Where to Camp Near Cairns: Top Spots for Motorhome Travellers

Time flies when you're road tripping—our Cairns branch opened back in May 2017, and since then, it's been the starting point for countless unforgettable adventures.

Planning a road trip from our Cairns branch? You’re in luck—Tropical North Queensland is packed with stunning places to park your motorhome and soak in paradise. From beachfront escapes to rainforest hideaways, we’ve rounded up the best camping spots near Cairns to help you unwind, explore, and make the most of your journey.

🌴 Let’s get moving!

1.  NRMA Cairns Holiday Park

📍 Distance from Cruisin’ Cairns Branch: 3.5 km

🚐 Drive Time: Approx. 7 minutes (or roughly one and a half tropical playlists)

Tucked away on Little Street, just a coconut’s throw from central Cairns, this holiday park is the ideal launchpad for your motorhome adventure. Whether you're kicking off a coastal odyssey or wrapping up your outback escape, NRMA Cairns Holiday Park offers that sweet spot between city convenience and relaxed campground charm.

Address: 12-30 Little St, Manunda QLD 4870

🌟 Highlights:

• Splash into holiday mode with a well-maintained in-ground pool—essential in Far North Queensland, where the humidity is… high.
• Need ideas for tomorrow’s adventure? Their on-site tour desk is ready to help you plan reef dives, rainforest hikes, or lazy days under palm trees. They know where the crocs are... and more importantly, where they aren't.
• The park is a crowd-pleaser for first-timers and seasoned roadies alike. You’ll meet fellow travellers over a cuppa or maybe a cheeky wine at sunset.
• Being so close to Cairns itself, you’ve got supermarkets, coffee spots, night markets, and the famed Esplanade Lagoon all within easy reach.

Image: Cairns Esplanade Lagoon, Tourism and Events Queensland

2.  NRMA Palm Cove Holiday Park

📍 Distance from Cruisin’ Cairns Branch: 26 km

🚐 Drive Time: Approx. 25 minutes (just long enough for a podcast and a pit stop for coffee)

Looking for beachside bliss? Palm Cove Holiday Park is set right by the shore, offering a tropical camping experience with the bonus of cafes, boutiques, and ocean views all within walking distance. It’s a relaxing coastal stop that feels worlds away, yet it’s just a quick drive from Cairns.

Address: 149 Williams Esplanade, Palm Cove QLD 4879

🌟 Highlights:

• Wake up to the sound of waves—this spot is only steps from the beach and Palm Cove jetty.
• Stroll to nearby restaurants and boutique shops for a laid-back afternoon.
• Clean and comfortable facilities including powered and unpowered sites, showers, and a camp kitchen.
• Perfect for fishing, sunset watching, or simply unwinding under the palm trees.

Image: Palm Beach, Tourism and Events Queensland

3.  Bramston Beach Campground

📍 Distance from Cruisin’ Cairns Branch: 85 km south

🚐 Drive Time: Approx. 1 hour 10 minutes (ideal for cruising with the windows down and the ocean on your mind)

If you’re dreaming of peaceful beachfront camping away from the crowds, Bramston Beach is your go-to spot. This laid-back campground is all about simplicity, sea breezes, and starry nights right by the Coral Sea. It’s also a great spot for fishing!

Address: Evans Rd, Bramston Beach QLD 4871

Caretaker Contact: (07) 4067 4121

🌟 Highlights:

• Beachfront location perfect for sunrise strolls and sunset BBQs.
• Cassowary sightings are quite common at Bramston Beach, with many seen in the final section of rainforest just as you arrive at the beach.
• Powered and unpowered sites available to suit all travel setups.
• Facilities include toilets, showers, a laundry area, and BBQ spaces.
• A quiet and relaxed atmosphere, ideal for unwinding and enjoying the natural beauty of the coast.

Image: Bramston Beach, Tourism and Events Queensland, Tourism Tropical North Queensland

4.  Babinda Campgrounds

📍 Distance from Cruisin’ Cairns Branch: 70 km south

🚐 Drive Time: Approx. 60 minutes (a scenic drive through lush sugar cane country)

Nestled at the foot of Queensland’s highest mountain, Babinda is a charming little town with not one, but two fantastic free campgrounds for self-contained motorhomes. It’s a favourite among travellers looking for a peaceful, budget-friendly stay surrounded by rainforest and waterfalls.

Address: Babinda, QLD

🌟 Highlights:

• Choose between The Boulders Campground, near a crystal-clear swimming hole, or Babinda Rotary Park, close to town with hot showers and a dump point.
• Both spots offer unpowered sites and are ideal for short stays in nature.
  Wake up to birdsong and enjoy easy access to swimming, walking trails, and picnic areas.
• A great overnight stop for those heading toward the southern beaches or inland adventures.

Image: Kayaking on Babinda Creek, Tourism and Events Queensland

5.  Tropic Breeze Caravan Park

📍 Distance from Cruisin’ Cairns Branch: 63 km north

🚐 Drive Time: Approx. 1 hour 5 minutes (one stunning coastal drive along the Captain Cook Highway)

Just a short stroll from iconic Four Mile Beach and the heart of Port Douglas, Tropic Breeze Caravan Park is a fantastic spot to soak up that relaxed tropical town vibe. With all the essentials and a friendly atmosphere, it’s a perfect base to explore the Daintree, Great Barrier Reef, or simply chill by the sea.

Address: 24 Davidson St, Port Douglas QLD 4877

🌟 Highlights:

• Port Douglas is surrounded by two World Heritage-listed National Parks. To the north, we have the Daintree National Park and out on the water is The Great Barrier Reef National Park. 
• Powered and unpowered sites within walking distance to beach, shops, and eateries.
• Facilities include a swimming pool, camp kitchen, BBQs, laundry, and dump point.
• Ideal for both active explorers and relaxed wanderers—reef tours, markets, and beach walks await!

Image: Four Mile Beach, Tourism and Events Queensland

6.  BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks - South Mission Beach

📍 Distance from Cruisin’ Cairns Branch: 150 km south

🚐 Drive Time: Approx. 2 hours (plenty of time to spot a cassowary… or at least a giant roadside mango!)

Set right on the shores of Mission Beach, this tropical holiday park offers unbeatable beach views and a laid-back vibe. It’s a favourite with families and nature lovers—and yes, cassowaries are known to wander through from time to time!

Address: 122-132 Kennedy Esplanade, South Mission Beach QLD 4852

🌟 Highlights:

• Absolute beachfront location with shady powered and unpowered sites.
• Resort-style pool, playground, and half basketball/tennis court.
• Large camp kitchen, clean amenities, and a BYO beachside restaurant.
• Borders a cassowary conservation zone—bring your camera!

Image: Mission Beach, Tourism and Events Queensland

7.  BIG4 Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park

📍 Distance from Cruisin’ Cairns Branch: 150 km south

🚐 Drive Time: Approx. 2 hours 10 minutes (a scenic drive with ocean views and sugarcane fields along the way)

Looking for a family-friendly beachfront stay packed with activities? Kurrimine Beach Holiday Park is bursting with fun for kids and relaxing options for adults. It’s a great place to unwind for a few days, meet fellow travellers, and explore the beautiful Cassowary Coast.

Address: 9 Coyle St, Kurrimine Beach QLD 4871

🌟 Highlights:

• The quiet, long, beach alongside King Reef is the main attraction and it’s here that you can see Manta Rays trawling the beach shallows and turtles coming in to nest.
• Powered and unpowered sites just metres from the beach.
  Water park, swimming pool, flying fox, inflatable obstacle course, and more for the kids.
• Wine tasting, fishing, morning teas, and Friday night events for the grown-ups.
• Clean amenities, BBQs, laundry, and indoor play spaces make it easy to settle in.

Image: Snorkelling with a manta ray, Tourism and Events Queensland

8.  BIG4 Tasman Holiday Parks - Rowes Bay

📍 Distance from Cruisin’ Cairns Branch: 350 km south

🚐 Drive Time: Approx. 3 hours 45 minutes (perfect for breaking up your journey down the coast to Brisbane)

Situated just outside Townsville, Rowes Bay Beachfront Holiday Park offers stunning views across the water to Magnetic Island. It’s a relaxed spot with plenty of facilities and great for families or anyone wanting a quiet beachside escape.

Address: 46 Heatleys Parade, Belgian Gardens QLD 4810

🌟 Highlights:

• Set on the Townsville beachfront, just minutes from the CBD – Rowes Bay offers a perfect balance of nature and city convenience.
• Powered and unpowered sites with easy beach access.
• Facilities include a pool, playground, camp kitchen, laundry, gas BBQs, and a dump point.
• Half-court tennis and sheltered outdoor dining areas.
• A beautiful beachside walk to Pallaranda is a must-do for sunrise or sunset

Image: Mother and child looking at a Rock Wallaby at Geoffrey Bay, Tourism and Events Queensland

9.  Cooktown Caravan Park

📍 Distance from Cruisin’ Cairns Branch: 322 km north

🚐 Drive Time: Approx. 4 hours (a true outback adventure through some of Queensland’s most stunning landscapes)

Nestled at the foothills of Mount Cook, Cooktown Caravan Park offers peaceful rainforest camping with plenty of shade and a friendly, small-town vibe. It’s the perfect base to explore the history and natural beauty of the area.

Address: 14 Hope St, Cooktown QLD 4895

🌟 Highlights:

• Large and small powered and unpowered sites to suit all motorhomes.
• Clean toilet and shower blocks, laundry facilities, and BBQ areas.
• Convenient dump point on-site.
• Great fishing spots around.
• Close to town with access to local cafes, historic sites, and nearby walks.
• NO sandflies! If you know, you know…

Image: Trevathan Falls, Tourism and Events Queensland

10.  Daintree Rainforest Village

📍 Distance from Cruisin’ Cairns Branch: 120 km north

🚐 Drive Time: Approx. 2 hours 20 minutes (a beautiful drive winding through ancient rainforest and coastal views)

Tucked just behind the service station on Cape Tribulation Road, Rainforest Village offers spacious grassy sites nestled right in the heart of the Daintree Rainforest. It’s a camper’s dream for those wanting to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying handy onsite facilities.

Address: 2094 Cape Tribulation Rd, Diwan QLD 4873

🌟 Highlights:

• Big, grassy, powered and unpowered sites with easy access for your Cruisin’ Motorhome.
• Clean toilets and a camp kitchen for prepping meals surrounded by the sounds of the forest.
• Onsite shop at the service station for any last-minute supplies.
• Just a short drive from Cape Tribulation’s pristine beaches and walking trails.
• Choose your adventure: crocodile spotting, horse rides on a deserted beach, coral reef snorkelling and ziplining through the treetops.
• Cassowaries might wander by, curlews will scream at night, frogs will harmonise, and owls will whistle…

Image: Cape Trib Horse Rides, Tourism and Events Queensland

Let’s Explore Cairns and Beyond!

From lush rainforests and pristine beaches to charming towns both north and south of Cairns, these fantastic camping spots are the perfect way to experience the best of Tropical North Queensland and beyond. Whether you’re chasing coastal sunsets, peaceful riverside escapes, or vibrant local culture, your next unforgettable adventure is calling!

☀️ Ready To Hit The Road?

Hire a self-contained motorhome from Cruisin’ Motorhomes and turn your Cairns adventure into the ultimate road trip.

Call our friendly reservations team on 1300 664 485 or check out our website to see the motorhomes we have available at our branches!

Check out our itineraries page for more travel inspiration!

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