Caravan Life: Immerse Yourself in Country Life at the Best Caravan Parks in Queensland Country (Part 1)

As the campfire crackles and the card games unfold, the soothing melody of nature calls. If you’re planning an outdoor camping adventure in Queensland Country, these caravan parks near Brisbane offer the ideal setting for family fun, blending the charm of cosy country living with the exciting thrill of the great outdoors.

Worn in your hiking boots already? Let’s jump-start your holiday plans with a selection of Queensland’s top family-friendly caravan parks and camping locations.

Esk Caravan Park — Somerset Region

102km (1 hour 30 minutes) from Brisbane

Nestled in the picturesque Brisbane Valley, just an hour northwest of Brisbane, awaits Esk Caravan Park. With unpowered and powered site options to ensuite sites, self-contained cabins, modern motel rooms and even safari-style glampers – there’s something for every kind of adventurer! This location is fully decked out with a camp kitchen, an undercover entertainment area … and don’t even get us started on the pizza ovens! This is the place to sit back and bond with friends – old and new – and toast to good food and breathtaking scenery.

Activity Tip: Consider yourself a nature enthusiast? Enjoy the daily lorikeet feed, where you can connect with (very cheeky) feathered friends.

Bunya Mountains National Park Camping — Dandabah, Wescott and Burtons Well

236km (3 hours 10 minutes) from Brisbane

For an unforgettable Queensland Country outdoor camping experience* just 3 hours northwest of Brisbane, Bunya Mountains National Park offers three camping areas – Dandabah, Westcott and Burtons Well. Named after the ancient bunya pines that grace its cool mountain rainforest, the park has been a gathering place for Queensland’s Aboriginal people for centuries. Explore waterfalls, scenic views and a diverse range of species at this location. Home to around 120 bird species, mammals, frogs, and reptiles – including rare gems like sooty and powerful owls – the park promises an awe-inspiring wildlife encounter. With inviting picnic spots (keep an eye out for vibrant parrots) and over 35 km of walking tracks, you can tune into the soothing sounds of nature as you escape from the heat and the chaos of daily life.

*Practical Tip: All roads to the Bunya Mountains are steep, narrow and winding and all access roads are unsuitable for travel by long and/or heavy vehicles. Discretion is urged concerning caravans, large motorhomes and large buses. Remember that there is no fuel available on the mountain, and camping permits are necessary with associated fees.

Big4 Breeze Holiday Parks — Carnarvon Gorge

240km (2 hours and 30 minutes) from Emerald

Tucked away in Carnarvon National Park, surround yourself with the scenic views of greenery at BIG4 Breeze Holiday Parks - Carnarvon Gorge. Book a Taka Tent (or an Ensuite Taka Tent), Explorer Cabins or take your pick of powered or unpowered sites. Soak up the wildlife as you wander through the riverside, spot a platypus or an echidna and enjoy the beauty of the outback. Young kids don’t have to miss out on all the fun, either! Here, the little ones can fully embrace nature, without the dings and pings of technology.

Social Tip: While you’re there, check out the Taka Bush Bar! This is the perfect family-friendly place to socialise, unwind and meet other like-minded travellers and families.

Sapphire Caravan and Cabin Park — Sapphire Central

54km (40 minutes) from Emerald

Discover Sapphire Caravan and Cabin Park in The Gemfields – a top-rated accommodation option according to Wikicamps, Google and Tripadvisor (pretty impressive CV, if you ask us). Embrace a tranquil retreat-like escape with pet-friendly, spacious hillside sites. The acclaimed camp kitchen offers a full suite of amenities, including a stove, an air fryer and more. To add to the homely feel, all billy boulder cottages have unique names and decor. More than a place to stay, Sapphire Caravan and Cabin Park is the ideal country getaway.

Activity Tip: Sapphire Caravan and Cabin Park supplies buckets of Sapphire-bearing wash for a fee, so you learn how to recognise and find Sapphires by sieving and sorting the gravel wash!

Whether you're strolling through the pages of history at Bunya Mountains National Park or sifting for sapphires in The Gemfields, the camping and caravan parks in Queensland Country offer an abundance of experiences.

Gather the whole family, enjoy a romantic getaway with your special someone, sign your friends up for an adventure, or embark on a solo exploration. Whatever you choose, you’re bound to create some unforgettable memories.

It’s time to take the road less travelled, Queensland Country is calling your name. Now that your itinerary is sorted, pack your bags and get excited.

Next, discover 8 of the best places to 4WD and stay the night in Queensland Country.