Australian Owned & Operated Company
Hinterland Heroes: 4 Massive-Value Campsites Within 1 Hour of the Sunshine Coast
Coochin Creek Camping Area (Beerwah)
| Travel Time: | ~35–40 mins via the Bruce Highway. |
| Accessibility: | 2WD and big-rig friendly. Perfectly sealed roads right to the turn-off. |
| Amenities |
Toilets (composting), fire rings (bring your own wood), and a concrete boat ramp for easy water access. 
|
| About the Campsite | Located right on the edge of the Glass House Mountains, Coochin Creek is a quiet, shaded sanctuary. It offers unpowered sites that are well-spaced and surrounded by native melaleuca and eucalypt forest. It’s flat and perfect for campers who want to set up a massive awning and relax without the beach crowds. |
| Activities/What to Do: | This is a kayaking and fishing hotspot. Launch straight into the creek to explore the winding waterways, or head to the nearby Glass House Mountains for a morning hike up Mt Ngungun. |
| Booking Fees | Approx. $7.50 per person, per night. |
| Where to Book |
Pick up the gear on the way out via click & collect @ 4WD Supacentre Sunshine Coast
Kenilworth Showgrounds (Kenilworth)
| Travel Time: | ~45–50 mins via Eumundi Kenilworth Rd |
| Accessibility: | All vehicle types. Very easy for massive caravans and fifth-wheelers. |
| Amenities |
Hot showers ($1 or $2 coins), flushing toilets, drinking water, and a central location.
|
| About the Campsite | This is a huge, grassy expanse right on the banks of the Mary River. It offers both powered and unpowered sites. The layout is open and social—it’s the kind of place where kids can ride bikes safely and you can set up a "base camp" with a group of mates. |
| Activities/What to Do | The Mary River is right at your doorstep for a swim, but the real draw is the town. You are walking distance to the famous Kenilworth Dairy and the bakery for a budget-friendly (and legendary) donut. |
| Booking Fees | Approx. $15–$22 per night for unpowered; powered sites are slightly more. |
| Where to Book |
Pick up the gear on the way out via click & collect @ 4WD Supacentre Sunshine Coast
For those who want to get the hubs locked and leave the 2WDs behind, there is a legendary spot in the Conondale Range that offers some of the clearest water in Australia.
Booloumba Creek (Conondale National Park)
| Travel Time: | ~1 hour via Maleny Kenilworth Rd. |
| Accessibility: | High-clearance 4WD only. You must cross several creek fords to reach the camps—do not attempt in a 2WD. |
| Amenities |
Toilets and fire rings. It is completely off-grid with no mobile reception.
|
| About the Campsite | This is "Real Deal" camping. Sites 1 and 3 are for tents/swags, while Site 4 is suitable for high-clearance camper trailers. It is unpowered and set deep in the rainforest. The air here is noticeably cooler, making it a perfect refuge from the summer heat. |
| Activities/What to Do | Swimming in the turquoise rock pools of Booloumba Creek is world-class. You can also hike to the Strangler Cairn—a massive outdoor art installation—or explore the rugged 4WD tracks that spider-web through the park. |
| Booking Fees | Approx. $7.50 per person, per night. |
| Where to Book |
Pick up the gear on the way out via click & collect @ 4WD Supacentre Sunshine Coast
Finally, if the family dog is a non-negotiable part of your crew, head slightly further north to a State Forest that feels like a private wilderness retreat.
Amamoor Creek Camping Area (Amamoor State Forest)
| Travel Time: | ~55–60 mins via the M1 and Mary Valley Rd. |
| Accessibility: | 2WD friendly (unsealed but good quality forest roads). |
| Amenities |
Toilets and fire rings. Water is available but must be treated before drinking.
|
| About the Campsite | This is a massive, flat grassy area bordered by a tranquil creek. It is unpowered and famous for its "open space" feel. Unlike National Parks, this State Forest is dog-friendly, meaning you can save $40 a day on pet-sitting. |
| Activities/What to Do | This is prime bird-watching and platypus-spotting territory. The creek is shallow and perfect for a cool-down. It’s also home to the annual Gympie Music Muster, so the infrastructure is solid for big groups. |
| Booking Fees | Approx. $7.50 per person, per night. |
| Where to Book |
Pick up the gear on the way out via click & collect @ 4WD Supacentre Sunshine Coast
Related Posts
Daily Specials
