Camping, Caravan & RV Sites

Lake Paluma camping

Lake Paluma is nestled among world heritage-listed wet tropics rainforest. Access to the lake is via a 12 kilometre gravel road from the township of Paluma. Lake Paluma is a popular camping destination.

There are a limited number of camp sites available and you must have a pre-paid permit. Without a pre-paid permit you are not guaranteed a camp site. Council Rangers patrol the area daily. People who camp without a permit can be fined. Camp sites must be vacated by midday on the day of departure. Schools and large groups are encouraged to use Magar Yamba, the large group camping area.

For more information about Lake Paluma camping, visit our Lake Paluma page.

Magnetic Island camping

Magnetic Island is within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Help us protest this significant natural wonder by camping in designated campgrounds.

No camping or occupying a parked vehicle overnight including caravans, campervans, placement of temporary structures / shelters or tents on local government controlled area or roads on Magnetic Island.

It is illegal to camp overnight or occupy a vehicle overnight^ in Local Government controlled areas, which include but are not limited to:

• road verges
• next to a road
• in a car park
• in a park
• on a beach.

Illegal camping can negatively impact the community. Threats can include public safety issues, litter, and damage to protected environmental areas such as harming fragile ecosystems or contributing to soil erosion. It’s important to preserve the natural beauty of Magnetic Island.

What if I camp on a road, in a park or by the beach?

Council officers conduct regular patrols and respond to complaints of illegal camping across the region. If you camp overnight in a non-camping area (on a road, park or beach), you may be issued with a penalty infringement notice.

Penalty Infringement amount exceeds $300.

How can I report illegal camping?

Illegal camping is a significant issue from both an amenity and a compliance perspective.

If you see someone camping illegally you can report it by calling or emailing our customer service team.

To learn where you can camp legally on Magnetic Island or in the Townsville region:

• Talk to your camper van hire company, Townsville Visitor Information Centre or local Magnetic Island businesses.
• To ensure all camping visitors to Townsville City have a comfortable stay, Council has adopted a policy for camping on public reserves. To book your campsite visit - Bookable

_{^Camping under the local laws:}

_{Camping, at a place –}

_{(a) means physically occupying the place, whether in a caravan, motorhome, motor vehicle, tent, swag or otherwise for 3 hours or more on any day after 9.00pm but before 7.00am; and}

_{(b) for the purpose of determining whether a place is physically occupied by a person, a minor interruption to the physical occupation of the place by the person is to be disregarded; but}

_{(c) does not include the parking of a motor vehicle by a person at the place if the person leaves the motor vehicle unattended at the place.}

• Magnetic Island Camping Factsheet (PDF, 672.6 KB)

Wastewater Dump Locations

Caravanners who do not stay in caravan parks for the entirety of their holiday may need to access public dump points during the trip to dispose of grey and black water, as well as sewage
waste. Visiting a dump point is the most environmentally friendly method of emptying waste from a caravan.
Below is a list of available locations within the Townsville region.

Bluewater Park

29km North of Townsville on the Bruce Highway
GPS: 191033 S 1463305 E
A Dump-Ezy sewage dump point with a water hose (unpotable water) is located about half way along the camping area.

Balgal Beach

Tooth Street, Balgal Beach
GPS: 190035 S 1462418 E
A Dump-Ezy sewerage dump point is located beside the public toilet block.

Bushy Parker Park

53km North of Townsville turn off the Bruce Highway (just after Rollingstone BP) Rollingstone Road, cross over the railway track and drive about 2km.
GPS: 190243 S 1462339 E
A Dump-Ezy sewerage dump point, with a water tap for rinsing, is located near the toilets.
Open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Ross River Dam Park

Riverway Drive, Kelso
GPS: 19 24 27 S 146 44 00 E
Cassette Only, Dump Point Public, Length Limit > 11m
Left Hand Side of Bitumen Side Road
Open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Camping rules

In order to protect the comfort of local residents and other visitors it is asked that all campers keep their site clean and tidy and not behave in an unruly manner.

Please do not set up your camp (whether in a campervan or tent) in a way that restricts public use or access to any fixture of fittings. This includes any structure, pole, gazebo, barbeque, fence, tap, table, seat, etc. which has been provided for the use and enjoyment of all.

The maximum number of stays at any of these sites is once per week. Council officers routinely visit camping areas to check on how long people have stayed. If it is found that campers are not complying with this policy campers will be asked to move on. Those who do not comply may be evicted from the camping area.

Dogs are allowed at Council’s Designated Camping Areas however they must remain leashed at all times.  The dog/s owner/keeper is responsible for the removal of any animal waste and to ensure the animal does not cause a nuisance to other campers.

Visit the Lake Paluma page for rules governing camping at Lake Paluma.