Feel like you spend your life sitting in the car on the way to work every day but still want to get outside with the family and chill out in nature on the weekends? Relax, we’ve put together the 5 Best Camping Spots within a 2 hour drive from Brisbane and the best bit is that you can go swimming too.
Hastings Point Holiday Park
Nestled between the sea and river this holiday park is for campers who love fishing, swimming and surfing all year round. Located 25km south of tweed heads, about 1.5 hours from Brisbane. They offer a range of camping options, from large grassed sites for caravans and camping, breathtaking water view camp sites or the luxurious Surfari tents for minimalist campers who enjoy the great outdoors but don’t want the hassle of pitching their own tent.
Looking for more camping near the Gold Coast? Try your luck here.
North Stradbroke Island
If you love camping, fishing and 4WD’s, North Stradbroke Island is the camping spot for you. The cost of a return ferry to North Stradbroke is $150 for a vehicle which includes trailer or caravan. A bit pricey but you can sit back and relax and then 50 minutes later you’ve reached your destination – no traffic delays, road works or bad drivers to deal with. You’ll need to pre-book the ferry which departs from Cleveland. North Stradbroke Island has two great campsites, Amity Point and Point Lookout that don’t require 4WD’s to access. If you fancy waking up to the tang of ocean air and uninterrupted views there are several beach camping areas, one that even allows you to take your pooch along. Beach camping requires a 4WD.
Elanda Point, Great Sandy National Park
Elanda Point Camping ground is part of the Great Sandy National Park and is 2 hours drive from Brisbane up the Sunshine Coast. Elanda point campground is a private campground run by commercial operators nestled on the edge of Lake Cootharaba. The camp sites are spacious and grassed. The camp ground is perfect for families and retirees; it’s a safe space for kids to ride bikes, run, splash in the water and just generally have a good time while their parents relax. There are plenty of trees for summer shade and walking trails close by but the main attraction is the water. Lake Cootharaba is perfect for kayaking, stand up paddle boarding or just messing about in a tinny.
Noosa North Shore
Noosa North Shore beach front camping is ideal for families who love camping on the oceans doorstep but still enjoy a good coffee and people watching in Noosa – the ferry to Noosa is literally a few minutes and you can be enjoying the restaurants and cafes on Hastings street. Noosa North Shore camping is all about pristine unspoilt beaches, fishing and building sand castles. Allow the full 2 hours for the journey from Brisbane to Noosa North Shore camping grounds.
On the hunt for more great Sunshine Coast camping options? Check out our list here.
Borumba Deer Park
Borumba Deer Park is a family owned and operated caravan and campground on the beautiful and unspoilt Yabba Creek 2 hours north of Brisbane. Camping spots right on the side of the creek are available. Camping at Borumba deer park is for families who enjoy fresh water swimming, kayaking, fishing and just getting back to nature and relaxing. There is a kiosk, laundry, two amenities blocks including disabled facilities, camp kitchens and of course you can build a fire to toast marshmallows in the fireplace provided for each campsite.
Whether you need access to decent coffee, isolated beach front wilderness, to frolic in the ocean, hang out with other families or collect shells and breathe the tangy salty air of the Aussie coast these top 5 camping and swimming spots are all an easy 2 hour drive from Brisbane, so dust off the tent, air your sleeping bags and get back to nature with the family this weekend. If you’re in Brisbane and you’re looking for some great camping spots you won’t be disappointed.
This is a great article if you are trying to figure out what is the best kids sleeping bags.
