The QLD beach camp you need right now

There’s a beach camp in South-East Queensland that’s calling you this weekend. It’s close to Brisbane, has million-dollar waterfront views, but is dirt cheap. And it’s not K’gari (Fraser Island).

Welcome to Teewah Beach, an idyllic coastal campground a stone’s throw from Noosa, but light years away from bustling Hastings Street. Brisbane and Sunshine Coast campers may have been keeping this patch of paradise to themselves for years, but the secret’s out…

Is this Queensland’s best beach camp

Teewah Beach is tucked within the Great Sandy National Park between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach on the Sunshine Coast. There are seven beach camping zones along a 14km swathe of golden sand that forms part of the Cooloola Recreation Area.

While Teewah is tantalisingly close to Brisbane (about 2.5 hours’ drive), this campground is accessible to 4WDs only, filtering out all but the most adventurous campers. Even so, it can look like Bondi on Australia Day on long weekends, so you’ll want to beat the crowds. Better still, get here midweek during winter and you just might have the beach to yourself. Cue whales breaching out to sea and nights falling asleep to the sound of waves.

Whatever time of year you go, you can hope to see dolphins cruising in the shallows. Spend your days swimming, fishing, taking long strolls on the beach, or simply prop in the shade of the she-oaks with a good book. Drive up to Double Island Point and check out the lighthouse, boasting spectacular views of the coastline, before continuing on to Rainbow Beach. Snap a selfie at the Coloured Sands; the mineral-rich cliffs dazzle in 70 shades of yellow, brown and red, and gaze out to the southern tip of K’gari.

Getting here

Teewah Beach is about 155km north of Brisbane. Driving from the south, you will need to catch the ferry across the Noosa River at Tewantin to Noosa North Shore (cost $60 return for a car and caravan, $30 for a motorhome). From here, air down and take the Cooloola Beach Drive to the campground.

Coming from the north, you can either take the Cooloola Beach Drive from Rainbow Beach, or follow the inland Freshwater Rd track. You must have a high-clearance 4WD and a vehicle access permit. Beach driving is best tackled within two hours either side of high tide. If towing a caravan or camper trailer, make sure they are up to the task of sand driving and only drive at low tide when the sand is compacted.

Setting up camp

The seven camping zones are set behind the foredunes and offer some wind protection. There are no designated sites, but campers are encouraged to stick to the existing tracks and camp within the defined camping areas. Book your permit through the Queensland National Parks booking portal and take your pick of sites on arrival. A site will set you back $14.50 a night per couple or $29 for a family.

Campers must be self-contained as there are no facilities here. A portable toilet is essential, and generators are permitted. No pets or campfires are allowed. The nearest dump point is at the Freshwater camping area, just inland at the northern end of the beach. Here, you will also find toilets, skip bins, cold showers and an untreated water tap. If you run out of essentials, a man sometimes drives up and down the beach on weekends selling ice and the basics.

There’s no phone reception at Teewah Beach, so take this as an opportunity to disconnect from the modern world. If you must be online, don’t forget the Starlink.

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