Rainbow Beach Camping Guide, Queensland
Rainbow Beach is a pristine 23km stretch of sand that attracts thousands of campers each year. One of the few places in Australia where you can legally drive along the beach, Rainbow Beach campers are treated to a stunning natural landscape bursting with colour and life. Swim in the clear warm water, sunbathe on the silky sand or BBQ until your heart’s content - Rainbow Beach is the ideal destination for a family camping holiday or a road trip with friends and is highly popular with anglers across the country.
Rainbow Beach campsites
There are six separate camping areas along Rainbow Beach on the Inskip Point Peninsula. There are no marked campsites and visitors can choose to camp on the beautiful (but sometimes windy) beach or further back in the shady treeline. Dogs are allowed in campsites and on the beach but must remain on a lead and most camping areas have unisex toilet facilities and skip bins located on the exit track.
Camping permits
All campsites on Inskip Point Peninsula require a National Park Camping Permit which can be bought from the Rainbow Beach Tourist Centre, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) office in town or online through the QPWS website. Permits cost $6.60 per person per night (bargain!) and need to be displayed on your vehicle while at the campsite.
Vehicle access
There are two ways to access the campsites on the Inskip Point Peninsula - via the sealed Inskip Point Road or by driving along Rainbow Beach (4WD at low tide only). Inskip Point Road is suitable for both 2WD and 4WD vehicles however the sandy tracks leading into some of the campsites can be quite soft. If you are in a 2WD its best to stick to the campsites with easier access at the far end of Inskip Point but if you get bogged don’t worry, there are always plenty of people around who can tow you out!
The do’s and don'ts of camping on Rainbow Beach
Do:
- Purchase a camping permit before arriving at your campsite - mobile phone coverage is limited in the area and you may not be able to purchase your permit online after you arrive
- Remember to bring enough drinking water for your entire stay
- Display your camping permit clearly on your vehicle
- Swim, surf, paddleboard and fish
- Take plenty of photos!
Don’t:
- Set up camp on or near a track to block the access of others
- Damage the vegetation or sand dunes to create more space for your camp
- Leave rubbish around your campsite
- Play loud music that disrupts your neighbours
- Forget to bring the insect repellent - the mosquitoes and midges can be a nightmare!
If you enjoy the outdoors, you’ll love camping at Rainbow Beach!
