So you’re heading to the gorgeous town of Rainbow Beach – located in the Cooloola Recreation Area which is part of the larger Great Sandy National Park. This is a stunning part of Queensland and there is a couple of different options when it comes to the Rainbow Beach camping grounds.
However, let’s clear up the first misconception many people have when it comes to camping at Rainbow Beach. So, can you camp on Rainbow Beach? No. There is actually no camping on Rainbow Beach; there are however some pretty nice beachfront camping spots close by.
If you’re looking for a great camping Rainbow Beach spot – then this guide is going to be a great place to start for campgrounds Rainbow Beach. In this guide, we cover all the different Rainbow Beach campground options as well as the nearby popular Inskip Point camping grounds and the different Tin Can Bay Caravan Park options. We also mention Rainbow Beach camping dog friendly options for those with a four-legged family member.
So let’s find you one of the awesome spots for camping near Rainbow Beach!
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The Best Rainbow Beach Camping Grounds Map
Below is a map of all the camping spots Rainbow Bay offers and in the surrounding area. Zoom in and out for a better view of the Rainbow Beach camping map!
Keep reading below for full details of all these best camping spots near Rainbow Beach.
The Best Rainbow Beach Caravan Parks
You may be surprised to learn that there are only two Rainbow Beach Caravan Parks QLD in town and these are the only places you can camp in the township.
Many people are also surprised to learn that there is no Rainbow Beach National Park camping available in the area – however, the nearest Queensland Park run camping is at the Inskip Camping grounds – which is a just a hop, skip, and a jump away – (like what I did there?). It’s not a National Park though, rather a recreation area – more details about Inskip Point campground below.
However, if you want a campsite located in Rainbow Beach, below are the details of the two Rainbow Beach Caravan Park options available.
Big4 Rainbow Beach Holiday Park
The Big4 Rainbow Beach Holiday Park is located on an inlet of the Great Sandy Strait, just a 5 minute drive from the centre of town. It has a waterfront position making it the perfect location for those bringing a boat or planning to spend a lot of time on the water kayaking or fishing.
This Rainbow Beach tourist park offers a range of caravan and camping sites as well as cabins. There are 50 powered sites with the choice of either a concrete slab or grass site, as well as various unpowered sites. Unpowered sites start at $33 per night and powered sites start from $43 per night. These rates are for up to 6 people.
For those looking for self contained Rainbow Beach cabins, there is a vast range to choose from including one bedroom and two bedroom cabins that can sleep from 4 to 6 people. There are even spa villas for those that want a bit of a splurge. All of these Rainbow Beach accommodation cabins are self contained.
For the campers, there are some great amenities at this Rainbow Beach caravan park QLD including multiple amenity blocks, a laundry, various BBQ areas and a dump point. Other facilities on site include a jumping pillow, playground, games room, TV room and fish cleaning table. Plus the park is close to a boat ramp and marina.
If you’re looking for pet friendly accommodation Rainbow Beach has, you’ll also be pleased to know that dogs are welcome here. Dogs can stay on any of the powered or unpowered sites as well as a few of the cabins. However please note that dogs are not permitted during Easter, Christmas or long weekends.
While not camping here myself, I have heard from other members of the Queensland Camping community that the sandflies here are fierce – so come well prepared!
Location: 308 Carlo Rd, Rainbow Beach QLD 4581
Price: Unpowered sites from $35 per night and powered sites from $50 per night
Click here to check out the park map.
Click here to check availability and book.
Rainbow Beach Holiday Village
In terms of the caravan parks Rainbow Beach QLD has, the Rainbow Beach Holiday Village is the most centrally located. With prime position right across from the patrolled beach and within walking distance to all the shops and places to eat in town, this caravan park Rainbow Beach is the perfect place for those wanting to be in the heart of it all.
For a prime position, you’ll want to book yourself into one of the powered beachfront sites. These Rainbow Beach caravan sites, are just across the road from the beach and have views across the ocean.
There are powered and unpowered camping sites scattered throughout the park. Unpowered sites start at $41 per night and powered sites start at $48 per night. These rates are for two people with additional people $12 each.
If you’re after cabin accommodation, Rainbow Beach has, then Rainbow Beach Holiday Village also has a great range of cabins available which can accommodate between 2 to 5 people. Choose from studio cabins, Olympic Villas which are either ocean or pool view or the Chalets, all of which are air-conditioned and fully self contained. The Poolside and Ocean Villas also come with a spa bath!
There are some excellent facilities on site at Rainbow Beach Holiday Village. There is a large swimming pool, two covered BBQ areas with push button gas BBQs, a camp kitchen, laundry and multiple amenity blocks. There is also a BP petrol station where as well as fuel you can stock up on basic supplies as well as buy snacks and drinks.
If you’re looking for dog friendly camping Rainbow Beach has, you’ll also be pleased to know that dogs are welcome here. However, dogs are only permitted to stay on sites and only 1 per site. Also, dogs are not allowed to stay during the school holidays.
Location: 13 Rainbow Beach Rd, Rainbow Beach QLD 4581
Price: Unpowered sites from $41 per night and powered sites from $48 per night
Click here to check availability and book.
Inskip Point Camping
The Inskip Point camping grounds are just a short 10 – 15 minute drive from the centre of town and so are a great alternative if one of the above Rainbow Beach campgrounds are booked out. It’s also the perfect option for those heading onwards to K’gari (Fraser Island) as it’s very close to the Fraser Island barge.
All of the Inskip Point camping sites are part of the Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area and are managed by the Qld Parks. Facilities are limited and don’t include showers; however most campsites have toilets.
There are 7 different camping areas to choose from as follows:
- Pelican Bay: A small campsite, only accessible by 4WD, no toilets or rubbish bins.
- SS Dorrigo South: Only accessible by 4WD, no toilets but bins provided.
- SS Dorrigo: Accessible by 2WD, although 4WD recommended, toilets and bins provided.
- MV Natone: Only accessible by 4WD, toilets and bins provided.
- MV Beagle: Accessible by 2WD, although 4WD recommended, toilets and bins provided.
- MV Sarawak: Accessible by 2WD, although 4WD recommended, toilets and bins provided.
- MV Sarawak West: Accessible by 2WD, although 4WD recommended, toilets and bins provided.
Location: Inskip QLD 4581
Price: Camping permits start from $7 per person, per night
For further information about camping at Inskip and details about each of the campsites, check out our full guide on camping at Inskip here.
You can book your Inskip camping permit here.
Tin Can Bay Camping
Another nice alternative to Rainbow Beach campsites is staying at Tin Can Bay camping areas. Tin Can Bay is just a 30 minute drive from Rainbow Beach and is a lovely quiet area to stay.
Below are the details for the two Tin Can Bay camping options.
Tin Can Bay Tourist Park
Located just metres away from the Tin Can Bay foreshore and only a 10 minute walk to the local shops, the Tin Can Bay Tourist Park is a lovely place to set up camp for a few days.
For the campers and caravanners, there are various powered sites to choose from – a grass site, slab site or an ensuite suite. Grass and slab sites start at $49 per night, while the ensuite sites start at $60 per night. All rates include up to 6 people.
The Tin Can Bay Tourist Park offers a range of cabins that can accommodate from 4 to 6 people. Studio cabins include a queen bed, single and pull out trundle, while two bedroom cabins come with a queen in the main bedroom and either two single beds in the second bedroom or a set of bunks and a single bed or two sets of bunks. All cabins come with a kitchen and a front verandah with outdoor furniture. Two bedroom cabins also have a living area.
There are some excellent facilities at Tin Can Bay Tourist Park for campers. There is a spacious camp kitchen, laundry, multiple amenity blocks, two BBQ areas and a dump point. Other facilities include a heated swimming pool with a lovely poolside BBQ hut, bike hire and free WiFi.
If you’re after Tin Can Bay camping with dogs, you’ll be pleased to know that pets are allowed on the campsites, but not during school holidays.
Location: 54-74 Trevally St, Tin Can Bay QLD 4580
Price: Powered sites start from $48 per night
Click here to check out the park map.
Click here to check availability and book.
Kingfisher Caravan Park – Tin Can Bay
Located on the Esplanade on the way to Norman Point is Kingfisher Caravan Park. Here you have the foreshore at the front and the marina at the back. You’ve also got a 10 minute walk in one direction to the local shops or a 10 minute walk in the other direction to Barnacles where you’ll find the famous Tin Can Bay dolphins.
There are various sites at the park, most of which are well shaded. Sites vary in size and can accommodate anywhere from tents to large buses and mobile homes. Sites start at $45.
In addition to campsites, Kingfisher Caravan Park also has nine cabins on site. These cabins can sleep up to 4 people with a double bed in the bedroom and a set of bunk beds in the open plan living room. These cabins are fully self contained and start at $120 for two people with additional people being $15 per night.
Facilities to make your stay more comfortable whilst camping Tin Can Bay Queensland include amenity blocks, a laundry and a well equipped camp kitchen. Pets are also welcome on the sites.
Location: 48 Esplanade, Tin Can Bay QLD 4580
Price: Sites start from $45 per night
Click here to check availability and book.
More Camping near Rainbow Beach
There are a few other camping spots you might like to consider – but all are a bit further away. All of these campsites are Queensland National Park campgrounds and all require a 4WD to access.
- Teewah Beach: Located about a 40 minute drive from Rainbow Beach, along the beach here, there is a 15kms camping zone; however there are no facilities here and campers must be fully self-sufficient.
- Freshwater (pictured above): Located 40 minute drive from Rainbow Beach, this camping area is located just off the beach at Double Island Point. This campground has toilets and showers.
- Poverty Point: Located approximately 30 minutes from Rainbow Beach, this is a small campground just off the Tin Can Bay Inlet – no facilities are here.
Click here for more information about any of these above sites.
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Hopefully, you found this guide on where to camping Rainbow Beach QLD helpful. You might also enjoy this guide on things to do in Rainbow Beach. If you’re interested, we’ve also got a guide on the best campsites around the Sunshine Coast here and the best Gold Coast Tourist Parks here – check them out!