Camping in Eumundi, QLD, AU: 12 Best Campgrounds 2024

Surrounded by lush subtropical rainforest and rolling hills, Eumundi’s best-known attraction is the twice-weekly Eumundi Markets, one of Australia’s biggest arts and crafts markets. Artists, musicians, and creators have established galleries, boutiques, artisan cafes, and quirky retail stores to create a fun and welcoming hinterland town, but beyond this buzz, national parks, state forests, and coastal islands with long sweeping beaches are all within easy driving distance for Eumundi campers.

Where to go

Noosa & the Sunshine Coast

Under an hour’s drive from Eumundi is Noosa, one of Queensland’s most popular beachside towns. White-sand beaches with surf breaks are bookended by Noosa National Park, home to walking trails and viewpoints framed by forest overlooking the sea. Hastings Street, with its string of boutiques, restaurants, cafes, juice bars, and cocktail bars, runs parallel to Main Beach. Go standup paddleboarding, kayak on the Noosa River, or hire a boat to savor the tranquility of Noosa’s north shore, which borders Great Sandy National Park.

Great Sandy National Park

Great Sandy National Park is divided into three sections occupying much of the coastal land north of Noosa Heads, all the way to Rainbow Beach and over to the world’s largest sand island: K’Gari (formerly known as Fraser Island). The Cooloola Recreation Area in the southern section is home to the Cooloola Great Walk, a 102-kilometre hiking trail that hugs the coastline. Rainbow Beach is the poster child for the middle section of the park with its 4WD-accessible beaches, coastal campsites, and colourful sand dunes. K’Gari has so much to offer campers with its rainforests, freshwater lakes, endless beaches, and campgrounds.

Bribie Island

Rivaling K’Gari for stunning beaches, shady campsites amid native forest, and a laid-back holiday vibe, Bribie Island is connected to Brisbane’s northern suburbs at Sandstone Point with a bridge straddling Pumicestone Passage. Beyond the residential area and its canals, most of the island is natural bushland with an unbroken east coast of sweeping white-sand beaches. Campsites at Gallagher Point, Poverty Creek, and Ocean Beach can be reached by 4WD, while a remote campsite at Mission Point is accessible by small boat only.

Conondale National Park

One hour’s drive southwest of Eumundi is the lush rainforest area of Conondale National Park. Here, boulder-strewn swimming holes are shaded by tropical rainforest and towering eucalypts, while burbling mountain streams provide a gentle soundtrack. Wildlife and birdlife is in abundance with the park, which provides critical habitat for rare plants and animals. Conondale hiking trails include the 56-kilometre-long Conondale Range Great Walk, which can be broken into short, half-day walks. Conondale campsites are set on Booloumba Creek, where walk-in campsites are also available for those doing multi-day hikes.

When to go

The Christmas and Easter holiday periods are busy times around the Sunshine Coast and K’Gari, so it pays to book campsites well in advance. Eumundi’s elevated location means that temperatures are cooler than on the coast, and in turn, winters can get rather chilly. The best time to visit is generally from October to April—look for autumn leaves in glorious colours around May when trees drop their leaves. Between May and October, humpback whales on their annual migration may be seen from beaches.

Know before you go

Prebook national park campsites with QLD Parks and Forests, and don't forget to display your permit at your campsite.
Keep an eye on weather events and tides when camping on Bribie Island and K’Gari, as safe access to campsites is sometimes limited.
Be aware of dingoes on K’Gari, and ensure all food is securely stored in vehicles or sturdy containers.
Be aware of strong currents and pounding surf when beach fishing or surfing—most beaches are remote and unpatrolled by surf lifesavers.