Camping in Lamington National Park, courtesy of Tourism Queensland
Here are our last-minute holiday camping selections for Tasmania and Queensland.
Queensland
You need to book for all of the camping areas in Queensland. Handily, they have an online booking system that lets you check out the availability of all of their sites. All information is accurate at time of writing.
Green Mountains camping area, Lamington National Park
There are sites available for all but a few days in Green Mountains camping area. It is suitable for all sorts of camping, from caravan-based to tent-based camping.
The site is situated on a hillside in forest surrounds in the Gold Coast hinterland, and is close to the renowned O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.
The main leisure activity on offer in the park is bushwalking, and there are some top walks, including the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk.
Amamoor Creek camping area, Amamoor State Forest
Although it’s on the Sunshine Coast, Amamoor State Forest is completely land-based and has majestic forests of gums, as well as riverine rainforests.
You can bring your dogs to this camping ground, although you’ll need to be careful, as the river is home to frogs and elusive platypus.
There are plenty of camping spots still available, and the camping is on flat, grass-based sites.
Glastonbury Creek camping area, Brooyar State Forest
There is a maximum capacity of 120 people at this site, and it is almost full for the rest of 2012, but you might be able to nab a spot in the new year on one of the grassy sites.
Brooyar State Forest is west of Gympie, and is well known for its fantastic lookout spots. You can choose between walking or swimming – and you don’t have to leave your dog at home, as Glastonbury Creek is dog friendly.
Camping at Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area
The peninsula looks out towards Fraser Island, and is a popular area for birdwatching and fishing.
There are thousands of sites along the peninsula, and although most sites are full towards the end of January, you can currently still get spots at the end of December and beginning of January.
Popular sites in the park include the Oaks and the SS Dorrigo camping areas.
Tasmania
Jeanneret Beach camping area, Bay of Fires Conservation Area
Jeanneret Beach camping area, courtesy of Paul Smedley
The Bay of Fires is one of the most spectacularly beautiful coves in Australia, with azure water and pristine, white sand. This naturally makes it quite popular around Christmas and New Year’s.
Due to algae in the water, this year the fisheries are closed, which means there could be less people camping in the area (as people usually come to eat mussels). But there also could be more campers if people think the area will be less crowded due to the closure.
There are no bookings, and the ranger didn’t want to make guarantees, but you will probably find a spot in the Bay of Fires.
We can’t think of a better place to camp during the summer holidays.
Arve River Picnic Ground camping area
Put up your tent amid the riverside ferns at this delightful camping area. There are no designated sites, and the camping area doesn’t take bookings, so it is first in, best dressed.
This dog-friendly campsite isn’t really ideal for any vehicle-based camping, caravans and camper trailers. It is more suitable for tents.
Bethune Park camping area, Meadowbank Lake
This spot does get pretty busy in the lead-up to Christmas and throughout the summer holidays – and it’s not hard to see why.
Situated next to Meadowbank Lake, and suitable for big rigs, this camping area is a perfect spot for people who love water-based activities. There’s waterskiing, fishing, boating and swimming.
