Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park Sunshine Coast

Four-wheel drive past towering coastal sand cliffs and coloured sands in the paradise of Cooloola Recreation Area. Photo credit: © Tomek Z Genek

Camping in Cooloola Recreation Area

Long beaches backed by high sand dunes, tranquil waterways, wildflower heaths, freshwater lakes, woodlands and forests make Cooloola a popular holiday destination and a vital refuge for coastal wildlife.

Camping permits

Camping permits are required prior to camping at all sites and fees apply. Capacity is limited, so book early to avoid disappointment during peak periods. Rangers may visit camps during the day to check permits and answer questions.

  • Find a site that ticks all your camping boxes at this coastal camping zone, with easy access to Double Island Point and Freshwater. Watch the sunrise over the ocean from…

    • Tent camping
    • No caravan camping
    • Camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • No toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • Generators allowed (conditions apply)
    • No dogs permitted
  • Opportunity abounds at this sandy, beach-side camping area, a short drive from Double Island Point and Freshwater. Watch the sunrise over the ocean from your tent and revel in the…

    • Tent camping
    • Caravan camping
    • Camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • No toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • Generators allowed (conditions apply)
    • No dogs permitted
  • Unwind and connect with nature at this centrally-located camping zone. Watch the sunrise over the ocean from your tent and revel in the freedom of many happy hours exploring this…

    • Tent camping
    • Caravan camping
    • Camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • No toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • Generators allowed (conditions apply)
    • No dogs permitted
  • Base yourself at this beautiful beach-side camping area and spend a few days exploring the surrounding beaches, lakes, walks and drives. Beach camping offers camping behind the foredunes and close…

    • Tent camping
    • Caravan camping
    • Camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • No toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • Generators allowed (conditions apply)
    • No dogs permitted
  • Escape the crowds at this quiet camping area, and revel in the freedom of many happy hours exploring this remote beach. If you are looking for a quieter camping experience,…

    • Tent camping
    • Caravan camping
    • Camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • No toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • Generators allowed (conditions apply)
    • No dogs permitted
  • Watch the sunrise over the ocean from your tent and revel in the freedom of many happy hours exploring this remote beach. If you are looking for a quieter camping…

    • Tent camping
    • No caravan camping
    • Camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • No toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • Generators allowed (conditions apply)
    • No dogs permitted
  • Unwind and connect with nature as you watch the sunrise over the ocean from your tent and revel in the freedom of many happy hours exploring this remote beach. If…

    • Tent camping
    • Caravan camping
    • Camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • No toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • Generators allowed (conditions apply)
    • No dogs permitted
  • Wake with the birds after a peaceful night’s sleep surrounded by scribbly gum woodland, just a stone’s throw from the beach.

    • Tent camping
    • No caravan camping
    • No camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • Toilets
    • Showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • Wheelchair access (may require assistance)
    • No generators allowed
    • No dogs permitted
  • Freshwater camping area provides shady, sheltered sites set amongst scribbly gum woodland about 500m inland from the beach.

    • Tent camping
    • Caravan camping
    • Camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • Toilets
    • Showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • Wheelchair access (may require assistance)
    • No generators allowed
    • No dogs permitted
  • Revel in this ideal escape on the sandy banks of Tin Can Bay, with fishing, boating, birdwatching and yabby pumping.

    • Tent camping
    • 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
  • Unwind among the open forests of eucalypts and fringing melaleucas on the upper Noosa River after a hard day's walk or paddle.

    • Tent camping
    • No caravan camping
    • No camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • Toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • Picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • No generators allowed
    • No dogs permitted
  • Unwind in this large yet peaceful retreat amongst paperbark and eucalypt woodlands on the banks of the Upper Noosa River.

    • Tent camping
    • No caravan camping
    • No camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • Toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • Picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • No generators allowed
    • No dogs permitted
  • Harrys camping area is set among fringes of open forest and woodland (melaleuca, allocasuarina, bloodwood and eucalypt species).

    • Tent camping
    • No caravan camping
    • Camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • Toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • Picnic tables
    • Wheelchair access (may require assistance)
    • No generators allowed
    • No dogs permitted
  • Revel in the seclusion of this bushland camp site, with adjacent landing jetty, on the bank of the Upper Noosa River.

    • Tent camping
    • No caravan camping
    • No camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • Toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • No generators allowed
    • No dogs permitted
  • Enjoy this shady camp site, with canoe landing and river views, on the Upper Noosa River.

    • Tent camping
    • No caravan camping
    • No camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • Toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • No picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • No generators allowed
    • No dogs permitted
  • Spend a night camped amongst banksias and scribbly gums in this large popular camp site on the Upper Noosa River.

    • Tent camping
    • No caravan camping
    • No camper trailer camping
    • No campfires
    • Toilets
    • No showers
    • No barbecue
    • Picnic tables
    • No wheelchair access
    • No generators allowed
    • No dogs permitted
  • Unwind and reconnect with nature in this beautiful and remote camp site on the upper Noosa River.

    • 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
  • Escape everyday life and immerse yourself in nature in this remote and peaceful camp site on the upper Noosa River.

    • 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
  • Revel in the isolation of this densely-forested bend in the river in the far upper reaches of the Noosa River.

    • 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
  • Immerse yourself in the cool green of the great outdoors at this remote spot in the far reaches of the upper Noosa River.

    • 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
  • Pitch a tent, drop a fishing line and truly get back to nature in the remote upper reaches of the Noosa River.

    • 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
  • Soak up the solitude at the most remote camp site retreat on the upper Noosa River.

    • 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
  • Camp next to a waterhole among fringes of wallum heath and scribbly gum woodland, and enjoy a truly remote bush camping experience.

    • 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
  • Relish the remoteness of this inland camp site fringed by wallum heath and scribbly gum woodlands, near a refreshing waterhole.

    • 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