Queensland’s best free and budget camping spots — part two
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Time to read 5 min
Welcome to our free and budget camping spots series — this time we’re covering sunny Queensland. But the offerings and variety are huge, so we’re bringing Queensland to you in two parts. This is part two.
Budget-friendly campsites in Queensland
Charters Towers Tourist Park, Townsville Region
Overview: Charters Towers, a historic gem on the Overlanders Way, is home to this tranquil tourist park. Set amid lush trees and well away from highway noise, it’s perfect for those exploring Queensland’s outback or passing through. Charters Towers itself is a treasure trove of history, with stunning architecture and stories from its mining and wartime past.
Sites: The park offers various options, including powered sites and powered ensuite sites.
Amenities: Facilities include a swimming pool with a spa, a camp kitchen, a laundry, and a convenience shop selling snacks, drinks and wine.
Cost: Powered sites from $40 per night and powered ensuite sites start from $55 per night.
Booking: Visit the Charters Towers Tourist Park website or call 07 4787 7944.
Tasman Holiday Parks - Fisherman’s Beach, Capricorn Region
Overview: Located near Emu Park, this holiday park is a great spot for beachside camping, offering direct access to Fisherman’s Beach and proximity to Yeppoon and Rockhampton.
Sites: Off-grid sites (no power or water) are perfect for camper trailers and vehicles with 12V power management setups such as solar or a second battery. Powered sites are also available.
Amenities: These include a camp kitchen, free electric barbecues, sheltered dining areas, two dump points and two modern amenities blocks.
Cost: Off-grid sites start at $32 per night during low season. Powered sites are available from $47 per night.
Booking: Visit the Tasman Holiday Parks – Fisherman’s Beach website or call 07 4939 6202. For those with larger caravans, calling ahead is advised to ensure accommodation.
Macrossan Reserve Camping Ground, Townsville Region
Overview: If you’re after no-frills camping, Macrossan Reserve is a popular choice with one standout feature—no camping fees! Located 22km east of Charters Towers on the Flinders Highway, this basic site is managed by the Charters Towers Regional Council.
Sites: The site has numerous restrictions: no open fires, no unregistered vehicles and no camping within eight metres of infrastructure. Stays are limited to seven days per month.
Amenities: There is an amenities block with cold showers.
Cost: Free of charge.
Booking: First in, best dressed.
Other: The nearby Burdekin River may tempt you to take a dip but be cautious—saltwater crocodiles can occasionally venture into these waters during the wet season.
Bivouac Junction camp on the Burdekin River
If Macrossan feels too crowded, consider Bivouac Junction Holiday Camp, which offers riverside camping with unpowered sites from $20 per night and powered sites from $25. Amenities include fire pits, a basic camp kitchen, and hot showers. Visit the Bivouac Junction Holiday Camp website or call 0477 873 804 for more information.
Corella Dam/Clem Walton Park, Outback Queensland Region
Overview: Nestled in Burke and Wills country, Corella Dam and Clem Walton Park are prime locations for free camping. This region holds historical significance, marking where Robert O’Hara Burke, William John Wills, John King and Charles Gray crossed the Corella River on 22 January 1861. Located off the Barkly Highway, about midway between Cloncurry and Mount Isa, this camping destination offers picturesque surroundings with water, wildlife and wildflowers in abundance.
The park, named after Clem Walton, pays homage to his discovery of uranium in the 1950s, which led to the establishment of the nearby Mary Kathleen mining town. Today, visitors can enjoy camping by Lake Corella, created by the dam built to supply water to the now-abandoned township.
The access road winds through cattle properties, so remember to leave gates as you find them. After crossing the dam spillway, follow the signs marked ‘TIMBURU STATION PLEASE SHUT GATE’ to reach Clem Walton Park’s tree-lined camping area, approximately 1.5km from the spillway. However, the narrow track makes it better suited to small camper trailers, as larger rigs such as hybrids may face difficulties if another vehicle approaches.
Sites: All sites are unpowered and are not designated.
Amenities: Basic facilities include picnic tables and toilets at Clem Walton Park (though they show signs of age). There are no facilities at Corella Dam, so campers must be fully self-contained.
Cost: Free camping.
Booking: First in, best dressed.
Camping at Corella Dam
Other: Larger camper trailers and large hybrids are better suited to Corella Dam. All visitors must come fully prepared, as the nearest supplies are more than 50km away in Cloncurry or 70km away in Mount Isa. The high temperatures in this area demand essentials such as ice and drinking water, as summer days can exceed 50°C.
Although freshwater crocodiles inhabit the lake, they generally avoid human-populated areas. Birdwatchers will be delighted by the rich avian diversity, including Cloncurry's iconic ringneck parrots. For a unique experience, explore the remnants of Mary Kathleen, with its vibrant mine pit offering a spectacular sight, though swimming in its waters is strongly discouraged due to radiation concerns.
For adventure seekers, the nearby Mining Heritage Trail through the Argylla Range rewards visitors with a refreshing dip at Fountain Springs. This stunning permanent waterhole is set against a dramatic natural backdrop and served as a filming location for Australian Survivor: Brains vs. Brawn.
For more information, contact the Cloncurry Unearthed Visitor Information Centre & Museum.
Lake Elphinstone, Mackay Region
Overview: Lake Elphinstone offers an exceptional free camping experience on the water's edge. The sunsets over the lake are often breathtaking, making it a peaceful retreat for nature lovers.
Sites: Unpowered.
Amenities: These include flushing toilets, showers, picnic tables and wood barbecues.
Cost: Free camping.
Booking: First in, best dressed. No booking required.
Other: While pets are welcome, campers should bring their own firewood, drinking water and sufficient supplies for the 14-day maximum stay, as the nearest shops are a considerable distance away.
For further details, contact the Isaac Regional Council.
Lake Broadwater Conservation Park, Queensland Country
Overview: Set against the backdrop of serene Lake Broadwater, this conservation park offers two camping areas with distinct features.
Sites: Unpowered only.
Amenities: The main camping site, near the lake, includes flushing toilets, cold showers, a boat ramp and fire pits. Nearby Wilga Bush Camp, located 2km away, is a more basic site accessible by a walking track or vehicle.
Cost: Camping fees start at $7.25 per person per night or $29 per family, with a maximum stay of 14 days. Please place your camping fees (cash) into an envelope and deposit into the honesty box.
Booking: The park is managed by Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service, but inquiries go through the Western Downs Regional Council. Pre-arrival bookings are not available, therefore it’s a case of checking out the information kiosk and finding a vacant campsite.
Other: Campers must bring their own firewood and adhere to the park’s rules, including a no-pets policy.
Bluewater Park Rest Area, Townsville Region
Overview: Located 29km northwest of Townsville along the Bruce Highway, Bluewater Park offers one of the best free camping spots in North Queensland. Managed by the Townsville City Council, this rest area provides free overnight vehicle camping, perfect for camper trailers.
Sites: Unpowered.
Amenities: These include toilets, picnic areas and a dump point.
Cost: Free of charge.
Booking: Pre-booking online is required; click here to book. Stays are limited to once per week, not exceeding 48 hours. For more details, contact the Townsville City Council.
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