93% (763) • 17 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Balgal Beach
Crystal Creek Nywaigi Camp Grounds
1. Crystal Creek Nywaigi Camp Grounds
88%
(1167)
15km from Balgal Beach · 27 sites · Tents, RVs
Crystal Creek Campsite is a large camp area with private access to the creek. Large area with plenty of shade. Dog friendly (on a lead). Fires allowed
04/01/2026 WARNING heavy flash flooding in low areas , be aware when swimming and stay on destinated roads
Caretaker Number is
0498 692 998 Stephen.
Close walk to natural swimming pools which are absolutely picturesque.
We offer large shady spots with a few BBQ's, fire pits and amenities. Plenty of fishing and swimming to enjoy.
Amenities include hot showers (10 MINS ONLY PLEASE).
Access to campsite passes our school so please drive very slowly if your accessing campsite during school hours.
Children under 6 stay for free. Do not include them at time of booking.
Please read all information, rule and directions (provided once you have a confirmed booking)
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
AU$25
/ night
Bounce Magnetic Island
2. Bounce Magnetic Island
100%
(1)
49km from Balgal Beach · 37 sites · Tents, RVs
Bounce Magnetic Island is a tropical, resort-style getaway just metres from the beach, offering a mix of stylish private rooms, social dorms, and a range of powered and unpowered camping sites wrapped around a stunning pool, palm trees, and vibrant communal spaces.
With on-site bars, daily activities, island-hopping vibes, and instant access to snorkelling, hikes, and wildlife encounters (yes, even the koalas), it’s the ultimate stay for backpackers, campers, friends, and adventure-seekers looking for a fun, sun-soaked escape on Maggie.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Showers
from
AU$55
/ night
BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Townsville
3. BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Townsville
85%
(26)
37km from Balgal Beach · 110 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Enjoy the taste of the tropics and surround yourself with palm trees and landscaped gardens at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Townsville. Located a short 10-minute drive from the airport and 16 kilometres from Townsville CBD, you’ll find the city’s main attractions, such as The Strand, Castle Hill and Botanic Gardens a delight.
The holiday park is set up to make the most of the 320 days of sunshine North Queensland enjoys each year, with two resort-style pools and shaded gazebos for you to stay cool. The kids will be kept entertained with a water park, two playgrounds, a jumping cushion, volleyball court, basketball court, trikes and an 18-hole mini-golf course.
To check-in, choose between cabins, villas, caravan sites or campgrounds. With enough amenities to keep everyone entertained, as well as BBQ areas and a children’s playground nearby, there’s plenty of places to prepare your daily meals and relax while keeping an eye on the little ones.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
AU$65
/ night
Crystal Creek Caravan Park
4. Crystal Creek Caravan Park
97%
(59)
15km from Balgal Beach · 59 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Our beautiful 5-hectare, family-owned caravan park, is located near the renowned and beautiful Crystal Creek in the North Queensland region of Hinchinbrook. A spacious, tropical park, with grassy green gardens and palm trees dotted throughout.
Enjoy access to the caravan park's amenities block which includes toilets and showers, a camp kitchen, and a laundry.
This park is right across the road from the Paluma National Park, little Crystal Creek, Big Crystal Creek, and numerous natural swimming holes. Right behind the park is a boat ramp, and the beach is 10 minutes away. You will have access to walking tracks, mountain bike trails, bird-watching, swimming, fishing, crabbing... the list is endless!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
AU$51
/ night
BIG4 Lucinda Wanderers Holiday Park
5. BIG4 Lucinda Wanderers Holiday Park
55km from Balgal Beach · 138 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
**Please note that our office is closed on Christmas Day (25 December), and we do not accept arrivals or departures on this date. Any bookings made with a check-in or check-out on 25 December will be cancelled. Thank you for your understanding.**BIG4 Lucinda Wanderers Holiday Park is a nature-lover’s tropical beachside holiday park. Take in the stunning palm trees and birds while you unwind and enjoy all the beauty of the tropical North Queensland coast.
Enjoy the best of Lucinda when you stay at Lucinda Wanderers Holiday Park. Hike Thorsborne trail, fish the Hinchinbrook Channel, take a walk to the wharf and take in the gorgeous Coral Sea views.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from
AU$56
/ night
BIG4 Townsville Gateway Holiday Park
6. BIG4 Townsville Gateway Holiday Park
100%
(1)
56km from Balgal Beach · 177 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
**Please note that our office is closed on Christmas Day (25 December), and we do not accept arrivals or departures on this date. Any bookings made with a check-in or check-out on 25 December will be cancelled. Thank you for your understanding.**Welcome to BIG4 Townsville Gateway Holiday Park
A tranquil holiday park just outside of Townsville in sunny Queensland. Shady native trees and beautiful birdlife provide the perfect setting to help you unwind on your tropical holiday.
Features
-Swimming Pool
-Camp Kitchen
-BBQ Facilities
-Laundry Facilities
-Kiosk
-TV Room
-Dump Point
-Pet Friendly*
-WiFi
Our range of accommodation options include unpowered and powered sites, studio cabins and 1 and 2 bedroom units. We also have dog friendly cabins available.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from
AU$36
/ night
93% (763) • 17 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Balgal Beach
Crystal Creek Nywaigi Camp Grounds
1. Crystal Creek Nywaigi Camp Grounds
88%
(1167)
15km from Balgal Beach · 27 sites · Tents, RVs
Crystal Creek Campsite is a large camp area with private access to the creek. Large area with plenty of shade. Dog friendly (on a lead). Fires allowed
04/01/2026 WARNING heavy flash flooding in low areas , be aware when swimming and stay on destinated roads
Caretaker Number is
0498 692 998 Stephen.
Close walk to natural swimming pools which are absolutely picturesque.
We offer large shady spots with a few BBQ's, fire pits and amenities. Plenty of fishing and swimming to enjoy.
Amenities include hot showers (10 MINS ONLY PLEASE).
Access to campsite passes our school so please drive very slowly if your accessing campsite during school hours.
Children under 6 stay for free. Do not include them at time of booking.
Please read all information, rule and directions (provided once you have a confirmed booking)
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
AU$25
/ night
Bounce Magnetic Island
2. Bounce Magnetic Island
100%
(1)
49km from Balgal Beach · 37 sites · Tents, RVs
Bounce Magnetic Island is a tropical, resort-style getaway just metres from the beach, offering a mix of stylish private rooms, social dorms, and a range of powered and unpowered camping sites wrapped around a stunning pool, palm trees, and vibrant communal spaces.
With on-site bars, daily activities, island-hopping vibes, and instant access to snorkelling, hikes, and wildlife encounters (yes, even the koalas), it’s the ultimate stay for backpackers, campers, friends, and adventure-seekers looking for a fun, sun-soaked escape on Maggie.
Electrical hookup
Toilets
Showers
from
AU$55
/ night
BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Townsville
3. BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Townsville
85%
(26)
37km from Balgal Beach · 110 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Enjoy the taste of the tropics and surround yourself with palm trees and landscaped gardens at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Townsville. Located a short 10-minute drive from the airport and 16 kilometres from Townsville CBD, you’ll find the city’s main attractions, such as The Strand, Castle Hill and Botanic Gardens a delight.
The holiday park is set up to make the most of the 320 days of sunshine North Queensland enjoys each year, with two resort-style pools and shaded gazebos for you to stay cool. The kids will be kept entertained with a water park, two playgrounds, a jumping cushion, volleyball court, basketball court, trikes and an 18-hole mini-golf course.
To check-in, choose between cabins, villas, caravan sites or campgrounds. With enough amenities to keep everyone entertained, as well as BBQ areas and a children’s playground nearby, there’s plenty of places to prepare your daily meals and relax while keeping an eye on the little ones.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
AU$65
/ night
Crystal Creek Caravan Park
4. Crystal Creek Caravan Park
97%
(59)
15km from Balgal Beach · 59 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Our beautiful 5-hectare, family-owned caravan park, is located near the renowned and beautiful Crystal Creek in the North Queensland region of Hinchinbrook. A spacious, tropical park, with grassy green gardens and palm trees dotted throughout.
Enjoy access to the caravan park's amenities block which includes toilets and showers, a camp kitchen, and a laundry.
This park is right across the road from the Paluma National Park, little Crystal Creek, Big Crystal Creek, and numerous natural swimming holes. Right behind the park is a boat ramp, and the beach is 10 minutes away. You will have access to walking tracks, mountain bike trails, bird-watching, swimming, fishing, crabbing... the list is endless!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
AU$51
/ night
BIG4 Lucinda Wanderers Holiday Park
5. BIG4 Lucinda Wanderers Holiday Park
55km from Balgal Beach · 138 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
**Please note that our office is closed on Christmas Day (25 December), and we do not accept arrivals or departures on this date. Any bookings made with a check-in or check-out on 25 December will be cancelled. Thank you for your understanding.**BIG4 Lucinda Wanderers Holiday Park is a nature-lover’s tropical beachside holiday park. Take in the stunning palm trees and birds while you unwind and enjoy all the beauty of the tropical North Queensland coast.
Enjoy the best of Lucinda when you stay at Lucinda Wanderers Holiday Park. Hike Thorsborne trail, fish the Hinchinbrook Channel, take a walk to the wharf and take in the gorgeous Coral Sea views.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from
AU$56
/ night
BIG4 Townsville Gateway Holiday Park
6. BIG4 Townsville Gateway Holiday Park
100%
(1)
56km from Balgal Beach · 177 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
**Please note that our office is closed on Christmas Day (25 December), and we do not accept arrivals or departures on this date. Any bookings made with a check-in or check-out on 25 December will be cancelled. Thank you for your understanding.**Welcome to BIG4 Townsville Gateway Holiday Park
A tranquil holiday park just outside of Townsville in sunny Queensland. Shady native trees and beautiful birdlife provide the perfect setting to help you unwind on your tropical holiday.
Features
-Swimming Pool
-Camp Kitchen
-BBQ Facilities
-Laundry Facilities
-Kiosk
-TV Room
-Dump Point
-Pet Friendly*
-WiFi
Our range of accommodation options include unpowered and powered sites, studio cabins and 1 and 2 bedroom units. We also have dog friendly cabins available.
Pets
Toilets
Full hookups
from
AU$36
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
K
Kaat
1 week ago
4 m Class B
Very nice place and accomodation! Great ammenities, fun activities planned & very nice staff. Would love to come back Here!
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R
Rodney
2 weeks ago
5 m car
Group trip
Unfortunately we were rained out and nearly flooded in but the host Vaughn offerered to refund the fees. The site looked great and I cant wait yo get back there
See more
Natasha
2 weeks ago
5 m car
With pets
We loved staying at crystal creek! The dogs had a wonderful time in the creek and the area was so clean and tidy we were able to park anywhere. The added facilities were perfect - thank you
See moreL
Leigh
3 weeks ago
Tent
Group trip
Absolutely beautiful place. Well maintained. Went for the day only as weather was not great
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D
Dan
3 weeks ago
7 m pop-up camper
Beautiful spot, we had it all to ourselves showers where hot and clean, creek was gorgeous to hang out in for the day
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Marine
December 2025
Tent
With pets
It’s always a pleasure to be back here, we love this campground. We were so lucky to have the unpowered side just for us! It is one of the very rare cheap campgrounds near Townsville that offers amenities, shade and a beautiful swimming hole. We’ve been here many times and will come back many more!
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L
Leigh
December 2025
5 m travel trailer
Absolutely beautiful location. Very quiet and well kept.
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C
Christopher
December 2025
6 m travel trailer
It's so peaceful and serene. We camped at the top (water and powered sites), and it was perfect. The booking process is very simple and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
See moreJ
Jackie
December 2025
4 m travel trailer
Perfect directions. We booked powered sites, unfortunately no shaded area for powered sites but luckily we had bought our own gazebo’s for shade. Bathroom amenities were clean, sensor light inside was great, so you didn't have to find light switch. Fresh water creek was nice for a quick dip.
Will be on our list of places to return. Thank you
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J
James
December 2025
7 m Class B
Group trip
Comfy spot, plenty of space, nice amenities and easy check in process. Overall very convenient
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F
Freya
November 2025
4 m Class B
Nice private site within a good distance to Townsville.
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A
Anne
November 2025
6 m travel trailer
We loved this place. Definitely our favourite campsite so far. Beautifully kept, totally tranquil and spotlessly clean.
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R
Raymond
October 2025
7 m Class A
Staff were amazing.
Answers for everything
Ensure site was new to us. Awesome.
See moreS
Sophie
October 2025
5 m Class B
Great location and good amenities. Staff were friendly and helpful.
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Keita
October 2025
Tent
With pets
Beautiful creek (although a little low currently), and nice wide open campground. Unfortunately some rubbish left from previous campers. Facilities fairly standard (2 female showers functional). You can hear some road noise throughout the night but easily tuned out. Outstanding sunsets.
See morem
matt
October 2025
5 m car
Good spot for a quick overnight stop. Easy to get to and late check in was easy to organise
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D
Damian
October 2025
Tent
With pets
Absolutely stunning spot with hot showers toilets. Woke up to the birds singing wildlife all around and got to see some water running through the creek. Definitely will be back
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Jayden
October 2025
Tent
With pets
Had a okay stay, not horrible but not amazing either. Campsite is decently large, but at max capacity it’d be somewhat uncomfortable. Fortunately, there were few there.
The site is in relatively poor condition, and campers demonstrate a severe lack of standard camp etiquette. For example, a dozen campfire spots that are half arsed, not offical, and ruin the availability of where you can chuck a swag.
Many fire ‘pits’ had plastics, or other rubbish shoved in there during or post burn.
The BBQs are all basically unusable.
Bathrooms work but are in bad condition, lots of webs, no locks on the doors, but the water was hot and toilets flushed. Sink taps didn’t work well.
There was a high about of foot traffic during the day, which was a bit annoying given that we paid for access. Not sure if it’s local mob, which would make sense and be acceptable, but if it’s randoms just pulling in for a day, then that sucks. Those that were there left a lot of rubbish on the banks and in the water. Dogs were offlead multiple times during our stay and we observed three dogs get into a fight as two were offlead.
Another day tripper managed to get their POS explorer hung up on rocks, driving down and onto the river bank (that’s allowed?!). They wrecked part of the track trying to recover the vehicle which took two hours.
Overall, nice spot with a lot of great potential but poorly managed and maintained. I wouldn’t say the pictures were particularly accurate this time.
See morec
christina
October 2025
Tent
I liked the proximity to the creek, and the amenities were clean and to a good standard. I also enjoyed being able to light a fire.
See morez
zindzi
October 2025
Tent
With kids
It was absolutely amazing staying at crystal Creek with my fam. The kiddos loves their first experience of camping. Super handy and clean bathroom facilities.
See more
The best luxury caravan parks near Balgal Beach guide
Where to go
Paluma Range National Park
This park offers remote bush camping for the self-sufficient, but there is also the Waterview Creek campground, close to the park entrance about 24 km south of Ingham and 91 km north of Townsville. The 3-km return Jourama Falls Lookout Walk leads through a lovely forest of poplar gum, bloodwood, and Moreton Bay ash trees. Birdwatchers may see the azure kingfisher, satin flycatcher, and northern fantail during the day, plus the southern boobook, large-tailed nightjar and tawny frogmouth by night.
Palm Island Group
For those wishing to explore deeper and head out to the Great Barrier Reef, Balgal Beach provides excellent boat ramp facilities and easy access to the Palm Island Group. There is also a ferry to Palm Island, for those who enjoy hiking or other simple pleasures.
Abergowrie State Forest
Abergowrie State Forest is about 45 km west of Ingham, in the Herbert River Valley. The 1.6-km return Rainforest Walk and the 3-km return Creek Walk take you to Broadwater Creek, a great place to camp in the eucalypt forest. Wildlife includes the vulnerable rufous owl and the endangered and unpredictable southern cassowary—keep your distance! A boardwalk leads to the enormous Broadwater fig tree.
When to go
The cooler months of the year, from April to September, are the best times to visit Balgal Beach, as summer daytime temperatures can hit 35°C and higher. Daytime temperatures and humidity can be high at any time of the year and nights can be cool. Cyclones can occur between November and April.
Know before you go
- From November to May, always swim within the “stinger” enclosures off the beach. These are designed to protect swimmers from harmful marine jellyfish.
- If you are lucky enough to see cassowaries, keep your distance. These giant flightless “dinosaur” birds can deliver lethal blows with their razor-sharp talons.
- Balgal Beach has a general store and café. Otherwise, Townsville has excellent facilities for stocking up before you go camping, plus all standard town services like a post office, pharmacy, visitor information centre, bank, and car hire companies.
- Camping permits are required for all Queensland parks, forests, and reserves—these must be booked online and paid for in advance of arrival. Make camping bookings as early as possible.