The best camping near Main Range National Park

Swathes of World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforest blanket the peaks of the Great Dividing Range in Main Range National Park. There are four sections of the park to explore—Cunninghams Gap, Spicers Gap, Queen Mary Falls, and Goomburra—along with a network of hiking trails. Climb up to mountain lookouts, trek to waterfalls, picnic amid the rainforest, or tackle the 110-kilometre Scenic Rim hike. Look out for wildlife and rare birds, including eastern bristle birds and the Coxen's fig-parrot along the way. Adventurous hikers will find it easy to venture off the beaten track, and remote bush camps offer a back-to-nature experience for self-sufficient campers. 

• Best for caravans and motorhomes: Poplar Flat Camping Area is accessible for caravans and camper trailers, and has ample shady pitches within a short stroll of Dalrymple Creek. Bring your own wood for the wood-fired barbecue.
• Best for wildlife watching: Spicers Gap camping area has grass pitches for tents and camper trailers, with easy access to the park’s walking trails. Keep a lookout for koalas, wallabies, and possums around the camp. 
• Best for experienced hikers: Laidley Creek Falls bush camp boasts a remote location along Laidley Creek. Getting there is all part of the experience—hike past the ‘Hole in the Wall’ and enjoy views of Mount Castle.

1. Camping must be booked in advance, and you will need to pay the full fee upfront to secure your reservation.
2. Camping permits are required for all the park’s campsites and a tag with your booking number must be displayed on your tent at all times. 
3. Book at least six weeks in advance if visiting in summer (December to February) or on bank holiday weekends.

The weather is notoriously changeable at Main Range, so come prepared whenever you visit. Summer (December through February) temperatures can reach up to 35°C, but nights are still cool enough to need warm clothes. Pack a raincoat if visiting between November and March too—thunderstorms are common at the end of a sunny day. 

• Main Range National Park is 116 kilometres m south of Brisbane, about a 1.5-hour drive along the Cunningham Highway. You can also enter the park at Queen Mary Falls in the south, along Spring Creek Road. Some campsites are accessible only by 4WD or on foot, so check access before booking.
• All campsites have limited facilities and no power. Composting toilets and tap water (not potable, so bring plenty of drinking water or water purification tablets) are available. The closest gas stations and shops to the park are in Cunninghams Gap and Goomburra, so stock up on supplies before entering the park.
• Ticks and leeches are common in the rainforest, so wear long trousers and use insect repellent. 
• There is a strict open-fire ban within the park—barbecues are provided at some picnic and camping areas. Generators are prohibited at all park camping grounds. 
• Some picnic areas and camping areas in Main Range National Park are wheelchair accessible, but there are no wheelchair-accessible trails.