94% (119) • 24 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Emerald
Miners Heritage
1. Miners Heritage
90%
(29)
50km from Emerald · 20 sites · Tents, RVs
We have 8 acres of land. Rubyvale in the Gemfields Queensland. We have a Cafe, fossicking park, Sapphire Jewellery shop and underground guided sapphire tourist mine on premises. We have a pub 5 minutes up the road. We have 2 huge dams an hour away. Emerald is the closest town. 45 minutes away.
Bitumen road into the property. Call/text after hours 0428 998 699.
Pets
Rocky Ridge
2. Rocky Ridge
97%
(120)
68km from Emerald · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
Our little property is only minutes from town where you can enjoy the rural surroundings and farm animals on 300acres. We are a working farm where we have cattle, pigs, horses and a Donkey. You can enjoy the sunsets or the view of the surrounding mountains, then at night the mountain lights up the virgin Mary and her baby.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Penny Pegasus FarmLife - Penny and Joe
3. Penny Pegasus FarmLife - Penny and Joe
39km from Emerald · 1 site · Tent, RV
🐴 PennyPegasus FarmLife – River Camps & Farm Experiences
🌿 River Camps – Native Bush Camping
Set along the quiet riverbank on our working horse property, the PennyPegasus FarmLife river camps offer true native bush camping. These sites are private, peaceful, and surrounded by natural terrain—perfect for guests who want an authentic outback experience.
Access is via a gravel/dirt road suitable for semi-off-road caravans, off-road vans, camper trailers, and 4WDs. Low-clearance caravans are not suitable.
The river camps are unpowered and unfenced, with open space, wildlife, and the sound of water flowing past. There are no built facilities at the river, so guests must be self-contained or use the homestead amenities. Please let us know if you require access to these facilities.
Please phone or text when you arrive so we can help you navigate the gates, horses, and parking safely.
🔥 Fire Pit Use
Sensible, contained fire pits are welcome.
Please check with us before lighting any fire, as local fire bans and weather conditions can change quickly.
Remember: if a fire escapes, our horses could lose their grazing pasture for months, so safe fire management is essential.
🐎 Farm Experiences
PennyPegasus FarmLife is a small, hands-on horse property where guests can enjoy genuine rural experiences.
Depending on the day, you may see horses being fed, trained, groomed, or moved between paddocks. Guests are welcome to watch from a safe distance, ask questions, and learn about horse care, confidence-building, and daily farm routines.
Our horses are calm, well-trained, and part of our family. We take pride in offering a quiet, respectful farm environment where animals are handled with care and visitors can enjoy the rhythm of country life.
🌾 What Makes PennyPegasus FarmLife Special
• Private riverfront bush camps
• Genuine outback feel without the crowds
• Safe, calm horses and authentic farm activities
• Hosts who care deeply about the land and animals
• A peaceful, grounded rural escape near Comet and Emerald
Pets
Showers
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
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Kym
2 weeks ago
13 m travel trailer
Unbeknownst to us arrived on the Gemfest weekend and found Miner’s camp with one other camp as opposed to packed parks. Was great 👍
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Kerryn
2 weeks ago
7 m pop-up camper
With pets
Private, quiet spot. VERY friendly horse (Missy), lots of roos and campfires. Just be prepared for dusty conditions (Aug 2026) as the poor mob round there haven't had decent rain for 7 months. Thanks Nathan for your friendly greeting. We enjoyed it.
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Sam Joe
2 weeks ago
7 m travel trailer
Great open space for our caravan and plenty of room for other vans. I loved the underground mine tour right there at the property. Interesting mining relics everywhere. There is a gem shop there and you can do some basic fossicking at the property. There is also a courtesy bus to the local Royal Hotel which has great food and atmosphere.
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Craig
3 weeks ago
6 m campervan
Quiet area , not busy ,we were the only ones there , we arrived on the closed days so didnt get to see the mine tour or fossiking
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Debra
July 2026
6 m pop-up camper
With pets
Loved this camp spot close to Rubyvale town. If you want a quiet night with heaps of room, this is the place.
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Kelly
July 2026
13 m travel trailer
With pets
Great location just off the highway and we were lucky enough to have the powered site which was handy.
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Kinga
July 2026
13 m travel trailer
Susie’s land is an ideal spot for travellers wanting a convenient and easily accessible Hipcamp close to the Dawson Highway or those wanting to stay for a few nights. There are 3 camp sites with fire pits and stunning views. Suzie and her son were wonderful and informative hosts.
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Ken
July 2026
15 m travel trailer
A great alternative to caravan park, when travelling through Springsure. Suzie is good value with local knowledge.
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Jenny
July 2026
6 m campervan
Prompt communications from Suzie made finding the property easy. We had the whole area to ourselves. Lovely farm views. Heaps of firewood and fire pits available. Yes there is some road noise but nothing that kept us awake at night.
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William
July 2026
6 m campervan
What a fantastic find. Thank you Suzie and Nathan for your hospitality, firewood and warm shower. We loved the peace and tranquility. Would definitely highly recommend.
Cheers
Will and Shelly
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Louisa
July 2026
Tent
Beautiful place to set up my swag for the night. Lots of wildlife after sunset. Campsites are far enough apart that you don't feel like you're camping on top of each other. Suzie stopped by for a chat and check on how your going.
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Mark
July 2026
6 m campervan
With pets
Quiet spot with beautiful views over towards the mountains. As the sun went down everything softened and the place became absolutely glorious. Great shower stall with the softest (cool) water. Be aware that the ‘street number’ which shows the addresss in the Hipcamp directions is not the same as the one in the gate.
FYI Jesus is the donkey😁
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Dan
July 2026
13 m travel trailer
Terrific off grid spot to camp.
Only a minute or so from the pub, fuel and groceries.
Ray drive to the nearby National Park with some amazing views.
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Margaret
July 2026
7 m travel trailer
Lovely little bush camp just out of town .. fire pit and lots of wood. We loved it .
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Amanda
July 2026
9 m travel trailer
We loved our stay. Suzie was super helpful and made us feel welcome. Thank you Suzie !
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Richard and Sherille
July 2026
13 m travel trailer
With pets
Great spot with lovely views. A but if road traffic which eased during the night.
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Sarah
June 2026
7 m Class A
With kids
Suzie is a fantastic host. Super clear instructions to find the property and she met us and directed us to the site. Plenty of room and sites spaced apart well. We had a fire, a gorgeous sunset view and the kids loved meeting the animals, especially the new piglets. There is a hot shower provided as well.
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Natalie
June 2026
8 m travel trailer
Great spot to stay. Suzie was very welcoming. Beautiful views. Had plenty of company with the horses visiting for dinner.
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Sarah
June 2026
5 m car
10/10 would stay again! Was a great last minute stay for us! One of the best sunsets around 🤩 amazing animals and the host were fabulous! Will be staying again!
See moreJ
Julee
June 2026
6 m Class A
Great bush site for the night. Horses, donkey & son Nathan came for a visit. Very friendly young man. Enjoyed our night with a lovely fire. Would reccomend.
See moreEmerald camping guide
Where to go
Central Highlands
Just west of town, the Sapphire Gemfields stretch over a 900-square-kilometre plot, where you can discover 19th-century mines or even try your hand at gem hunting. Further north, sprawling farmlands and state forests lead the way into the Peak Downs. Stop in Capella to visit the Capella Pioneer Village, then drive up the mountain road to take in the views from the Peak Range Lookout.
Rockhampton and Gladstone
East of Emerald, the riverside city of Rockhampton is the gateway to the Southern Great Barrier Reef. Set sail from Yeppoon to Great Keppel Island or Pumpkin Island to snorkel amid colorful corals, lounge on white-sand beaches, and spot wildlife from humpback whales to sea turtles. To the south, campers can escape the crowds and pitch their tent along near-deserted beaches in the Curtis Island National Park.
Springsure
South of the Emerald, the verdant agricultural lands give way to arid bushlands, marking the route to Springsure. Dive into Australian history as you visit sites such as the Old Rainworth Fort Complex and the Wills Memorial Site, then admire views of Virgin Rock. The region’s star attraction is the Minerva Hills National Park, where you can hike beneath the jagged peaks of ancient volcanoes.
When to go
With sunny days year-round, camping and outdoor activities are enjoyable at any time in Emerald. Temperatures average around 30°C in summer (December through February) and rarely dip below 11°C even on winter nights, so prepare for warm weather. The biggest crowds arrive for the region’s two major events—the Festival of Gems (August) and the Easter Sunflower Festival—so book your campsite well in advance if visiting at this time.
Know before you go
- Having your own transport is preferable for exploring Emerald and the Central Highlands.
- Emerald has a good selection of shops where you can pick up camping gear and stock up on supplies.
- Fire bans are common in Queensland during dry periods, so check local recommendations in advance.
