Camping information
- Camping in Main Range National Park
- Poplar Flat camping area, Goomburra
- Manna Gum camping area, Goomburra
- Spicers Gap camping area
- Remote bush camping
Camping in Main Range National Park
There are three camping areas in Main Range National Park; Spicers Gap camping area and the Poplar Flat and Manna Gum camping areas at Goomburra. Private campgrounds are located opposite Queen Mary Falls and at Goomburra.
Spicers Gap camping area is located on the eastern side of the range to the south of Cunninghams Gap. The Goomburra camping areas are located on the western side of the range to the north of Cunninghams Gap.
All camping areas have facilities; composting toilets and tap-water. Barbecues are provided at Goomburra only. All camping areas are within short walking distances to graded walking tracks.
A public phone is available at the private Goomburra Valley campground, located 5 km west of the park boundary. The phone is located near the office, which is situated approximately 150 m north of Inverramsay Road at the entrance to the campgrounds.
Camping permits are required and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site.
Some opportunities for remote, walk-in bush camping are available within the park. Please check the locations and availability of remote bush camp sites when booking online.
Park-specific conditions
Boil or chemically treat all tap-water before drinking. When camping at Goomburra, please supply your own firewood for barbecue cooking, or alternatively use a fuel stove. Firewood must not be collected from the park or roadside—fines apply.
No bins are provided at the camping areas; campers are asked to take their rubbish with them.
Goomburra is a special area for frogs; your cooperation is required to protect them. See more information on being ‘frog friendly' when visiting this part of the park.
Read more about staying safe and looking after the park.
Poplar Flat camping area, Goomburra
Poplar Flat camping area. Photo: DERM.
Camping area features: open, flat, grassy area adjacent to Dalrymple Creek, which is popular with campers attracted to the sunny conditions during the cooler months.
Location: beside the camping registration and information stands, it's the first campground on entering the park.
Access: in most weather the camping area can be reached by conventional vehicles, camper trailers, caravans and small motor homes. During very wet periods this road may only be accessed by 4WD vehicles.
Number of sites: open area without separately defined sites. Maximum of 100 people.
Camp sites are suitable for: tent camping beside your car; caravans; camper trailers; (small) motorhomes; large groups. There are no powered sites.
Camp site surface: grass.
Facilities: composting toilets, wood barbecues and tap-water.
Open fires: prohibited except where barbecues are provided (except when fire bans apply). Elevated barbecues and braziers that use heat beads are permitted provided the ground underneath them is protected. Fuel stoves are recommended.
Generator use: not allowed.
Essentials to bring: drinking water, rubbish bags, insect repellent, fuel or gas stove and firewood. Read more about things to know before you go.
Bookings: book online, over-the-counter or by phone. Advance bookings required for all weekends, public holidays and school holidays.
Mobile phone coverage: not available.
Manna Gum camping area, Goomburra
Manna Gum camping area. Photo: DERM.
Camping area features: open, flat, grassy area adjacent to Dalrymple Creek and amongst Manna gums that provide ample shade during the warmer months. At the eastern end of Manna Gum camping area is the start of a variety of walking tracks that offer a range of different bushwalking experiences.
Location: east of the Poplar Flat camping area—follow the dirt road to its end
Access: in most weather the camping area can be reached by conventional vehicles, camper-trailers, caravans and small motor homes. During very wet periods this road may only be accessed by 4WD vehicles.
Number of sites: open area without separately defined sites. Maximum of 140 people.
Camp sites are suitable for: tent camping beside your car; caravans; camper trailers; (small) motorhomes; large groups. There are no powered sites.
Camp site surface: grass.
Facilities: composting toilets, wood barbecues, tap-water and wheelchair accessible.
Open fires: prohibited except where barbecues are provided (except when fire bans apply). Elevated barbecues and braziers that use heat beads are permitted provided the ground underneath them is protected. Fuel stoves are recommended.
Generator use: not allowed.
Essentials to bring: drinking water, rubbish bags, insect repellent, fuel or gas stove and firewood. Read more about things to know before you go.
Bookings: book online, over-the-counter or by phone. Advance bookings required for all weekends, public holidays and school holidays.
Mobile phone coverage: not available.
Spicers Gap camping area
Spicers Gap camping area. Photo: DERM.
Camping area features: small, grassy area set in a clearing on the eastern side of Spicers Gap. Short walking tracks and walking trails can be found here.
Location: eastern side of the Main Range and to the south of Cunninghams Gap.
Access: conventional vehicle (during dry weather only) and 4WD. Access is via the Spicers Gap Road, which leaves the Cunningham Highway 5 km west of Aratula. Unsuitable for buses, caravans or large campervans.
Number of sites: open area without separately defined sites. Maximum of 50 people.
Camp sites are suitable for: walk-in camping.
Camp site surface: grass.
Facilities: composting toilets and tap-water.
Open fires: prohibited. Fuel stoves are recommended. Elevated barbecues and braziers that use heat beads are permitted provided the ground underneath them is protected.
Generator use: not allowed.
Essentials to bring: drinking water, rubbish bags, insect repellent and fuel or gas stove. Read more about things to know before you go.
Bookings: book online, over-the-counter or by phone. Advance bookings required for all weekends, public holidays and school holidays.
Mobile phone coverage: poor.
Remote bush camping
Camping area features: a small number of remote, walk-in, bush camping opportunities are available at specific sites in the national park for experienced, well-equipped walkers.
Location: for more information on remote bush camp site locations, availability and booking see bush camping information.
Access: walk-in only.
Number of sites: remote bush camping is permitted at a small number of designated sites. Numbers of campers range between four and eight campers per site.
Camp sites are suitable for: self-sufficient, walk-in camping.
Camp site surface: grass/dirt.
Facilities: none—you must be self-sufficient. Water collected from creeks should be treated before drinking. All rubbish (including food scraps) must be carried out.
Open fires: prohibited—fuel stoves only.
Generator use: not permitted.
Essentials to bring: fuel stove, drinking water, extra food, rubbish bags, first-aid kit, topographic map, compass, torch, warm clothing, wet weather gear and a small trowel for burying faecal waste. Read more about things to know before you go.
Bookings: advance bookings are required and can be booked online, over-the-counter or by phone.
Mobile phone coverage: poor.
Last updated 16 February 2012