10 Best Camping Spots Near Cairns You Have to Visit
Tropical North Queensland is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Sunshine State for its stunning beaches, islands, waterfalls, and epic camping spots.
Home to some of the most beautiful places in the state, no trip to Queensland is complete without visiting Cairns and its surrounding areas, and one of the best ways to see it is in a campervan.
So, we’ve come up with a list of the best camping spots near Cairns you must visit while exploring what the region has to offer.
Upper Davies Creek Campground, Dinden National Park
While years ago, it would’ve been the gold rush that tempted you to visit this area, now it’s the solitude.
Upper Davies Campground fringes the stunning Davies Creek Falls near the Lamb Range, the mountains behind Cairns.
Park up your Cruisin Motorhome and spend your days swimming in the creek, gazing at waterfalls or hiking to the nearest lookout with spectacular views.
Babinda Boulders Campground
You can’t go to Cairns without visiting the popular Babinda Boulders, and what’s better is that you can stay at the campground!
Since it’s so hard to find a good swimming spot in Tropical North Queensland without crocodiles, Babinda Boulders will be your saving grace on a hot summer’s day!
Spend your day splashing about in the crocodile-free swimming hole and park up your campervan in the neighbouring Babinda Boulders Campground.
Goldsborough Valley
Drive your way through the stunning Gillies Ranges, summits sitting between Gordonvale and Atherton just outside Cairns.
As you cross the border of Wooroonooran National Park, you’ll discover the Goldsborough Valley and its campsites.
Since this campground is located in the Wet Tropics, there are plenty of hikes to do, including the Goldfield Trail. This 19km hike will take you past the two highest peaks (Bartle Frere and Bellenden Ker) and to the Boulders Scenic Reserve near Babinda.
Ellis Beach
You can’t take a trip to the far north without staying at Ellis Beach, one of the best sandy stretches in the country!
While most people skip Ellis Beach, it’s a local favourite, meaning you should definitely check it out!
With campsites sitting on the beach fringing the Great Barrier Reef, there is no better place to wake up in the morning and watch the sunrise over the horizon.
What’s even better about this campsite? It’s one of the few places in Cairns where you can swim in the ocean! As the last beach with stinger nets until Port Douglas, soak up your time here and enjoy a dip in the refreshing Coral Sea!
Mission Beach
Another one of the best camping spots near Cairns you have to add to your list is Mission Beach, home to Mission Beach Council Caravan Park and Bingil Pay Council Camp Ground.
Imagine waking up right on the beach with 14km of crowd-free coastline and azure water at your doorstep. Not only that, but Mission Beach is fringed by rainforest, meaning there are many walking trails to explore.
If you want to camp at a place that is absolutely breathtaking without the crowds, then Mission Beach is the place to go.
Palm Cove Holiday Park
One of the most underrated places near Cairns is Palm Cove, which also has a campground, perfect for spending a couple of days in your Cruisin Motorhome!
Located 30 minutes north of Cairns, Palm Cove is a small beachside town lined with stunning palm trees and is also one of the places you can swim in the stinger nets.
The campground is located within a short walk to the beach, jetty and esplanade. The park offers powered and unpowered sites, toilet and shower facilities and a kitchen.
Cape Tribulation
Where the Daintree Rainforest meets the Great Barrier Reef, there is no place like Cape Tribulation, which makes it one of the best camping spots near Cairns!
Located two and a half hours north of Cairns, Cape Tribulation is one of the most beautiful places in Australia and is an excellent place to camp right near the water!
At the campground, there are powered and unpowered sites with fantastic amenities and a modern camp kitchen. If you’re hungry, there is also a bar that serves up delicious woodfired pizzas.
One of the best parts about this campground? It has direct beach access, where you can spot turtles and dolphins from the shore. Ensure you don’t go swimming on this beach as crocodiles are in the water.
Daintree Riverview
Want to experience a different part of the Daintree Rainforest? The Daintree Riverview campground is located right on the Daintree River with powered and unpowered sites.
Park up your campervan and enjoy views of the river; you may even spot a croc or two!
The campground has toilets, laundry facilities, picnic tables and a camp kitchen.
Rowes Bay Caravan Park
If you are heading south of Cairns, make sure to park up at Rowes Bay Caravan Park for the night.
Situated in Townsville on the water with breathtaking views of the tropical Magnetic Island, Rowes Bay Caravan Park is one of the best camping spots near Cairns.
This caravan park has powered and unpowered sites available with toilet and shower facilities, laundry facilities, a camp kitchen, gas BBQs, outdoor eating areas and a dump point.
If you want to cool down and be entertained, there is also a pool and half-court tennis court.
Cooktown Caravan Park
Located nearly four hours north of Cairns, Cooktown Caravan Park is one of the best camping spots to spend a night or two.
Situated at the foothills of Mt Cook, Cooktown Caravan Park will provide you with shade and serenity underneath the rainforest.
This campground has large sites available for motorhomes (powered and unpowered), toilet and shower facilities, laundry facilities, BBQs and a dump point.
Whether you like waking up on the beach or in the middle of the rainforest, there are many amazing camping spots near Cairns.
From lush rainforests to waterfalls and tropical islands, Tropical North Queensland is best explored in a campervan, so get your Cruisin Motorhome sorted and start the adventure of a lifetime!