Drive on in! Queensland’s best budget caravan parks for less than $50 a night
A good holiday doesn’t have to be an expensive feat – with a range of beachside, rainforest and country options, these Qld caravan parks offer a budget-friendly getaway the whole family will enjoy.
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Swimming in the park pool, riding your bike to the corner shop and relaxing by the camp kitchen barbecue.
Caravan park holidays are a nostalgic, relaxed and budget-friendly holiday option everyone can enjoy.
Whether you prefer to be beachside, surrounded by Australian wildlife, or exploring historical country towns, Queensland offers complete diversity with beaches, rural towns and rainforests.
More visitors are coming to Queensland more than ever before, with the latest data from Tourism Research Australia showing holiday visitation is 12.6 per cent higher than pre-Covid levels in 2019.
All Queensland regions except one reached record overnight visitor expenditure levels in the year ending March 2023, with the Gold Coast welcoming a record number of 4.2m visitors.
With so much demand for a holiday experience in Queensland, caravan parks are an great way to explore the Sunshine State.
And while budget-friendly holidays are becoming more and more the stuff of dreams, caravan parks are an affordable option that can make the perfect getaway.
For less than $50 a night for a powered site, here are some of Queensland’s best budget-friendly caravan parks, with options for couples, adults, pets and the whole family.
NEAR PORT DOUGLAS
Tropic Breeze Caravan Park, Port Douglas
Located in the heart of Port Douglas and just 150 metres from Four Mile Beach, Tropic Breeze Caravan Park is a highly rated holiday destination, well-loved by guests for its central location, clean amenities and great price.
Situated between the Daintree National Park and The Great Barrier Reef, the resort offers powered sites from $45 a night with access to a neat amenities block, a pool, well-equipped camp kitchen, coin-operated laundry and tourist information centre.
A short walk from local attractions like the Flagstaff Hill Lighthouse and Trinity Bay Lookout, weekend guests can also enjoy the Saturday Mossman Markets and Sunday Port Douglas Markets, selling local produce, fruit and vegetable as well as locally made art, jewellery, pottery and souvenirs.
While the caravan park does not offer free Wi-Fi, it boasts an unbeatable coastal location enjoyed by children and adults alike.
NEAR CAIRNS
NRMA Cairns Holiday Park, Manunda
One of NRMA’s most well-priced holiday park accommodation options, this Cairns caravan park is adequately located in the heart of Cairns, just a few minutes from local shops, cafes and restaurants and nearby the best of Cairns’ tourist attractions including the nearby Cairns Botanic Gardens.
Prices start from $43 a night for a powered site, including free-Wi-Fi and access to the park’s many amenities including its picturesque tropical gardens, handy kiosk, saltwater pool, internet cafe, camp kitchen and various BBQ areas.
The pet-friendly park has been well reviewed by hundreds for its cleanliness and value, with a major highlight being it is only one of few parks in close proximity to the main CBD.
In a prime location near the Great Barrier Reef and the many other sites of Tropical North Queensland, this caravan park is well-suited for travellers who don’t mind the bustle of city life and have location as their top travelling priority.
Tasman Holiday Parks Cairns Cool Waters, Brinsmead
Just a 10 minute drive north west from the Cairns CBD, Tasman Holiday Parks Cairns Cool Waters Resort is a tropical escape for those wanting to get the most out of Tropical North Queensland, the campsite equipped with its very own turtle sanctuary and a creek that runs adjacent to the property.
Awarded a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award in 2022, Cairns Cool Waters is surrounded by green tropics and features beautiful greenery throughout as well as a BBQ gazebo, pool and spa, free Wi-Fi, camp kitchen and an indoor recreation room for those rainy Queensland days.
From $40 a night for a powered site, the park is 10 minutes from the beach and from local tourist attractions like the Skyrail Rainforest Cableway.
Rated well on location, cleanliness and value, this holiday spot is commended on its location among the rainforests, allowing guests to explore the nearby parks, wildlife and nature.
NEAR ATHERTON
Tolga Caravan Park, Tolga
Just five minutes from Atherton is Tolga Caravan Park, a small town holiday spot nearby the historic World War II Rocky Creek Memorial Park and Crystal Caves tourist attraction.
Starting at a bargain $30 per night for a powered site, Tolga Caravan Park comes with all the essential amenities, including a neat and tidy bathroom block, a playground, pool table, a fire pit cutely shaped like a Kombi van, and an on site convenience store.
Neighbouring a sports complex, the site comes with free access to outdoor fitness equipment, a tennis court and BBQ areas, and is perfect for nature-lovers who can explore the waterfalls at the nearby Emerald Creek Falls or the rainforest at Barney’s Springs.
With bush walks and bike tracks to the main town, this caravan park is located in a quiet spot 100 metres from the main Kennedy Hwy and also offers cheap cabin accommodation starting at $90 per night.
Lake Eacham Tourist Park, Lake Eacham
Incredibly priced with powered sites starting at $35 a night, and cabins from $109 per night, Lake Eacham Tourist Park is a secluded spot in the Tablelands Region, perfect for holiday-goers looking to immerse themselves in nature.
Offering unique on-site experiences like a duck pond, an open camp fire and access to the 50ha rainwater lake, the caravan park also houses its own on-site cafe that doubles as an art gallery, showcasing the best in local and state talent.
With a focus on green space, this traditional caravan experience is a small, quiet and peaceful experience, ideal for those who prefer the rainforest and Australian wildlife over sandy beaches.
NEAR TOWNSVILLE
Dalrymple Tourist Van Park, Toll
Situated in the rural town of Toll, Dalrymple Tourist Van Park is a family-owned and operated business offering a welcoming and well-priced accommodation option to explore the historic Charters Towers, from the old gold factories to the ‘haunted’ Royal Private Hotel.
Just 90 minutes northwest of Townsville, this cosy holiday park offers guests free Wi-Fi, access to a camp kitchen, a resort-style pool, fire pit, and a quaint vegetable garden with chickens where visitors can enjoy fresh herbs and free range eggs for brekkie.
Neighbouring the Charters Towers Golf Course, this highly regarded caravan park has hundreds of five star reviews, with prices for their grass and slab powered sites starting at $40 a night, with their queen-sized cabins available from $125 per night.
Coral Coast Tourist Park, Mount St John
The perfect spot to explore the coastal city of Townsville, Coral Coast Tourist Park is centrally located and offers a range of shady powered caravan sites from just $49 a night.
Equipped with a TV room with Foxtel, a library with a wide range of books, a saltwater pool, camp kitchen and tidy amenities block, this Townsville caravan park is pet-friendly and also offers cheap cabin accommodation, with a family cabin starting at $125 a night.
A clean and quiet spot, the park is only a short drive from Townsville’s best attractions, including their wide array of museums, and the Breakwater Terminal where you can catch a ferry to the picturesque Magnetic Island.
NEAR WHITSUNDAYS/MACKAY
Bowen Palms Caravan Park, Bowen
One of the most affordable caravan parks in the area, Bowen Palms Caravan Park offers powered sites from just $35 a night in a convenient location along the Bruce Hwy, less than five minutes from the Bowen town centre.
A two-hour drive north from Mackay, this 10-acre park comes with all the amenities you’d desire in a caravan park, including a handy camp kitchen, an on-site pool, BBQ facilities, a fire pit, a clean amenities block and coin-operated washers and dryers.
This pet-friendly holiday spot is perfect for small town lovers looking to fish, swim and discover the Whitsundays region, with plenty of local landmarks including The Big Mango, Airlie Beach and Horseshoe Bay.
Bucasia Beachfront Caravan Resort, Bucasia
Only 20-minutes north of the Mackay CBD, Bucasia Beachfront Caravan Resort truly lives up to its name, situated in an unbeatable location, with the beautiful white sands of Bucasia Beach at your toes.
Located next to a boat ramp with useful trailer parking, this coastal caravan park is ideal for lovers of fishing, boating, swimming and relaxing on the sand, with uninterrupted views of the nearby Brampton, Keswick and St Bees Islands.
Situated near an off-leash dog park and a children’s playground, the whole family will adore this beachside destination, which comes with a pool, BBQ area and a daily Happy Hour from 5:00pm to 6:00pm that the adults will love.
With powered site prices starting from $35 per night, guests are also given the option of staying at beachfront site at a still affordable $45 per night.
BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort, Airlie Beach
One of the state’s most awarded caravan and tourism parks, BIG4 Adventure Whitsunday Resort in Airlie Beach is a multi-award winning holiday destination that offers fun for families both big and small.
A premium resort, the accommodation option comes with an array of facilities including a 13-slide water park, 32-metre lagoon-style pool, giant jumping pillow, tennis court, outdoor cinema, exercise classes, animal park and more.
Awarded for its accessibility, the resort is also home to an autism sensory room, designed as part of the Reilly Room Project which comes with hammocks, lamps, weighted blankets, cushions, books and sensory toy boxes.
Covering 26 acres, the resort is 4.5km from the main street of Airlie Beach and just a few minutes to the nearby Cannonvale Beach.
With hundreds of five star reviews across Google and TripAdvisor, this family-friendly resort offers powered sites from $45 per night.
NEAR ROCKHAMPTON
Island View Caravan Park, Kinka Beach
Just 40 minutes from Rockhampton and 20 minutes from the coastal towns of Yeppoon and Keppel Sands, Island View Caravan Park is a family-friendly experience that offers facilities and activities for couples, parents and kids to enjoy.
Equipped with a family and adult-only pool, multiple amenities blocks and various outdoor BBQ areas, this pet-friendly park won TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence three years in a row from 2017 to 2019 for its excellent location, clean facilities and value, prices starting at just $42 a night for a powered site.
A family run business, Island View is also wheelchair accessible, offers school holiday activities, a poolside coffee shop and has wildlife roaming around on site like peacocks and brush turkeys.
Situated on the beautiful Capricorn Coast, there’s plenty to do near this relaxed caravan experience, located nearby Koorana Crocodile Farm, Rosslyn Bay Boat Harbour and Great Keppel Island.
The Causeway Caravan Park, Causeway Lake
A budget holiday spot between Yeppoon and Emu Park, The Causeway Caravan Park is a lakeside holiday spot 42km northeast of Rockhampton, with powered sites starting at $40 per night and their budget cabins priced from $80 per night.
Boating and fishing fans will love the park’s proximity to Mulambin Creek and the local boat ramp, with The Causeway area known to be a great fishing spot for flathead, bream and salmon.
A classic old-school caravan experience, the park offers lake frontage, is located conveniently near a corner store and is only minutes from the nearby Pinnacle Point Beach and Mulambin Beach.
While some of the facilities might need a bit of an upgrade, visitors have left fantastic reviews about the park’s friendly management, gorgeous lake views and value for money.
NEAR BUNDABERG
Bundaberg East Cabin & Tourist Park, Bundaberg East
Centrally located in the Bundaberg CBD, this caravan park is a well-regarded spot by couples, families and solo travellers alike.
Featuring basic facilities like a camp kitchen, amenities blocks and a laundry, the park also comes with additional features including a library, a playground with a nighttime fairy garden, a gated pool and various shaded picnic areas.
Set across five acres of tropical gardens, this pet-friendly accommodation option is ideal for travellers wanting to discover the historic town of Bundaberg , whether you want to explore the Coral Coast or visit the iconic Bundaberg Rum Distillery and Brewery.
Powered sites at Bundaberg East Cabin & Tourist Park start at only $40 a night.
Elliott Heads Holiday Park, Elliott Heads
A quiet and secluded location, Elliott Heads Holiday Park is a beachside caravan park with absolute beachfront access, only 15 minutes east of the Bundaberg CBD.
A popular spot for kitesurfing, snorkelling and fishing, the park is directly located on the Elliot Heads coastline, neighbouring a nearby park, coffee shop and coastal walk.
From just $43 a night for a powered site, the holiday park features near-new modern facilities, with a contemporary camp kitchen and a clean amenities block.
While the holiday spot does not welcome pets, this budget-friendly park is nearby some of Bundaberg’s best local attractions, just a quick drive from the Tinaberries strawberry farm and the Mon Repos Turtle Centre, with the relaxing Elliot Heads Rockpool just a quick stroll away.
NEAR SUNSHINE COAST
Poona Palms Holiday Park, Poona
Located an hour and 45 minutes north of the Sunshine Coast, Poona Palms Holiday Park is a secluded beachside getaway with coastal views of the neighbouring Fraser Island.
An ideal destination for lovers of fishing, this caravan friendly park is 30 minutes from Maryborough and 45 minutes to Hervey Bay in the coastal town of Poona with boating access to the Great Sandy Strait.
Perfect for visitors looking to escape the city, Poona Palms is a pet-friendly resort that comes with a kiosk, laundry, camp kitchen, beachfront playground, local tennis and basketball courts, an off-leash dog area and a pool with a water slide.
With powered sites starting at $45 a night, the park also has its own cafe and bar where guests can enjoy fish and chips, pizza, wine and beer while watching the sunset on the horizon.
Cotton Tree Holiday Park, Maroochydore
Well regarded for its excellent location on Maroochydore Beach, Cotton Tree Holiday Park is a heritage-listed site, perfectly located along the Sunshine Coast, nearby the Maroochy River, Sunshine Plaza Shopping Centre and local shops, restaurants and RSLs.
Offering an ultimate beachside location, the park boasts five amenity buildings, free Wi-Fi and powered sites from $46 per night, with 24 absolute waterfront sites looking over the beach.
Perfectly located for fans of fishing and swimming, this no-pet caravan park is only a short stroll from Maroochydore RSL and Maroochydore Surf Club.
NEAR BRISBANE
Esk Caravan Park, Esk
Kids and adults alike with love Esk Caravan Park, a holiday stay just 50 minutes northwest of Ipswich that offers powered sites starting at just $50 a night.
Located in the historic rural town of Esk known for its country markets and landmark railway station, Esk Caravan Park offers a plethora of facilities, including two camp kitchens, pizza ovens, undercover communal entertainment areas, live music Saturdays, a book swap library and two heated pools, one of which is adults only.
For those with room to splurge, the caravan park also offers luxurious Queen-sized glamping tents that come with stylish interior design, moody lights, a private kitchenette, lounge area and a second Queen-sized nook starting at $259 a night.
With a variety of great accommodation options at a range of prices, Esk Caravan Park offers above-and-beyond memorable experiences, including daily lorikeet feedings, monthly gourmet barbecue days, arts and craft exhibits and a picturesque landscape of mountain ranges and Queensland wildlife.
Boasting hundreds of five star reviews across Google and TripAdvisor, Esk Caravan Park is also pet friendly.
Galaxy Caravan Park, Tanah Merah
Family owned since 1974, Galaxy Caravan Park is a traditional, old-school holiday destination in the Logan suburb of Tanah Merah, run by the same family for three generations, offering guests a cosy and comfortable stay halfway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Conveniently situated opposite the Loganholme Hyperdome, Galaxy Caravan Park is a pet-friendly site that comes with everything you need for caravan travel, a pool, an amenities block and a central location nearby local attractions like the Daisy Hill Koala Centre and Tamborine National Park.
With prices for a powered site starting at $39 a night and $115 for cabins, visitors have left brilliant reviews for the park’s value, cleanliness and location, but above all, on the management team’s friendliness.
NEAR THE GOLD COAST
Nobby Beach Holiday Village, Nobby Beach
Marketed as a ‘Gold Coast holiday park to suit every budget’, Nobby Beach Holiday Village is a holiday destination that offers fun for the whole family, with powered sites starting at $50 per night.
A recipient of TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice for three years in a row, the gated family friendly resort offers guests a range of amenities, including a pool with its own giant water slide, free board game and DVD hire, weekly food trucks, school holiday programs and park essentials including an amenities block and camp kitchen.
Located in the centre of Nobby Beach between Mermaid Beach and Miami, this Gold Coast holiday destination is only a short walk from local shops and restaurants, and a quick drive from the famous Dreamworld, Movie World and Wet’n’Wild theme parks.
Kirra Beach Tourist Park, Coolangatta
A multi-award winning park, recognised as a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice in 2023, Kirra Beach Tourist Park is situated on the southern part of the Gold Coast and is praised for its location, family-friendly activities and friendly staff.
Located by the border of NSW and Queensland, the caravan park is within walking distance to Kirra Beach, a popular surfing spot, as well as the famous Snapper Rocks and The Strand shopping centre.
Offering a range of lakefront villas and budget-friendly lodges, powered sites at Kirra Beach Tourist Park start at $49 per night and come with access to park facilities included a heated saltwater pool, recreation and TV room with Foxtel, two amenities blocks, a playground and jumping pillow.
Selected in the Best of Queensland Experiences Program 2023, the pet-friendly park also offers a free dog wash and provides a school holiday program, including an afternoon kids club and a range of activities including tie-dye shirt making, painting, movie nights and laser tag.
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