Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area Sunshine Coast

M.V. Natone camping area. Photo credit: Queensland Government

Soak up a tranquil sunset over Inskip Peninsula. Photo credit: © Ben Blanche

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MV Natone camping area

This sheltered camping area is beachside accommodation at its greatest! Set yourself up here and explore the surrounding area.

Accessible by

  • High clearance 4WD

Camping area facilities

  • Campfires allowed (conditions apply)
  • Generators allowed (conditions apply)
  • Toilets (non-flush)
  • Wheelchair access (may require assistance)
  • Tent camping
  • Caravan camping
  • Camper trailer camping
  • Campervan camping
  • Tent camping beside car
  • Walking
  • Fishing
  • Dogs permitted (on leash)

You’ll never want to leave this shady and secluded camping area that has front row seats to the beach and Great Sandy Marine Park.

Set up camp under coastal sheoaks and Moreton Bay ash and take in the views towards Wide Bay Bar and K'gari (Fraser Island).

During the day explore the area by 4WD or on foot. Fish from the long sandy beaches and cook your catch over your camp fire.

Why M.V. Natone? The names of six camping areas on the Inskip Peninsula recall past shipping history. A veteran of six Antarctic voyages, the 450 ton M.V. Natone had carried explorers Sir Douglas Mawson and Sir Hubert Wilkins. In January 1959, after being battered by cyclonic seas on her way from New Guinea to Brisbane, she ran aground near Mudlo rocks. All 18 crew survived the ordeal.

Camping area features: Open 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 the Wide Bay bar and Fraser Island.
  • Other camp sites, a little further inland, 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 third camping area from the entrance of the recreation area.

Also see: Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area map (PDF, 426.7KB) and M.V. Natone camping area map (PDF, 208.0KB) .

Access: 4WD only, access from Inskip Point Road or the beach, no vehicle access permits required. Limited access for off road high clearance camper trailers and caravans. Not suitable for camping buses and motorhomes.

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 vehicle and campervans. Limited camp sites suitable for off road small camper trailers and caravans.

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 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
  • 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: a 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.
  • Portable toilets are preferred, but please do not empty portable toilet waste into the camping area toilets.
  • Please dispose of your toilet waste at the council service facility on Clarkson Drive just north of Rainbow Beach.

Also see:

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.

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