Camping in The Franklands
Bush camping is available on High and Russell islands. Both camping areas have very limited facilities and campers must be self-sufficient. Bring a tarpaulin, drinking water, a fuel stove, food, tent, toilet paper and rubbish bags. See essentials to bring for further information.
Camping permits are required for both camping areas and fees apply for camping on High Island. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your camp site.
Poles are provided at each site for erecting tarpaulins. Campers must only use the sites delineated by tarpaulin posts and seats.
Our precious Great Barrier Reef World Heritage islands are among the most pest-free islands in the world. They need your help to stay this way. Please Be pest-free! before your visit.
Park-specific conditions
On both islands, the maximum length of stay at any camp site is four nights during the Queensland school holidays and seven nights at other times.
To protect nesting seabirds, the sand spit on Russell Island may be fenced off from 1 September to 31 March. Please stay out of the fenced area.
Read more about staying safe and looking after the park.
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High Island camping area is private boat-based camping – only one group is permitted to camp at any one time.
- Tent camping
- No caravan camping
- No camper trailer camping
- No campfires
- No toilets
- No showers
- No barbecue
- Picnic tables
- No wheelchair access
- No generators allowed
- No dogs permitted
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Russell Island camping area is the most popular island in the Cairns section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
- 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
- Russell Island camping area closed 17 January to 31 December 2024