The best camping near Eurimbula National Park

Biodiverse Eurimbula National Park, on Queensland’s Central Coast north of Bundaberg and Brisbane, stretches from the coast to the forested, mountainous interior, encompassing mangroves, rainforest, and other habitats. It’s where Captain James Cook first landed offshore of modern-day Queensland, and now travellers come to hike, kayak, cycle, and camp here. Campsites in the park can be accessed either by four-wheel-drive vehicle or by boat, and both types must be booked in advance. Vehicle-based camping is available at the Eurimbula Creek and Middle Creek camping areas, while boat-based camping is allowed at Rodds Peninsula and Bustard Head.

• Best for kayakers: Pick a spot at Bustard Head Camping Area above the high-tide line.
• Best for four-wheel-drives: Access Middle Creek Camping Area in a high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicle.
• Best for bush camping: The bush meets the beach at Rodds Peninsula Camping Area.

1. Create an online profile via the Queensland National Parks website. Book and pay for your desired campsite online.
2. During peak season and especially school holidays, campers should book their site at least six weeks in advance.

December and January can be exceptionally busy in Eurimbula National Park, so book campsites well in advance during these months–or come at another time. Between December and April you can look out for turtles. The climate around Eurimbula is subtropical so camping here may be comfortable year-round, with cooler temperatures between April and September.

• When camping in Eurimbula, make sure to display your tag with your booking number at your campsite.
• Check-in times at Eurimbula campsites is 2pm, and check-out time 11am.
• The skies are often clear and starry at Eurimbula, and the nights warm, so plan to sleep in the open air for stargazing (just be prepared for the mosquitoes).
• Keen kayakers might want to paddle the Eurimbula Sea Trail (up to 80 kilometres, return), which follows the national park’s shore from the town of Seventeen Seventy to the Bustard Head Camping Area.
• There’s just one walking trail within the park, and it’s nice and short: the trail to the Ganoonga Noonga Lookout is less than 750 metres return.