What's your choice for bush camping close to Brisbane?

[indiedog]

Hi all, wondering if I can get some assistance on some bush camps close to Bris. We usually stick close to the coast but the price of the camping/caravan parks is getting ridiculous. To put things in context we have a 4wd loaded with 2 adults and 3 kids (aged 5, 4 &4) and will be towing a Jayco Dove Outback. Paying $70/night at most coastal sites is getting a bit rich so looking for alternatives. Earlier this year we spent a month in Tassie and we don't need power or slabs.

We went for a drive yesterday down to Bigriggen (near Rathdowney) to have a look and it wasn't bad but the rivers didn't look too inviting especially for the kids (probably spoiled by those amazing Tassie streams). Should have looked at other spots while there but only became better educated after the event.  Should have looked at Mt. Barney Lodge at the same time but didn't. I've also camped at Andrew Drynan Park on Running Creek Road but that was several years ago beore kids and can't remember how good/nice the creek is for splashing in.

We are also considering Charlie Morelands up near Kenilworth but haven't been there as yet.

Appreciate the assistance. Cheers, Indie.

[Jenko67]

hey mate,

Flanagans Reserve http://www.flanaganreserve.com.au/ up from Bigriggen.
Neurum Creek http://www.ncbr.com.au/index.php
Kilkivan Bush Retreat http://www.bushcamping.com.au/
Goomburra Vally (GOrdon Country http://www.gordoncountry.com.au/ or Goomburra Valley Camp Ground http://www.goomburravalleycampground.com.au/) on the way to Warwick...
Sandy Creek http://www.sandycreekcampin.com.au/
Landcruiser Mountain Park http://www.landcruisermountainpark.com.au/

Just to name a few..

[booga]

Lake Maroon, not far from Rathdowney, camp lake fire http://www.camplakefire.com.au/

[Clouty]

Darlington park.. Just south of beaudesert..
Canungra show grounds..
 

[indiedog]

Wow, I know so little...... Awesome response guys, thanks.

Flanagan's looks a bit nicer than Bigriggen. Anyone have thoughts on that? Camp Lake Fire looks great too and not too far away.

Neurum Creek looks great on the website and will check that out in more detail.

Thanks again. Indie.

[Jenko67]

Flanagan's looks a bit nicer than Bigriggen. Anyone have thoughts on that? we went there about 3 years ago and it was dusty because of the drought... from memory it was the Logan River running throughit> we went there because we could take our dogs......

Neurum Creek looks great on the website and will check that out in more detail. We love Neurum Creek, good creek and dogs allowed...

[Rumpig]

Wow, I know so little...... Awesome response guys, thanks.

Flanagan's looks a bit nicer than Bigriggen. Anyone have thoughts on that? Camp Lake Fire looks great too and not too far away.

Neurum Creek looks great on the website and will check that out in more detail.

Thanks again. Indie.

Flanagans has a much nicer creek area running through it for swimming in then Bigriggen does IMHO, but in my view Bigriggen is nicer as far as a general campground goes (though haven't stayed there for about 5 years now) as Flanagans can get quite dusty due to a lack of grass. Mt Barney i have stayed / camped at twice for weddings being held there and it's a nice spot also, but i don't recall any decent swimming holes in the creek (be ok for small kids to splash in though)  i could be wrong and am happy to be corrected on this as i didn't really go looking for a spot to swim whilst i was there.
Neurem Creek Retreat is another nice spot but a touch expensive for my likings (though plenty of people seem to camp there, so price a non issue for them).
Darlington Park is a great spot, also has a playground there and big oval for the kids to play on.
if you go to the Trips section of this forum there is a thread on Qld camping spots that has some great locations in it http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=746.0  and Kit_e_kat9 has a link in the signature section of replies to threads that has some great info in it also http://kit-ecamping.blogspot.com.au/

[camlisa]

Island Reach camp grounds at Imbil 30 km south of Gympie.Great creek swimming with sandy beach, well grassed park,, very quiet, pet friendly, good amenities can have a fire wood can be bought by barrow load .Some areas well shaded, no designated sites just set up where you like, highly recomend this place.

[Camping Grant]

x2 for Imbil,
There's also Sharp Park at Canungra

[Kit_e_kat9]

My Blog (link below) has many bush camping locations up to 3 hours from where I am - it's all we do - and I have a list of many, many more. 

Kit_e

[way-t-go]

Neuram is great, Flanagans is great also, I have seen Flanagans with green grass, however I think the sort of grass growing there is easily affected by the lack of rain. The amenities at Flanagans is a bit small for the amount of people the ground can carry, but we wouldn't go there in school holidays anyway. We have never had a problem using the amenities and they are really clean.

Gary

[indiedog]

Rumpig, thanks for those links. I did a search for Bigriggen/Bigriggan here before starting this thread for no search results, got to be in this forum somewhere! The Qld camping spot thread has some good local stuff in it. Kit_e's blog is excellent. Nothing like reading someone's first hand experience of a location to get an idea of what it's like.

Ideally we are looking for spots less than 2hrs from home with reasonable fees to encourage us to get away more frequently. We now have several spots on the agenda.  Still happy to learn some more though. Thanks again everyone.

[BernieS]

My Blog (link below) has many bush camping locations up to 3 hours from where I am - it's all we do - and I have a list of many, many more. 

Kit_e

Love your blog Kit.

[Kit_e_kat9]

Shucks you guys!  Thanks.  Nice to hear it's of some use to people.   

Kit_e

[spargo]

Shucks you guys!  Thanks.  Nice to hear it's of some use to people.   

Kit_e

A hat tip from us also - we've used it to take us to half-a-dozen different spots we hadn't been before & needed more info on. Have even accessed it on a phone right as we've arrived at a few places to make sure we were picking the best spot to set up..

It's the South-east Queensland Brisbane Camper Trailer users bible! http://kit-ecamping.blogspot.com.au/

cheers and thanks!

[Jeepers Creepers]

Yep, i've got it my favorites......

[Kit_e_kat9]

Double Shucks   

Does this mean I have to get rich by writing a book now?  

Kit_e

[cogze]

girawean natinal park, between stanthorp and tenterfield is a great spot.They have some great walks and the kids will love climbing all over the huge rocks,iam not sure how far it is from brisbane,its worth the trip.

[Chippy76]

Queen mary falls?
Janowen hills
Goomburra
Gordon country
Murphys creek escape

So many places away from the coast!


Cheers Chippy

[Rumpig]

girawean natinal park, between stanthorp and tenterfield is a great spot.They have some great walks and the kids will love climbing all over the huge rocks,iam not sure how far it is from brisbane,its worth the trip.

more then the 2 hrs he wants, probaly closer to ateast 3 hrs but yes it is a very nice place to visit. the climb to the top of the Pyramid is well worth the effort 

[Camping Grant]

Yep, i've got it my favorites......

X2

[Wazza2]

Currently at Neurum Ck giving the new Cub it's 1st outing. Huge campsites, good amenities and during the week very uncrowded- about 20 other bods here and that's it :-). Apparently they get 500 or so on an average weekend, 1000 odd in peak times.

It's dry at the moment but you can still find a nice grassy site.

Creek is very low when u drive in currently, but the ponds still hold great water for a kayak paddle, air bed float or swim. My daughter is loving it. About to go for 2nd swim for today.

$70 for 3 of us for 2 nights. We'll definitely come back as it's a fair price for an easy getaway with facilities and options for things to go and do.

[spargo]

Double Shucks   

Does this mean I have to get rich by writing a book now?  

Kit_e

Early adopters/readers get a First Edition signed copy!

[indiedog]

Thanks again, to those who share that is.  To Jeepers and Grant, I'll hunt down your fav's, just give me time. 

Absolutely love Girraween and have hiked it a lot, but yes a tad too far for a quick getaway with the family but we'll be there when the weather cools for sure.

Looking forward to checking these spots out.

[spargo]

Thanks again, to those who share that is.  To Jeepers and Grant, I'll hunt down your fav's, just give me time. 

Absolutely love Girraween and have hiked it a lot, but yes a tad too far for a quick getaway with the family but we'll be there when the weather cools for sure.

Looking forward to checking these spots out.

Here's mine then. Sorry, got caught up with saying thanks to K.

- Booloumba Creek, Area 4 (but only after recent rain and the creek is flushed and running) http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/conondale/camping.html#booloumba_creek_4_camping_area
- Charlie Moorland  http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/imbil/camping.html
- Andrew Drynan camping area, Lions Red, east of Rathdowny  http://kit-ecamping.blogspot.com.au/search/label/Andrew%20Drynan
- (Going there twice in the next 2 mnths, but haven't been before) Boreen Point camping ground, nth of Tewantin http://www.sunshinecoastholidayparks.com.au/holiday_parks/boreen_point_campground/
- (Haven't been before, but..) Amamoor State Forest http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/amamoor/camping.html
Caravan Pks aren't our thing, but:
- Massey Greene CV Pk - the Brunswick Heads Hotel makes it worthwhile! http://www.masseygreene.com.au

It doesn't fit the close-by criteria, but more Brisbane people really need to head into NSW to the incredible places on offer like http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/Arakoon-National-Park/Trial-Bay-Gaol-campground/camping

Safe travels!