Bowling Green Bay National Park Townsville

Alligator Creek valley, Bowling Green Bay National Park Photo credit: Phill Copp © Queensland Government

Bowling Green Bay National Park—a stunning mosaic of coastal wetlands and rainforest on mountain tops Photo credit: Phil Copp © Queensland Government

Camping in Bowling Green Bay

There are several options for camping in Bowling Green Bay National Park.

Cape Cleveland section: Bush camping is available at Cocoa Creek camping area and Salmon Creek camping area. Access is by four-wheel drive and facilities are not provided.

Bowling Green Bay section: Bush camping is available at Barratta Creek camping area. Access is by four-wheel drive and facilities are not provided.

Mount Elliot section: Hike-in bush camping is available at Cockatoo Creek camping area and Alligator Falls camping area. Access is by foot and facilities are not provided.

There is the opportunity to undertake remote hiking and to remote bush camp in the Mount Cleveland and Mount Elliot sections of the national park. Bushwalkers must be well-equipped and experienced.

Camping permits are required and fees apply. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site.

Park-specific conditions

  • Camp fires are permitted in Cocoa Creek, Salmon Creek and Barratta Creek camping areas only (except when fire bans apply). Camp fires must be contained in above ground fire containers. Bring your own fire container and clean firewood. Extinguish your camp fire with water and remove your fire container when you leave. It is recommended to use a fuel or gas stove.
  • Generators are permitted at Cocoa Creek camping area only—conditions apply.
  • Camping is not allowed on the sand dunes or anywhere else outside the camping area at Salmon Creek.
  • Mount Elliot and Cape Cleveland remote bush camps are open from 01 April to 30 November.
  • Estuarine crocodiles inhabit the coastal sections of the park (Cape Cleveland and Bowling Green Bay). Always be Crocwise in Croc Country.
  • Dangerous stinging jellyfish (‘stingers’) may be present in the coastal waters at any time of the year, and occur more frequently in the warmer months. Visit marine stingers for the latest safety and first aid information.
  • Read more about staying safe and looking after the park.
  • Nestled along Cocoa Creek, set up a camper trailer or tent beside your four-wheel-drive in close proximity to Cocoa Creek.

    • Tent camping
    • No caravan camping
    • Camper trailer camping
    • Campfires allowed
    • No toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • Generators allowed (conditions apply)
    • No dogs permitted
  • Set up camp in a beach environment in close proximity to to Salmon Creek.

    • Tent camping
    • No caravan camping
    • Camper trailer camping
    • Campfires allowed
    • No toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • No generators allowed
    • No dogs permitted
  • Camp close to a mangrove and creek environment in your camper trailer or tent beside your four-wheel-drive vehicle.

    • Tent camping
    • No caravan camping
    • Camper trailer camping
    • Campfires allowed
    • No toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • No generators allowed
    • No dogs permitted
  • Spend the night camping under stars close to Cockatoo Creek at this walk-in only bush camping area.

    • Tent camping
    • No caravan camping
    • No camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • No toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • No generators allowed
    • No dogs permitted
  • Fit, prepared and experienced walkers can explore grassy open woodlands and cool riparian forests on the way to Alligator Falls bush camping area.

    • Tent camping
    • No caravan camping
    • No camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • No toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • No generators allowed
    • No dogs permitted
  • Remote bush camping is available to experienced and well-equipped bushwalkers who wish to undertake extended overnight hikes in the Mount Cleveland section of the park.

    • Tent camping
    • No caravan camping
    • No camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • No toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • No generators allowed
    • No dogs permitted
  • Remote bush camping is available to experienced and well-equipped bushwalkers who wish to undertake extended overnight hikes in the Mount Elliot section of the park.

    • Tent camping
    • No caravan camping
    • No camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • No toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • No generators allowed
    • No dogs permitted