crazy birds ever, along with hundreds of bridled terns and plenty of silver gulls, all including babies and juveniles, along with some majestic sea eagles and the single button quail that a lovely researcher I talked to said was the only one Queensland Parks was able to catch and bring over from Heron Island to repopulate this coral cay!

So yeah, to say that this North West Island is Gladstone’s best campground is a huge understatement and must visit for those who nature and want to experience the Great Barrier Reef in its wildest and most pristine state.

• Accessibility: Boat only – Commercially from Gladstone or Yeppoon.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: 150 undefined bookable sites, shady firm sandy surfaces.
• Facilities: Drop Toilets, Decompression Chamber.
• Cost: Cheap to stay on the island, but expensive to get across.
• Distance From Gladstone/ Travel Time: 77km/ 6 hours.
• Things To Do Nearby: Snorkelling or diving the Great Barrier Reef.
• Best Time To Visit: October – January. Closed for camping between Australia Day & Easter.

6. Lady Musgrave Island.

Further out in the ocean east of Gladstone, lies the equally breathtaking Lady Musgrave Island. This is the Great Barrier Reef’s second southernmost coral cay and one of its most famous destinations. However, it differs from the other equally renowned ones such as Heron and Lady Elliot as it is not a resort island with eco-accommodations for a cushy stay on the island like those are, but is just like North West where what makes it so special is its absent infrastructure.

Where it gets its acclaim is by being one of only two places in the southern half of this massive underwater ecosystem that you can take a day trip to from Bundaberg or 1770 and the only one that is a wilderness. Plus, it has a floating pontoon where you can luxuriously stay above or below the water and watch the fish swim by your room which understandably gives it plenty of attention.

But while they are both solid ways to spend time on the reef, camping here is significantly better! That’s because like with North West Island, you get to experience the magic of this place first-hand all day, every day, surrounded by thousands of friendly birds and with a lagoon and reef full of incredible marine creatures including what I believe were grey nurse sharks, sleeping between the coral formations and sea turtles curiously swimming to close that I felt I could touch them!

Plus, with the latter coming up onto the land to nest at night between October and December with their newborn babies emerging from them to make their way to the ocean come January onwards, you can see why camping here gets you one of the best animal experiences you can have!

• Accessibility: Boat only – Commercially from Gladstone, 1770 or Bundaberg.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: 21 firm sandy sites.
• Facilities: Drop Toilets, Decompression Chamber.
• Cost: Cheap to stay on the island, but expensive to get across.
• Distance From Gladstone/ Travel Time: 116km
• Things To Do Nearby: Snorkelling or diving the Great Barrier Reef.
• Best Time To Visit: October – December. Closed for camping between Australia Day & Easter.

Eurimbula National Park.

Featuring long pristine beaches, and several spectacular creeks, Eurimbula National Park is a treasure trove of coastal beauty. And thanks to its handful of beautiful rustic campgrounds, it is also one of the most gorgeous places to go camping in Gladstone after spending the day swimming or paddling, building sandcastles, looking for wildlife or exploring the idyllic nearby towns of Agnes Water and 1770, or returning from on a remote adventure to the Bustard Head Lighthouse located on Middle Island in your own boat or by going on a full day LARC! Paradise Tour.

7. Eurimbula Creek Camping Area.

Sitting on the southern bank of the picturesque Eurimbula Creek where it empties into the sea, this stunning campground sharing the same name is the closest place to Agnes Water and 1770 to escape to.

The duality of its location, plus the fact that it’s more protected from the direct impact of the ocean’s waves, makes it the ideal place to take families to enjoy splashing around in the sheltered waters of the sea and the calm waters of the creek or going for a relaxing stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking session in either.

However, one caveat of all the campgrounds in Eurimbula, is that sadly none of them are suitable for getting there in a conventional 2WD vehicle. They could have at least made this one so since it’s the closest to the towns and let everyone who wants to enjoy camping here as I would have liked to have done as it would have made the perfect base, but unfortunately, it’s only 4WD and boat accessible.

NOTE: Luckily, with cautious driving, you can visit the Ganoonga Noonga Lookout on the road to the campground with a conventional vehicle and enjoy lovely views overlooking the coastal lowlands.

• Accessibility: High-clearance 4WD or boat.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: 17/ sandy and woodchip near the beach & creek..
• Facilities: Shelter shed, picnic areas, and composting toilets.
• Cost: Cheap.
• Distance From Gladstone/ Drive Time: 127km/ 2hr.
• Things To Do Nearby: 1770 & Agnes Water.
• Best Time To Visit: The warmer months for swimming. However, marine stingers may be present.

8. Middle Creek Camping Area.

Nestled in an even more remote part of Eurimbula National Park, Middle Creek Camping Area offers even more isolation and serenity. Also, only 4WD or boat accessible, the ocean-facing beach at this gorgeous location offers better waves for swimming and boogie boarding thanks to no headland nearby offering protection, however, you will have to be more cautious with potentially hazardous rips as there is no lifeguard patrols anywhere in this national park.

But where this place shines the most is the creek it’s named after. The spectacular waterway is a through passage that completely separates Middle Island from the mainland making boating or paddling a gorgeous way to spend several hours or even a multi-day trip exploring as long as you take some reliable navigation equipment. But with its unspoiled surroundings, and a prolific bird population, it’s one of the best ways to appreciate this pristine coastal wilderness.

• Accessibility: High-clearance 4WD or boat.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: 12/ sandy near the beach.
• Facilities: Composting toilets & fire rings.
• Cost: Cheap.
• Distance From Gladstone/ Drive Time: 131km/ 2hr 5 min.
• Things To Do Nearby: 1770 & Agnes Water.
• Best Time To Visit: The warmer months for swimming.

9. Bustard Head Camping Area.

If you’re looking for ultimate seclusion, there’s nowhere to camp in Gladstone quite like the Bustard Head Camping Area. Located on the remote Middle Island, the only way to get there is by boat, offering one of the best places to spend the night outdoors in true seclusion.

Along with Middle Creek that you have to navigate along being gorgeous and the campground often having next to no occupancy, another great thing about it is that it resides on the same island as the iconic Busted Head Lighthouse, Queenland’s only still operating tourable lighthouse that also has Keepers Cottage and Powerhouse Museum & Cemetery (Calling ahead is essential.), which is one of the highlights of the LARC! Paradise tour!

Plus, from certain points around the island, lies magnificent views overlooking the spectacular Pancake Creek, such as the high point of the road where the amphibious vehicle comes along after crossing the scenic waterway, makes camping here well worth the effort.

• Accessibility: Boat only.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: 55/ Open area with no separately defined sites.
• Facilities: None.
• Cost: Cheap.
• Things To Do Nearby: 1770 & Agnes Water.
• Best Time To Visit: The warmer months for swimming. However, marine stingers may be present.

Deep Water National Park.

Located just 45 minutes south of Gladstone, Deepwater National Park is a coastal paradise, brimming to the T with serene natural beauty. The park is home to pristine beaches making it an excellent getaway when all you’re thinking about is the seaside.

10. Wreck Rock Camping Area.

At the bottom end, the Wreck Rock Camping Area is a lovely place to take a seaside escape with pristine beaches and a lovely rocky outcrop just a stone’s throw away from the 14 sites nestled within the shady forest, making it a great place for a peaceful escape and reconnect with nature.

However, getting there can be a bit tricky. While the official website mentions this beautiful place is two-wheel drive accessible from the southern approach, the reality is that the access road of the main Deepwater Coastal Drive is fine. However, the second half of the loop road around the campground isn’t due to the soft sand I got briefly stuck in, plus there’s several high tree roots crossing the narrow path, which I definitely wasn’t risking getting past, and ended up coming back the way I came, so driver caution is advised.

• Accessibility: It says suitable for conventional vehicles from the southern side, but it is more for 4WD.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: 14 unallocated sites/ firm sand.
• Facilities: Picnic areas, toilets and cold outdoor shower.
• Cost: Cheap.
• Distance From Gladstone/ Drive Time: 145km (Southern Approach.)/ 1hr 50 min.
• Things To Do Nearby: 1770 & Agnes Water.
• Best Time To Visit: The warmer months.

11. Middle Rock Camping Area.

For an even more remote experience, the Middle Rock Camping Area lies 4km further north and can be accessed in both directions with a high-clearance 4WD only. The increased difficulty of the terrain and the handful of sites avaiable means that there’s likely to be fewer people allowing you to deeper immerse yourself in this place’s beautiful nature and beach scene.

• Accessibility: High-clearance 4WD.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: 9 sites/ sand.
• Facilities: Some fire rings.
• Cost: Cheap.
• Distance From Gladstone/ Drive Time: 148km/ 2 hr.
• Things To Do Nearby: 1770 & Agnes Water.
• Best Time To Visit:

Kroombit Tops National Park.

Nestled in the hinterland, Kroombit Tops National Park is one of Gladstone’s closest and most stunning mountaintop escapes. The landscapes within are an ecological anomaly, but that’s not what entices people out to these parts. It’s the network of challenging 4WD roads and the walk to the shattered ruins of the WWII Bomber, the Beautiful Betsy that invites people to travel out here.

However, it’s not all for vehicles with off-road capabilities that can venture to this place, as the Kroombit Tops Lookout is accessible for conventional cars driving cautiously coming in from the north, which is good because it’s one of Gladstone’s must-visit viewpoints thanks to its breathtaking views overlooking the rugged Boyne Valley.

12. Griffiths Creek Camping Area.

Situated just south of the Ranger Barracks along Tableland Road lies the bigger of the two campgrounds in the Kroombit Tops National Park: Griffiths Creek Camping Area. It is also the only one that is 2WD accessible, which makes it perfect for everyone who wants to spend the night in the mountains under the stars.

The wide open space with plenty of trees makes you feel like you’re in a lush heaven a world away. But while that summer greenery is gorgeous, the leech situation when the ground is wet is absolutely horrendous. I was constantly flicking them off my shoes and pants, and sometimes they were landing on the car and making their way all around the windows and body, which was creepily entertaining and irritating at the same time, so just a forewarning, this is a good way to entertain yourselves watching kids squeal in creepy-crawly horror.

There are also no toilets, so you’ll need to bring something for when nature calls, but that’s a small price to pay for the beautiful serenity this place invokes.

Plus, if you’re up for some exercise, the far end of the campground leads directly onto the 11km one-way Escarpment Track, offering an on-foot alternative to driving to the breathtaking Kroombit Tops Lookout. However, despite what the track’s name hints at, there are very few places where the trees open up and allow you to see the view. So unless you wanted to up your step count or try encountering wildlife, I’d recommend just taking your car.

• Accessibility: Cautiously with a 2WD on Tableland Road, 4WD all other roads.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: 50 undefined sites/ grassy with many leeches!
• Facilities: None. No toilets.
• Cost: Cheap.
• Distance From Gladstone/ Drive Time: 88km/ 1hr 40min.
• Things To Do Nearby:
• Best Time To Visit:

13. Razorback Camping Area.

Not far away from Griffiths Creek lies Razorback Campground, a much smaller and more intimate location that only has two places and is only 4WD, making it super exclusive, so if you have a vehicle with offroad capabilities and can nab one of these spots, it’s the perfect spot to immerse yourself in nature without ever having to worry about if there’ll be crowds. And where there are fewer folks, there’s more time for relaxation and more opportunities for wildlife to come and see what’s up!

• Accessibility: High clearance 4WD only.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: 2/ Grass.
• Facilities: None. No toilets.
• Cost: Cheap.
• Distance From Gladstone/ Drive Time: 87km/ 1hr 40min.
• Things To Do Nearby:
• Best Time To Visit: