Slow sunrises melting away the very last tendrils of the night, as the symphony of cicadas overtake the air coupled with the harmony of birds calling in their day, camping offers an absolute sense of discovery while delving off the beaten track into an immersion of nature and a walk away from urban life.
It’s time to set your compass with a direction headed toward Far North Queensland as you prepare for one of the most intimate and beguiling camping experiences of a lifetime.
The beauty behind casual camping in Far North Queensland is in the versatility of options available to you. Whether your idea of camping is more like glamping with luxurious beachfront cabins or it’s more hardy with the sense of remoteness in the wilderness, the region offers endless camping options that will suit everyone.
With a common theme of waking up in your paradise, you’ll quickly understand why it’s easy to fall in love with Far North Queensland. Here are some of our favourite camping spots that offer a wide variety of attractions and luxuries to help you be a happy camper.
Babinda Boulders near Cairns
If you love waking up to crystal clear waters where you can dip your toes into, the Babinda Boulders swimming hole is where you want to be. Dubbed as one of Tropical North Queensland’s favourite swimming holes, it’s only a quick walk from the Babinda Boulders Campground, which is free and accessible to everyone.
Facilities are good, with toilets, showers, and picnic tables, along with great landscapes of huge granite boulders along the creek and a lush surrounding rainforest.
Mount Bartle Frere
Take charge and tick one of your bucket list, as you camp at the highest campsite in Queensland. Admire the sunrise that rises above the clouds, but be prepared as the journey to your camping destination isn’t as easy.
From dehydrated food packing to cook on trangia stoves and bringing along an ultra light tent to walk the walk of a lifetime, the adventure awaits as your destination is the highest peak in Queensland. The initial hike takes you through dense tropical rainforests, but you’re quickly rewarded with stunning views of the expanse of the Atherton Tablelands all the way to the coastline. At over 1,600m high, be sure to pack warm as the tropical heat rules no longer apply. A warm sleeping bag is very much needed along with warm, dry clothes.
Camping costs $6.55 per person per night, and the trail begins at Josephine Falls or Topaz in the Atherton Tablelands.
Weipa
Embrace the quieter side of the Great Barrier Reef, away from the busy bustling touristy hotspots that crowd the coastline East. Weipa offers a sense of untouched serenity and the beauty of nature as it was meant to be.
Pristine beaches that have not been spoiled by heavy foot traffic and peaceful surroundings without busy bustling movement, await you in Weipa. If you have a soft spot for nature, the vast sweeping plains intertwined with pockets of creeks, rivers, and waterholes, will entice you.
Promising wide white sandy beaches that fill the coastline, offering spectacular sunrises and sunsets amongst native flora and fauna, the atmosphere in Weipa is perfect for camping as you rest your head at night beneath a million stars.
When camping in Weipa, don’t miss out on your chance to experience the best of local by heading into the Albatross Bay Resort for a treat. With great specials and events such as $15 T-Bone and Trivia Night on Wednesdays, Parmageddon Thursdays, free Musical Bingo on Fridays, and a Sunday Roast, there’s plenty of fun to be had.
Enthusiastic anglers should take advantage of the Catch & Cook experience, where professional chefs prepare your freshly caught fish to perfection and serve it up with a side of salad and chips.
And if you’re ever feeling like some pampering and luxury is overdue, take a break from the mud and dirt and book in for a comfortable night’s stay of luxury at the Albatross Bay Resort.
Cape Tribulation Camping
If you’re headed up further North, check out the Noah Beach camping grounds which is 8 kilometres south of Cape Tribulation. You’ll need to book early during camping season, which begins from May to September, to avoid disappointment as there are only 15 campsites. The location is fantastic as you’re right on the beach and Noah Creek is just a kilometre walk south along the beach.
You will need a permit beforehand and will need to pay fees before going. The maximum length of stay is 7 consecutive nights.
Banner image credit: Queensland Government Parks and Forests
