Hot spring camping near Bundaberg with campfires

With day trips to the Great Barrier Reef’s Lady Musgrave and Lady Eliot islands, Bundaberg is a terrific low-key home base for any camping trip. Set between the coast and inland sugar cane fields, the town is green with parks, gardens, and vineyards, many within striking distance of the Burnett River, which cuts through Bundaberg. Six national parks are within easy reach, including the sandstone wilderness of Cania Gorge National Park and the wetlands of Burrum Coast National Park.

Bundaberg is busiest between November and March during the turtle nesting season, but it pays to book campsites as early as possible for any holiday periods. Another good time to visit is July to November, when the waters off Bundaberg come alive with humpback whales as thousands migrate north to mate and give birth, then take the return journey to Antarctica. Bundaberg weather is warm and temperate year-round.

• Camping permits are required for all Queensland parks, forests, and reserves, and all must be booked online and paid for before arrival. Make camping bookings as early as possible, especially for dates around Christmas. 
• Remember to pack sunscreen—the Queensland sun can be fierce. If you are heading to the islands to snorkel or dive, check out sunscreens that won’t damage the coral reefs (those that don’t contain oxybenzone or BP-3). 
• Book as far ahead as possible for turtle encounters at Mon Repos Conservation Park. Numbers are limited and a waiting list operates most years. On the night of your tour, be prepared to wait up to two hours for turtles to appear on the beach and for your turn to come. It’s worth it!
• Bundaberg has all the facilities you’ll need to stock up before heading to your camping area, as well as a post office, bank, and car hire companies.