18 Free Camps You Need To Know About In Fraser Coast

Fraser Coast brings raw nature and World Heritage sites together in a unique way. Offering gems to please everyone’s taste from watching humpback whales play, visiting the world’s largest sand island, to adrenaline-spiking drive on the 75 Mile Beach. With so many activities, visiting Fraser Coast will have you pretty exhausted in the evening. Spare yourself the wandering and hit some of these free camps.

1. Hervey Bay Info Centre

Free camping area in the rear of the Hervey Bay Informational Centre for up to five self-contained vehicles. If you fancy staying here, come in early as it fills up fast. Great spot to stay for two days, unhook your car and explore the area. There’s a kid’s playground right next door and pleasant staff in the visitor’s centre who will share what you need to know about the region.

Where: Hervey Bay, Queensland
Toilets: Yes
Camp Fires: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 48 hours
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located near the Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre on the Esplanade.

Image: Instagram (@herveybaytouristcentre)

2. Alan & June Brown Car Park

This free camp is the perfect base for exploring everything Maryborough has to offer. Suitable for self-contained vehicles only; otherwise, fines apply. Walking distance to town, cafe, and shopping centre. Very quiet, keeping in mind the camp is in town. Toilets are available across the road, and water taps at Queens Park. You can find a dump spot 2km from the camp.

Where: Hervey Bay, Queensland
Toilets: Yes
Camp Fires: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 48 hours
Big Rig Access: No
Getting There: Located near the central business district of Hervey Bay.

Image: Instagram (@illuminated.life.center)

3. Cherwell Rest Area

A rest area right off the highway with a secluded part in the back where noise is down to a minimum. Separate truck and car parking area. An ideal overnight safe place for tired drivers, but no facilities, so keep in mind if you aren’t self-sufficient.

Where: Cherwell, Queensland
Toilets: Yes
Camp Fires: Yes (BYO wood)
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 48 hours
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located along Bruce Highway, near Cherwell.

Image: Instagram (@rolasolar)

4. Petrie Park

Magical little camp in a green area next to Mary River that can accommodate about five caravans. Large open area, green grass, clean facilities, and abundance of birdlife. If you have a boat, exploring the river is a fantastic pass time. Due to the limited spaces and the charm of this camp, you must go early to score a spot.

Where: Tiaro, Queensland
Toilets: Yes
Camp Fires: Yes (BYO wood)
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 14 days
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located along Mungar Road, adjacent to the Mary River.

Image: Instagram (@sharkmavies)

5. Tiaro Memorial Park

A well-kept free camp for self-contained and non-self-contained vehicles in Tiaro Memorial Park, managed by Fraser Coast Council. Great amenities, handy location off the highway, and the best choice if you travel with kids – the playground will have them entertained for hours! There’s a pub nearby with reasonably priced drinks and meals.

Where: Tiaro, Queensland
Toilets: Yes
Camp Fires: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 48 hours
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located along Mayne Street in Tiaro.

Image: Instagram (@jimny_waffle)

6. Rossendale Park RV Camp

A spacious sheltered area in Rossendale Park with flat camp spots and only 300 metres off the highway and 10 kilometres from Tiaro. It’s great for an overnight or two-day stay, with plenty of shaded and sunny sites to choose from and incredible nature views. No facilities, so it’s best for self-contained vehicles.

Where: Rossendale, Queensland
Toilets: Yes
Camp Fires: Yes (BYO wood)
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 48 hours
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located along Rossendale Road, accessible from the Bruce Highway.

Image: Instagram (@queensland)

7. Munna Creek Community Hall

Serene, spacious flat space, clean and well maintained with mowed grass. Nice area to take walks around to Munna Creek or along Mary River. The community hall is a great view but sadly out of function.

Where: Munna Creek, Queensland
Toilets: Yes
Camp Fires: Yes (BYO wood)
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 14 days
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located near Munna Creek, along Glen Echo Road.

Image: Instagram (@endless.days.of.oz)

8. Claude Wharton Park

This is a lovely clean and quiet camp for self-contained vehicles only. It is located next to a Eucalyptus forest and adjacent to an old picturesque town, so nice scenery is guaranteed. Suitable for an overnight stay before you continue exploring the area.

Where: Gayndah, Queensland
Toilets: Yes
Camp Fires: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 48 hours
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located along Burnett Highway, near Gayndah.

Image: Instagram (@amandarussianart)

9. Childers Brierley Wines

Family-owned unique vineyard and boutique winery with a free campground. Camping is permitted for self-contained vehicles only with the purchase of a bottle of wine, which starts at $25. The family has a special approach to winemaking which is reflected in the taste of their wines. As a bonus, you’re granted an amazing view of the Kullogum State Forest while sipping your glass of wine.

Where: Childers, Queensland
Toilets: Yes
Camp Fires: Yes (BYO wood)
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 48 hours
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located near Childers, along Goodwood Road.

Image: Instagram (@legendary_adventures_)

10. Childers Overnight Stay

The council of Childers offers a well-equipped camp spot in the heart of the city for self-contained vehicles. Just a 2-minute walk to the main street of Childers, where you can get anything you need, and brilliant facilities right across the road in Millenium Park. It’s a shame it’s limited to a 20-hour stay.

Where: Childers, Queensland
Toilets: Yes
Camp Fires: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 24 hours
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located near the Childers central area, accessible from the Bruce Highway.

Image: Instagram (@kazzanixo21)

11. Apple Tree Creek Rest Area

Small overnight rest area with clean facilities and large open space. Close to the road, so a slight noise can disturb you at night, but otherwise, it’s a top-notch overnight spot. A coffee van comes in the morning, so you’ll be guaranteed a great start to the day!

Where: Apple Tree Creek, Queensland
Toilets: Yes
Camp Fires: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 48 hours
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located along Bruce Highway, near Apple Tree Creek.

Image: Instagram (@living.simple_van)

12. Wallum Reserve Rest Area

A rest area with a spectacular sunset view and plenty of flat camp spots. Shaded areas, slightly secluded, providing less road noise but opposite a shooting range, so don’t be concerned if you hear shots during the day. Basic facilities, enough for a 20-hour stay.

Where: Near Childers, Queensland
Toilets: Yes
Camp Fires: Yes (BYO wood)
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 48 hours
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located near Childers, along Bruce Highway.

Image: Instagram (@sixwheelwanderers)

13. Booyal Roadhouse

Grassy campground next to the highway with a service station and a small family-run roadhouse next door. Toilets in the servo available during the day, and fantastic meals from the roadhouse can be delivered to your vehicle. Good for an overnight stay although it can get noisy due to traffic. Cheap fuel in the servo, so refill.

Where: Booyal, Queensland
Toilets: Yes
Camp Fires: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 24 hours
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located along Bruce Highway, near Booyal.

Image: Instagram (@dronaiku)

14. Theebine Hotel

Exceptional camp with friendly staff, great food, and welcoming owner. Camping is free if you support the pub, which offers large, great quality meals and drinks at fair prices. Generous free three nights stay at an unpowered site, or you can get a powered site for $15. A must-stop!

Where: Theebine, Queensland
Toilets: Yes
Camp Fires: Yes (BYO wood)
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 14 days
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located along Theebine Road, near the Theebine Hotel.

Image: Instagram (@dronaiku)

15. Miva Rest Area Dickabram Bridge

Not your average rest area near Woolooga with captivating views of Mary River and an old wooden bridge. Limited camp spots and very quiet after dusk. Go through the info board to find out the story behind this place.

Where: Miva, Queensland
Toilets: No
Camp Fires: Yes (BYO wood)
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 14 days
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located near the Dickabram Bridge, along Miva Road.

Image: Instagram (@ig_australia__)

16. Gin Gin Rest Area

Awesome camp only 1.5km out of Gin Gin, quite popular with heaps of shaded and sunny spots and a large open area. Fuel station, shops within a walking distance or a 2-minute drive. Clean facilities and a coffee van coming in daily.

Where: Gin Gin, Queensland
Toilets: Yes
Camp Fires: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 48 hours
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located along Bruce Highway, near Gin Gin.

Image: Instagram (@dronaiku)

17. Wallaville Hotel

Camp in the backyard of this small family-run hotel built in 1911. You can enjoy some of their homemade meals at low prices, do your laundry or take a shower. Public toilets available across the road when the pub is closed. Pool and darts available at the pub and a convenience store right across the street.

Where: Wallaville, Queensland
Toilets: Yes
Camp Fires: Yes (BYO wood)
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 14 days
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located along Bungadoo Road, near Wallaville.

Image: Instagram (@aliscruise)

18. Rocky Creek Roadside Stop

Small secluded roadside gravel camp with plenty of flat spots. It’s right off the road but surprisingly very quiet and never crowded. Enough firewood around to build a fire pit, but you have to take another route to access Rocky Creek.

Where: Rocky Creek, Queensland
Toilets: No
Camp Fires: Yes (BYO wood)
Pet-friendly: Yes
Maximum Stay: 48 hours
Big Rig Access: Yes
Getting There: Located along Bruce Highway, near Rocky Creek.

Image: Instagram (@tropicalnorthqueensla)