Set up your tent, caravan, campervan or camper trailer in one of the shady sites, and head off to explore the surrounding area. Drive and walk the beach or throw in a line and see if you can catch a fish for dinner.

If relaxation is more your goal, sit back and read a book in the shade of the coastal sheoaks and Moreton Bay ash.

Why M.V. Sarawak? The names of six camping areas on the Inskip Peninsula recall the area’s past shipping history. This former navy minesweeper plied the coastline from Brisbane to Maryborough via Inskip weekly between 1949 and 1970. It brought supplies including drums of fuel and returned to Brisbane with sugar from Maryborough.

Camping area features

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

Please note:

• This camping area is popular with larger groups.
• Coastal trees provide dappled shade in most areas.
• A few camp sites offer views across the ocean towards K'gari (formerly Fraser Island), while other ‘inland’ sites provide shelter from the sun and prevailing ocean winds.

Location: Behind the foredunes, off Inskip Point Road. This is the second last camping area from the entrance of the recreation area.
Also see: Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area map (PDF, 426.7KB) and M.V. Sarawak camping area map (PDF, 159.2KB) .

Access: 4WD recommended for sand tracks, access from Inskip Point Road. No beach access for vehicles into or out of M.V. Sarawak camping area.

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.
• Camping more than 30 days is prohibited.

Camp sites are suitable for: Tent camping beside a vehicle, off road camper trailers, campervans and caravans.

Camp site surface: Grass and/or sand.

Facilities: Three hybrid toilet blocks are provided in this camping area. Two toilet blocks have 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
• 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.