• M.V. Beagle camping area. Photo credit: Queensland Government

Pack the car and head to this sheltered camping area, right near the beach. Spend the night under the stars among coastal trees and spend your days exploring the surrounding marine park and recreation area. Take the dog for a walk along the beach, or pile everyone into the car for a drive. Try you luck at fishing and cook your catch over your camp fire.

Why M.V. Beagle? The names of six camping areas on the Inskip Peninsula recall past shipping history. A 10m game fishing vessel, the M.V. Beagle was on its maiden voyage from Brisbane to north Queensland in April 1970 when it capsized while attempting to cross the Wide Bay bar in mountainous seas. Only one of the six men aboard survived.

Camping area features

Small camping area behind the foredunes. No formally defined sites.

Please note:

• Coastal trees provide dappled shade in some areas.
• A few camp sites offer views across the ocean towards K'gari (formerly Fraser Island).
• Other inland sites provide shelter from the sun and prevailing ocean winds.
• The beach is a short walk away.

Location: Behind the foredunes, off Inskip Point Road. This is the fourth camping area from the entrance of the recreation area.
Also see: Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area map (PDF, 426.7KB) and M.V.Beagle camping area map (PDF, 159.5KB) .

Access: 4WD only on sand tracks, access from Inskip Point Road or the beach access at the navigation lights east of M.V. Beagle camping area. Access limited to off road high clearance camper trailers, campervans and caravans.

Number of sites: Open area without separately defined sites.
Please note:

• Occupation of a camp site is on a ‘first in, best placed’ basis.
• Reserving or roping off areas is not permitted.
• All structures under a single camping permit must be in one place and no more than 3m apart.
• Don't spread your camp too far, so others can fit in too; rangers will ask you to move structures that have taken up an unreasonable amount of space.

Camp sites are suitable for: tent camping beside a 4WD vehicle, off road camper trailers, campervans and caravans. Small camping structures are recommended here.

Camp site surface: Sand.

Facilities: Three hybrid toilet blocks are provided in this camping area. One has a wheelchair access ramp.
Please note:

• No showers.
• No drinking water taps.
• Rubbish bins are located near the camping area exit.
• If you bring a portable toilet, the nearest waste disposal facility is available at the council service facility located on Clarkson Drive just outside of Rainbow Beach. Do not empty portable toilet waste into the camping area toilets. Penalties apply.
• The service facility also has drinking water—take your own water storage containers.

Open fires: Permitted in pre-existing fire sites, except when QPWS-imposed fire prohibitions or QFES fire bans are in place. Fuel stoves are recommended.
Also see: the short video about campfire prohibitions and fuel stoves.

Generators: Only low decibel generators up to 2.0Kva are permitted. Turn generators off after 9pm.

Essentials to bring: Drinking water, rubbish bags, insect repellent, fuel or gas stove first-aid kit, sunscreen, sand pegs.
Please note:

• For campfires bring clean, untreated firewood such as milled timber off-cuts.
• Bring kindling and fire lighters as collecting and burning wood, including leaves and twigs, from the protected area is illegal and penalties apply.
• If you bring a portable toilet, please dispose of your toilet waste at the council service facility on Clarkson Drive just north of Rainbow Beach. Do not empty portable toilet waste into the camping area toilets. Penalties apply.

Also see: Before you visit and Campfires and cooking.

Bookings: book online or learn about our camping booking options. Advance bookings are required, especially for holiday periods including long weekends and public holidays.
Also see: Camping during peak periods.

Mobile phone coverage: Intermittent.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

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