Island and beach camping in the Southern Great Barrier Reef

Just 30 minutes from the mainland, Great Keppel Island is a slice of tropical paradise. This 1500-hectare land is home to a plethora of native flora and fauna, including more than 100 species of bird life such as iconic kookaburras, colourful lorikeets and seabirds. 

The place to camp on this island is Great Keppel Island Holiday Village, which is surrounded by glorious gum trees and only steps away from two blissful beaches. Pitch your own tent at the designated campsite, or glamp in a fully screened canvas tent that sits on a wooden deck. Bringing your own tent will cost upwards of $25 a night, while glamping starts from $120 a night.

Enjoy the thoughtful campsite facilities, including a fully equipped kitchen, BBQs and picnic tables. Bring along your own food and drinks to cook up a storm with stellar views; if you’re unable to get to a supermarket before arrival, you can order groceries online from Woolworths and Coles and have them delivered to the ferry.

When it’s time for an adventure, go bushwalking, swimming, snorkelling and fishing in the stunning surroundings. Shelving Beach, Monkey Point and Clam Bay are excellent spots for your dose of H20. Plus, be sure to join the park’s 4WD island tour or shuttle service to one of Australia’s best beaches—Long Beach.

How to get there: Take a 30-minute ferry from the mainland town of Yeppoon; the two options are Freedom Fast Cats and Keppel Konnections. Yeppoon is a 45-minute drive from Rockhampton.

The other Keppel islands

Keppel Bay Islands National Park protects 13 islands in the Keppel Group - and you can can on many of them - each with unique beauty and vantage points.

Choose from the sheltered casuarina groves at Humpy Island, the low vine thickets of the remote Pelican Island, or the large coral reefs within easy snorkel access from Conical Island. North Keppel Island and Humpy Island are popular for larger groups; if you want a more secluded spot, set up camp on the smaller islands of Miall and Conical, which only allow a maximum of six people at a time.

All six islands require camping permits, which can be purchased via the NPRSR website.

Be sure to bring all your necessities (this camping checklist will help) as you’ll have to be self-sufficient.

How to get there: You can access these islands via a private boat or Freedom Fast Cats charter hire.

Curtis Island National Park (southend)

If you’re looking for an island camping spot in Queensland with built-in escapade options, Curtis Island is the destination you’ve been dreaming of.

Boasting wind-sculpted scrubs, vast birdlife, beautiful beaches and sweeping sand dunes, this island is one of the hidden secrets of central Queensland—just awaiting your arrival.

With three designated camping spots (Turtle Street, Joey Lees and Yellow Patch), you can jump from campground to campground to experience each in all their glory. Turtle Street and Joey Lees have breadths of bushland with easy beach access—both can be accessed by 4WD or boat. Yellow Patch is a sandy surface for tents only, that can only be reached via sea. All campsites require permits, which can be purchased from the NPRSR website.

Besides connecting with nature and your company, you can get up to a variety of activities while camping on Curtis Island. You can go fishing, oystering or crabbing, explore North Turtle's caves and rock pools, and snorkel at Connors Bluff (5 kilometres up from Front Beach). If you’re visiting during October to March, make sure you watch for turtles nesting and hatching at Front Beach.

Curtis Island National Park is remote and without facilities, so it’s vital to pack all your supplies (plus a few extra days worth) and to inform someone of your plans before leaving.

How to get there: Curtis Island is only accessible by taking a boat from the mainland. Popular departure points are Gladstone, The Narrows, Port Alma and Rosslyn Bay. A regular vehicle and passenger ferry service is available from Gladstone Marina to the southern end of the island.

Tannum Sands

Another excellent spot for island camping in Queensland is on the Southern Great Barrier Reef’s Tannum Sands.

With its seemingly endless esplanade, golden beaches and palm tree parkland dotted with gazebos and kids playgrounds, this is a pretty perfect holiday hotspot.

Discovery Holiday Park has great facilities and activities. Enjoy the camp kitchen, BBQ, family bathroom, kiosk, laundry, WiFi and the fact that dogs are allowed! When it’s time to use up some energy, there are plenty of options. Climb to the summit of Mount Larcom and cool off with a dip in the onsite swimming pool, visit Wild Cattle Creek across the road for a spot of fishing, crabbing, canoeing or kayaking, or swim in the patrolled beach five-minutes down the road. Refuel from your adventures with fish and chips at the Tannum Beach foreshore.

Considering this is a well-established coastal town, don’t worry too much about food and supplies; just make sure you’ve got your campsite gear sorted to set up your home away from home.

How to get there: Tannum Sands is a six-hour drive from Brisbane.

Lady Musgrave Island

Pitch a tent on Lady Musgrave Island and have your very own ocean aquarium at your doorstep.

This coral cay, located off the coast of 1770, is famous for its massive lagoon—of which is protected by an eight-nautical-mile long, naturally-formed coral wall. This is the perfect place for water lovers to snorkel, dive and explore the wondrous underwater world. If you haven’t got your own gear to explore the island’s world-class dive sites, organise a scuba with Lady Musgrave Cruises.

When you want a break from the water, go for a walk in the wilderness and marvel at the island’s unique flora and fauna. If you’re visiting between November and January, keep watch for turtles laying their eggs. If you’re here from January to March, the babies will be hatching—so keep watch for their first taste of the ocean!

There are no facilities on Lady Musgrave Island, besides composting toilets, so you’ll need to bring all your supplies and be self-sufficient. With a maximum of 40 people allowed to camp at a time, you’ll need to secure your spot. Camping on Lady Musgrave is available from Easter to Australia Day each year, and you’ll need to purchase a camping permit from the NPRSR website.

How to get there: You can reach this stunning location via private boat, a ride on Lady Musgrave Cruises from the Town of 1770, or with Lady Musgrave Experience from Bundaberg.

Agnes Water

Want to camp in nature without sacrificing all the luxuries of home? Agnes Water Beach Holidays Park is the perfect place.

This is an absolute beachfront location with hot showers, toilets, a camp kitchen, picnic grounds, and on-site cafe serving up homemade cakes and quality coffee.

Just 150 metres from the crystal clear waters of the main beach, you can set up camp on both powered and unpowered sites under rainforest trees and tropical shrubs. But if you want to take your camping to the next level (literally), opt for a few nights glamping in one of their safari-style tents on stilts.

At Agnes Water, you can ride the waves at Queensland’s most northern surf beach, explore rock pools, fish at these top spots, take the kids to the local skate park, play a game of golf and go on local tours. LARC Tours is an excellent option; you can travel the coastlines of Eurimbula National Park and the waterways of Bustard Bay to see the first lighthouse built in Queensland.

How to get there: Agnes Water is a six-hour drive from Brisbane.

Woodgate

This secret destination is located 45-minutes from Bundaberg, hiding between the coastal plains of Burrum Coast National Park and a secluded 16-kilometre beach.

Pitch a tent at NRMA Woodgate Beach Holiday Park and you’ll never want to leave. Set right on beachfront real estate protected by the Fraser Coast, this destination is perfect for unwinding and experiencing the never-ending beauty of the iconic Queensland surroundings. A simple stroll through the nine acre property will have you seeing fantastic flora and fauna, and meeting the friendly locals including kangaroos, black cockatoos and lorikeets.

Besides relaxing at base camp, you can lace up your sneakers and take on one of the many walking tracks, explore the Banksia Boardwalk directly behind the tourist park, go 4WDing on the national park tracks, enjoy a spot of finishing at Theodolite Park, and hit the beach for a swim, kayak or standup paddleboarding session.

Enjoy the stunning landscapes and top-notch facilities of this beach retreat. From valuable basics (camp kitchen, BBQ areas, free WiFi, laundry and amenities) to welcomed luxuries (a cafe, car and boat-washing station, and a fish-cleaning area), this holiday park has got it all – including cabins and safari tents – complete with an outdoor bathtub.

How to get there: Woodgate is a four-hour drive from Brisbane.

Bargara

Located 20 minutes east of Bundaberg, Bargara is another excellent spot for camping in the Southern Great Barrier Reef region. 

BIG4 Breeze Holiday Park offers one- or two-bedroom cabins, powered or unpowered sites, and grassed or concrete slabs suitable for all-sized caravans, RVs and tents. This holiday hotspot caters for all kinds of tourists—offering a diverse range of sport and leisure equipment and grounds. Make use of the camp kitchen, BBQ areas, amenities, coin-operated laundry machines, kiosk and free WiFi. Plus, bring along your furry friend—dogs are welcome on application.

While here, make sure you visit the world famous Mon Repos—the largest loggerhead turtle nesting site on Australia’s east coast. This coastal fringe is a popular spot for diving and easily accessing Lady Elliot and Lady Musgrave islands - and there's plenty to do around Bargara too. 

For activities within the park, play a game of tennis, volleyball or basketball, have a spin at the skate rink, and let the kids run free at the playground. For adventures further afield, hire karts and bikes and hit the streets, swim in the beach (which is patrolled in summer), go fishing at nearby waterways, rent out kayaks and paddle boards, and visit the town centre. 

How to get there: Bargara is a 4.5-hour drive from Brisbane.