Discover the best dog-friendly campgrounds in Magnetic Island

Australia
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Queensland
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Magnetic Island

93% (2164 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Magnetic Island

Star Hosts in Magnetic Island

Under $50

89%

(984)

Crystal Creek Nywaigi Camp Grounds

25 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Mutarnee, QLD

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). Campers must be self contained with their own waste with them. Our current facilities are unable to be regularly cleaned so will be closed to guests. Campers MUST provide car registration details at time of booking. This is a privately run camp (Operated by Mungulla Station). It is not part of the National Park. 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) carefully before contacting your host. We have done out best to provide all the information for you so messages should not be required.

* Before taxes and fees

100%

(10)

Crumpy's Place

5 sites · RVs20 acres · Bluewater, QLD

Welcome to Crumpy's Place! Nothing fancy, just a safe and secure, friendly, and quiet place to stay for 1 night through to a couple of weeks. Set on 20 acres and based in Bluewater, just north of Townsville, we are semi-screened from the road and have easy RV or Campervan access assuming you don't mind using a simple gate. We cater to fully Self Contained guests only but we do have some basic services available depending on what spots are already taken, but generally access to: - Water - Power (at some sites only via leads at an additional charge) - Common fire pit area - Recyclable disposal only (no general rubbish or black water disposal - suggest empty before arrival at the free dump point only 1.5km away) - Free firewood readily available if you have a saw/chainsaw and a willingness to use it! - Pets on leashes allowed at some sites and may depend on breed/ other guests at the time to avoid conflict) - There is a beach and boat ramp just a couple of minutes down the end of the road, and only 15 minutes or so to a variety of shops including Groceries, Bunnings, Supercheap Auto, and BCF - You are welcome to pat the horses and say g'day to Angus, our humongous cow, all under the watchful remaining eye of Milo the Pug, the true Lord of our Manor!! Bookings are essential so you don't miss out, but please feel free to call or email us for any further information, and we will be happy to help. Once booked please call 0481002100 5 or 10 minutes in advance of arrival so we can greet and guide you in. If we are unable to take your call don't worry about leaving a message - please just text and we'll come back to you as fast as possible. We look forward to joining you around the fire pit at some point for a cold one and a yarn. Cheers, and Safe Travels all!

* Before taxes and fees

94%

(117)

Coothara Farm

3 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Black River, QLD

Located just outside Townsville, this rural farm setting features lots of wildlife. There is a dam in a shaded paddock next to the camping area. You can hang out with the horses, cows, chickens and many other animals. The campsite is quiet, peaceful and relaxing. We even have a MH therapy cow, Nemoo! (bring your camera!) Enjoy a yarn around the campfire (firewood available depending on season) or a swim in the dam! This campsite suits self-contained campers who bring their own toilet/shower amenities and can run off grid. The Townsville region has much to offer. There's a free swimming pool on the esplanade. If you're up for a walk or bike ride the esplanade takes you through the gardens on the water's edge. You can also take a cruise out to Magnetic Island. Pets on leashes are welcome.

* Before taxes and fees

96%

(67)

Mount Elliot Park

4 sites · RVs, Tents100 acres · Shirbourne, QLD

We are now open after the weather event closure. We look forward to welcoming you! Mount Elliot Park is a working cattle property that offers a bush experience to approved individuals. Located in the Burdekin Shire we are based in one of Australia’s best Barra fishing and bird watching areas. Sites are based on a slashed grassed paddock with access to a clear flowing creek. Campers can relax with open fire and surrounded by the beautiful mountain backdrop.

* Before taxes and fees

98%

(91)

Hidden Corner Magnetic Island

3 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Horseshoe Bay, QLD

Magnetic Island Private fully fenced block of land one kilometre to Horseshoe Bay beachfront. The perfect base to enjoy all the wonderful activities that Magnetic Island has to offer including swimming, bushwalking, birdwatching and wildlife spotting. Water is a tap and a hose. Limited electricity is available. There are no bathroom facilities so you need to be self contained. We are one kilometre from the nearest bus stop so you need to have your own transport. Please do not book this property if you do not have your own transport. PLEASE NOTE: ***As the barge gets very busy, I suggest you book the barge before booking the site. Contact me and I am happy to hold the site for a short time while you make your barge booking.*** Please check in before 6pm so we can show you where to park. You can always go back out and continue enjoying the island.

* Before taxes and fees

Top dog friendly campgrounds in magnetic island

Donnington Airpark

8 sites · RVs160 acres · Woodstock, QLD

Donnington Airpark is a 160-acre privately-owned airfield located at Woodstock, 40 km from Townsville on the Flinders Highway. It is home to a number of private aircraft and a couple of flying training organisations from Towsville use it for touch-and-go circuits, first solo etc. A monthly Social Fly-In Breakfast is staged (4th Sunday), which features visiting aircraft, occasional car/bike club displays, market stalls, hot food and coffee van plus special attractions or guest speakers and presentations (when available). There is ample level ground available for campers. Sunsets can be glorious (depending on the time of year). Kangaroos and wallabies visit daily, as does a variety of birdlife - crows, hawks, ibis, magpies, willy-wag-tails, pee-wees, finches, parrots, doves, kookaburras to name a few. The airpark is easily accessible from the highway and Townsville is only 40 km away for shopping, restaurants, Magnetic Island trips. Fuel is available at Caltex Calcium, 13 km towards Charters Towers. Donnington can be used for an overnight stay or base yourself here for a few days and radiate outwards to Townsville, Charters Towers, Ravenswood or the Burdekin.

* Before taxes and fees

Available this weekend

95%

(11)

Magnetic Retreat

4 sites · RVs, Tents1 acre · Picnic Bay, QLD

Our property is a stunning, flat, private block of land, located just 400m to the beaches, restaurants and hotel of Picnic Bay on Magnetic Island. We have a small creek that runs through the property during the wet season, and several perfect camp spots bordered by mature paperbark trees, overlooking Butler's Creek. There is water available on the site - but you will need to bring your own hose (20-40m long) to have access it. You MUST be FULLY SELF-CONTAINED with your own toilet/shower facilities and power. Please leave no waste on the property or any trace of your stay. Although not fenced, your dog is more than welcome - but please watch him with our resident wildlife ... as we are located in a koala corridor. And also be sure to please clean up all dog waste. Magnetic Island is located 8km offshore from Townsville and is accessed via a passenger ferry that operates every hour from the city and a vehicle barge that operates several times a day. Book via the 'Sealink' website. "Maggie" as the island is affectionately known, has a permanent population of about 3000 people. There are a two supermarkets, a medical centre, resorts, restaurants to cater for tourist. Our block in beautiful Picnic Bay has been in our family for over 100 years and is home to a host of animal and bird life - we have resident kookaburras, nesting curlews and occasional koalas. Despite it's central location, it is very private. The Golf course is located right behind us and the beach is a 400m stroll. There is a bus stop nearby within 50m, that will take you all around the island. Be sure to stop at Arcadia to feed the wild rock wallabies and to go to the Toad Races held weekly at the Arcadia pub. There are spectacular beaches, bush walks, koala spotting, boat tours, reef dive operators, art galleries, homeware shops, restaurants, coffee shops, a brewery, pubs and a bus stop nearby. It is perfect for a relaxing getaway!!

* Before taxes and fees

96%

(14)

Mam Easy Stay

10 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Townsville, QLD

Aprox an acre of vacant land with creek access, flowing in wet season. Fruit trees, natural wildlife including kangaroos, black cockatoos and kookaburras plus Luci longdog, pool access, games room, access to shower and toilet if needed. Outdoor kitchen and weekend share meals, such as pizza, ribs, BBQ , seafood and homemade sausage rolls and pasties. Friendly family hosts welcome to join for music and drinks by the fire pit in cooler months with a camp stew. If required 2 bedroom granny flat but must share bathroom with other campers. NRL games on big screen in bar area every weekend during season.

* Before taxes and fees

100%

(49)

Black River Bush Retreat

4 sites · RVs, Tents60 acres · Black River, QLD

A perfect spot to relax under the stars! A private bush camp experience with a seasonal creek, mango orchard and dam. Pitch your tent or set up your caravan either down near the dam, in a secluded bush setting, or closer to the house yard depending on what you prefer. Enjoy a bush walk around the property, taking in the natural Australian bush environment and enjoy the native wildlife. You may find kookaburras, king fishers, lizards, goannas and wallabies while exploring and can relax by a crackling fire at night. Help feed the farm animals when the owners are home. The goats love a good scratch! Each camp site is private with no other campers booked in the space on the same day. Guests are required to be fully self sufficient with their own toilet/shower facilities and must take all waste and rubbish with them on departure. Property has secure key pad access.

* Before taxes and fees

Booked 5 times

Town and Country Caravan Park

10 sites · RVs, Tents3 acres · Townsville, QLD

Both powered and unpowered sites available for caravans, campervans and tents. Facilities include power, water, camp kitchen and laundry. No Wifi or dumb point available. Walking distance to shops and other facilities. Pet friendly.

* Before taxes and fees

96%

(39)

Crystal Creek Camp

8 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Coolbie, QLD

We have over 12 acres of private, tropical parkland, that runs right along the Crystal Creek in Mutarnee, QLD. 2 hectares of this land is between the Crystal Creek Caravan Park and the Crystal Creek itself. This area has it's own amenities block (toilets and showers) and access to water. There is a large communal campfire in the middle, and plenty of space for a perfect getaway! Should you require it, there is also access to the caravan park's amenities block which includes more toilets and showers, a camp kitchen, and a laundry. This camp is right across the road from the Paluma National Park, little Crystal Creek, Big Crystal Creek, and numerous natural swimming holes. Right behind the camp 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!

* Before taxes and fees

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

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Dog-friendly camping in Magnetic Island guide

Overview

Just eight kilometres and 20 minutes by ferry from Townsville, Magnetic Island (“Maggie” to locals) is a national park offering watersports, hiking, history, and wildlife in abundance. Several small settlements, the largest of which is Nelly Bay, are surrounded by eucalyptus woods, rainforest, and granite tors where koalas are easily spotted, and rock wallabies are often seen in the early morning. Outdoor activities are heavily water-based: snorkelling and swimming at about 20 bays and beaches, plus sailing, waterskiing, parasailing, scuba diving, kayaking, and fishing.

Where to go

Horseshoe Bay

Bungalow Bay Koala Village at Horseshoe Bay is the only camping ground on Magnetic Island. Home to a wildlife sanctuary where you can visit koalas, a python, or a small saltwater crocodile, the campground also offers ranger-guided bush walks to explore nearby habitats and learn the history of the area’s traditional owners, the Wulgurukaba people.

Nelly Bay–Arcadia Trail

One of the best and most popular of the island’s 36-km network of hiking trails is the Nelly Bay–Arcadia Trail, a one-way journey of 5 km (3 miles) that takes between two and three hours to complete. The World War II fortifications provide an interesting setting for part of the trail, a likely place to spot koalas in the wild. (The best koala spotting is on the track up to the Forts off Horseshoe Bay Road.) And at the top are terrific 360-degree views of the Coral Sea and Bowling Green Bay National Park.

Geoffrey Bay

Geoffrey Bay offers excellent snorkelling, straight off the beach. Local shops offer “swim cards” to strap to your wrist—these carry useful information about the coral and fish you can see. For strong swimmers, the wreck of the World War II plane Moltke is another good snorkelling spot.

When to go

Townsville can be hot and humid in summer (December to February)—and sometimes in the path of cyclones—but is spared the worst of the wet-season rains and claims 300 days of sunshine a year. Magnetic Island tends to be cooler with more breezes. The best months to visit are May to September, when the weather is cool and the seas are free of the toxic marine stingers that can prevent ocean swimming without special stinger suits.

Know before you go

Magnetic Island is not on the Great Barrier Reef, but the surrounding waters are part of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The best reef snorkeling is at Florence Bay, Arthur Bay and Geoffrey Bay.
Camping permits are required for all Queensland parks, forests, and reserves. Book your spot online and in advance.
Despite its size and popularity, there is no information centre on Magnetic Island. Try the one at Townsville Bulletin Square instead if you need assistance.
Magnetic Island Bus Services will get you anywhere on the island for just a few dollars, but many visitors prefer the freedom of hiring a mini-moke (an open-sided vehicle similar to a golf cart) to get around. You’ll see them all over the island.