Canungra is a great place to take the family camping – located in the Scenic Rim, just one hour south of Brisbane it offers great scenery, swimming holes, evenings by the campfire, and nearby bushwalks. Read all about the best Canungra camping options, and things to do in the region below.
Canungra Camping Grounds
Canungra Showgrounds Camping
Canungra Showgrounds Camping is located in the heart of Canungra, providing easy access to local amenities including shops and cafes. Canungra Showgrounds Camping offers powered and unpowered sites, amenities blocks with hot showers and toilets, and is pet-friendly.
Being so close to the town of Canungra makes Canungra showgrounds camping a great base to stay. It also offers a great swimming hole and fishing – which is perfect for families! Campfires are allowed subject to local fire bans.
Sharp Park River Bend Bush Camping
Located approximately 5 kilometres from Canungra, Sharp Park River Bend Bush Camping is situated on the banks of the Coomera River.
Accommodation includes unpowered sites and powered sites. Basic amenities include flushing toilets, but no showers. This Canungra camping ground is pet friendly.
Campfires are allowed subject to local fire bans. Access to swimming and fishing makes this a good option for families who are comfortable with a more rustic experience.
Spring Gulley Stays
Located about 15 minutes southwest of Canungra, Spring Gulley Stays is a privately operated campground nestled at the base of Lamington National Park – adjacent to the picturesque Canungra Creek in Sarabah.
Accommodation options include powered and unpowered sites or onsite sarari tents for those keen on glamping. The campground offers toilets, showers, and a well-equipped camp kitchen to ensure a comfortable stay. Families staying in the bush camping area will need to be self-sufficient. Spring Gulley Stays is pet friendly.
Canungra Creek runs through the property, providing opportunities for the kids to swim, fish and explore.
Thunderbird Park
Located 23 minutes north of Canungra, Thunderbird Park is situated on Tamborine Mountain in Queensland’s Gold Coast hinterland. It offers camping and glamping options and a range of family friendly activities.
Accommodation includes powered and unpowered camping sites as well as glamping tents and lodges. Amenities include showers, toilets, well-equipped camp kitchens, token-operated laundry, and an onsite restaurant and cafe.
Activities include a TreeTop Challenge with high ropes and ziplines, thunderegg crystal mine, mini golf, horse riding and laser skirmish. Each campsite includes a fire pit.
Binna Burra Mountain Campsites
Located 30 minutes south of Canungra, Binna Burra Lodge offers campsites within the scenic Lamington National Park. Accommodation includes unpowered campsites for up to 4 people and a limited number of drive through sites suitable for small campervans. Safari tents and lodges are also available.
Facilities include free showers and toilets, free electric barbecues, a well-equipped camp kitchen, and coin operated laundry. Binna Burra Lodge also offers the Tea House cafe, and Bushwalker’s bar making it a good option for families who would like to eat out.
Families can enjoy breathtaking views, numerous walking trails and wildlife spotting as well as guided activities. Shared fire pits are available.
Canungra Walks
There are plenty of family friendly walks a short distance from Canangra to explore during your camping stay. Before embarking on any walk, it is advisable to check current track conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Tamborine National Park
Tamborine National Park is located approximately 25 kilometres northeast of Canungra.
Curtis Falls Track is a short 1.1 km walk which takes about 30 metres and leads to the picturesque Curtis Falls. Sandy Creek Circut is a little longer at 2.6 km, taking about an hour – winding through rainforest and offering views of Sandy Creek.
Find out more about Tamborine National Park walks here.
Lamington National Park
This World-Heritage-listed partk is renowned for its ancient trees, waterfalls, and extensive walking tracks. Families can explore various trails suitable for different fitness levels. There is plenty of native wildlife to spot – and scenic picnic spots for a lunch break. May of the walks are located near O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, which is approximately 1 hour south of Canungra.
Booyong walk is a 800-metre return track and is a relatively easy trail, making it suitable for families looking for a short stroll.
The Wishing Tree Track is a little longer at 2.4 kilometres return. This track descends through the rainforest, passing by Brush Box trees, strangler figs, and unique fungal formations, leading to the historic Wishing Tree.
Python Rock Track is 3.4 km return and about a 1.5 hour walk with kids. It is an easy walk that culminates in a lookout with panoramic views of the Scenic Rim, including Mount Lindesay and the Lost World.
Moran’s Fall Track is 4.4 km return and about a 2 hour walk with kids. This track leads to Moran’s Falls, offering stunning views of the waterfall and surrounding valley. The path is well defined and suitable for families with older children.
O’Reilly’s Tree Top Walk
Within the Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat offers an immersive rainforest experience with their Tree Top Walk. The Tree Top Walk is free and open to all visitors (not just guests of the retreat). It is a self-guided experience that allows visitors to explore the rainforest canopy from a unique vantage point.
The walk consists of nine suspension bridges stretching 180-metres in total, reaching heights of 15 metres above the forest floor, offering a birds-eye view of the rainforest canopy.
Two observation decks are also available – constructed within a Strangler Fig tree – with its highest platform situated 30 metres above ground.
Other Canungra Attractions
Canungra offers a variety of other near by family-friendly activities and attractions that cater to families seeking a unique experience.
Mountview Alpaca Farm
Situated in Canungra itself, Mountview Alpaca Farm offers a delightful experience where families can interact with friendly alpacas. Visitors can feed, walk and take photos with these gentle creatures – making it a memorable activity for children and adults alike.
Canungra Valley Vineyards
Adjacent to the alpaca farm, Canungra Valley Vineyards provides a picturesque setting for families to relax. While parents might enjoy wine tastings, children can play on the expansive lawns or enjoy a picnic by the creek.
Best Time to Camp at Canungra
The best time to go camping at Canungra really depends on what experience you are seeking.
Some would argue the best time to camp at Canungra is during the cooler, drier months from April to October. During this period you’ll experience pleasant temperatures during the day, cooler nights and lower humidity. This makes it easier to enjoy outdoor adventures such as bushwalking and also allows you to enjoy a campfire at night (subject to local fire bans).
Summer can be a lot hotter and prone to heavy rainfall – but many of the local campgrounds offer amazing swimming holes to cool down in – making it a fun time of year to visit with the kids.