📍Keep Your Money! Here’s 11 Epic Places With Free Camping In Queensland.

TRAVELLING ON A BUDGET? FREE CAMPING IN QUEENSLAND IS THE BEST WAY TO TRAVEL.

Queensland is huge! It’s Australia’s second-biggest state and can fit all but 16 countries within its massive 1.727 million km² expanse, including the entire United Kingdom! Within that enormous space lies an incredibly diverse range of terrain and climates. From the world-famous A-listers of the Great Barrier Reef and the Outback to the continent-spanning Great Dividing Range and all the coastal and country destinations in between, there’s absolutely no shortage of magnificent places to explore.

One of the best ways to tackle this vast, wild and rugged state is by camping your way through it, giving you the most immersive outdoor experience possible. It’s even better when it doesn’t cost you a dime. Luckily, the state facilitates! There are heaps of beautiful places with free camping in Queensland. Areas where you can find your own little slice of scenic paradise, pitch a tent and gaze up at the stars. No booking or pre-planning is required, perfect for spontaneous trips or side adventures.

Typically, these spots are away from the bigger and more prolific destinations, which often offer only roadside pit stops or nothing at all. But head inland and you certainly won’t be starved for choice. It’s a phenomenal budget-saving way to explore this expensive-to-travel country, so enjoy this ever-evolving list of beautiful, cost-free campsites I’ve discovered so far.

1. Paradise Dam Campground.
Paradise Dam.

Travelling along the Bruce Highway in the Wide Bay Burnett region? One place you’ll want to deviate from the highway to is Paradise Dam. Located west of Hervey Bay, the Whale Watching Capital of Australia and Bundaberg, the country’s Rum Capital, this is a beautiful place to visit when you want to swap beaches for country scenery.

At first glance, it just looks like a beautiful place for a day trip to enjoy lake scenery, aquatic activities and picnics by the water, but, for what has to be one of the region’s best-kept secrets, it also moonlights as a little-known council-run campground. And it’s absolutely free.

All I had to do was get the phone number from the signs around the car park, head up to the upper lookout and picnic area (where there was surprisingly reception) and let them know I was there, then bing, bang, boom, I was golden.

And the coolest part? It’s not just tucked away in some dank corner but in a place with one of the prettiest vantage points overlooking the lake: on the boat ramp level. That does mean that most of the sites are on the road, with only a few on grass. However, it faces directly east, so you can watch the sun setting right from your campsite, which is just the perfect way to cap off the day.

This is also ideal for early starts on the lake, as it’s such a short distance away from the launching area for boats, with a side road for launching kayaks, perfect for making the most of those early morning hours before the day visitors arrive.

Psst: Don’t just go for the dam. You can make a great country adventure out of heading inland from Maryborough, going through Biggenden and Mt Perry and meeting back up with the highway at Gin Gin, thanks to places like Mt Walsh National Park, Mingo Crossing & Mt Perry Lookout & Booldoomba Tunnel.

• Region Of Queensland: North Burnett.
• Distance From Nearest Major City (Bundaberg): 100km.
• Accessibility: 2WD. (Partially dirt.)
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: N/A. Mostly asphalt, limited grass.
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables, BBQ (Upper picnic area.)
• Best Time To Visit: Year-round.

2. Wuruma Dam Campground.
Wuruma Dam.

Another fantastic free campground in Queensland’s Wide Bay Burnett region is Wuruma Dam. Situated between Eidsvold and Monto, it’s a long drive out here from any major town or city but that just means it’s a great country escape if you’re looking to get off the beaten track and explore some of the hidden gems in the states interior, which includes boating and kayaking here and hiking at the nearby Cania Gorge and Auburn River National Parks.

As for its campground, it is a large, open space located next to the dam wall and is a rock-up-and-roll-deal, no booking required, perfect for travellers who never know where they are going to be when and who don’t want to know. They’re just going with the flow. Although you might want to arrive early, as when I came to camp on a mid-afternoon weekday in May, it was already pretty busy! Plus, it gives you the best opportunity to snag one of the spots that directly overlook the water. 

Another thing to note is that it isn’t a free-for-all lawn, where you can just park anywhere. It has a caravan park kind of layout, so all the sites are designated spaces. They are decent-sized, but are right next to each other, with no privacy between you and the next people. This set-up also had me dealing with people playing loud music and somehow talking even louder just opposite me, which was a problem that only presented itself after sunset and continued long into the night, which is not fun when you’re already established and trying to sleep in a tent. So bring earplugs or earmuffs if you’re doing this or want to spend some quiet time outside. 

• Region Of Queensland: North Burnett.
• Distance From Nearest Major City (Bundaberg): 199km.
• Accessibility: Conventional vehicle. Short side road to the boat launching area is dirt and a little rough.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: 40 designated camping areas/ grass.
• Facilities: Boat ramp, toilets.
• Things To Do Nearby: Water activities such as swimming, kayaking and boating. Lookout.
• Best Time To Visit: Year-round.

3. Kinbombi Falls.
Goomeri.

If you’re travelling throughout the Gympie region, one place you’ll want to beeline towards if you love free camping spots and hidden gems is Kinbombi Falls. Tucked away at the end of a dirt road near Goomeri, this is one spectacular natural landmark that most people drive straight past completely unaware of, but most definitely shouldn’t.

That’s because it features a stunning rocky gorge with a seasonal waterfall that brings the landscape to life after heavy rains. Even when it hasn’t, it’s still a beautiful place to explore, with 3 picturesque short but challenging walks that each lead to different incredible viewpoints. One goes to a spot right by the gorgeous natural water feature, another down a few fenced-in stairs across a rock to a breathtaking lookout peering over the gully. Meanwhile, the longest and most challenging one starts out as a spectacular ridgeline walk before descending into the gorge via many, many stairs and a steep gravel slope to the picturesque creek bed, which you can also swim in if there’s been sufficient rain lately, so it’s well worth visiting just for the scenery.

As for the camping ground, it’s a peaceful, bushland setting away from the road, making it a great place for road trippers to disconnect from driving endless asphalt roads and reconnect with the sounds of nature. There are also a few picnic tables to take advantage of while you’re eating and some fire rings for keeping warm at night, and maybe the odd possum coming to visit, which, all combined, made it one of the best places I’ve discovered in Queensland to free camp.

• Region Of Queensland: Gympie.
• Distance From Nearest Major City (Gympie.): 73km.
• Accessibility: 2WD. Dirt Road.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: Unknown/ Gravel.
• Facilities: Toilets.
• Things To Do Nearby: Goomeri, Mudlo NP.
• Best Time To Visit: After decent rain.

4. Boyne Bush Camp.
Lake Awoonga.

The spectacular Lake Awoonga is the only lake in the dynamic Gladstone region, giving visitors the perfect countryside change up to its many gorgeous beaches and even more magnificent islands. Located only a cruisy 30km drive south of the divisive industrial city’s CBD and 112km northwest of the breathtaking coastal twin towns of Agnes Water and 1770, this place has some of the most gorgeous lakeside recreational use areas I’ve ever come across.

Between the two picnic areas, there are tonnes of individually sheltered sets of tables spread amongst the thoroughly thought-out multi-tiered bushland setting right by the water, so everyone, including large groups, can snag a place for themselves, even when it’s busy. The designers have been generous with the BBQs too, with there being plenty of them between all this. One of the places also has a little waterfall, just to continue the aquatic ambience on land! Both places also have a floating pontoon giving swimmers something to splash around and kayakers and stand-up paddle boarders somewhere to dock. The lake also has 3 lookouts, a big boat ramp, and let’s not forget the epically rugged backdrop of Castle Tower National Park as the backdrop, so it’s a fantastic day out from Gladstone.

But, as this list implies, the fun doesn’t have to stop there. Because, in a sneaky move that only a few know about, this lake is also home to one of Queensland’s best free camping sites. The thing is, it’s not here, where all the aforementioned fun happens. It’s right around the lesser-travelled other side of the lake where the magic happens. Here at the Boyne Bushcamp, there’s a big, lush grassy area away from the road where you can park up for the night and sleep soundly under the stars. If you arrive at the right time, you can even get a spot that overlooks the water. Don’t get too bummed out if you can’t, though, as nearby, there is a spectacular lookout of the backside of this lake where you can enjoy breathtaking views from. Plus, there’s also a boat ramp here, so this place really does tick all the day and nighttime adventure boxes.

• Region Of Queensland: Gladstone.
• Distance From Nearest City (Gladstone.): 54km.
• Accessibility: 2WD.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: N/A/ Grass.
• Facilities: Toilets.
• Things To Do Nearby: Boating on Lake Awoonga, Kroombit Tops National Park.
• Best Time To Visit: Year-round.

5. Calliope River Campgrounds.
Calliope River.

You don’t often get a great free campground in Queensland right by the side of the continent-spanning national highway. Plenty of roadside rest stops where you can catch up on sleep in your self-contained vehicle, for sure, but very little on the scenic side of things and even less where you can properly pitch a tent. And that’s where the Calliope River Campground comes into a league of its own. Located just a 25-minute drive away from the surprisingly beautiful and dynamic, but divisive industrial regional city of Gladstone, this place is a fantastic road-trip gem that’s got all three of those things in the bag.

This place consists of two large open grassy areas, one on each side of the river. The northern one at the fascinating Calliope River Historical Village turnoff is dedicated to self-contained vehicles, such as caravans, motorhomes and campervans, with the caveat that it is right next to the highway where trucks are passing by at all hours of the night.

Meanwhile, the southern side campground lies directly opposite it (the turn off for it is the one before), but has the benefit of being further away from the road and is therefore given to campers who just want to park up, set up camp and enjoy the scenery overlooking the picturesque Calliope River, which is the big estuary that eventually runs through north Gladstone and into its expansive harbour. There’s even a lovely pedestrian bridge that links the two sides, so you can wander down there and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Not only is it perfect for some nature vives, but the ideal, easily accessible location of this place, makes it an exceptional budget-friendly place to base yourself to visit the unique industrial harbour city and explore its unique attractions, spectacular islands and gorgeous hinterland, for nothing, giving you plenty of reasons to stay longer, because even though the city wasn’t on a sign for 500km driving in from Brisbane (it was only when you close that it was, despite Rockhampton being on all of them), it really does have plenty to offer that no road tripper should bypass.

• Region Of Queensland: Gladstone.
• Distance From Nearest City (Gladstone): 27km.
• Accessibility: 2WD. Asphalt & grass (at campground)
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: N/A/ Grass.
• Facilities: Toilets. – Located on the hill behind. They’re pretty crappy, even by outdoor loo standards.
• Things To Do Nearby: Gladstone, Curtis Island, Heron Island, Lake Awoonga, Calliope River Historical Village.
• Best Time To Visit: Year-round.

• Region Of Queensland: Western Downs.
• Distance From Nearest City (Toowoomba): 173km.
• Accessibility: 2WD.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type:
• Facilities: Toilets, picnic tables, BBQs, boat launching area and pier.
• Things To Do Nearby: Numerous things around Chinchilla.
• Best Time To Visit: Year-round, except February if you want to avoid the crowds from the Melon Festival.

8. Caliguel Lagoon.
Condamine.

The crown for my absolute favourite place with free camping in Queensland goes to…. drum roll… Caliguel Lagoon. Even though this place is only 40km south of Miles, it feels like so far out back and beyond. But, it’s well worth the drive out, because it is easily one of the most beautiful places in the vast Western Downs countryside to visit, like a stunning oasis in a landscape full of seemingly endless plains.

What’s also great about it, in addition to its peaceful and picturesque scenery, is that, despite being in an isolated area, it’s an incredibly inviting place, thanks to some recent renovations that have rejuvenated the space and brought it into the modern era. It boasts new sheltered picnic tables, electric BBQs and a playground, which all overlook this beautiful waterway, plus there is a boat ramp nearby, making it a fantastic place to detour off the Warrego Highway and spend a few hours soaking in the scenery and enjoying aquatic activities.

So the fact that this spectacular destination also doubles as a free campground only adds to its appeal tenfold, so let’s brass tacks on that, shall we. It’s got plenty of designated bays separated into two areas: one for caravans, motorhomes and other self-contained vehicles where you can run generators, while the other is for a peaceful back-to-basics set-up in tents. (Dad and I had this whole side to ourselves on a Friday night!) Each of these sites has its own fire ring, plus there’s a large communal pit for big groups and mingling with other road trippers, which is always one of the best parts of overnight stays like this, getting into the heart of why it is such a beloved pastime.

But the best part, the thing that makes this the crème de la crème and one of the best-equipped council-run campgrounds in the state, is that along with all the aforementioned upgrades, it also has beautiful steaming hot showers, which, if you road trip and camp out a lot, you know is a rare and super-satisfying find which automatically brings this place into elite-level territory. Perfect for freshening up after splashing around in the lagoon and driving the long distance to get here.

• Region Of Queensland: Western Downs.
• Distance From Nearest City (Toowoomba.): 214km.
• Accessibility: 2WD.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: Gravel.
• Facilities: Sheltered picnic tables, electric BBQs, firepits, toilets, hot showers!
• Best Time To Visit: Warmer months.

9. Gil Weir.
Miles.

Speaking of Miles, Caliguel Lagoon isn’t the only place where you can camp for free. There’s actually a place right on its doorstep, where you can enjoy those nature vibes after visiting all the attractions this small highway town has to offer.

Gil Weir is the local impounded estuary, and despite being only a five-minute 5-kilometre drive south, it is surrounded by a dense thicket of trees that makes you feel like you’re much further away from civilisation than you actually are. It certainly provides a nice sense of escapism because it is the region’s only place, besides Bunya Mountains National Park and Barakula State Forest, not devoid of publicly-accessible forests.

This makes it a super shady spot for those hot sunny days when being exposed to the sun for too long is unbearable. Unlike Caliguel Lagoon, this place is very back-to-basics. No facilities are here except toilets, but it also means that there are designated sites to pigeonhole you into a certain location to spend the night. Just as long as there is enough room for others to pass, you’re good to go.

Add on the fact that it’s also a lovely place for boating and kayaking, where the towering tree-lined shorelines make you feel like you’re way out in the wilderness, and you’ve got a beautiful rustic campground that does everything it can to get you back in touch with nature. to do in Miles will love Gil Weir. This lovely spot is a beautiful impounded lake a few kilometres south of the township. Despite being only a 5-minute drive away along a national highway, it has such a dense thicket of trees surrounding it that it feels like you are “miles” away from anywhere.

• Region Of Queensland: Western Downs.
• Distance From Nearest City (Toowoomba): 215km.
• Accessibility: 2WD.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: N/A. / Dirt.
• Facilities: Toilets.
• Things To Do Nearby: Miles.
• Best Time To Visit: Year-round.

Waterloo Plain Environment Park.

The Western Downs slays when it comes to free camping in Queensland. And Waterloo Pain Environmental Park is another excellent place where you can do just that.

Located along the Leichhardt Highway at the region’s northernmost extent in a tiny town called Wandoan, it is a stunning 11-hectare wetland reserve. Not only is it great for a walk around the lagoon’s perimeter way to get the blood pumping through your legs and see lots of birdlife, but it’s a serene place to spend the night.

It’s a carpark-style campground where you just park anywhere that you won’t be in the way, but you’re more than welcome to pitch a tent here to enjoy camping the good old-fashioned way. (And it’s a really good place to do so because the kangaroo carnage I saw out here was the worst I’ve ever seen.)

Amenities include picnic tables, toilets, and my favourite, hot showers. How glorious showers. Road trip to this region, anyone?

• Region Of Queensland: Western Downs.
• Distance From Nearest City (Toowoomba): 279km.
• Accessibility: 2WD.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: N/A Dirt.
• Facilities: Picnic tables, toilets, hot showers!
• Things To Do Nearby: Mick, the Cattle Dog Statue.
• Best Time To Visit: Year-round.

11. Brigalow Creek.
Meandarra.

If I haven’t already sold the Western Downs as one of Queensland’s best affordable road trip destinations thanks to all its wonderfully scenic free camping sites, here’s another one to seal the deal: Brigalow Creek.

Located in the tiny hidden gem town of Meandarra, between Miles and Moonie, it lies right on the banks of this picturesque waterway and is a gorgeous place to frolic around in the water and wild swimming. It’s also a fantastic place to watch the sunset as the open campground sits on the eastern banks of the north-south-facing creek, with the other side open plains. The railway track next to it and the stilted water tower in the distance also create a classic country scene that is great to photograph.

This place is pretty far out of the way if you’re not just travelling the Leichhardt Highway, being 88km from Miles and 67km from Tara, the two nearest decent-sized towns, so here’s another reason to visit. The Meandarra Anzac Memorial Museum. This was one of the best country war museums I’ve come across so far in Australia outside of the major cities, one that I think is worthy of the detour.

• Region Of Queensland: Western Downs.
• Distance From Nearest City (Toowoomba): 235km.
• Accessibility: 2WD.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: -/Dirt.
• Facilities: Toilets/ hot showers.
• Things To Do Nearby: Meandarra ANZAC Memorial Museum.
• Best Time To Visit: Warmer months (for swimming.)

12. Old Yarraman Weir.
Yarraman.

If you’re traversing the northern Toowoomba Region and passing through the gateway town of Yarraman, don’t just drive on through. The place is home to a fantastic hidden gem: Yarraman Weir.

Lying just outside of the residential areas, it is a surprisingly stunning oasis thanks to the tiny creek that meanders through it. It’s only a small, reserve, but it’s away from the main road, feels remote and is just a beautiful place to cap off the day. There are a few picnic tables for some comfort and toilets for when nature calls, and that’s about it.

It’s perfect for when you want to pitch a tent to spend a night or two hiking or cycling the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail or need somewhere to sleep after driving long distances from A but are not awake enough or willing to risk accidentally hitting animals trying to get to B.

• Region Of Queensland: Toowoomba.
• Distance From Nearest City (Toowoomba): 120km.
• Accessibility: 2WD.
• Number Of Sites/ Surface Type: Grass.
• Facilities: Toilets.
• Things To Do Nearby: Brisbane Valley Rail Trail.
• Best Time To Visit: Year-round.

Free camping in Queensland is the ultimate way to experience this massive state. Whether it’s spontaneous travels that mean you have no idea where you’re heading or when you’ll where or wanting to see as much of this place for as long as you can without blowing the budget, these secret lagoons, picturesque lakes and hidden overnight haunts prove that you don’t need to spend a fortune to find freedom. Just a car, a tent and a penchant for adventure.

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