Top 10 Free Camping Spots in Queensland for Grey Nomads and Retirees
Queensland is one of the best places in Australia to explore by caravan, motorhome or campervan.
From tropical North Queensland to remote outback towns, there are still places where travellers can pull up for the night without paying caravan park prices.
But free camping rules change regularly. Some places that were once free now charge fees, while others have stay limits, permit requirements or restrictions on the type of vehicle allowed.
We have put together 10 free camping spots in Queensland that are worth considering for your next road trip.
Important: Camping conditions, closures and fees can change. Always check the relevant council or campground information before travelling, particularly during wet weather and peak travel periods.
1. Babinda Rotary Park
Location: Babinda, south of Cairns
Cost: Free
Maximum stay: 3 nights
Babinda Rotary Park is one of the better known free camping options in Far North Queensland.
Cairns Regional Council provides the campground as a free short term camping area, with stays limited to 72 hours. There is also an RV dump point at Rotary Park. (Cairns Regional Council)
Babinda makes a particularly good stop if you are travelling between Cairns and destinations further south along the Queensland coast.
The surrounding area is lush, tropical and considerably quieter than staying in central Cairns.
2. Babinda Boulders Campground
Location: Babinda, Far North Queensland
Cost: Free
Maximum stay: 3 nights
Only a short distance away is another council provided free campground at Babinda Boulders.
The campground is unpowered and has basic amenities. The surrounding Babinda Boulders area has walking tracks, picnic facilities, toilets and rainforest scenery. Dogs are not permitted at Babinda Boulders. (Cairns Regional Council)
This is a particularly attractive option if you prefer being surrounded by nature rather than camping closer to town.
Heavy rainfall can affect conditions around Babinda Creek, so check local conditions before visiting.
3. Fletcher Creek
Location: Near Charters Towers
Cost: Free
Fletcher Creek is a popular free camping area off the Gregory Developmental Road near Charters Towers.
Charters Towers Regional Council currently allows camping here free of charge subject to campground conditions. Wastewater must only be discharged at the approved facility near the public amenities. (Charters Towers)
It is a useful stop for travellers exploring inland North Queensland and works particularly well as part of a longer Queensland road trip.
As with many remote camping areas, conditions can change after significant weather, so check before making the drive.
4. Hughenden RV Camp
Location: Hughenden
Cost: Currently free
Maximum stay: 7 days
Permit: Required
Hughenden is a great stop on an outback Queensland road trip, particularly if you are travelling through dinosaur country.
The council RV campground outside the Hughenden Showgrounds currently has no charge and allows stays of up to seven days. A permit is required. (Flinders Shire Council)
There is an important restriction here.
Your caravan or RV must be fully self contained, including appropriate grey water and black water storage. Portable showers and toilets do not satisfy the council requirements. (Flinders Shire Council)
Permits are available through the Flinders Discovery Centre.
5. Clem Walton Park
Location: Near Cloncurry
Cost: Free
Clem Walton Park is one of the better options for travellers exploring western Queensland.
Cloncurry Shire Council identifies Clem Walton Park as a council hosted free camping area, with around 20 unmarked sites in regular use and access to male and female toilets. (Cloncurry Shire Council)
Its location more than 40 kilometres from Cloncurry makes it better suited to travellers who are comfortable being away from town services.
That remoteness is also part of the appeal.
If you are travelling through this part of Queensland, make sure you are carrying adequate water, food and emergency equipment.
6. Normanton Free Camping Area
Location: Normanton
Cost: Free
Maximum stay: 2 nights
Permit: Required
Vehicle: Self contained camping vehicles
Carpentaria Shire Council offers seasonal free camping on the banks of the Norman River in Normanton.
Permits are limited, and campers must use the designated camping area. (Carpentaria Shire Council)
The current permit conditions allow stays of up to two nights and require camping vehicles to be self contained with a toilet and shower. Tents and swags on the ground are not permitted. (Carpentaria Shire Council)
There is another very important reason to follow the designated camping rules here.
Saltwater crocodiles are present in the Norman River. Council specifically warns campers not to enter the river. (Carpentaria Shire Council)
This is definitely one where you should check current conditions before arriving.
7. Gregory Downs
Location: Gregory
Cost: Free
Maximum stay: Up to 7 days
Gregory is one of those outback Queensland stops that can become a memorable part of the trip rather than simply somewhere to sleep.
Burke Shire Council operates a free, low impact camping area in the Gregory Downs township. Council does not encourage camping within the banks of the Gregory River because of environmental and safety concerns. (Burke Shire Council)
The wider Gregory area is known for remote camping and beautiful natural surroundings, but this is a place where self sufficiency matters.
Council information indicates a maximum stay of seven days in the area. (Burke Shire Council)
Take your rubbish with you and follow the designated camping arrangements rather than simply setting up beside the river.
8. Aramac Creek Freedom Park
Location: Aramac
Cost: Free during the current council fee waiver
Aramac is a small outback Queensland town that makes an interesting stop if you prefer quieter destinations away from the major tourist routes.
Barcaldine Regional Council operates a Freedom of Choice Park at Aramac.
Council has waived fees at its Freedom of Choice Parks from 2026 into 2027, making Aramac one of several useful free camping stops through the region. (Barcaldine Regional Council)
This also creates an interesting little free camping route through central western Queensland, because you can continue towards Jericho and Muttaburra.
9. Jericho Freedom of Choice Park
Location: Jericho
Cost: Free during the current council fee waiver
Jericho is another stop worth adding to an outback Queensland itinerary.
The Freedom of Choice Park is located on Redbank Road and provides access to water and bathrooms. There are no powered sites or WiFi. (Barcaldine Regional Council)
Barcaldine Regional Council currently includes Jericho among the Freedom Parks where camping fees have been waived. (Barcaldine Regional Council)
For many grey nomads, that simplicity is exactly the point.
Pull in, slow down and spend some time exploring another small Queensland community rather than rushing between the major destinations.
10. Muttaburra Freedom of Choice Park
Location: Muttaburra
Cost: Free during the current council fee waiver
Muttaburra rounds out our list and is another good option for an outback Queensland road trip.
The Freedom of Choice Park has a large capacity and facilities including water, undercover dining areas and a dump point. There are no powered sites, ablution block, laundry or WiFi. (Barcaldine Regional Council)
Barcaldine Regional Council currently has free stays at its Freedom Parks, although travellers should check the current arrangement before visiting because the fee waiver is not necessarily permanent. (Barcaldine Regional Council)
Muttaburra is particularly interesting for travellers interested in Australian dinosaur history and small outback towns.
What to Take Free Camping in Queensland
Free camping can save a considerable amount of money on a long road trip, but you will often have fewer facilities than you would find at a commercial caravan park.
Being reasonably self sufficient makes the experience much easier.
Portable solar
If you regularly camp away from powered sites, portable solar can help keep your batteries and smaller devices running.
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Drinking water and filtration
Never assume a remote campground will have suitable drinking water.
Carry enough water for your trip and consider having a filtration option available as a backup.
Water filter:
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Portable fridge or freezer
A reliable fridge becomes particularly useful when you are spending several days away from supermarkets and major towns.
Portable fridge freezer:
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UHF radio
Mobile coverage can disappear surprisingly quickly once you leave Queensland population centres.
A UHF radio can be useful for communicating with other road users and in areas where mobile reception is limited.
UHF radio:
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Navigation
Download maps before travelling into remote areas and do not rely entirely on having mobile data.
A dedicated navigation device can also be useful for frequent road travellers.
GPS navigator:
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Satellite communication
If your travels regularly take you into genuinely remote parts of Australia, a satellite communication device may be worth considering as part of your emergency planning.
Satellite communicator:
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Before You Free Camp
Free camping does not necessarily mean camping wherever you find an empty piece of land.
Local councils can restrict where you camp, how long you stay, what vehicles are permitted and how waste must be managed.
Before arriving, check:
- Whether the campground is currently open
- Whether a permit or registration is required
- Maximum stay limits
- Whether your vehicle needs to be fully self contained
- Toilet and dump point availability
- Drinking water availability
- Fire and generator restrictions
- Road and weather conditions
This is particularly important in remote and northern Queensland, where flooding and seasonal conditions can affect access.
Planning a Bigger Queensland Road Trip?
Free camps become even more valuable when you are travelling for weeks or months at a time.
If you are preparing for your first caravan adventure, read our Essential Gear for Your First Caravan Trip guide:
And if travelling around Australia is the bigger dream, our Big Lap of Australia guide will help you start planning:
You can also explore more Queensland destinations in our travel guides across The Good Years Club.
Final Thoughts
You do not need to spend every night in a caravan park to have a comfortable road trip around Queensland.
Free camping can reduce the cost of longer trips while taking you through small towns and parts of Queensland you may otherwise drive straight past.
For grey nomads and retirees with the right setup, places such as Babinda, Hughenden, Gregory and the small towns of western Queensland can become some of the most memorable stops of the entire trip.
Just remember that free camping arrangements can change.
Check the latest council information before you leave, respect stay limits, leave the area clean and support the small communities you visit along the way.
Thankyou, very informative