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.
- Hervey Bay Info Centre
- Alan & June Brown Car Park
- Cherwell Rest Area
- Petrie Park
- Tiaro Memorial Park
- Rossendale Park RV Camp
- Munna Creek Community Hall
- Claude Wharton Park
- Childers Brierley Wines
- Childers Overnight Stay
- Apple Tree Creek Rest Area
- Wallum Reserve Rest Area
- Booyal Roadhouse
- Theebine Hotel
- Miva Rest Area Dickabram Bridge
- Gin Gin Rest Area
- Wallaville Hotel
- Rocky Creek Roadside Stop
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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.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 2WD, Caravans.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Non-drinking Water; Dog-friendly; Picnic Tables; TV Reception; Dump Spot.
Time Limit: 48 hours.
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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.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 2WD, Caravans.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: You must obtain a permit from the Maryborough Visitor Info Centre right across the road and display it on a window of your vehicle.
Other Amenities: Dogs allowed on a leash.
Time Limit: 48 hours.
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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.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: No.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Picnic Tables.
Time Limit: 20 hours.
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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.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; RVs.
Phone Service: Telstra.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; BBQ Area; Fishing; Boat Ramp; TV Reception; Wildlife.
Time Limit: 48 hours.
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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.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets and hot showers.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; RVs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Wheelchair Accessible; Drinking Water; Dogs allowed on a leash; Generators Allowed; BBQ Area; Playground; TV Reception.
Time Limit: 48 hours.
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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.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 2WD; Carvaans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Generators Allowed; Picnic Tables; Seasonal Open Fire Pits.
Time Limit: 48 hours.
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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.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 2WD; Carvans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Telstra.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Generators Allowed; Wildlife; Picnic Tables; TV Reception.
Time Limit: None.
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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.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 2WD; Carvans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: No.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Non-drinking Water; Dog-friendly; Picnic Tables; Playground.
Time Limit: 24 hours.
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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.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 2WD; Carvans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: Check for availability at (07) 4126 1297 or Brierley Wines Facebook Page.
Other Amenities: Wheelchair Accessible; Dog-friendly; Open Fire Pits; TV Reception; Pull-through bays.
Time Limit: 24 hours.
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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.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; RVs; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Telstra.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Wheelchair Accessible; Drinking Water; BBQ Area; Picnic Tables; Playground; TV Reception; WiFi; Pull-through Bays; Dump Spot.
Time Limit: 20 hours.
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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!
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans.
Phone Service: Telstra.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Non-drinking Water; Generators Allowed; BBQ Area; Picnic Tables; Playground; TV Reception.
Time Limit: 24 hours.
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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.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Carvans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Non-drinking Water; Dog-friendly; Picnic Tables; Hiking and Cycling Tracks.
Time Limit: 20 hours.
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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.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Drinking Water; Dog-friendly; Picnic Tables; TV Reception; Fuel and Gas Available.
Time Limit: 48 hours.
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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!
Showers/Toilets: Toilets and paid showers.
Access: 2WD; Campers; RVs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; WiFi; TV Reception; Pub; On-site Accommodation.
Time Limit: 72 hours.
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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.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; RVs.
Phone Service: No.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Non-drinking Water; Dog-friendly; Picnic Tables; BBQ Area; Fishing.
Time Limit: 24 hours.
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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.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Wheelchair Accessible; Drinking Water; Generators Allowed; Dog-friendly; Picnic Tables; Open Fire Pits; TV Reception.
Time Limit:20 hours.
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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.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets available Friday through Sunday and $4 hot showers.
Access: 2WD; Carvans; RVs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Drinking Water; Generators Allowed; Power available at a charge; Picnic Tables; Laundry; TV Reception; WiFi; Pub; On-site Accommodation.
Time Limit: 48 hours.
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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.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 2WD; Carvans; RVs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Picnic Tables; TV Reception; Camp Fires Allowed.
Time Limit: None.
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