Best Free Camping Spots Near and Around Brisbane

There’s a common misconception that travelling has to be expensive, with the expectation that a lot of your travel budget will need to go on accommodation costs. But you can actually find several free camping spots in Brisbane that will leave money in your pocket to explore everything Queensland’s most famous city and its surrounding areas have to offer with a little more financial freedom.

Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best free camping spots near and around Brisbane, helping you plan the perfect road trip while keeping your costs as low as possible.

Are you ready? Let’s get exploring!

Free Brisbane Camping Spots

1. Geoffrey Fisher Bridge Rest Area
2. Hugh Muntz Park
3. Tully Memorial Park
4. Albert Theaker Park Rest Area
5. Northbrook Creek Camp
6. Cruice Park
7. Linville Railway Station Camping Grounds
8. Fassifern Reserve
9. Lake Clarendon Picnic Area
10. James Hedges Park

Geoffrey Fisher Bridge Rest Area

Wivenhoe Pocket, QLD

Located along the Brisbane Valley Highway, Geoffrey Fisher Bridge Rest Area offers free camping for campervans, camper trailers, and minibuses. As a rest area, there are limited spaces and limited amenities, but if you’re looking for a safe space to pull up for the evening, it’s certainly a good option.

In terms of amenities, you’ll need to be pretty self sufficient, but you will find picnic tables and a large grassy area to relax on. This space is also dog friendly, although you will need to keep your canine companion on a leash at all times.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Picnic Tables

Hugh Muntz Park

Beenleigh, QLD

Offering free camping for up to three consecutive nights, Hugh Muntz Park is located just off the Pacific Motorway and has space for 20 campervans. Rooftop tents are also permitted here, but you cannot connect additional ground tents.

One of the best things about this free camping area is its convenient location. You’ll find yourself very close to Beenleigh Train Station, which offers services running to and from Brisbane throughout the day, and there’s a nearby shopping centre that is ideal for stocking up on your essential supplies.

You’ll also be close to some of Brisbane’s most popular attractions, including the Beenleigh Artisan Distillery, the Historical Village Museum, and Poppy’s Chocolates. So, not only is this a good place to get free accommodation, but it’s a great way of creating a home base while you explore the area.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• BBQ Facilities
• Bins
• Picnic Tables
• Dog Friendly
• Wheelchair Friendly

Tully Memorial Park

North Maclean, QLD

Situated between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Tully Memorial Park is another dog friendly site that offers free camping for self contained vehicles. You’ll also find some excellent amenities here, including showers, drinking water, power hookups, and more.

This site is close to both Logan Village and Jimboomba, and with an allowance of three consecutive nights, it’s a great place to set up home and explore the local area.

Like most campsites, Tully Memorial Park operates with a “leave no trace” policy, so make sure you take everything with you when you go. Tent camping is also not permitted here, but caravans, camper trailers, and campervans are allowed.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilets
• Showers
• Laundry
• Drinking

Albert Theaker Park Rest Area

Willowbank, QLD

This is a great place to spend the night for free if you’d like to pitch a tent, as Albert Theaker Park Rest Area welcomes camping in all forms, including tent camping, motorhomes, camper trailers, RVs, and buses. There are also plenty of spaces, so it’s a good option if you’re concerned about limited availability in other areas.

All parts of this rest area are dog friendly, and you’ll find some fantastic amenities to take advantage of while you’re here. This site is also located near Tir Na Crann Nature Refuge, so it’s an ideal place to spend the night before heading out to explore the surrounding walking tracks and wildlife.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Picnic Tables
• Drinking Water
• Rubbish Bins
• Toilets
• Mobile Reception
• TV Reception

Northbrook Creek Camp

Dundas, QLD

Conveniently located along the Wivebhoe-Somerset Road, Northbrook Creek Camp offers a free overnight stay and up to 24 hours of free parking. It is, however, only open to self contained vehicles and ground camping isn’t allowed.

There are wide open spaces to stretch your legs here or enjoy an outdoor game with your family, and since the rest area is dog friendly, you’ll also be able to take your pooch and discover some of the nearby walking tracks. When you’re done exploring, you can take advantage of some of the camp’s excellent facilities and dine in the covered picnic area as you watch the sunset or tell ghost stories around the fire pit!

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Covered Picnic Tables
• Non Drinking Water
• Rubbish Bins
• Fire Pit

Cruice Park

Woodford, QLD

Located around 30km from Caboolture, and 66km North West of Brisbane, Cruice Park is a dog friendly camping area that allows all forms of camping, including tents and campervans. There is a 24-hour limit to your stay, but since it’s totally free to use, this isn’t the biggest issue.

This is an ideal spot to pull up for the night if you’re travelling with young children, as not only does it have basic facilities that make life on the road that much easier, but it also features a playground that will help burn off some excess energy! It also offers some of the most picturesque views you’ll find along the road, with panoramic scenes of the surrounding Bellthorpe National Park.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Picnic Tables
• Rubbish Bins
• Toilets
• Disabled Toilets
• Children’s Playground

Free Campsites Within 130km of Brisbane

It’s fair to say that the free camping grounds listed above can fill up pretty quickly, especially during peak camping season. But don’t worry – if you’re unable to grab a space at one of these, you can still find free camping near Brisbane by heading a little further afield.

Here are some of the best free camping spots within 130km of Brisbane.

Linville Railway Station Camping Grounds

Linville, QLD

This is a great place to spend the night if you’re enjoying the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail or if you’re simply looking to learn more about the history of Linville, as it’s located very close to the old railway station, where you can explore abandoned carriages and the station itself.

You’ll also find a nearby general store that is ideal for grabbing more supplies, and there’s also the local Linville Pub, which serves food and a delicious range of draught beer!

Tents, vans, and big rigs are permitted to camp here for free, and you’ll also find a good range of basic amenities. The surroundings are also quiet and picturesque, and you’re offered beautiful views of the sun setting over the mountains.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilets
• Showers
• BBQ Areas
• Drinking Water
• Powered Sites

Fassifern Reserve

Fassifern, QLD

Offering up to 24 hours of free camping for campervans and tents, Fassifern Reserve is a dog friendly site surrounded by nature. Located in the Scenic Rim region, this free camping spot is also well-known for being one of the best places to spot koalas in their natural habitat, so it’s ideal if you’re an animal lover looking to explore Brisbane’s wildlife.

Facilities here are very basic, so you’ll need to be a confident self sufficient camper if you want to spend the night here. There is, however, pretty good phone reception in this area, so if you’re partway into a long road trip and need to check in with anyone, it’s a good option.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilets
• Non Drinking Water

Lake Clarendon Picnic Area

Lake Clarendon, QLD

As you may have guessed from its name, Lake Clarendon Picnic Area is located right next to Lake Clarendon, and it offers incredible views across the lake, which are particularly breathtaking at sunset. You’ll also have amazing views of the Great Dividing Range here, and it’s an ideal place for both nature watching and astrophotography.

While camping is free, donations are encouraged to help with the upkeep of the site, and you’re also limited to a 48-hour maximum stay at Lake Clarendon. The amenities are also pretty basic, but for the surrounding scenery and walking trails, it’s definitely a good place for the budget-conscious camper to spend an evening or two.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Eco Toilets
• Shade Shelters
• Picnic Tables
• BBQ Area

James Hedges Park

Toowoomba, QLD

This 24-hour rest area is located just a short drive off the Warrego Highway, and it offers plenty of free camping space for campervans, big rigs, and tents. It’s also one of the easiest free camping spots to access, as the entire road leading up to the park is asphalt-sealed, so it’s ideal if you’re looking for a less bumpy journey.

The Lockyer Creek surrounds James Hedges Park, and this means that you’re offered a great space to enjoy some fishing or simply kick back and immerse yourself in the natural surroundings while listening to birdsong. You can also hike the walking trails, and as this site is dog-friendly, both you and your furry friend will love exploring this free camping spot.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilets
• Drinking Water
• Rubbish Bins
• Picnic Tables
• Fixed BBQs

Travelling through Brisbane doesn’t have to be expensive, and when you plan ahead, you’ll find some amazing places to stay that won’t cost you a cent. Better yet, some of these are considered well-kept secrets, which means you stand a good chance of getting a quiet spot to hunker down for the evening and immerse yourself in your surroundings.

However, as many of these free camping spots are only suitable for campervans, you’ll need to make sure you hire the right one for your needs. Check out our latest deals & specials on campervan hire in Brisbane and we’ll help get you one step closer to heading out on the road and exploring everything Brisbane has to offer!