The Best Free Camping Townsville
2021 Update: Many of Townsville’s best free camping and campsites have become so popular that the city council has started an online booking service to ensure sites don’t become overfilled. You can book these free campsites directly through the Townsville Council Website.
Whether you are road-tripping from Melbourne to the Cape, or just looking to get out of Townsville and into the great outdoors for a weekend we have rounded up the best free camping Townsville has to offer in this comprehensive guide.
One of the best parts about traveling in this part of the world is the amount and the variety of free camping North Queensland has available. The towns and wild areas surrounding Townsville are no different.
From golden beaches to lush rainforests, outback towns, and impressive parklands, free camping around Townsville ranges from remote camping, accessible only by four-wheel-drive to free public caravan parks with numerous amenities to friendly country pubs welcoming weary travelers with country hospitality and cold beer.
For this list of free camping areas in Townsville, we have included camping within a two-hour drive of Townsville. We have also included some excellent camping around Townsville that is next to free (under $10 a night) because sometimes a little goes a long way.
Here are our top picks for the best free camping in Townsville.
Thinking about a Townsville road trip? Find the perfect vehicle!
Best Free Camping in Townsville
If you are looking for free camping in Townsville which is actually in the city, your options are pretty limited. To be precise there is only one option.
BP Service Station Idalia
Not exactly a relaxing spot to camp out for a few days, this road stop will serve if you need somewhere to pull off the road for a night. Camping is provided on the understanding that campers will purchase a shower, some gas, or something from the roadhouse.
Ground tents are not permitted and camping is limited to vehicle camping or rooftop tents. As it is a fuel station, open flames are not permitted meaning you won’t be able to cook using a stove.
On the plus side, there are hot showers available for 5 dollars, dogs are permitted, and there is great phone and television reception. Best of all you can camp in Townsville for free!
- Amenities
- Address: Racecourse Rd &, Lakeside Dr, Idalia QLD 4811
- Maximum Stay: 24 hours
- Cost: Free!
- Mobile Reception: Yes
- Camping type: In-vehicle and rooftop tents permitted, no ground tents
Best Free Beach Camping Around Townsville
Golden sandy beaches, crystal clear estuaries fringed by mangroves, and endless views across the tranquil coral sea to the islands of the Great Barrier Reef. What could be better than camping right on one of Townsville’s gorgeous pristine beaches? Well, camping here for absolutely nothing.
The Townsville council has made the commendable decision to open up some of their stunning beaches to campers, caravaners, #vanlifers, and tent campers, absolutely free of charge. Undoubtedly some of the best free camping in Townsville can be found here, along the iconic North Queensland coastline.
Balgal Beach Camping
Balgal Beach Free Camping is some of the best free camping Townsville has. There are two free campsites here right on the scenic and undeveloped Balgal Beach.
Balgal Beach Tents Only camping area at Justin Park is reserved for tent campers. It offers a shady green space right on Balgal Beach as well as covered tables, water, toilets, and a cold outdoor shower.
Further north, Balgal Beach Campground provides camping for caravans, camper vans, and camper trailers. With water, toilets, an outdoor shower, swimming nets, and a dump point, the absolute beachfront camping at Balgal Beach Camping is hands down some of the best free camping in Townsville.
Campsites must be booked via the Townsville City Council.
Useful Information
- Amenities
- Address:
- Tents Only Camping Area: Justin St, Balgal Beach QLD 4816, Australia
- Balgal Beach Camping: 3 Tooth St, Balgal Beach QLD 4816, Australia
- Book at: https://townsville.bookable.net.au/
- Maximum Stay: 48 hours
- Cost: Free!
- Mobile Reception: Yes – Some
- Camping type: All types of campers welcome
Toomulla Beach Camping
Toomulla Beach Free Camping is yet another example of local councils providing excellent free camping in Townsville. Toomulla Beach Free Camping, offers clean comfortable free camping in a shady park, right behind Toomulla Beach. With playgrounds, green space, picnic tables, and barbecues, Toomulla camping area is a great place to stop off with the kids.
Toomulla Beach is also a popular fishing spot. Boaties and anglers will appreciate the nearby boat ramp. Keep your eyes peeled for the resident crocodile that lives here at Toomulla Beach and stay croc-wise.
Campsites must be booked via the Townsville City Council.
Useful Information
- Amenities:
- Address: Toomulla QLD 4816, Australia
- Book at: https://townsville.bookable.net.au/
- Maximum Stay: 48 hours
- Cost: Free!
- Mobile Reception: Yes – Some
- Camping Type: All types of campers are welcome
Saunders Beach Camping
Saunders Beach Camping is another awesome spot that you won’t want to miss. A limited number of spots right behind this beautiful stretch of coast provide a quiet weekend getaway or restful sleep for the weary traveler. Limited space means you need to book in advance through theTownsville City Council.
Also, watch out for the bat colony that has made their home near the campground.
Useful Information
- Amenities
- Address: Reef St, Saunders Beach QLD 4818
- Book at: https://townsville.bookable.net.au/
- Maximum Stay: 48 hours
- Cost: Free!
- Mobile Reception: Yes – Some
- Camping Type: Caravan and campervan
Crystal Creek Beach Camping
This basic campsite offers wild camping right on the beach. At Crystal Creek Beach Camping you won’t find marked sites, showers, or toilets, but you will find plenty of space behind the dunes to set up for a weekend or longer. Crystal Creek Beach Camping is another great example of wild camping near Townsville that is absolutely free.
From Barrilge Road, follow the dirt track which eventually turns into soft sand behind the beach. Four-wheel drive is necessary to reach this remote camp.
Unfortunately, many of the campsites here have been left littered with rubbish which is a real shame. Be sure to take your trash with you when you visit, or go one better and take an extra bag of rubbish home with you when you leave.
Useful Information
- Amenities:
- Address: 8 Barrilgie Rd, Coolbie QLD 4850 n.b. This is the turn-off point from marked roads. Continue down this road until you find the beach. Just be careful not to take the wrong road and end up on private property.
- Maximum Stay: Unknown
- Cost: Free!
- Mobile Reception: Yes – Some
Wunjunga Camping
Another wild camping area without facilities but with plenty of scenic beach all to yourself. Wunjunga South Camping offers beachfront camping in the calm and protected Wunjunga Bay with beautiful views of Cape Upstart.
A basic campsite along Wunjunga Road is available to conventional vehicles and offers beachside camping absolutely free. However, if you have a four-wheel drive, you can drive down to the southern end of Wunjunga Beach. This is surely some of the best free 4WD camping Townsville has to offer. Here you can camp right on the dunes.
We camped here for a weekend, alone but for the motorsports enthusiasts who would occasionally ride in various buggies, bikes, and off-road vehicles.
Without any facilities, you will need to be self-sufficient, but your reward is this beach camp (practically) to yourself. If wild camping is your thing then this is some of the best free camping Townsville has to offer.
Useful Information
- Amenities:
- Address: Wajunga Rd , Wunjunga QLD 4806
- Maximum Stay: 7 days
- Cost: FREE
- Mobile Reception: Yes – Some
- Camping Type: Campervan, caravan, and trailer camping permitted. 4wd drive required for southern end beach camping
Best Free Bush Camping Around Townsville
With stunning beaches, estuaries, fishing, access to the Great Barrier Reef, and countless islands, you could be forgiven for forgetting that Townsville is surrounded by incredible inland national parks. What’s more, camping in these stunning places needn’t cost an arm and a leg. Here is the best of Townsville’s free camping in the surrounding bushland and national parks.
Paluma Range National Park Camping
If you want to immerse yourself in nature while camping Paluma National Park offers several different experiences.
Drive-in camping is available near popular swimming holes at the Jourama Falls Camping area and the Big Crystal Creek Camping area. These camping areas have toilers, untreated water, and picnic tables.
Hike-in, wilderness camping is available at Mount Spec and Mount Halifax. These remote camps for experienced bushwalkers have no facilities and campers must be fully self-sufficient.
All these sites have a small National Park overnight fee of $6.75 per person per night. While not quite free these sites are cheaper than any commercial campsite and far more scenic. Paluma Range National Park Camping offers some of the most beautiful next to free camping in Townsville.
Useful Information
- Amenities:
- Address: Crystal Creek QLD 4816, Australia
- Book at: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/paluma-mount-spec
- Maximum Stay: 30 days
- Cost: $6.75 per person per night
- Mobile Reception: Yes – Poor
- Camping Type: All types of camping are welcome
Wallaman Falls Camping Area, Girrungun National Park
The Wallaman Falls Camping area is just around the corner from the spectacular Wallaman Falls, Australia’s largest perennial single-drop waterfall and a must-see attraction in north Queensland. The Wallaman Falls Camping area also offers access to other attractions in the remote Girrungun National Park.
The Wallaman Falls Camping area offers basic camping facilities including fire pits, untreated water, toilets, cold showers, and picnic tables. With space for just forty campers, reservations are recommended.
Wallaman Falls Camping Area is in the Girrungun National Park, and camping here costs $6.75 per person per night. While not technically an example of free camping in Townsville, it’s a small price to pay to stay next door to one of Queensland’s most incredible natural attractions.
Useful Information
- Amenities:
- Address: Wallaman QLD 4850, Australia
- Maximum Stay: 30 days
- Cost: $6.75 per person per night
- Mobile Reception: No
- Camping Type: Tent and campervan
Babinda Boulders Camping
The historic town of Babinda is home to not one but two AMAZING donation-based campsites. One just outside the town and another near the iconic Babinda Boulders.
The Babinda Boulders are an incredible attraction in their own right. Here, the crystal clear Babinda Creek forms beautiful swimming holes and sections of rapids, all set amongst lush tropical rainforests.
From the pretty picnic area and top pool, you can take the short 1.3-kilometer Devil’s Pool trail to see the amazing granite formations that have created this beautiful section of creek. Discover the Aboriginal legend of the curse that haunts this creek.
Nearby, Queensland’s highest mountain, Mount Bartle Frere can be found providing a challenge to hikers.
In addition to an incredible setting near the beautiful Babinda Boulders swimming hole, the Babinda Boulders camping area has cold showers, toilets, and water available for campers.
Useful Information
- Amenities:
- Address: The Boulders Free Camping Ground, The Boulders Rd, Babinda QLD 4861, Australia
- Maximum Stay: 72 hours stay
- Cost: Donation
- Mobile Reception: None
- Camping Type: All types of campers are welcome
Best Free Town Camping Around Townsville
Home Hill Comfort Stop
Okay, this one is probably not for the weekend warriors looking to escape into nature for the weekend, but it is certainly for caravaners, vanlifers, roadtrippers, grey nomads, backpackers, whizbangs, and anybody else making their way up or down the Bruce Highway, living out of their car.
The small township of Home Hill under 100 kilometers south of Townsville has found the secret ingredients to attract weary, dusty travelers to stop off in their small township. Free hot showers!!!
For those of you traveling long term, without a shower onboard and a limited budget, I need not say anymore. Free, steaming hot showers in clean, modern amenities blocks. It also offers electric barbecues and parenting facilities.
The ‘campsite’ here is some street-side parking outside the train station. There are a handful of picnic tables and some green grass, and that’s about it. But night after night this unassuming country town street is lined with caravans, campers, and rooftop tents, all attracted to Townsville’s’ closest and most welcoming free rest stop.
Useful Information
- Amenities:
- Address: Eighth Ave, Home Hill QLD 4806, Australia
- Maximum Stay: 48 hours
- Cost: Free!
- Mobile Reception: Yes
- Camping Type: Caravans and campervans
Babinda Camping Area
The second of two awesome Babinda camping areas, this large free camp is just outside the historic town of Babinda. Set amongst the tropical rainforest native to this area, with a crystal clear creek flowing through it, this large free campsite is open to all styles of camping.
Possibly topping the list for the best free camping Townsville and North Queensland have is thedonation-based Babinda Rotary Park Free Camping Area. The campsite has first-rate facilities including coin-operated hot showers.
Nearby attractions include the charming town of Babinda, the Babinda Boulders, and Mount Bartle Frere. While in town be sure to check out the popular Babinda bakery, the Babinda Butcher for smoked ham and bacon, and Trolley Coffee for North Queensland’s best flat white. If you need to get some work done, the Babinda Library is the perfect place to catch up on some emails.
The camp is popular and can be quite busy but with so much space you can usually find a spot. An enthusiastic rooster, the occasional train, and inconsiderate campers can threaten a good night’s sleep here but besides that Babinda Camping scores high.
Useful Information
- Amenities:
- Address: 29 Howard Kennedy Dr, Babinda QLD 4861, Australia
- Maximum Stay: 72 hours
- Cost: Donation
- Mobile Reception: Yes – Good
- Camping Type: All types of campers are welcome
Vincent ‘Bushy’ Parker Park
Yet another council-run free camping Townsville site. Bushy Park offers all the amenities campers could need for a comfortable stay. It is also close to Paluma National Park.
The clean, quiet camp, is set on a pretty stream. It has toilets, drinking water, tables, barbecues, and dump points for caravans and RVs.
Useful Information
- Amenities:
- Address: Rollingstone St, Rollingstone QLD 4816
- Maximum Stay: 48 hours
- Cost: FREE
- Mobile Reception: Yes – Good
- Camping Type: All types of campers are welcome
Bluewater Park, Blue Water
This free campsite can be found in Blue Water just 33km out of Townsville. Bluewater Park is another good option, right on the Bruce Highway, if you are doing a road trip and need a place to stay for the night.
Bluewater Park offers all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay including barbecues, tables, drinking water, and toilets. Another great example of the free camping Townsville Council has provided, Bluewater is popular and can get busy socampsites must be booked via the Townsville City Council.
Useful Information
- Amenities:
- Address: Bluewater QLD 4818
- Book at: https://townsville.bookable.net.au/
- Maximum Stay: 48 hours
- Cost: Free!
- Mobile Reception: Yes
- Camping Type: All types of campers are welcome
Best Pub and Hotel Free Camping Townsville
Savvy pubs and hotels across Australia, throw open their doors and car parks to campers, caravaners, and RV’ers. Allowing campers to stop over for a night on the understanding they will support the pub by purchasing a meal and a beer, makes it a pretty great deal for travelers. We make it a point to stop off in some of Australia’s most iconic pubs on a Friday night when road-tripping here.
Here is our pick of the best free camping in Townsville at hotels and pubs.
Halifax Hotel
A classic Aussie pub that welcomes campers. They have a large grassed area at the back of the hotel with 24-hour access to outdoor toilets and access to the swimming pool. And you can stay for free when you dine at this historic Australian hotel.
Located close to Lucinda, a top fishing destination and one access point to the legendary Hinchinbrook Island National Park it is the perfect place to stop for an evening if you are passing through.
Useful Information
- Amenities:
- Address: 26 Macrossan St, Halifax QLD 4850, Australia
- Maximum Stay: 24 hours
- Cost: Free to stay when you buy a meal or a drink from the pub
- Mobile Reception: Yes – Good
- Camping Type: All types of campers are welcome
Railway Hotel Ravenswood
The Outback Railway Hotel in the historic town of Ravenswood not only allows campers, but they welcome them with open arms. In addition to a warm welcome, this charming historic hotel serves up great pub food and cold beer. The friendly owners have renovated a downstairs whiskey bar and restored the original miners’ quarters in the hotel, providing a unique point of difference.
Useful Information
- Amenities:
- Address: LOT 1 Barton St, Ravenswood QLD 4816
- Maximum Stay: –
- Cost: Basic unpowered sites free with a pub meal or $15 for a powered site
- Mobile Reception: Yes
- Camping Type: All types of campers are welcome
Top Tips for Free Camping in North Queensland
- Free camping is rare in many parts of the world and even in many parts of Australia. The abundance and quality of free camping North Queensland and Townsville provide is truly unparalleled.
- Help keep these incredible facilities open, and do the right thing. Clean up after yourself, follow time limits, noise curfews, and rules surrounding permitted camping types in different camping areas. Where donations are requested dig deep, that money goes directly back into maintaining these awesome free camps.
- Support the community supporting you! These communities have welcomed you in and provided awesome facilities and access for free! Give back by buying locally when you stop off. These communities rely on your business.
- Be considerate of your fellow campers. Free camping is for everyone, don’t spread out when space is tight, don’t leave rubbish around your campsite, and don’t make too much noise, especially at night. Simple!
- If you have had enough of the free camping Townsville has to offer and a looking for a bit more amenity, check out some of the fantastic Townsville Caravan Parks
- Finally, don’t forget to register with Aussie House Sitters to find free accommodation in Townsville and all over Australia!
*
Have you visited any of the free camping around Townsville? Did we miss any great spots? Let us know in the comments below!
Want to save the best free camping Townsville for later pin it!