The best river, stream, or creek caravan parks near Bowen, Queensland

Looking for a camping experience near Bowen, Queensland that's caravan-friendly and close to a river? Hipcamp has over 660 options to choose from! With an average price of $23 per night and options as low as $10, you'll find a spot that fits your budget. Check out top campsites like Hold It Flats (2379 reviews), Mushroom Valley Eco Camp (358 reviews), and Ben Lomond Station (256 reviews). Along with a river, enjoy popular activities like climbing, off-roading, and biking. Popular amenities like potable water, campfires, and rubbish are also available.

92% (945) • 21 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Bowen

Looking for a camping experience near Bowen, Queensland that's caravan-friendly and close to a river? Hipcamp has over 660 options to choose from! With an average price of $23 per night and options as low as $10, you'll find a spot that fits your budget. Check out top campsites like Hold It Flats (2379 reviews), Mushroom Valley Eco Camp (358 reviews), and Ben Lomond Station (256 reviews). Along with a river, enjoy popular activities like climbing, off-roading, and biking. Popular amenities like potable water, campfires, and rubbish are also available.

92% (945) • 21 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Bowen

1. Blackiron

98%

(504)

66km from Bowen · 15 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Situated on the bank of the Andromache River, setup camp at one of our cozy camp spots and enjoy the quiet of the bush. We have sites available in our grassy paddock which are accessible by all vehicles. Sand camping is available for 4x4's with tent/swag set ups during the dry seasons. No trailers or vans are permitted on the sand due to bogging. Enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of a campfire and visual displays of local wildlife, try your hand at fishing in the river or just enjoy a cool swim just a few meters from our grassy sites. Guests are required to be fully self-sufficient with their own toilet/shower facilities and must take all waste and rubbish with them on departure. Only a short distance from Airlie Beach and the islands for those interested in the local tourist attractions. Pets are welcome but must be kept on a leash and cleaned up after.

2. Ben Lomond Station

99%

(781)

26km from Bowen · 8 sites · Tents, RVs

Ben Lomond Station is an 1800 acre working cattle station 25 minutes south of Bowen and 35 minutes north of Airlie Beach on the Whitsundays. We border onto Eden Lassie Creek which has tidal ocean access for saltwater fishing and there is an abundance of estuary fishing and crab spots available. We are a nature based camping area. Cleared shady camping spots are available for fully self contained campers as there are currently no facilities available so you must have own camping toilet and leave no trace. Access to the camping area is for 4WD only with caravans off road and high clearance. Firewood is available for a small fee or you can collect any fallen timber yourself. There is a ban on cutting down any standing timber even it is dead. There is plenty of room to run for the kids and dogs though we do ask that your pet not annoy our cattle or other campers. Ben Lomond station has an abundance of flora and fauna such as burdekin plum trees, mango trees, wallabies, kangaroos and bird and fish species.

3. Crystal Brook Camping

92%

(6)

42km from Bowen · 8 sites · Tents, RVs

This campsite is ideal for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. It's a peaceful spot with basic amenities, perfect for a weekend getaway. Located just 1km from Proserpine Dam, the campsite offers easy access to serene water views and activities. For those willing to explore further, Girraween National Park is about an hour's drive from Crystal Brook. This national park is renowned for its spectacular granite landscapes, wildflowers, and walking trails. The Bald Rock Creek camping area within the park is a popular spot for nature enthusiasts. The campsite is pet-friendly and caters to self-sufficient campers only, as there are no toilets or showers available. Enjoy a truly off-the-grid experience in this beautiful natural setting.

4. Normanby Rd Nature Bush Camp

100%

(8)

47km from Bowen · 20 sites · Tents, RVs

Normanby Rd Nature Bush Camp is a 22 acre property on the Bogie River, located 1.3 km off Peter Delemonthe Road, a short 35 minute drive from Bowen and close to Collinsville in the Whitsunday Region of North Queensland. - Tents, Caravans, Camper Trailers, RV’s all welcome, 2wd accessible - Camp Kitchen - Campfires allowed - Portable water available - Showers - Self sufficient is preferred - Pet Friendly - dogs to be on a leash or in an enclosure at all times - Children under 16 free - PM your host Paul for more information Camp in nature and enjoy the sights and sounds of the local wildlife.

5. Harbour Lights Caravan Park

81%

(8)

0.4km from Bowen · 83 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging

Harbour Lights Caravan Park is ideally located adjacent to the Harbour and Front beach. This small Top Tourist Park has lots of shady trees, is extremely quiet with great views and the friendly hospitality of a country town by the sea. Adjacent to the park, Bowen’s foreshore area has been transformed into a recreational area that includes a “Water Park”, a first class Skate park, a children’s playground, shared walking and cycle tracks, public barbecues, grassy picnic areas, an amphitheatre and interpretive centre. The park is just a short stroll (300m) to clubs, restaurants, cafes and a large variety of speciality shops including banks, post offices, supermarkets, pharmacies and many more in the town centre.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

Kingfisher showing how it sits high on the embankment of the creek

Briana

2 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

1 night at Blackiron

Awesome stay here with my 2 dogs. Ben was super friendly and accommodating. Will definitely be back!

A

Adam

3 weeks ago

11 m pop-up camper

With pets

3 nights at Harbour Lights Caravan Park

Loved the spot. Pool was clean, toilets and showers work and worked well. Host was polite and professional highly recommend.

M

Matthew

November 2025

15 m travel trailer

With pets

4 nights at Ben Lomond Station

This spot was amazing! Even if the camp next to you had a party, I doubt you would hear them the camp sites are that far apart. Cracking spot for fishing and crabbing, although I didn’t catch any fish (definitely a me issue, not the spot) and I caught plenty of crab (only 2 keepers unfortunately) and it was nice in the afternoons going for walks and cows coming for a visit of a night time. 10/10 in my opinion.

T

Tony

November 2025

13 m travel trailer

1 night at Ben Lomond Station

Quiet spot for a couple of nights near the river, caught a few fish that made lunch. Friendly host only too happy to make our stay enjoyable. Will call in again sometime

T

Tim

November 2025

5 m car

With pets

1 night at Blackiron

Great spot on the creek, plenty of fresh sand around. Thanks for hosting

P

Patrick

November 2025

6 m pop-up camper

Weekend Trip to Blackiron

Well set out camping area. Plenty of grass due to recent rain. Quiet, good place to get away from the city life. Creek was flowing enough to sit in and cool down.

P

Patrick

November 2025

3 m travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Blackiron

Good spot to camp. Nice and quiet. Area nicely grassed and mowed,fairly level . Unfortunately no campfire. Total fire ban. Didn't miss it. Creek was running enough to go sit in. Had rain second night. Definately will be going into our favourite's list to return. Saw an echidna, wallabies, galahs, kookaburras. Plenty of area for kids to run around in. Just a word advice though: if you don't know how to drive on soft river sand, don't venture there.

K

Kathy

October 2025

7 m travel trailer

With pets

2 nights at Ben Lomond Station

Very peaceful. Camps are far enough away to allow privacy. Directions from Colleen were very clear.

Ben

October 2025

10 m pop-up camper

With pets

Weekend Trip to Blackiron

Great host and an awesome location. Very well looked after. Would absolutely recommend that anyone stay a few nights and cruise around the property. Great swimming locations and lots of local animals. Close to the whitsundays locations as well. Everyone was so friendly.

Tanya

October 2025

7 m Class A

Weekend Trip to Blackiron

Great place - we were warmly welcomed - nice and flat area - lots of wildlife - little creek to dip in

Shane

October 2025

6 m travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Blackiron

Friend And I stayed for the weekend, very relaxing and even had a pleasant dip in the beautiful river. Great host, Ben, family and friends made us very welcome.

E

Ella

October 2025

Tent

With kids

1 night at Ben Lomond Station

Colleen was so so accommodating! Our spot was a short safari trek to get to, but so worth it. Serene, peaceful and private. Right by the river, we fished all afternoon with two good bream on the lines. Heaps of mud crabs too! Afternoon and early morning the cattle walked through our camp and with all the cute calves on ground at the moment, it was lovely. Wallabies and birds all around. Be snake aware, we saw a brown but he moved on quickly. Absolutely love this beautiful place.

Liz

October 2025

7 m travel trailer

3 nights at Ben Lomond Station

We had an absolutely relaxing time at Ben Lomond station. We will definitely be back again. Loved seeing the cattle walking past every afternoon. Fishing & crabbing was good. Just wish we had a longer stay.

S

Sean

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Ben Lomond Station

Great spot, quiet good spacing between campsites, creek running though. Recommend for a chilled experience

S

Shabz

October 2025

5 m car

With pets

1 night at Blackiron

Only regret with this site was not having stayed there longer! Easy check in, was met by a lovely couple helping out on the farm, plenty of space, water available and nice walk by the creek. 100% recommend :)

Craig

October 2025

11 m travel trailer

1 night at Blackiron

Blackiron Hipcamp is a hidden gem just off the Bruce Highway, easy for any 2WD to reach. It offers everything from luxury glamping to simple tent sites, with plenty of space for caravans—no reversing or unhitching needed! Set along a clear, winding creek, it’s great for fishing or just relaxing by the water listening to the birds and the gentle flow. We usually travel in our caravan but treated ourselves to the Kingfisher luxury glamping tent—what a delight! Private, peaceful and perfect for a romantic getaway. The wood-fired outdoor spa was amazing; we lay under the stars, glass in hand, just soaking in the moment. Hosts Ben and his father were wonderful—friendly, genuine people who couldn’t do enough to help. Their warmth really made the stay special. The main Blackiron campsite is large and ideal not just for campers but also for group gatherings, family get-togethers or work events. All in all, Blackiron Hipcamp and the Kingfisher tent exceeded expectations—peaceful, beautifully kept and full of heart. We can’t recommend it enough!

K

Katherine

October 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Ben Lomond Station

Lovely camp, the sites are very spread out over the property and no one is in sight, making it feel like your own. Perfect location for day trips out from Bowen to Airlie, definitely recommend.

S

Sue

October 2025

9 m travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Blackiron

Being met on arrival by Ben. Ben doing the rounds late afternoon checking to see if you need wood or bait for fishing. Everything was clean and tidy

R

Rodney

October 2025

6 m travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Blackiron

Great place, easy to access and perfect place to camp. Owners Friendly. Will definitely be going back.

Nicky

October 2025

6 m travel trailer

With pets

Weekend Trip to Blackiron

This is our second time staying at Ben's property with our kids and dog. The river way may have changed following the previous wet season but this ment new places and swimming spots for us to explore. There is plenty of space between sites and fire pit scattered throughout.