Cape Hillsborough National Park Mackay

Relax in large, shady camp sites just behind the beach at Smalleys Beach camping area. Photo credit: John Atkinson © Queensland Government

A visit to Cape Hillsborough National Park isn't complete without seeing the agile wallabies feeding on the beach. Photo credit: John Atkinson © Queensland Government

Smalleys Beach

You’ll need to stay for a few days to fully unwind and experience all this magical part of the world has to offer.

Accessible by

  • Conventional vehicle

Camping area facilities

  • Anchoring allowed
  • Toilets (non-flush)
  • Tent camping
  • Caravan camping
  • Camper trailer camping
  • Campervan camping
  • Tent camping beside car
  • Boating
  • Fishing

You’ll feel right at home in this shady camping area that is right on the beach and just a stone’s throw from walking tracks. Launch your boat nearby and spend your days exploring the nearby coves, islands and reefs of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Set out on foot to nearby beaches, ridge-top lookouts and mangrove forests, and watch the sunset splash across the sky as Cape Hillsborough’s agile wallabies visit the broad beach.

At night, sit around the camp fire (remember to bring your own off-ground fire container and clean milled firewood) underneath a star-studded sky as the waves gently roll up the broad beach.

Getting there and getting around

Smalleys Beach camping area is in Cape Hillsborough National Park, 50km north-west of Mackay on the Central Queensland coast.

The camping area is located 1.5km along Smalleys Beach Road.

  • Travel 4km from the park entrance along Cape Hillsborough Road and turn left onto Smalleys Beach Road.
  • Smalleys Beach Road is gravel and suitable for conventional vehicles.

From Mackay

  • Travel north on the Bruce Highway for 20km and turn right onto Seaforth Road.
  • Travel a further 20km and turn right onto Cape Hillsborough Road.

From Proserpine (without caravan)

  • Travel south on the Bruce Highway for 79km to Mount Ossa.
  • Turn left onto the partly-unsealed Mount Ossa Road and travel 15km towards Seaforth.
  • Turn right onto Seaforth Road then left onto Cape Hillsborough Road.

From Proserpine (with caravan)

  • Travel south on the Bruce Highway for 104km and turn left onto Seaforth Road.
  • Travel a further 20km and turn right onto Cape Hillsborough Road.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Smalleys Beach camping area is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Camping area features: shaded under eucalypt trees, this north-facing camping area has large camp sites and easy access to the beach and walking tracks.

Location: access is via a gravel road approximately 4km before the main park entrance on Cape Hillsborough Road.

Access: conventional vehicles, caravans, campervans and camper trailers.

Number of sites: 11 numbered sites.

Camp sites are suitable for: caravans, camper trailers and tent camping beside your vehicle.

Camp site surface: dirt and grass.

Facilities: toilets and drinking water.

Open fires: campfires are permitted in off-ground fire containers only. Bring your own clean, milled timber. Gas and fuel stoves preferred and recommended.

Generators: not permitted.

Essentials to bring: sturdy rubbish bags, insect repellent, sun protection, first-aid kit and a reliable torch. Read more about things to know before you go.

Bookings: book online or learn about our camping booking options.

Mobile phone coverage: poor.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Cape Hillsborough safely and camp with care.

  • There are currently no park alerts for this park.

View all park alerts