One of the best things about camping is that you can take your best furry friend along with you! dog’s love camping, it’s a fact. There is no shortage of dog-friendly camping on the Sunshine Coast, where you can go to park the camper or caravan or pitch the tent and take your best four-legged companion along with you. We’ve compiled this handy list of nineteen great spots, so you know where to go!
Both you and your dog will love setting up riverside in Bli Bli, right next to the stunning Maroochy River. Riverside Caravan Village offers both powered and unpowered sites and cabins and has no high season, so the rates are always very affordable. It is located in a central position between the beaches, markets, and great sightseeing spots and has boat ramps and even free wi-fi for those who don’t want to go too off the grid. There is also a 24-hour service station at the entrance for those who like to hit the road early.
Bluff Creek is a small scale campground perfect for those who like tranquility and privacy. That being said, there is still plenty to do there! The surrounding villages offer markets, artisans and producers which make for great day trips, or you can enjoy the bushland surrounds and peace within the campsite. The campsites range in sizes for couples to larger groups, and they are all located on a beautiful clear creek which offers plenty of swimming holes. View the rolling hills or take a small boat ride on the Mary River, either way, you and your pooch will enjoy a very relaxing stay.
This spot is excellent for nature lovers as you will be camping in natural bushland on the shore of Lake Cootharaba. As the largest lake on the Noosa River, Lake Cootharaba is one of the most pristine natural areas on the Sunshine Coast. Boreen Point offers direct access to the shallow waters of the lake but keep in mind the foreshore area is strictly dedicated only to tent camping, so no boats or caravans are allowed. There are plenty of powered sites suitable for small caravans however and pets are allowed, but you’ll need to fill out a dog application form prior to arrival.
This family owned and operated caravan and campground is situated in the Mary Valley on the beautiful Yabba Creek. Pets are allowed however there is a charge of $3 per pet, per day and a $50 bond. They are also not allowed to camp down by the creek, or inside the cabins and on-site caravans.
There are plenty of things to do at Yabba Creek which is in the heart of Borumba Deer Park such as kayaking, a playground for the kids, and group camp activities like a giant tug-o-war! The creek runs all the way through the park, offering creek-side camping, and large areas for open access.
Cobb & Co offers fifty lush acres situated on the Six Mile Creek just on the edge of the Sunshine Coast and Cooloola Coast. It offers luxury and standard camping options and is not only great for pets but also the kids.
It offers a huge pirate ship playground with a fort and slides, a flying fox, BMX track and has walking tracks and a billabong for kayaks for Mum and Dad. There is also extra activities on during school holidays via the site’s Holiday Happenings schedule.
Coolum Beach is perfect for lovers of the surf, and you can position yourself and your dog with beach frontage at the Coolum Beach Holiday Park. The sites have direct access to the beach, and is located right next to the Surf Club.
Set on ten acres of beachfront land you can also walk to shops and restaurants, or along the headland boardwalk. There are designated bike paths, golf courses, and Mt Coolum, is the perfect place for a long walk with the dog.
BIG4 Forest Glen Holiday Park is a short drive west of Maroochydore and offers beautiful gardens and activities for the whole family. The beach and Sunshine Coast Hinterland are nearby as is Australia Zoo and the Eumundi markets.
There are powered and unpowered sites as well as villas available. Park facilities include a heated pool with a waterslide, mini golf, tennis courts, an outdoor and indoor theatre, and a bouncing cushion for the kids. There is also a Tibetan Restaurant on site for when the camping stove runs out of gas.
Golden Beach Holiday Park is well positioned as a short drive to a range of Sunshine Coast and Hinterland Attractions. With just a 100 metre stroll to the Beach, and a short walk to local Shops, restaurants, and the Power Boat Club there is plenty of day trip options available. The site is also 2.4 kilometres from the main street of Caloundra and less than an hour’s drive from Brisbane.
Caloundra is an excellent option for camping as it is the gateway to the Sunshine Coast. With some of the most beautiful beaches in Australia and of course the picturesque hinterland, you’ll want to have the camera with you at all times.
Imbil Camping Retreat recently reopened in June 2018 and offers twelve acres of shaded parklands suitable for a range of campground sizes. There are some magnificent wide open spaces that your dog will love here!
Offering powered and unpowered sites, amenities blocks with hot showers and toilets, sheltered camp kitchens with picnic tables and free gas barbeques everything you need is close by. Set alongside Yabba Creek, Imbil Camping Retreat offers swimming and canoeing with the rest of the beautiful Mary Valley right at the front door.
A working dairy farm, Kenilworth is situated along the Mary River. The river is home to a colony of platypus in the particular section of the campground, so if you are an early riser, and are quiet, you may see some!
It is also home to the unique Mary River Lungfish, but keep in mind they are protected and must be left alone. The small township of Kenilworth is also a quick trip up the road.
For something a little different, Kenilworth Homestead is an outdoor education, family camping, and function centre. It sits right on the bank of the Mary River just outside of the township of Kenilworth.
It is pet-friendly, and camping, caravan, and camper are all welcome. There is a small number of powered sites but loads of unpowered sites. You can also stay in one of their vintage caravans which offer a unique getaway for couples or families with small children in the setting of the 50s and 60s.
For dog friendly camping, Sunshine Coast residents love Neurum Creek Bush Retreat and Campground and its beautiful camping sites in South East Queensland, bordering the Mt Mee state forest.
Less than 75 minutes from Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast the sites are close to Lake Somerset and the Stanley River as well as the township of Woodford. You may have heard of the well-known Woodford Folk Festival which takes place fifteen minutes away from the campground, so beware of that time of year because it’s jam-packed.
This one is for both dog and golf lovers as Noosa North Shore Retreat is Noosa’s first 18 Hole Putt Putt Golf Course. It also features Battlefield Laser Tag and Indoor Barefoot Bowls along with their famous giant jumping pillow and indoor rock climbing wall. Needless to say, there is plenty to keep you busy here.
Twenty-minutes from Noosa Heads, the Noosa North Shore Retreat also offers tennis and swimming plus you can kayak on Lake Cooroibah, plus the magnificent Noosa North Shore Beach is only one kilometre away!
Just in between Mudjimba Surf Beach and the Maroochy River, you can find the tranquil Mudjimba Beach Holiday Park. With loads of walking tracks, bike paths and great surfing spots, this park has everything you’ll need.
Dogs are allowed on application, and it features 175 powered tourist caravan sites and 29 unpowered tent sites. If you end up craving some modern society, you can do a spot of shopping at the Sunshine Plaza Shopping Centre or visit the Mudjimba RSL club for an afternoon drink.
If you have a pooch that is used to the high-life, then Rivershore Resort is the spot to go. You can do a spot of glamping in the glamorous safari tents which are located in a prime position surrounded by the beautiful Maroochy River.
There are options for those with caravans or standard tents as well with 70 spacious camping or caravan sites as well as the 15 luxury safari tents. There is a magnificent pool with some pretty intense water slides for a bit of fun and of course, the tranquility that the Maroochy River provides.
This family-run campground sits in the hilly countryside behind Kilcoy with sites spread out over acres of beautiful green lawns. Roughly one hour’s drive from Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, the shade trees in this forest retreat are the perfect way to get away for a weekend or longer.
There is plenty of wildlife including wallabies, red deer, and king parrots, and you can visit the rock pools for a swim or excellent picnic spot. Take note; this is not a large campsite, which is part of the appeal, so you’ll have to book ahead. There is a flat terraced area for caravans and motorhomes which also requires a booking to reserve your space.
The Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area is not a caravan park, but an established site within the specific areas bordered by the tree line. This is a more free-range experience however camping permits are required. There are toilets at the four camping areas, and it is the perfect spot for the true beach camping experience, all within 15 minutes drive of Rainbow Beach.
It is important to note however that individual sites cannot be booked, and the area operates on a ‘first in, best placed’ method. That being said, there is plenty of space so finding yourself a nice spot by the water shouldn’t be too hard!
Located about 180km north of Brisbane or inland from the Sunshine Coast, the Amamoor State Forest is 20km south-west of Gympie along the Amamoor Creek Road. This is the quintessential forest camping experience that your pooch will love, as there is plenty of walking trails to explore.
Made up of dry forests, riverine rainforests, and hoop and bunya pine plantations there are plenty of camping areas and short walking trails to make for a great (and cheap) little getaway.
Tin Can Bay Tourist Park on the beautiful Cooloola Coast is the perfect balance between beach and bush with modern facilities and a short walk from shops, cafes, restaurants, and the foreshore.
You may also be lucky enough to meet some rare Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins and a great day trip is the local markets that take place on every third Saturday of the month. About two-and-a-half hours drive north of Brisbane, Tin Can Bay is great for those with boats and the World Heritage Fraser Island is just minutes away.
So there you have some of the best places to take your dog for a getaway along the sunshine coast. Don’t forget to pack a leash and collar and plenty of poop bags and extra water for your pup if you are heading out in the hotter months.
If you are heading out with your caravan, chat to AllBrand Caravan Services, we offer repairs and servicing for caravans, campers, trailers, boats, and vehicles. We can make sure you are ready to travel safely and have all of the latest equipment so you and your best furry pal can hit the road and enjoy your getaway!
