River, stream, or creek and dog-friendly camping near Townsville

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

88% (1353 reviews)
88% (1353 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Townsville

Under $50

Available this weekend

11 top river, stream, or creek and dog-friendly campgrounds near Townsville

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.
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
Showers
Cooking equipment
from 
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. 
Campfires
Trash
from 
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!
Potable water
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Showers
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Cooking equipment
from 
AU$30
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(47)

Black River Bush Retreat

4 sites · RVs, Tents60 acres · Black River, QLD
A perfect spot to relax under the stars! A private bush camp experience with a seasonal creek, mango orchard and dam. Pitch your tent or set up your caravan either down near the dam, in a secluded bush setting, or closer to the house yard depending on what you prefer. Enjoy a bush walk around the property, taking in the natural Australian bush environment and enjoy the native wildlife. You may find kookaburras, king fishers, lizards, goannas and wallabies while exploring and can relax by a crackling fire at night. Help feed the farm animals when the owners are home. The goats love a good scratch! Each camp site is private with no other campers booked in the space on the same day. 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. Property has secure key pad access.
Potable water
Campfires
from 
AU$30
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
Booked 4 times

Campsite By The Creek

4 sites · RVs, Tents2 acres · Alligator Creek, QLD
Campsite by the Creek is situated in a quite area at the edges of Mount Elliot section, Bowling Green Bay National Park. Backing onto freshwater Alligator Creek. Located 28 km south of Townsville and 59 km north of Ayr, Spot by the Creek is only 2.6km off the Bruce Highway making it a very convenient stopover for a weary traveller. Encounter a variety of local wildlife. Listen for the birdcalls of kookaburras, flycatchers, honeyeaters and cuckoo-shrikes. Spot large jungle perch cruising in the creek or watch wallabies feeding on the grassy open spaces. Take nature walks, canoe and swim or just relax by the campfire with the cooling mountainous breeze. Great for self-sufficient travellers wanting to visit Bowling Green Bay National Park that have pets and want to camp by the fire. Spot by the Creek is a private property and is suitable for self-sufficient campers. There are no amenities, so you need to bring or hire your own. All payments are accepted as a donation to help maintain the grounds. Dogs permitted, however please be mindful there are no fences. Also be mindful of neighbouring properties and abundant wildlife. Campfires permitted. Portable firepits preferable. Please extinguish fires completely before leaving. Town water available onsite. Please read the cancelation/credit policy as set and prescribed through the hipcamp platform. Unfortunately to keep our bookings viable and our gates open, no special allowance is made for illness, weather, mechanical breakdowns etc. If you have concerns, please book last minute.
Potable water
Campfires
from 
AU$20
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(9)

Crumpy's Place

5 sites · RVs20 acres · Bluewater, QLD
Welcome to Crumpy's Place! Nothing fancy, just a safe and secure, friendly, and quiet place to stay for 1 night through to a couple of weeks. Set on 20 acres and based in Bluewater, just north of Townsville, we are semi-screened from the road and have easy RV or Campervan access assuming you don't mind using a simple gate. We cater to fully Self Contained guests only but we do have some basic services available depending on what spots are already taken, but generally access to: - Water - Power (at some sites only via leads at an additional charge) - Common fire pit area - Recyclable disposal only (no general rubbish or black water disposal - suggest empty before arrival at the free dump point only 1.5km away) - Free firewood readily available if you have a saw/chainsaw and a willingness to use it! - Pets on leashes allowed at some sites and may depend on breed/ other guests at the time to avoid conflict) - There is a beach and boat ramp just a couple of minutes down the end of the road, and only 15 minutes or so to a variety of shops including Groceries, Bunnings, Supercheap Auto, and BCF - You are welcome to pat the horses and say g'day to Angus, our humongous cow, all under the watchful remaining eye of Milo the Pug, the true Lord of our Manor!! Bookings are essential so you don't miss out, but please feel free to call or email us for any further information, and we will be happy to help. Once booked please call 0481002100 5 or 10 minutes in advance of arrival so we can greet and guide you in. If we are unable to take your call don't worry about leaving a message - please just text and we'll come back to you as fast as possible. We look forward to joining you around the fire pit at some point for a cold one and a yarn. Cheers, and Safe Travels all!
Potable water
Campfires
Trash
from 
AU$20
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
96%
(438)

Bee Haven

11 sites · RVs, Tents22 acres · Oak Valley, QLD
Semi-rural property set on 22 acres. We offer a camping ground it is not a caravan park. Limited numbers, no crowding. Oak Valley is only 20 minutes from Townsville CBD and 10 minutes to the nearest major shopping centre. The 5 campsites are nestled along a shady tree-lined creek looking out over native flora and fauna. Relax in the afternoon with a beverage as the sun rays move across the mountain tops. Sit by a warm fire in complete darkness with the sky lit up by stars. During the day explore the creek line and Billabongs. The property is surrounded by wildlife, therefor you will see large areas of land that are unspoilt with long native grasses . Also some friendly farm animals. Suitable for RVs camper trailers and tents. Groups are welcome. There is plenty of room for push bike riding and outdoor games. Property is home to bush turkeys, kangaroos, wallabies possums reptiles and many bird species and fish life. Dog friendly. Flushing toilet available. Firewood available $5 for 5kg logs.
Potable water
Toilets
Campfires
from 
AU$20
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
Value Prop
Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

River, stream, or creek and dog-friendly 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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