hero media

The ultimate guide to Noosa camping, glamping and caravan parks

Turn your Sunshine Coast escape into an unforgettable adventure with a stay at the best Noosa caravan parks, camping and glamping spots.

Noosa caravan parks are a beacon for road-trippers. From camping and glamping sites aimed at couples to family-friendly parks with playgrounds and caravan parks that offer access to stunning national parks, here’s where to stay to enjoy all the region has to offer.  A mix of creature comforts, action-packed activity, and around-the-clock access to pure Sunshine Coast paradise is calling.

In short

If you only stay at one Noosa caravan park, make it Sixty6 Acres. The farm stay is for those who like camping, albeit with a high thread count. The property is located in Woombye, halfway between the bush and beach.

1. Noosa Eco Retreat

a woman holding a drink at Noosa Eco Retreat
Take in uninterrupted views of Mt Cooroora. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Couples

Stay in one of six spacious, self-contained eco-luxe yurts tucked away in the heart of Noosa’s biosphere in Tuchekoi National Park. The sustainable Noosa Eco Retreat offers uninterrupted views of Mt Cooroora and her jagged ridges. The 40-hectare property also provides the perfect jumping-off point for hikers and mountain bikers who want to tackle Noosa’s network of trails. During our last visit, we tackled Trail No. 5 before returning to our yurt, which offers a Noosa camping experience unlike any other. We enjoyed dinner on the deck under a starlit sky. Played birdwatching bingo. Then bunkered down in our own private space, fitted with a comfy king-sized bed.

Address: 44 Pomona Connection Road, Pomona

2. Habitat Noosa Everglades Ecocamp

kangaroos at Habitat Noosa Everglades Ecocamp
Find kangaroos roaming around Habitat Noosa Everglades Ecocamp. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Best for: Couples, families and groups

Noosa is best known for its proximity to some of Queensland’s best surf breaks. But a recent visit to Noosa Everglades allowed us to see Noosa anew. As one of only two Everglades systems on Earth, this large subtropical ecosystem feels like a place from another time. Habitat Noosa Everglades Ecocamp is fringed by this great forested finger of land in the upper reaches of the Noosa River. It has paperbark sites, safari tents, powered and unpowered sites for camping and motorhomes. Whether you’re behind the wheel of your new Star RV, or prefer a ceiling of canvas, there’s an eco campsite to suit.

Address: 204 Lake Flat Road, Boreen Point

3. Sixty6 Acres

a private suite with a tub at Sixty6 Acres
Sixty6 Acres is perfect for campers who like their creature comforts. (Image: Kelli Jean Black Photography)

Best for: Romantic getaways or a much-needed escape with friends and family.

Noosa is one of the most dreamed-about regions for campers and caravanners. And Sixty6 Acres has been designed to capitalise on the lush landscapes the Sunshine Coast has to offer. The brand-new luxurious farm stay near Noosa provides the perfect base camp for a rural escape with a mix of self-contained accommodation and 93 large, powered sites that will accommodate caravans, motorhomes, RVs, tents or swags. While Sixty6 Acres is designed for a peaceful stay, you won’t have to forgo creature comforts: the new Farmhouse restaurant and bar can pack you up with a coffee in the morning and sundowner at night. Forget roughing it: the property has seven heated magnesium plunge pools.

Address: Walden Road, Woombye

4. Ingenia Holidays Noosa North

the tent setup at Ingenia Holidays Noosa North
Camp on verdant greenery at Ingenia Holidays Noosa North.

Best for: Couples, families and groups

If your idea of roughing it is staying in a two-bedroom cabin near to a swimming pool then Ingenia Holidays Noosa North is your go-to. The Noosa caravan park gives you proximity to the chic seaside village without the designer price tag. The emphasis at Ingenia Holidays Noosa North is on the great outdoors, tapping into a growing trend to provide inspiration for travellers to unplug. During a recent holiday here with the extended family, we enjoyed excursions to the beach, and long bush walks. The best thing about a Noosa caravan park and campsite so close to the village is you can pop into the local bakery or nearby cafes for brunch and spend the arvo browsing Noosa’s most stellar boutiques and eateries.

Address: 143 Moorindil Street, Tewantin

5. BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Noosa

the family safari tent at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Noosa
The spacious safari tent is a great base camp for families.

Best for: Large gatherings for families and friends

BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Noosa is just a few minutes’ drive away from Ingenia Holidays Noosa North. And like its sister property, this Noosa caravan park and campground is best suited for those who want a bit of outdoor immersion with the luxury of a hot shower and other amenities nearby. The Noosa caravan park and campground is aimed squarely at families; it features a giant jumping cushion, games room, seasonal outdoor cinema, shaded swimming pool, toddler splash area and roster of school holiday programs. Bunker down in comfort in a self-contained cabin. And stay within your budget by picking up some rissoles and snags for the barbecue. Note: Noosa Farmers’ Market is worth a jaunt to pick up supplies.

Address: 141 Cooroy Noosa Road, Tewantin.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

6. Noosa River Holiday Park

campers relaxing at the Noosa River Holiday Park
Take your camping set-up to the next level by the Noosa River.

Best for: Couples, families and groups.

A tent is your ticket to having a wallet-friendly family holiday within a stone’s skip of the Noosa River. But you don’t have to get shin splints from sleeping on the rocky ground. Invest in an inflatable camp pillow and sleeping pad to take your camping set-up to the next level. Noosa River Holiday Park is an absolute riverfront caravan park and campground in Noosa that suits beachcombers, bushwalkers, surfers, fishos and everyone in between. There are powered and unpowered sites for campervans, camper trailers and tents as well as a picnic area with river views. Sleep under the stars in the most stunning of locales.

Address: 4 Russell Street, Noosaville

7. Noosa North Shore Beach Campground

the Noosa North Shore Beach Campground
Revel in flora and fauna at Noosa North Shore Beach Campground.

Best for: Couples, families and groups

The Noosa North Shore Beach Campground is sited on the highly Instagrammable Cooloola Coast, which stretches from Noosa all the way to K’gari on the Fraser Coast. At the campsite, which has more than 40 powered sites and 45 unpowered sites, you’ll find a host of bush and beach trails nearby where native fauna – such as kangaroos and goannas – roam free. This is the kind of playground that suits adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts. If cocktails by the pool are more your jam, consider our guide to the luxe accommodation options in Noosa and surrounds.

Address: 240 Wilderness Track, Noosa North Shore

8. Big4 Noosa North Shore Retreat Tourist Park

a glamping tent at Big4 Noosa North Shore Retreat Tourist Park
Elevate your camping experience in a glamping tent.

Best for: Those who want to try camping (glamping) for the first time

Tired of baked beans? Campers and caravanners staying at this Noosa caravan park and campground are just a short walk away from both a mini supermarket, bottle-o, and bar and bistro. The Big4 Noosa North Shore Retreat Tourist Park is on the edge of bushland on the fringes of the Great Sandy National Park making it a top spot for nature-lovers. But the family-friendly accommodation also suits a diverse mix of holidaymakers with three swimming pools, glamping tents and cosy cottages. Lean into the local lifestyle by hiring mountain bikes, canoes, surfboards and SUPs which are available as part of a two-for-one package.

Address: 1 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore

9. Tranquil Valley, Noosa

Best for: Couples and families who appreciate access to a hot tub

Farm Charm is one of the trends in travel identified by Expedia’s Unpack ’26 report. And this 30-odd-hectare property in Black Mountain makes camping look pretty darn fabulous. Voted as one of Hipcamp’s best farmstays in Australia, Tranquil Valley has powered campsites dotted around the property in the pretty Sunshine Coast hinterland. Feel that farm charm during a goat yoga session or farm tour where the air is scented with a deliciously pungent, earthy aroma that provides campers with a real sense of place. Enamoured with the cute dwarf goats? Well you’re going to want to bleat about the fact you can purchase one of the miniature animals as a pet.

Address: Black Mountain, Sunshine Coast

10. Boreen Point Campground

campers next to a lake at Boreen Point Campground
Camp next to a serene lake in Boreen Point Campground.

Best for: Active types who don’t mind a spot of free-range camping

All up, there are 19 powered sites and 55 unpowered sites at Boreen Point Campground, which offers easy access to both the bush and the beach. There’s also the option of free-range camping along the foreshore of Norm’s Beach on the banks of Lake Cootharaba. This lovely lakeside campground has a BMX track and basketball court, and kayaks and stand-up paddleboards available, making it a great getaway for action heroes who like to take advantage of the endless blue skies on the aptly named Sunshine Coast.

Address: The Esplanade, Boreen Point

Weekly travel news, experiences
insider tips, offers, and more.

11. Pomona Caravan Park

caravanning at Pomona Caravan Park
Set up your caravan within the picturesque hinterland. (Image: Noosa Show Society)

Ideal caravanning and camping for: Families and vanlifers travelling with pets

Pitch up to one of the spacious sites at the pet-friendly Pomona Caravan Park and you will be within walking distance of Pomona. Visit the picturesque hinterland town’s silent movie theatre or distillery. You’ll value a side trip to Ponoma when you return with a bottle of gin to enjoy over ice and paired with tonic in one of the campground’s shared social areas. It’s also worth the drive to Australia Zoo, one of the Sunshine Coast’s most popular attractions. This Noosa caravan park is quite basic, so don’t expect all the bells and whistles of a BIG4. However, what you can expect are showers, a camp kitchen, laundry facilities and the thrill of a velvety night sky studded with stars.

Address: Corner Exhibition and Pavilion Streets, Pomon

12. Cooloola Recreation Area in Great Sandy National Park

Best for: Nature lovers who love being immersed in Noosa’s landscapes

Cooloola Recreation Area presents the great outdoors like a grand theatre that stirs the spirit of those who gain a deep satisfaction from being immersed in nature. This campground near Noosa suits everyone from those with trailers and caravans, to digital nomads trying to make a go of #tentlife. Despite the different camping areas on offer, each is demarcated to provide spectacular access to the national park’s diverse forest and pristine beaches. Harrys Camping Area on the banks of the Upper Noosa River provides ample opportunity to kayak and paddle your days away. Meanwhile, the Upper Noosa River Camping Area 3 also draws day trippers in dinghies.

Address: Great Sandy National Park, Noosa

13. Lake Borumba Caravan & Camping Grounds

a tent setup at Lake Borumba Caravan & Camping Grounds
Set up your tents on the side of the creek at Lake Borumba Caravan & Camping Grounds.

Best for: Those who want to get to know Noosa beyond its beaches

Noosa is not all about the beaches. Those in the know understand there is also much to see and do in the lesser-known Noosa Outback. Lake Borumba Caravan & Camping Grounds is perfectly positioned to show another side to Noosa on the banks of Yabba Creek, about one kilometre from Lake Borumba. This creekside camping spot has a volleyball court and onsite kiosk with ice cream and offers free use of its kayaks. Campers here can gather around open fires so BYO marshmallows under a sky pinpricked with stars.

Address: 1484 Yabba Creek Road, Lake Borumba

14. Cooroy RV Stopover

Best for: Grey nomads keen on a caravan stopover

Need a safe spot to park your caravan for the night? Look no further. Cooroy RV Stopover in the charming little town of Cooroy is a parking site within walking distance from the main strip of Cooroy. Pull the wide hips of your caravan off the highway and into the leafy-green park just a 20-minute drive from Noosa Heads Main Beach. Make sure you’re fully self-sufficient when you arrive because the gates are locked at 7.30pm and don’t open up again until 7am the following morning. You can stay for up to four nights and bookings are essential via the website.

Address: 17 Mary River Road, Cooroy

15. Glamacamp

Best for: Couples and families looking for a stylish stay

The exotic bell and garden tents hired out by Glamacamp lack nothing when it comes to drama. Call ahead and arrange for a deluxe version of the stunning tents to be set up in the garden of your best friend’s holiday house in Noosa. You can have it styled to suit the occasion with beautiful things to eat and drink and music fizzing through the night. You can hire everything from a picnic basket with bone China and crystal stemware, to vintage sun chairs, BBQs and antique furniture. BYO Camilla Kaftan so you can swan around in the 6×9 Maharaja tent.

Address: Check out the website for private and specialty events.

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
View profile and articles
hero media

Tropical islands, good food & world-class shows: Your eventful guide to a holiday in Townsville

    Lee Mylne Lee Mylne
    Townsville is buzzing as the events capital of North Queensland, with a host of festivals, international sporting and arts events on offer.

    Perched between the Coral Sea, the towering pink monolith of Castle Hill, and fringed by ancient rainforest ranges, Townsville North Queensland is a genuine tropical playground.

    Here, find postcard-worthy landscapes all the way from nearby Magnetic Island to inland swimming holes and waterfalls – all dotted with an array of endemic wildlife. Get the heart racing with adrenaline water sports. Soak in a world-class arts scene. And take advantage of a culinary offering that punches well above its weight.

    And, then there’s the fact that Townsville has fast become the destination to an outstanding line-up of events – from live music to top-level sporting contests.

    Whether you have a weekend or weeks, there’s plenty here to fill your tropical getaway.

    Day 1: An eventful day

    Morning

    The Strand in townsville
    Explore The Strand.

    Daily flights offer easy connectivity from all capital cities to Townsville Airport, and within 10 minutes’ drive, you’re in the city centre. Start your stay by recharging with breakfast or coffee at the city’s newest spot, Botaniq Cafe, on the ground floor of the award-winning Bridgewater restaurant on the banks of Ross Creek.

    Start exploring on a breezy walk along the 2.5-kilometre foreshore of The Strand. Here, a waterfront path stretches all the way to the headland of Jezzine Barracks parklands. Admire more than 35 sculptures and artworks, as well as stunning views from the top of the park. Further along, Queens Gardens, established in 1870, offers a cool retreat and is Townsville’s oldest botanic garden.

    Stroll Gregory Street, off The Strand, for boutiques, homeware stores, cafes and restaurants, or follow a self-guided street art walking trail through the city centre, stopping to admire colourful works by big-name artists including Queenslander Fintan Magee.

    Afternoon

    concert in front of castle hill townsville events
    Time your trip for one of many Townsville events.

    For a casual lunch, stop in at Balabite for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern-inspired street food. Build your own pita with a choice of fillings, before enjoying a relaxing afternoon in preparation for one of Townsville’s big events.

    Whether it’s a concert from a big-name international band – think Foo Fighters or Guns ‘n’ Roses – or a night cheering on the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup, there’s plenty to entertain you.

    Time your visit for events like the Townsville Folk Festival (June 12-14), Supercars Townsville 500 (July 10-12), Sealink Magnetic Island Race Week (August 27-September 2), North Australian Festival of Arts (September 25 – October 11) or see the Wallabies in the Rugby World Cup (coming in 2027).

    Day 2: Island dreaming

    Morning

    Pilgrim Sailing magnetic island
    Take a lunchtime sailing trip with Pilgrim Sailing.

    Fuel up with breakfast at Cbar on The Strand, looking out to your destination for the day: Magnetic Island (or ‘Maggie’ to the locals). Catch a quick ferry to spend the day exploring walking trails through national park, choosing from 23 beaches and trying a hand at the island’s water sports.

    The Forts Walk is the best place to see wild koalas in Australia, and you’re likely to find friendly wallabies at the Nelly or Geoffrey Bay headlands. Try guided snorkelling with Aquascene Magnetic Island or Pleasure Divers, or take a land-based tour with MI Ride Discovery Tours to the secluded west coast of the island.

    Pilgrim Magnetic Island offers four-hour lunchtime sailing trips aboard a 58-foot luxury yacht, dropping in to some of Magnetic Island’s remote bays for snorkelling or swimming and including gourmet grazing platters, drinks and ocean views.

    Afternoon

    picnic bay on magnetic island
    Head to Picnic Bay for delicious dining.

    Refuel after a morning of adventure. Seasalt Arcade at Picnic Bay has several good options. Savour craft brews and Latin tapas at Maggie Island Brewery, opt for bagels and light bites at Lava Lava cafe or fine dining at Restaurant Elsie.

    Now, it’s time to choose your own adventure. Stay the whole day on Maggie, or return to Townsville, where there’s plenty more to discover.

    Head to The Docks at Flinders Street Wharves for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the beach or join Poseidon Adventures for water sport adventures.

    Evening

    Ardo's Rooftop townsville
    End your day watching the sunset from Ardo’s Rooftop.

    However your day looked, end it with cocktails and canapes at Townsville’s Ardo Rooftop. Find something more substantial at the hotel’s elegant but casual Chef-hatted Japanese restaurant Terasu, where each dish is a work of art.

    Day 3: Natural delights

    Morning

    couple holiding hands at the top of castle hill in townsville
    Join the locals for an early walk to the peak of Castle Hill. (Credit: My Colourful World)

    Join the local early morning pilgrimage to hike up Castle Hill for the best 360-degree views in town, before heading to breakfast at Spirited Goat for gourmet treats and locally brewed coffee.

    A trip to Townsville wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the outer Great Barrier Reef. For those with time, Adrenalin Snorkel and Dive runs full-day trips to the Museum of Underwater Art for snorkellers and divers to admire the reef’s stunning collection of submerged sculptures on John Brewer Reef, about two hours by boat from Townsville.

    Afternoon

    Shorehouse restaurant townsville
    Stop into the award-winning Shorehouse.

    Round off your Townsville getaway with lunch at Shorehouse, awarded Best Restaurant in the North Queensland People’s Choice Awards every year since 2023. Dine on the deck to catch the breeze and sample modern Asian cuisine as you watch the world go.

    Keen for something more to extend your stay? There are always more adventures –new, familiar and with a twist – in the events capital of the North.

    Plan your eventful visit to Townsville North Queensland at townsvillenorthqueensland.com.au.