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Best Dog-friendly Camping Spots Near Brisbane
- Bluff Creek Campgrounds, Kenilworth
- Gordon Country Campgrounds
- Murphy’s Creek Escape, Lockyer Valley
- Minjerribah Camping, North Stradbroke Island
- Amamoor Creek Camping Area, Amamoor State Forest
- S.S. Dorrigo Campground, Inskip Point
- Other Dog-friendly Campgrounds Near Brisbane
- Things to Consider When Camping with Dogs
- Never Leave your Dog Unattended
- Always Clean Up After Your Dog
- Pack Food and Water
- Ensure Vaccinations are Up to Date
- Bring Dog Shampoo
- Pack Your Dog’s Favorite Toys
- Be Considerate of Other Campers
Imagine spending the night under the stars, cozying up by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate, and the best part? Getting to spend a great weekend outdoors with your best mate!
We dog owners have gone through the pain of leaving our precious pups at home whenever we’d go on a vacation. But nothing beats seeing their eyes light up when they realize that they’re going to tag along with you on your adventure!
We’re lucky that there are a lot of dog-friendly camping spots near Brisbane! So if you’re wondering about the best places to go camping with dogs near the city, read on!
Bluff Creek Campgrounds, Kenilworth
Website: https://www.kenilworthcampgrounds.com/
Location: 44 Wilcox Rd, Kenilworth QLD 4574
Contact: [email protected] / +61 456 532 850
Travel Time: Approx. 2 hours north of Brisbane
Price: $20/night for adults; $10/night for 5 – 15 yrs old
If you’ve been wanting a peaceful escape to nature with beautiful surroundings, a 2-hour drive to Bluff Creek Campgrounds in Kenilworth is definitely worth it! It’s a perfect place to take your family and fur friends to a weekend of fun outdoors!
You can take your dog on a hike through their trails or go for a swim in the river! There are lots of other activities as well such as horseback riding, canoeing on Mary River, and mountain biking.
Pet Policy:
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times
Pro Tip:
- They don’t have powered sites in the camp grounds, but they have USB charging points for your gadgets and wi-fi. It’s best to bring rechargeable, battery-powered, or solar-powered devices like lamps, flashlights, etc.
- This campsite is best for those looking for a tranquil escape for the weekend, so parties/events or big groups aren’t allowed.
- It’s close to local eateries, bars, and cafes in Kenilworth if you wish to explore the town as well.
Gordon Country Campgrounds
Website: https://www.gordoncountry.com.au/camping/
Location: 2081 Inverramsay Rd, Goomburra QLD 4362
Contact: [email protected] / 07 4666 6179
Travel Time: Approx. 2 hours southwest of Brisbane
Price: $18/ night per adult; $10/night for kids; $10 car pass; $32 4WD
Gordon Country Campgrounds takes you to a relaxing rural retreat into the Queensland countryside in Goomburra Valley. It’s a great place to let your fur babies roam free during the day.
The campground is an eco-tourism and farming site set on a 4,000-acre property just 2 hours away from Brisbane. You can bring your own tent for camping or you can book their glamping accommodations, cabins, or cottages.
The area is also perfectly located near the Main Range National Park which is a heritage-listed site that forms part of the Gondwana Rainforests. It also sits on the border of the Great Dividing Range mountains.
So there are a lot of hiking trails to tackle for all fitness (or furry-ness) levels and other activities like 4WD, birdwatching, swimming, and activities for kids!
Pet Policy:
- Dogs are allowed to stay on the decks of cabins and glampers but aren’t allowed inside or on furniture. Penalty cleaning fees will apply ($250).
- Dogs are free to roam without a leash during the day as long as they are well-behaved. They should be on a leash at night.
- Must have updated vaccinations.
Pro Tip:
- Firewood and other supplies can be purchased from their shop upon arrival. You can also collect fallen timber for free.
- Bring enough trash bags for your rubbish as there are only a few designated sites for garbage disposal. The campgrounds should be treated like a national park and campers will be fined if any trash is found in their area.
Murphy’s Creek Escape, Lockyer Valley
Website: https://www.murphyscreekescape.com.au/
Location: 356 Thomas Rd, Upper Lockyer QLD 4352
Contact: [email protected] / (07) 4630 5353
Travel Time: Approx. 1.5 hours west of Brisbane
Price: $14/night for adults; $7/night for kids (unpowered sites)
Another relaxing escape to the countryside, Murphy’s Creek Escape is an awesome place to bring your furry mates! While your dogs should be on a leash at all times, it’s great that they have a dog yard where you can let your pups run free!
The campground is complete with basic amenities, plus, they have loads of activities for the whole family especially for kids and kids-at-heart. Some of the activities include archery, horseback riding, hiking, birdwatching, swimming, and more!
There are bushwalking trails that are easily accessible from the property as well including the State Forest and Lockyer National Park.
Pet Policy:
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
- Take note of areas in the campsite where dogs aren’t allowed: reception, BBQ areas, amenity blocks, swimming hole, bird feeding area.
- Your dogs must be registered upon arrival at the reception area, fees apply.
- Other small pets like cats, rabbits, etc. are also allowed without charge but must be registered at reception.
Pro Tip:
- If you wish to explore other areas with bushwalking trails, the following parks are just nearby: Redwood Park, Crows Nest National Park, Table Top, Jubilee Park, Ravensbourne National Park.
Minjerribah Camping, North Stradbroke Island
Website: https://minjerribahcamping.com.au/
Location: North Stradbroke Island QLD 4183
Contact: [email protected] / (07) 3059 4042
Travel Time: Approx. 3 hours with ferry ride
Price: $36/night per campsite (2 people)
Let your pups get a taste of the island life at Minjerribah Camping on North Stradbroke Island!
Catch the sunrise with your best bud, take a stroll on the wide stretch of sand, and just let them feel the ocean breeze on their fur (‘cause they deserve the best things in life!).
There are several campgrounds on the island and you can camp with your dogs at Main Beach and Flinders Beach provided that they’re on a leash at all times. But the good news is, there are off-leash areas on the island, too!
You can let your furry friends run free and feel right at home at Home Beach and at Dunwich Skatebowl Park on Barton Street.
Pet Policy:
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
- Only 2 dogs are allowed per campsite.
Pro Tip:
- Take note that only 4WD vehicles, offroad caravans/campers can access Main Beach and Flinders Beach.
- Secure your 4WD vehicle access permit in advance and book your vehicle ferry ticket early as ferry bookings can fill up fast.
- The campgrounds allow cooking fires. Don’t forget to bring your own firewood.
Amamoor Creek Camping Area, Amamoor State Forest
Website: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/amamoor/camping/amamoor-creek
Location: Lot 3 Amamoor Creek Rd, Amamoor Creek QLD 4570
Contact: 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
Travel Time: Approx. 2 hours north of Brisbane
Price: From $11 per person/night
Ready to go off-grid for the weekend? Nestled on the hinterlands of the Sunshine Coast and 16 kilometers from the Amamoor township is Amamoor Creek Camping Area.
Its spacious grassy area beside the creek is your dog’s playground and they can even take a dip and splash around in the water! You can also take your four-legged friends on a hike at the Amamoor trailhead nearby that winds through an open eucalyptus forest.
The Amamoor campgrounds is also home to the Gympie Music Muster, an annual country music festival that features local and international artists. The event happens every last weekend of August so expect the area to be packed during this time.
Pet Policy:
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
Pro Tip:
- Before heading to the camping area, you’ll pass by the township of Amamoor, a lovely little rural town where you can stop by for food and supplies.
- Bring your own water as there’s no drinking water available at the campsite.
S.S. Dorrigo Campground, Inskip Point
Image Source: Queensland Government
Website: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/inskip-peninsula/camping/ss-dorrigo
Location: Inskip Point Rd, Inskip QLD 4581
Contact: 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
Travel Time: Approx. 3.5 hours north of Brisbane
Price: From $6.15 per person/night
S.S. Dorrigo Campground is another beach paradise your canine companions would surely love!
Situated on the Inskip Peninsula, this campground has six camping areas where you can set up your tents on a first come, first pitch basis. So you’re free to set up anywhere in the area, just book your slot online and secure your camping permit.
You can take your 4WD vehicle and set up camp by the beach or you can also take any 2WD vehicle and pitch your tent on the grassy areas.
Take your pup to the surf beach near the campgrounds if you want to chase the waves or you can also go for a refreshing dip in the calm waters of Pelican Bay.
Pet Policy:
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.
Pro Tip:
- Bring water to the campsite as there’s no drinking water available. You can refill your water containers at the nearest council service facility on Clarkson Drive.
- Take note that there are no showers at the campsite.
Other Dog-friendly Campgrounds Near Brisbane
- Goomburra Valley Campground, approx. 2 hours, 20 minutes southwest
- Flanagan Reserve, approx. 1 hour, 45 minutes southwest
- Ingenia Holidays Noosa, approx. 2 hours north
- Neurum Creek Bush Retreat, approx. 1.5 hours northwest
- Kookaburra Park, approx. 2 hours northwest
- Sandy Creek Camping – approx. 2 hours north
- Benarkin State Forest – approx. 2 hours south
Things to Consider When Camping with Dogs
Bringing your fur babies to your camping trips is truly exciting and memorable for both you and your best bud! It’s an experience that you and your family will forever treasure, keeping your bond stronger and filling your days with adventure!
Of course, bringing your dog means you have to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, especially in an unfamiliar place!
Here are some things to consider when bringing your four-legged friends camping:
Never Leave your Dog Unattended
This is standard pooch procedure – never leave your dogs alone! But if you really need to, keep them on a leash and within sight!
Most campgrounds also require dogs to be on a leash at all times, so keep your dogs safe and secure with you wherever you go.
Always Clean Up After Your Dog
Let’s be responsible dog owners and never leave doggy waste anywhere. Make sure to pack disposable bags for your camping trip.
Pack Food and Water
Don’t forget your dog’s food and water! Make sure to pack enough supplies for the duration of the trip as well as their portable food and water dish.
Ensure Vaccinations are Up to Date
Some campgrounds require dogs to have updated flea and tick prevention vaccines. But even when it’s not required, your pups should get regular shots to keep them safe from any health risks.
Bring Dog Shampoo
Being outdoors means “ruff”-ing it out and getting a little dirty. So make sure you bring shampoo for your dog so you can give them a proper bath before heading home.
Pack Your Dog’s Favorite Toys
When you take your dog camping, the whole world is their playground! But it would also be nice to pack their favorite toy to keep them entertained.
Be Considerate of Other Campers
Keep your dog calm, quiet, and under control at all times to avoid disturbing other campers especially at night.
