Unforgettable caravanning trips in Queensland for a cool weather adventure

With over 300 days of clear blue skies and balmy days, breathtaking scenery, world heritage-listed coastline and iconic outback country, Queensland is designed for a quintessential caravanning holiday. A way to recharge the batteries and connect with Mother Nature, hitching a caravan across the state is an incredibly rewarding way to explore parts unknown – and autumn and winter (March-August) are the perfect seasons to hit the road.

Whether you’re towing for that nostalgic hit, seeking solace on a remote Queensland island campsite, or intent on experiencing a more enriching type of holiday in the Sunshine State, caravanning in Queensland should be top of your bucket list.

Plan your perfect Queensland caravanning adventure

Queensland is a big place. With a coastline spanning 7,000km, and boasting a total area of almost two million km, it pays to plan your trip. For aspiring caravaners and campers, a 14-day road trip is a great way to dip a toe in, checking off the big-ticket sites at unique caravan parks and campsites to suit all tastes and budgets.

Got your sights set on a pet-friendly trip to the Outback, rural campsite or remote beach in Queensland’s tropical north? Book well in advance to ensure the best spots, which regularly book out quickly during school holidays and long weekends – so if you’re willing and able to travel outside of these times, you’re already winning.

Familiarise yourself with the state's landscape before you travel. A guide to caravanning and camping in Queensland's national parks will prove invaluable (and help you pack the necessities – not including the camping stove and swimmers).

Queensland’s capital boasts an abundance of national parks and caravan parks all within a two-hour drive of the CBD. From the beaches of Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island,) the lush rolling hills of Samford and Mount Mee, to the dazzling beachside sites at Teewah Beach on the Sunshine and Gold Coast, you don’t need to travel far to feel a million miles away from the big smoke.

Our picks: Set up camp beachside at Under the Stars 2WD beach-camping at Cylinder Beach and Island in the Sun glamping at Minjerribah. Breathe in that fresh, country air at Lake Moogerah and Spicers Gap, and rejuvenate mind, body and soul at Sanctuary by Sirromet for an indulgent glamping escape beneath the gum trees.

Getting there: All of these must-visit destinations are a short drive from Brisbane, including North Stradbroke Island. Heading west? Lake Moogerah, Spicers Gap and Mount Cotton are ideally placed to visit on short road trips to and from Brisbane. Flying into Queensland? Car and campervan hire is available at Brisbane Airport.

Caravanning on the Sunshine Coast

World-famous Sunshine Coast may have fewer skyscrapers than Gold Coast, but it’s certainly not lacking when it comes to spectacular beaches for lounging and lush hinterland for exploring. From the soaring Conondale Ranges and imposing Glass House Mountains, to the hidden hinterland villages of Maleny, Kenilworth and Eumundi, and the iconic coastal towns of Noosa, Mooloolaba and Caloundra, the landscape north of Brisbane is as vast as it is breathtaking.

Bribie Island, connected by a bridge to the mainland, presents something for everyone with the calm waters of Pumicestone Passage and the surfside at Woorim. Beach camping is also an option if you have a 4WD.

Our picks: There are dozens of options to caravan or camp on the Sunshine Coast. For remote exploration and world-class beach camping options, hit the golden sands at Inskip Point (Rainbow Beach). Sandstone Point Holiday Resort on Pumicestone Passage is an easy-access holiday park to stay with family and friends, while Cedar Grove in Conondale National Park and council parks at Coolum, Cottontree, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore and Dicky Beach are all top spots for picturesque camping and caravan stays.

Getting there: Rainbow Beach at the northernmost point of the Sunshine Coast region approx. three hours’ travel time from Brisbane. All other Sunshine Coast locations, including Conondale National Park, are within a two-hour drive.

From the buzz and dazzle of Broadbeach and relaxed beach towns of Burleigh, Mermaid and Palm Beach, to the famed surfing towns of Coolangatta and Snapper Rocks, the Gold Coast is a sun and sea-lovers paradise. Head a little further inland to the green behind the gold for hidden freshwater swimming spots and remote hinterland camping spots at Currumbin Rock Pool, Springbrook and the ancient Gondwana Rainforests.

Our picks: For camping inside pristine national parklands, check out the Settlement Camping area in Springbrook National Park, and O’Reilly’s and Green Mountain campsites in Lamington National Park. Head to Ocean Beach Tourist Park at spectacular Miami for a relaxing holiday by the beach and NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Resort for a family-friendly getaway.

Getting there: The northern Gold Coast from Brisbane is less than an hour’s journey by car or train and less than two hours to the southern end at the New South Wales border. Flying directly into the Gold Coast? Campervan and car hire are available at the airport, with multiple rental agencies to choose from.

Darling Downs and South West Queensland

One of the most loved regions in Queensland by locals and tourists alike, the Darling Downs is a stunning region to visit (and hike) at any time of year. Aptly named Australia’s food bowl for its fertile farming land, Dalby, Toowoomba, Stanthorpe and Warwick in the Granite Belt, and the wider Southern Downs region are a food and wine lovers must-visit destination, abundant with local produce, roadside stalls, independent farms, wineries and breweries. Hitch the caravan and take your time to savour the bounty of countryside SEQ.

Our picks: Warwick Freedom Lifestyle Caravan Park is a top choice for powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites and a great spot to base yourself to explore the Southern Downs region. Dalby Tourist Park and Pioneer Caravan Park Dalby are both centrally located in the heart of Dalby, a short walk from restaurants, pubs and shops. Alure in the beautiful wine region of Stanthorpe offers five-star glamping, complete with its own eco-fireplace. Tucked away in the gorgeous Southern Downs area, Killarney View Cabins and Caravan Park offers both powered and non-powered sites just 10 minutes from the spectacular Queen Mary Falls.

Getting there: Stanthorpe and Darling Downs region are both a touch over three hours from Brisbane, making the region easily accessible for travellers seeking a shorter caravanning experience. Stop in the historic country town of Toowoomba for a taste of country living on your journey to Stanthorpe.

Caravanning in Mackay and The Whitsundays

Postcard perfect with warm sunny days and balmy evenings year-round, the Whitsundays and Mackay region in Queensland are bucket-list caravanning and camping destinations. Home to the Great Barrier Reef, idyllic tropical islands and an impossibly beautiful coastline, set up camp anywhere here and you’re guaranteed picturesque views and an abundance of nature on your doorstep.

Our picks: Airlie Beach, BIG4 Adventure Whitsundays and NRMA Bowen Beachfront Holiday Park are top choices for caravan parking with electricity and shower facilities beach adjacent. Want a big adventure on a small budget? Check out the free RV & Campsites (72-hour stays) at Lake Proserpine Recreation Hub. 

Many of the more remote island campsites at world-famous Whitehaven Beach, Hook and Whitsunday Islands restrict vehicle access so arrange for your caravan to be stationed at a local caravan park, and book a local water taxi to access these incredible (but remote) camping spots. You won’t regret it.

Getting there: The drive from Brisbane to Airlie Beach, Bowen and Mackay takes around 12-13 hours, making them popular places to visit on a Brisbane to Cairns road trip itinerary. From Cairns, the trip south takes between six and seven hours. Permits and fees apply to almost all national park camping grounds in the Whitsundays region, with strict no gas, fire or open stoves policy.

Caravanning in Capricorn

One of Queensland’s most naturally diverse regions, the Capricorn region is a contrast of reef, rainforest and rugged coastline. Experience the famous Queensland hospitality at the quintessential coastal towns of Rockhampton and Yeppoon, or get up close to the incredible wildlife of the Southern Great Barrier Reef on the protected Great Keppel and Pumpkin Islands, home to some of Australia’s most iconic marine life.

But there’s more to Capricorn than its seaside scenery; this is where the beach and bush give way to red sand, where vast natural and ancient Indigenous sites are found. Carnarvon Gorge is just one of the jaw-dropping sites in the heart of Queensland country – a tropical oasis in the Outback.

Our picks: To experience the majesty of Queensland’s outback, book a spot at  BIG4 Breeze Holiday Park in Carnarvon National Park for the only access to Carnarvon Gorge, or hit the quiet bush sites at Forest Fields Campstay, on the edge of Byfield National Park, for a breathtaking under-the-stars camping experience.

Want a spot with ocean views? NRMA Capricorn Yeppoon Holiday Park and Beachside Holiday Caravan Park have amazing sea views of Great Keppel Island, while Keppel Sands Caravan Park is a hidden gem for quiet caravan and camping sites.

Getting there: The Brisbane to Carnarvon Gorge road trip takes a full day at around eight hours. Roma is a popular place to spend a night to break up the trip and to purchase food supplies and amenities. Byfield is the farthest drive north at nine hours, with Yeppoon and Keppel Sands a little closer at around eight hours’ drive. Flying into Rockhampton? These campsites and caravan parks are a short drive from Rockhampton, with plenty of campervan hire options available.

Caravanning in Outback Queensland

Outback Queensland is Australia’s rugged heartland. With soaring skies, red dirt, and breathtaking landscapes of tropical oasis and sand dunes, you’ll need to plan well to properly experience this unbelievably vast and totally unique part of the world. Hit the region’s outback town trail; Mount Isa, Birdsville, Charleville and Longreach are totally unique, and rich with the country’s farming and aviation heritage.

Go further west towards the Northern Territory border to the Gulf Savannah and the landscape changes again; the other-worldly Boodjumulla (Lawn Hill) National Park with its vivid orange sandstone cliffs and crystal clear gorge, and the famous Savannah Way – connecting Cairns with Western Australia’s Broome with over 3,700km of scenic Outback driving.

Our picks: Windorah Caravan Park and Diamantina National Park for camping in Birdsville, Cunnamulla Tourist Park and Eromanga Motel and Caravan Park in Quilpie. Why not treat yourself to a spot of glamping in the outback? Saltbush Retreat in Longreach with its rustic but beautiful accommodations. Cobbold Village in Cobbold Gorge is your gateway to the Savannah and boasts a variety of camping, powered RV sites, and accommodations (even a swimming pool) in the middle of the desert.

Getting there: The drive from Brisbane to Mount Isa takes at least 20 hours – so hit the hand brake and book campsites or caravan parks along the way. Longreach is much closer (by outback standards) at 13-14 hours’ drive.

Caravanning in Tropical North Queensland 

Home to the world’s oldest rainforest, the World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforest, the Daintree, exquisite tropical beaches, remote tableland villages, and, yes, even crocodiles, Tropical North Queensland is wild. Where the rainforest meets the reef, this densely green region is dotted with regional cities and hamlets; Cairns, the region’s largest city, is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and Atherton Tablelands, while northern townships of Cape Tribulation, Cooktown and Port Douglas offer a glimpse of laid-back life in paradise.

Even further north is Cape York – the pinnacle of remote travel in Queensland. If you make it this far, you’ll need to be completely self-sufficient (the nearest, and final, town is Cooktown, more than 800kms away), researching roads and vehicle access, ensuring you have supplies such as food, fuel and water. Don’t be discouraged, though – there’s nothing quite like taking your time experiencing northernmost Queensland.

Our picks: NMRA Cairns Holiday Park is well suited for exploring Cairns and the surrounding region’s spoils, while beautiful Bramston Beach Campground is just an hour south of Cairns, offering powered sites and ocean views. Lync Haven Rainforest Retreat and Bingal Bay are some of the last designated parks with powered sites near Cape Tribulation and be sure to drop in at Seisia Holiday Park in the far reaches of Cape York for unparalleled views of Red Island and Torres Straight Islands and one of the best fishing spots in the region.

Getting there: Brisbane to Cairns road trip takes around 20 hours, so making a few stops on the way is a must. Flying into Cairns? Car and campervan hire is available at Cairns airport and the city centre.

Looking for more inspiration? Here are even more caravanning spots in Queensland.