Inskip Point Campground - Cooloola QLD
There are four campgrounds to choose from. Their names recall the area’s past shipping history. All camping areas require a camping permit and fees apply. On-the-spot fines apply for camping without a valid permit. Do not empty contents of portable toilets in campgrounds. Please use the service facility on Clarkson Drive in Rainbow Beach. Fires are allowed. Firewood can be purchased at Rainbow Beach. Chainsaws cannot be used in the Recreation Area. Never cut or collect bush timber, leaf litter or twigs from the bush. Penalties apply. Generators are permitted in designated areas. Dogs are allowed in designated areas. Dogs must be restrained at all times.
You must have a permit to camp. Can book online Located 12km north of Rainbow Beach.
Permits are required. Wind and water conditions generally become calmer as the peninsula curves westward towards Great Sandy Strait.
Camping permits are required and fees apply. Permits must be obtained prior to arrival. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite.
Park-specific conditions
When setting up camp, use an established site and camp within the tree line—not on the foredunes.
Vehicle access to and from the beach is via signed tracks only.
Please stay out of fenced revegetation areas.
Dogs must remain on a leash and under control at all times. All other domestic animals (including birds) are prohibited.
Do not empty contents of portable toilets in campgrounds. Please use the service facility on Clarkson Drive in Rainbow Beach.
Don't bring bush timber for firewood. It may contain pests and diseases, which could kill native plants.
Never cut or collect bush timber, leaf litter and twigs. Penalities apply.
Chainsaws cannot be used.
Maximum length of stay is 30 days.
Campground access
M.V. Sarawak campground is accessible by 2WD from the road and SS Dorrigo campground is accessible for 2WD under normal conditions, but 4WD is recommended.
M.V. Natone, M.V. Beagle and 'The Oaks' campgrounds are accessible by 4WD only.
Facilities
No water or shower facilities are provided on site. Water is available at the service facility on Clarkson Drive in Rainbow Beach. Bring your own water containers. Each campground has self-composting or hybrid toilets (minimal water use). Rubbish bins are near the road exit from each campground and at the entrance to 'The Oaks'. Do not empty contents of portable toilets in campgrounds. Please use the service facility on Clarkson Drive in Rainbow Beach.
Read more about staying safe and looking after the park.
'The Oaks' campground
Campground features: Open campground behind the foredunes. Campers can walk to the surf beach or to the more sheltered Pelican Bay.
Location: Behind the foredunes, off Clarkson Road. This is the closest campground to the entrance of the Recreation Area.
Access: The campground can only be accessed by 4WD only from Clarkson Drive. There is no beach access.
Number of sites: Open area without separately defined sites.
Campsites are suitable for: tent camping beside your car and 4WD camper trailers.
Campsite surface: Sand.
Facilities: Rubbish bins are located near the campground entrance. No toilets. Drinking water is available at the service facility on Clarkson Drive just outside Rainbow Beach township. Bring your own water containers.
Open fires: Permitted in pre-existing fire sites, except when fire bans or prohibitions apply. Fuel stoves are recommended. For more information watch the ‘Campfire prohibitions and fuel stoves’ video clip.
Generators: Permitted in defined areas, but consider your neighbours especially at night. Please be quiet after 9 pm.
Essentials to bring: Drinking water, rubbish bags, insect repellent, fuel stove or clean milled firewood. Read more about things to know before you go.
Bookings: Book online, over-the-counter or by phone. Advance bookings required for holiday periods including long weekends and public holidays.
Mobile phone coverage: Generally available.
S.S. Dorrigo campground
Why S.S. Dorrigo? The names of four campgrounds on the Inskip peninsula recall the area’s past shipping history. On Good Friday 2 April 1926 the steamer S.S. Dorrigo, bound for Thursday Island from Brisbane, sank in heavy seas several kilometres off Double Island Point. The captain and his son were rescued, the body of the bo’sun was found on Fraser Island, but all 21 other crew members disappeared without a trace.
Campground features: Open campground behind the foredunes. Campers can walk to the surf beach or to the more sheltered Pelican Bay.
Location: Behind the foredunes, off Clarkson Road. This is the second campground from the entrance of the Recreation Area.
Access: The campground can be reached from the road only (Clarkson Drive) by 2WD under normal conditions, but 4WD is recommended. It is accessible for trailers, caravans and buses.
Number of sites: Open area without separately defined sites.
Campsites are suitable for: tent camping beside your car, caravans and buses (some large grassy areas near the road) and camper trailers.
Campsite surface: Grass and/or sand.
Facilities: Hybrid toilets, rubbish bins (near the road exit from each campground). Water is available at the service facility on Clarkson Drive in Rainbow Beach. Bring your own water containers.
Open fires: Permitted in pre-existing fire sites, except when fire bans or prohibitions apply. Fuel stoves are recommended. For more information watch the ‘Campfire prohibitions and fuel stoves’ video clip.
Generators: Permitted in defined areas, but consider your neighbours especially at night. Please be quiet after 9 pm.
Essentials to bring: Drinking water, rubbish bags, insect repellent, fuel stove or clean milled firewood. Read more about things to know before you go.
Bookings: Book online, over-the-counter or by phone. Advance bookings required for holiday periods including long weekends and public holidays.
Mobile phone coverage: Generally available.
M.V. Natone campground
Why M.V. Natone? The names of four campgrounds on the Inskip peninsula recall the area’s past shipping history. A veteran of six Antarctic voyages, the 450 ton M.V. Natone had carried explorers Sir Douglass Mawson and Sir Hubert Wilkins. In January 1959, after being battered by cyclonic seas on her way from New Guinea to Brisbane, she ran aground near Mudlo rocks. All 18 crew survived the ordeal.
Campground features: Open campground behind the foredunes. Campers can walk to the surf beach.
Location: Behind the foredunes, off Clarkson Road. This is the third campground from the entrance of the Recreation Area.
Access: The campground can be reached from the road or the beach by 4WD only. It is not accessible for trailers, caravans or buses.
Number of sites: Open area without separately defined sites.
Campsites are suitable for: tent camping beside your car.
Campsite surface: Sand.
Facilities: Hybrid toilets, rubbish bins (near the road exit from each campground). Water is available at the service facility on Clarkson Drive in Rainbow Beach. Bring your own water containers.
Open fires: Permitted in pre-existing fire sites, except when fire bans or prohibitions apply. Fuel stoves are recommended. For more information watch the ‘Campfire prohibitions and fuel stoves’ video clip.
Generators: Permitted in defined areas, but consider your neighbours especially at night. Please be quiet after 9 pm.
Essentials to bring: Drinking water, rubbish bags, insect repellent, fuel stove or clean milled firewood. Read more about things to know before you go.
Bookings: Book online, over-the-counter or by phone. Advance bookings required for holiday periods including long weekends and public holidays.
Mobile phone coverage: Generally available.
M.V. Beagle campground
Why M.V. Beagle? The names of four campgrounds on the Inskip peninsula recall the area’s past shipping history. A 10 m game fishing vessel, the M.V. Beagle was on its maiden voyage from Brisbane to north Queensland in April 1970 when it capsized while attempting to cross the Wide Bay bar in mountainous seas. Only one of the six men aboard survived.
Campground features: Small campground behind the foredunes.
Location: Behind the foredunes, off Clarkson Road. This is the fourth campground from the entrance of the Recreation Area.
Access: The campground can be reached from the road or the beach by 4WD only. It is not accessible for trailers, caravans or buses.
Number of sites: Open area without separately defined sites.
Campsites are suitable for: tent camping beside your car.
Campsite surface: Sand.
Facilities: Hybrid toilets, rubbish bins (near the road exit from each campground). Water is available at the service facility on Clarkson Drive in Rainbow Beach. Bring your own water containers.
Open fires: Permitted in pre-existing fire sites, except when fire bans or prohibitions apply. Fuel stoves are recommended. For more information watch the ‘Campfire prohibitions and fuel stoves’ video clip.
Generators: Permitted in defined areas, but consider your neighbours especially at night. Please be quiet after 9 pm.
Essentials to bring: Drinking water, rubbish bags, insect repellent, fuel stove or clean milled firewood. Read more about things to know before you go.
Bookings: Book online, over-the-counter or by phone. Advance bookings required for holiday periods including long weekends and public holidays.
Mobile phone coverage: Generally available.
M.V. Sarawak campground
Why M.V. Sarawak? The names of four campgrounds on the Inskip peninsula recall the area’s past shipping history. This former navy minesweeper plied the coastline from Brisbane to Maryborough via Inskip weekly between 1949 and 1970. It brought supplies including drums of fuel and returned to Brisbane with sugar from Maryborough.
Campground features: Open campground behind the foredunes. This is a popular campground suitable for larger groups.
Location: Behind the foredunes, off Clarkson Road. This is the furthest campground from the entrance of the Recreation Area.
Access: The campground can be reached from the road or the beach. Beach access is by 4WD only. It is accessible for trailers and caravans but not buses.
Number of sites: Open area without separately defined sites.
Campsites are suitable for: tent camping beside your car, caravans, camper trailers.
Campsite surface: Grass and/or sand.
Facilities: Hybrid toilets, rubbish bins (near the road exit from each campground). Water is available at the service facility on Clarkson Drive in Rainbow Beach. Bring your own water containers.
Open fires: Permitted in pre-existing fire sites, except when fire bans or prohibitions apply. Fuel stoves are recommended. For more information watch the ‘Campfire prohibitions and fuel stoves’ video clip.
Generators: Permitted in defined areas, but consider your neighbours especially at night. Please be quiet after 9 pm.
Essentials to bring: Drinking water, rubbish bags, insect repellent, fuel stove or clean milled firewood. Read more about things to know before you go.
Bookings: Book online, over-the-counter or by phone. Advance bookings required for holiday periods including long weekends and public holidays.
Mobile phone coverage: Generally available.
REGION: > QLD > Central Coast > Bundaberg & Wide Bay > Cooloola
Inskip Point Rd - E
Cooloola QLD 4580
P: 07 54863160
GPS:-25.8166662,153.0708302
GPS:S25 48 59,E153 04 14
GPS:S25 49,E153 04.2498
