Camping near Townsville

Explore a tropical city on the doorstep of the Great Barrier Reef to camp in lush national parks.

92% (2415 reviews)
92% (2415 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Townsville

Under $50

Available this weekend

12 top campgrounds near Townsville

99%
(753)

Mountain View Lake Holiday Park

27 sites · RVs, Tents90 acres · Mount Surround, QLD
We are in the process of changing the property name to "Mount surround campground". Relax in this peaceful, family friendly campground, nestled in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range and nearby Mount Elliot. Enjoy the 70 Acres of shady grounds with plenty of wildlife, including pretty faced wallabies and abundant birdlife. On arrival simply pick a spot you like and set up camp. We do have internet reception. Occasionally reception can be weak depending on what the network is doing. Generally, it is not a problem. The 20-acre dam is evaporating fast and not so good for swimming or kayaking at the moment (From September 2024) ,but the birds are loving it! So... good for bird watchers! Bring Mosquito/sandfly spray especially if camping by the lake. Settle down of an evening sit back and enjoy the spectacular starry night sky. Campfires allowed. Fire rings are available scattered about the site, just roll one to your camp site. Wood for sale, $10 cash per milk crate, from camp kitchen. Please be honest and place cash in the 'honesty box'. Thankyou. Located conveniently 45 km South from Townsville and Magnetic Island ferry terminal, 45km north of Ayr, 8km north of Giru. Pet friendly. All dogs must be on a lead and under owners' control at all times. Dog poo must be picked up. No one wants to step in your dog's poo. Powered and unpowered sites available. Separate men and women's toilets and hot showers. Camp kitchen with shared fridges, gas rings x2, large gas BBQ, toaster, kettle, microwave and picnic tables. BYO cooking gear, plates, cups, utensils. Washing up sinks x2 -cold water only. Laundry tubs have hot water that can be used in kitchen sink. Coin washing machines available. ($2 x 2, BYO coins)
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AU$25
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
89%
(965)

Crystal Creek

25 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Mutarnee, QLD
Crystal Creek Campsite is a large camp area with private access to the creek. Large area with plenty of shade. Dog friendly (on a lead). Campers must be self contained with their own toilet/shower facilities and take all waste with them. Our current facilities are unable to be regularly cleaned so will be closed to guests.Campers MUST provide car registration details at time of booking.This is a privately run camp (Operated by Mungulla Station). It is not part of the National Park. Close walk to natural swimming pools which are absolutely picturesque.We offer large shady spots with a few BBQ's, fire pits and amenities. Plenty of fishing and swimming to enjoy.Amenities include hot showers (10 MINS ONLY PLEASE).Access to campsite passes our school so please drive very slowly if your accessing campsite during school hours.Children under 6 stay for free. Do not include them at time of booking.DUE TO CORONAVIRUS PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN TOILET PAPERPlease read all information, rule and directions (provided once you have a confirmed booking) carefully before contacting your host. We have done out best to provide all the information for you so messages should not be required.
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from 
AU$25
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
97%
(124)

The Forts

3 sites · RVs3 acres · Horseshoe Bay, QLD
We are in the perfect location in Horseshoe Bay, Magnetic Island, and your camp spot is located a short walk to the beach, right on the walking tracks, WWII-era forts, and access to exploring more than 36 kilometres of bushwalking trails with plenty of wildlife watching opportunities. ..... The Great Barrier Reef, is at our door step so taking to the water is a must— hire a canoe, kayak or jetski and start exploring the wonderlands of spy dugongs and sea turtles or go on a boat cruise, and dive in to snorkel along colourful coral reefs. .... Then there's the action of a buzzy seaside town with cafes and bars and skatepark, tennis courts all within a 5 minutes gentle walk! .... Welcome to The Forts of Magnetic Island, it's truly magic your views are the National Park. ..... We offer easy access sites for: CARAVAN up to 22ft. ROOF vehicle tent MOTORHOME up to 22ft. VAN campervan Tent- your tent can be pitched on a tucked away haven in the bush surrounded by natural boulders. * Please be SELF CONTAINED ...... Please allow for some slight slope sites, come and enjoy your relaxed bushcamp stay. ... BOOK FERRY CROSSING Please prepare to "prebook your ferry" if travelling with a vehicle. ... OUR OPENING HOURS -come to your campsite during the "daytime" please. ... ARRIVE - between 8am to 4 pm ONLY .... Great bus service on Magnetic Island runs every hour. Abundance of wildlife, kangaroos, wallabies, kookaburra, superb sunsets and so much more. Beach✔️ Cafes✔️ Spacious Sites✔️ Walking tracks✔️ The perfect paradise.
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AU$25
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
98%
(483)

Crystal Ridge

2 sites · RVs, Tents50 acres · Mutarnee, QLD
Welcome to Crystal Ridge, a peaceful location where you can enjoy peace and privacy.Campers can fish, swim, bird watch or just relax by the water and watch the cows grazing around the property. Nearby you'll find Mount Spec, Paluma Range National Park straddles the summit and escarpment of the Paluma Range, rising 1,000m above the Big Crystal Creek floodplain. This is the most southerly national park in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.Located approximately 45 minutes north of Townsville on the Bruce Highway, Mutarnee is a small peaceful hamlet nestled on the banks of beautiful Crystal Creek. At the local caravan park there's a small shop and service station and just a minute down the road you'll find the Crystal Creek boat ramp. There is great bushwalks in the area and place to mountain bike.Any camping set up is welcome to pull up on the flat, grassy site.You are welcome to bring your pet, but please ensure they are kept on a leash and under control. 
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AU$32
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
97%
(32)

Crystal Creek Camp

8 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Coolbie, QLD
We have over 12 acres of private, tropical parkland, that runs right along the Crystal Creek in Mutarnee, QLD. 2 hectares of this land is between the Crystal Creek Caravan Park and the Crystal Creek itself. This area has it's own amenities block (toilets and showers) and access to water. There is a large communal campfire in the middle, and plenty of space for a perfect getaway! Should you require it, there is also access to the caravan park's amenities block which includes more toilets and showers, a camp kitchen, and a laundry. This camp is right across the road from the Paluma National Park, little Crystal Creek, Big Crystal Creek, and numerous natural swimming holes. Right behind the camp is a boat ramp, and the beach is 10 minutes away. You will have access to walking tracks, mountain bike trails, bird-watching, swimming, fishing, crabbing... the list is endless!
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AU$30
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
75%
(4)

Alva Beach Tourist Park

62 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Alva, QLD
A friendly welcome to Alva Beach Tourist Park tucked away in the small coastal village of Alva and just a 15km drive from the town of Ayr and Burdekin Shire. We are located a few hundred meters at the back of the dunes of the beach. The park consists of 5 acres of tropical grounds with park sites and cabins set amongst coconut palms and hibiscus hedges. We offer powered and non-powered sites with or without slabs. We have En-suite Cabins that can sleep up to six persons or budget cabins that will sleep up to 4 persons. Our park being coastal catches the great cooling sea breezes during the hotter summer months and our sparkling pool is a great spot to soak up the sun and cool off with a few laps. We have 4WD access from the park onto the beach for boat launching, fishing, and crabbing. The region is a well-known fishing mecca, with access to Barramundi, mud crabs, other estuary species, and off-coast reef fishing. Alva is also the closest point to the world-famous SS Yongala wreck. Ranked as one of the top ten dive sites in the world.
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AU$45
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(7)

BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Townsville

114 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Townsville, QLD
Enjoy the taste of the tropics and surround yourself with palm trees and landscaped gardens at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Townsville. Located a short 10-minute drive from the airport and 16 kilometres from Townsville CBD, you’ll find the city’s main attractions, such as The Strand, Castle Hill and Botanic Gardens a delight. The holiday park is set up to make the most of the 320 days of sunshine North Queensland enjoys each year, with two resort-style pools and shaded gazebos for you to stay cool. The kids will be kept entertained with a water park, two playgrounds, a jumping cushion, volleyball court, basketball court, trikes and an 18-hole mini-golf course. To check-in, choose between cabins, villas, caravan sites or campgrounds. With enough amenities to keep everyone entertained, as well as BBQ areas and a children’s playground nearby, there’s plenty of places to prepare your daily meals and relax while keeping an eye on the little ones.
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AU$45.90
 / night
* Before taxes and fees

Star Hosts in Townsville

Dog-friendly getaways

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping near Townsville guide

Overview

Against the backdrop of the dramatic Castle Hill, Townsville is a tropical city with a strong military history and great diving opportunities on the Great Barrier Reef. The Strand is Townsville’s waterfront promenade, lined with cafes and restaurants and popular for its water park, playgrounds and swimming pools. Among the city’s major attractions is Jezzine Barracks, a parkland dotted with outdoor sculptures and memorials honoring the city’s wartime history and the American forces who served here in World War II, but outside of town, caravan parks and campgrounds await. Cruises depart from Townsville harbor for the Great Barrier Reef, about 2.5 hours away. Experienced divers can also tackle the Yongala shipwreck.

Where to go

Magnetic Island

Take a day trip—or longer—to Magnetic Island, just five miles offshore. an hour’s ferry ride from Townsville. Much of the island is National Park (where camping is banned) and there are plenty of beautiful bays to snorkel, swim or tackle various watersports. A highlight is koala-spotting along the Forts Walk, which features ruins of World War II fortification.

Charters Towers

Charters Towers is a charming Outback town with a fascinating gold mining history, about 90 minutes’ drive west of Townsville. Among its attractions is the Venus Gold Battery, the largest surviving battery in Australia, and some elegant and impressive colonial buildings. There are two large camping and caravan parks in town.

Paluma Range National Park

Jourama Falls is the highlight of a visit to Paluma Range National Park, about 90 minutes’ drive northwest of Townsville. There is a popular camping area at Jourama Falls on the banks of Waterview Creek, walking tracks and day-use facilities including picnic tables, barbecues and toilets.

When to go

Claiming more than 300 days of sunshine a year, Townsville’s average temperature is 28°F. The best time to visit is April to November. Summers (December to February) are hot, humid and sticky, and marine stingers inhabit coastal waters from November to April, when it is best to swim in netted zones or wear a “stinger suit.” Summer is also a time when Townsville can sometimes be in the path of cyclones.

Know before you go

  • Remember to pack sunscreen; the tropical Queensland sun can be fierce. If you are heading to the Great Barrier Reef, check out sunscreens that won’t damage the coral reefs (those that don’t contain oxybenzone or BP-3).
  • Camping permits are required for all Queensland parks, forest and reserves and must be booked online and paid for before arrival. Make camping books as early as possible, especially in holiday periods.
  • Townsville is a great place to stock up before you go camping, with everything you’d expect of a major city, a post office, pharmacy, visitor information centre, bank, and car hire companies.
  • Townsville can be reached by road, air and rail. Townsville Airport is a seven-minute drive from the city centre, and Queensland Rail’s Spirit of Queensland long-distance train travels to Townsville several times a week from Brisbane and Cairns.

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