If you’re a caravan owner, you’re in good company.
An estimated 750,000 Aussies own a van or a camper, making it one of our most popular pastimes.
But, when you hit the road in your home away from home, the odds are that you want to escape the crowds.
So, where in the Sunshine State should you head?
Here are our favourite spots for caravanning in Queensland.
Cooktown, Cape York
Four hours from Cairns, the gold-rush coastal town of Cooktown is a gateway to the remote beauty of Cape York Peninsula.
Uniquely historical, Cooktown is where you’re closest to the Great Barrier Reef, where you can snorkel or dive in the crystal ocean.
Rich in indigenous history, Cooktown is also renowned for fishing and boating.
If it’s the quiet wilderness you seek, you’ll love the many walks through the rainforest to discover hidden waterfalls.
Cooktown Caravan Park is the area’s newest, with shady powered and unpowered spots, plus a menagerie of native animals that call the park home.
Further afield, Endeavour Falls Tourist Park is ideal for kids, with a playground and pool on site – but no pets allowed.
The Mary Valley, Sunshine Coast
Drive two hours from Brisbane and you’ll meet The Mary Valley Scenic Drive, flanked by pineapple fields, macadamia farms and lush rainforest.
A tranquil secret, The Mary Valley is where rolling hills dip into quiet valleys and platypus-populated lakes.
Kayak on the Mary, walk the Amamoor State Forest tracks, or even ride the historic Mary Valley Rattler, a steam train offering gourmand journeys.
As for where to park up, Borumba Deer Park by Yabba Creek offers large powered and unpowered sites with barbecues, showers, toilets and a kid’s playground (and real deer!)
Meanwhile, Imbil Camping retreat is a pet-friendly caravan park where you can nab a powered spot for two for $40 a night.
Lake Moogerah, Scenic Rim
Tow your caravan 1.5 hours south of Brisbane and stop off at picturesque Lake Moogerah.
Located in the heart of the aptly-named Scenic Rim, this spot promises a host of adventures, whatever you enjoy.
Bushwalk the lush national parks, kayak or paddleboard, with availability to hire at the lake.
For a relaxed side quest, explore the cosy cafés, local markets, boutique breweries and wineries of nearby country towns Mount Alford, Aratula and Boonah.
Lake Moogerah Caravan Park will put you right on the lakeshore, where unpowered caravan spots start from $32 per night.
Plus, the park’s kiosk means you’ll be able to grab groceries while you’re there.
Malanda Falls, Malanda
Cairns is world-famous as a holiday spot, but head 120 kilometres south-west from Cairns and you’ll be treated with one of Atherton’s most beautiful sites.
Here, dense tropical rainforest houses rare birds and marsupials (challenge yourself to spot a tree kangaroo), and the majestic falls tumble into the North Johnstone River, guided by rocks formed by ancient lava.
Rest at Malanda Falls Caravan Park, where powered and unpowered sites, from $27 a night, will put you in prime position to explore not only the falls, but the area’s three lakes – plus resident turtles!
There’s also a dump site at the park and camp kitchen, and caravanners are welcome to bring on-leash dogs.
Airlie Beach, The Whitsundays
A town that’s not only charming itself but is also the gateway to 74 spectacular island paradises might sound like a fantasy, but Queenslanders just call it Airlie.
Four hours south of Townsville, no article – nor holiday – is long enough to explore everything this area has to offer.
Island hop from the squeaky-clean sands of Whitehaven Beach to the fish-filled seas of Hamilton and Daydream Islands; snorkel, dive, jet ski – or head inland to Conway National Park for rainforest and private bays.
There are lots of caravan parks here from under $90 a night, including some big-name chains mere minutes from the city.
Be aware: people flock here in the school holidays, so November’s an ideal time to go if you want peace and quiet.
With 7000 kilometres of stunning coastline, heritage-listed forests, and non-stop sun, you really can’t go wrong when you point your caravan anywhere in Queensland.
There are thousands of caravan-friendly places to explore, so slip, slop, slap and go!
Need a caravan to take with you? A new caravan could be closer than you think. Get an estimate on caravan finance here.
