Campgrounds
A camp ground is an allocated area (marked by totems) that is slightly in from the beach (walking distance) and has cold showers and drop toilets.
There are no numbers allocated within the camping ground, it’s just first in, best dressed.
Camp Zones
A camping zone is a bit of beach between A & B (also marked by totems) where you pick your favourite spot. There are existing areas behind the foredunes with clear 4WD access tracks. There are no facilities, bring your own portable toilets and camp showers or you are welcome to drive to the closest camp ground and use the facilities there. This is our full wilderness option.
Campgrounds
The Wrecks Campground
The Wrecks campground is perfect for visitors without a car.
It’s a short walk (5 minutes) from the Micat landing spot, and is accessible by foot only. If you want to camp next to your car or have a camper trailer, this campground is not for you.
This is the only campground on Moreton Island that doesn’t allow vehicle or trailer access in the camp ground.
The Wrecks campground is set next to a sheltered bay on the Western side of the island. Sites are well defined and surrounded by native trees and shrubs.
Ben-Ewa Campground
This is the next camp ground up from The Wrecks. If you don’t want to tow your camper trailer far from the Micat ferry this is your camp ground. Ben-Ewa Campground is in a valley providing shady sites and protection from strong winds. Sheltered bay waters make this campground popular for young families and school groups.
By vehicle it would take you less than 5 minutes to drive to this camp ground from the Micat ferry and roughly a 30 minute stroll up the beach by foot.
This is one of the smaller camp grounds on Moreton Island so be fast if this one sounds like you!
COMBOYURO POINT CAMPGROUND
Combo Point is one of our staff favourites! Not only is this camp ground a short drive to Bulwer and the local store, it is one of the larger camp grounds on the island. This camp ground is located on the Western side offering sheltered bay waters. This campground is very popular for young families for the safe swimming areas and space for big groups.
It takes approximately 30 minutes to drive to Comboyuro Point Campground from the Micat ferry – it’s a 4 hour hike up the beach by foot.
If you have a trailer or large tent and want some space and shade then this camp ground is for you!
NORTH POINT CAMPGROUND
A camp ground with a breeze, North Point campground offers large, grassy, defined sites, many with shade. This camp ground is close to a surf beach and within walking distance to Honeymoon Bay. If you want to camp next to your car this campsite is not for you as you park a short distance from each camp site.
It takes 45-60 minutes to drive to this camp ground from the Micat ferry. It’s roughly a 4-hour hike (only recommended for experienced bush walkers).
North Point is located at the northern tip of the island, between Yellow Patch and Cape Moreton – just 20 metres to the closest beach.
Please note this camp ground only has 4 sites available for trailers so get in early!
BLUE LAGOON CAMPGROUND
A camping spot with your own freshwater lake! Blue Lagoon campground offers beach style camping with medium to large sites, many with shade. This camp ground is within easy access to ocean surf beach and within walking distance to Blue Lagoon.
Blue Lagoon campground is located on the eastern side of the island, between Middle Road and Cape Moreton. It’s reached by 4WD via Middle Road, or up to Bulwer and across Bulwer-Blue Lagoon Road. You can make the journey on foot, but it’s for experienced bushwalkers only.
Camping Zones
NORTH-WEST CAMPING ZONE
If you’re happy roughing it, this is one of the most amazing zones on the island! Most sites offer sea views and shade. It offers sheltered bay waters with the option to camp next to your vehicle with trailer access. Sites vary in size and range from secluded sites to close, social camping areas.
This zone covers beach camping sites between Ben-Ewa and Comboyuro Point camp grounds.
By vehicle it takes 10 minutes to drive from the Micat to the this zone (past Ben-Ewa campground to Comboyuro Point camp ground) – it’s roughly a 2-4 hour hike.
If you don’t want to tow your camper trailer far from the Micat ferry but want that beach front view we recommend this zone!
No amenities – we recommend you bring your own portable toilets and camp showers. All waste must be disposed of correctly or removed from the island.
NORTH-EAST CAMPING ZONE
If you’re keen to escape your neighbours and am self-sufficient this is a great zone on the island. The North-East camping zone offers exposed surf beaches with the option to camp next to your vehicle with trailer access, which is perfect for throwing a line in or catching some waves. Sites vary in size and range from secluded sites to close, social camping areas.
This zone covers beach camping sites between Eastern side of Middle Road track, heading north to Spitfire Creek (Excluding sites in camp grounds).
It takes 20 minutes to drive here from the Micat. You’ll travel through the Middle Track to the Eastern side of the island. Drive past Middle Track on the eastern side to Spit Fire Creek. If you want to hike, it’ll take around 2 hours up the beach by foot, recommended for experienced bush walkers only.
SOUTH-WEST CAMPING ZONE
If your camp set up is self-sufficient and you want to escape the crowds, this zone is perfect! As it’s on the Western side of the island, It offers sheltered bay waters. Sites vary in size and range from secluded sites to close, social camping areas. The southern camping zones are more secluded then the northern zones.
South-west camping zone covers all western camp sites from Tangalooma Bypass south side of Tangalooma Resort to Toulkerrie.
It takes 30 minutes to drive from the Micat to the beginning of this zone (past the Tangalooma bypass) – it’s roughly a 1 hour hike up the beach by foot.
Make sure you plan your travel with the tides as some camp sites closer to Toulkerrie may only be accessible by 4WD at low tide.
When using Tangalooma bypass make sure you have the correct 4WD gear, as this track can get extremely soft.
If you’re towing a trailer, we only recommend this zone for highly experienced drivers as the Tangalooma bypass can be extremely soft.
SOUTH-EAST CAMPING ZONE
If you’re keen to escape your neighbours and are self-sufficient, this is a great zone on the island. This camping zone offers exposed surf beaches with the option to camp next to your vehicle with trailer access. The South-East camping zone is perfect for throwing a line in or going surfing. This camping zone is more secluded then the northern zones. Sites vary in size and range from secluded sites to close, social camping areas.
This zone covers beach camping sites between the Eastern side of Middle Road Track, heading south to Rous Battery.
It takes 30 – 40 minutes to drive here from the Micat – you’ll go through the Middle Track to the Eastern side of the island to the beginning of this zone (past Middle Track on the Eastern side, just south to Rous Battery)
Experienced hikers can trek down past Tangalooma, up through the desert and along Rous Battery track and camp at Rous Battery. The hike is approximately 5 hours.
Periodic exposure of rocks may mean the south-east beach is impassable at high tide.
YELLOW PATCH CAMPING ZONE
This camp ground is great if you are a keen fisher or with a large group.
This zone is between North Point and Heath Island. Please note there are no camp sites at Heath Island. Sites vary in size and range from secluded sites to close, social camping areas. Many sites have sea views and shade. This camping zone offers surf beaches.
This Zone can be reached by 4WD only, approximately 60 minutes from the Wrecks, up the Western side to Bulwer and inland via the Bulwer-North Point Road.
Important Information
- How do I book? What about permits?
Camping permits are required and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site. All camping permits must be obtained before you arrive on the island (there is no self-registration on site).
You need to get your vehicle and camping permits prior to travel, but you now get them through the Mulgumpin website here.
We are still an agent for National Parks, so if you would like to save the hassle of visiting both websites, just add your vehicle access permit on when you book your vehicle. We’ll then book your permit in the Mulgumpin system, and you’ll get emailed your permit.
If you would like to discuss your camping permit or vehicle access permit, contact QYAC directly on (07) 3415 2816.
A Qld Parks-Wifi hotspot is available at The Wrecks camping area.
- Can I have a camp fire?
Generally! Fires are permitted in fireplaces or fire pits at designated campsites. Keep in mind that from time to time there are fire bans (when we are going through drought etc.) to keep everyone on Moreton safe.
As Moreton is a National Park, it’s prohibited to use anything (branches etc.) from the island for your fire. So you can either bring your own firewood or purchase it from Castaways.
After you’ve enjoyed your fire, make sure you extinguish with a bucket of water, not sand. Otherwise you or your mate might get a nasty surprise when you accidentally step on it in the morning.
- Phone reception
It’s the usual story – if you’re with Telstra, you should have a bit of reception. If you’re desperate, reception is best along the beach fronts.
- Drinking water is limited
Water can be collected from the Big Sandhills on the western beach, the Rous Battery and Eagers Creek on the eastern beach, and at all campgrounds – but you need to treat the water before drinking (boiling or water treatment tablets).
Everyone is reliant on rain water, so don’t be a selfish Steve, use water sparingly.
- Can I use a generator?
Generators are not permitted in campgrounds, but are permitted in camping zones between 8am and 7pm.
- Gas and fuel stoves
Gas or fuel stoves are encouraged at all campgrounds and camp zones.
- Yes to portable toilets!
Large groups staying away from facilities should bring a portable toilet. Waste from portable toilets can be emptied at designated waste facilities located at Ben-Ewa and Comboyuro Point campgrounds. Do not pour your portable toilet waste into any toilets on the island, as it destroys the bacteria in the composting systems.
- General advice for trailer towing
If you aren’t particularly confident with the trailer, we recommend staying on the Western Side. If you are self-sufficient, the North-West camping zone is perfect for you!
If you would like to camp with toilets and showers we would recommend Ben-Ewa camp ground or Comboyuro Point. Blue Lagoon and North Point are also great, just note that it is a bit trickier or further to get to these camp grounds with a trailer.
If you’re looking for some adventure and some hot fishing spots, we recommend setting up camp on the Eastern side. If you are self-sufficient, the North-East or South-East camping zone is for you! If you would like to camp with toilets and showers we would recommend any of the camp grounds on the eastern side (Blue Lagoon, North Point (4sites)
It is recommended to use Bulwer–Blue Lagoon Road instead of Middle Road as this track is one-way and narrow if you are heading to the Eastern Side. The soft sand of Middle Road makes it easy for heavy vehicles to get bogged and to avoid taking Tangalooma by pass if possible as this track can get extremely soft.
- Essentials to bring
We always recommend bringing some drinking water and containers, water sterilisation tablets (if you plan on drinking the water on the island), rubbish bags, sunscreen, insect repellent, firewood, axe, first-aid kit, shovel, portable toilet and sand pegs.
Click on this link to read more about things to know before you go – https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/parks/moreton-island/about.html#things_to_know_before_you