Laura, Queensland is a great little town, considered the gateway to Cape York given its the last bit of continuous sealed bitumen road. Many people opt to spend a night in Laura before setting out on their Cape York adventure or even spend a few days here to explore the region. Laura (Qld) accommodation is fairly limited, with most people camping while in town; however there is also one motel for those non campers.
If you plan on stopping in Laura either before or after your Cape York trip, this guide will help you decide where to stay.
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Laura Qld Caravan Park and Camping
In no particular order, below we review all the different options for staying in Laura.
Ang-Gnarra Caravan Park
Located just off the Peninsula Development Road, right before you get to the main part of Laura, is where you’ll find the Ang-Gnarra Caravan Park, a fairly large campground including all the basic amenities.
This Laura (Qld) caravan park and camping ground is flat and shady, with ample of room for even the biggest camp setups. There is even the option for a concrete slab for caravans. Powered or unpowered sites are offered and drinking water is available.
The caravan park has two amenities blocks which are reasonably clean and include good hot showers.
Across the road is the Laura Roadhouse which is supposed to be open daily from 7 am to 7 pm – however, during our recent stay in Laura, it didn’t seem to be open at all. If it is open, in addition to meals, you’ll be able to purchase basic supplies from here as well as fuel.
Rates per night for camping are $10 per adult for an unpowered site. For a powered site, it is $25 for two adults, with each additional adult being $10. Regardless of the site, kids are $5 each – provided they are 10 and over. Kids under 10 are free.
You can book your campsite at the Quinkan Cultural Centre, which is right next to the campground. If you arrive after closing time, just set up camp and someone will find you for payment.
Peninsula Hotel
Located in the main street of Laura, right next to the General Store, is the Peninsula Hotel (previously been known as the Laura Hotel and the Quinkan Hotel). Behind the hotel is a lovely grassy and shady area where guests are welcome to set up camp.
There are both powered and unpowered campsites available at the Peninsula Hotel. Drinking water is also available, so guests can fill up their tanks before heading up to Cape York. Guests are also welcome to leave their vans locked up in a secure area if they prefer not to take them up to Cape York.
Facilities at the Peninsula Hotel are fairly basic, with an old amenity block that has seen better days. However, you’ll have a reasonably clean (could be cleaner) toilet and shower to use while camping there.
Meals are also available at the hotel, as are drinks. You can also purchase basic grocery supplies and fuel at the General Store, which is right next door.
Rates for camping starts at $10 per person for a non powered site, with an additional $4 being charged for a powered site. It’s $4 a day to leave your van in the lock up area, or if you stay at the campground and have a meal at the pub on the way there and back again, they’ll store your van for free.
Read our full review on staying at the Peninsula Hotel here.
Laura Motel
If you need a break from camping, then you’ll be pleased to know that the Laura Motel provides a range of basic rooms. Located on Terminus Street, right across from the Peninsula Hotel, the Laura Motel has a choice of single, double or family rooms that can sleep up to four people.
These are lovely and clean rooms. All rooms come with air conditioning, fans, private bathrooms, TV, fridge and even a microwave to prepare basic meals.
Room prices start at $95 for a single room, $130 for a double room and $150 for a family room.
The Laura Motel is owned and run by the same friendly people that own and run the General Store, just across the road. So head over here to check in – this is where you can also pick up some basic grocery supplies and fuel before continuing your trip.
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Hopefully, you found this guide on where to stay in Laura, Cape York helpful. You can also check out this guide on things to do in Laura here. We also have guides on other camping spots in Cape York such as Archer River and Bramwell Station Tourist Park.
