1. Explore
    /
  2. Australia
    /
  3. Queensland
    /
  4. Birdsville
    /
  5. Camping

The best camping near Birdsville

·

Perched on the edge of the Simpson Desert, remote Birdsville is a popular stopover for intrepid travelers heading out along the Birdsville Track. While in town, join locals for breakfast at the Birdsville Bakery, head down to Birdsville Billabong to fish, kayak, or spot birds along the waterfront, then watch the sunset from the Big Red sand dune. Campers can check into the Birdsville caravan park, while 4WD enthusiasts can explore the rugged trails along the desert's edge. For an unforgettable experience, time your visit for the annual Birdsville Races or Birdsville Big Red Bash music festival.

Top-rated campgrounds near Birdsville

Birdsville Gibber Plot 🌵
  • The view of the land
  • A camper set up on site
  • The view of the land

1. Birdsville Gibber Plot 🌵

0.8km from Birdsville · 2 sites · Tents, RVs
Welcome to your base camp in the heart of the Aussie Outback! If you’re towing a rig, hauling a camper, or pitching a swag for a Channel Country adventure, this quarter-acre town block offers simple camping and an unbeatable location. Located in Birdsville, QLD, this flat, open gibber plot gives you a front-row seat to one of Australia’s most famous frontier towns. Forget long dirt track drives back to camp after a cold beer - everything is right on your doorstep. The Space The Plot: A spacious, flat quarter-acre town block featuring authentic red gibber ground - solid and ready for all setups. Neighbourhood: Friendly neighbours are on one side and across the street. We ask guests to respect the local vibe and keep noise reasonable. Water Access: A mains water hookup is provided on-site so you can top up your tanks. Important: You MUST be fully self-contained. Apart from water, there are no power hookups, or on-site toilets/showers. You need your own toilet, shower, power supply, and waste setup. The dump point is a minute's drive away. Location, Location! Park the vehicle and stretch your legs - everything is a flat 5-10minute walk away. The Birdsville Hotel: One of the world's iconic pubs is in your backyard! Stroll down for an icy beer and a hearty meal, with a short wander home. The Birdsville Bakery: At the end of the street, breakfast and lunch are sorted. Fuel up with coffee and grab a legendary Curried Camel Pie. Public Amenities: The local Visitor Info Centre and well-maintained public toilets are also at the end of the street. House Rules Self-Contained Only: You must carry your own cassette toilet and grey water setup. No dumping any kind of waste on-site. Leave No Trace: Secure all rubbish tightly against outback winds and pack out what you bring. Quiet Hours: Please observe quiet hours between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM. Ground Conditions: It’s a gibber block (stony ground) - bring heavy-duty pegs for awnings or swags! Whether you're taking a breather after crossing the Simpson Desert, staging your journey down the Birdsville Track, or soaking up the outback atmosphere, this site gives you freedom, town access, and fresh water. Book your spot, hook up your water, and walk down to the pub for a cold one!
Pets
Campfires
Water hookup

Birdsville camping guide

Where to go

Simpson Desert

West of Birdsville, the Birdsville Track leads the way into the Simpson Desert, where the Munga-Thirri National Park covers more than 17 million hectares. Set out to explore the vast dunes and desert wilderness in a 4WD, stop at desert lookout points miles from civilization, then camp out in the desert beneath the outback stars.  

Innamincka

South of Birdsville, Innamincka is the gateway to the Coongie Lakes National Park. Enjoy bird-watching around the natural waterholes and wetlands, paddle around the lakes in a canoe, or camp by the lakeside. Back in Innamincka, there's more camping along Cooper Creek.

Diamantina Lakes 

The bird-watching hotspot of Diamantina National Park lies north of Birdsville, along the Diamantina River. Look out for Australian bustard, straw-necked ibis, and inland Bourke's parrot as you drive the park's 4WD trails, canoe around the lakes, and take in the views from Janets Leap lookout. Pitch your tent at one of the two waterfront camping grounds and get up early for the best sightings. 

When to go

The most pleasant time to visit Birdsville and the Simpson desert is April through September, when average daytime temperatures are around 20-25°C. The Munga-Thirri National Park is closed to visitors each summer (December through March), when temperatures climb above 45°C. The Birdsville Races in May and the Birdsville Big Red Bash in September draw huge crowds to the small town—book your camping spot months in advance if you plan to visit at this time.

Know before you go

  • Birdsville is accessible by charter plane or 4WD, but you'll need a 4WD to explore the desert. This is a remote region with extreme temperatures and rough terrain, so make sure you are equipped—plenty of water, fuel, spare parts, and recovery equipment are a must.  
  • Birdsville has a gas station and a handful of shops where you can purchase essentials. 
  • Camping is permitted in Munga-Thirri National Park, but there are no campgrounds or facilities, so you must be fully self-sufficient.
  • There is satellite 3G mobile phone coverage in Birdsville (Telstra and Optus), and paid wifi is available at the Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre.
  • Fire bans are common during summer and dry periods, so be sure to check local guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some popular attractions near Birdsville?

Near Birdsville, you can explore the Simpson Desert, Munga-Thirri National Park, Coongie Lakes National Park in Innamincka, and Diamantina National Park along the Diamantina River. You can also explore different options for camping near Birdsville on Hipcamp.

The most pleasant time to visit Birdsville and the Simpson desert is April through September, when average daytime temperatures are around 20-25°C. The Munga-Thirri National Park is closed to visitors each summer (December through March), when temperatures climb above 45°C. The Birdsville Races in May and the Birdsville Big Red Bash in September draw huge crowds to the small town—book your camping spot months in advance if you plan to visit at this time. You can also explore different options for camping near Birdsville on Hipcamp.

Camping is permitted in Munga-Thirri National Park, but there are no campgrounds or facilities, so you must be fully self-sufficient. There is satellite 3G mobile phone coverage in Birdsville (Telstra and Optus), and paid wifi is available at the Wirrarri Visitor Information Centre. Fire bans are common during summer and dry periods, so be sure to check local guidelines. You can also explore different options for camping near Birdsville on Hipcamp.

Innamincka is the gateway to the Coongie Lakes National Park, where you can enjoy bird-watching around the natural waterholes and wetlands, paddle around the lakes in a canoe, or camp by the lakeside. Back in Innamincka, there's more camping along Cooper Creek. The bird-watching hotspot of Diamantina National Park lies north of Birdsville, along the Diamantina River. Look out for Australian bustard, straw-necked ibis, and inland Bourke's parrot as you drive the park's 4WD trails, canoe around the lakes, and take in the views from Janets Leap lookout. Pitch your tent at one of the two waterfront camping grounds and get up early for the best sightings. You can also explore different options for camping near Birdsville on Hipcamp.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Top parks near Birdsville, QLD

Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park camping
Munga-Thirri National Park camping

Best camping near me

Best tent camping near me
Best caravan camping near me
Best glamping near me