Samford Showgrounds Camping – The Perfect Base for Brisbane’s Hinterland

Escape the city without leaving its doorstep at the Samford Showgrounds, a magnificent low-cost campground nestled in the beautiful, leafy Samford Valley. This fantastic facility offers travellers a peaceful and spacious semi-rural retreat while being incredibly close to the amenities of Brisbane. The showgrounds provide a huge, park-like setting with vast, grassy, and level areas, making it a popular choice for all types of caravans, motorhomes, and campers. It’s the perfect base for exploring the stunning mountains and rainforests of the D’Aguilar National Park, the charming country cafes of Samford Village, or for using as a convenient and affordable base to visit friends and family in Brisbane.

The amenities at the Samford Showgrounds are excellent, providing all the comforts needed for a wonderful stay for a modest fee. Visitors have access to a large number of powered and unpowered sites, clean amenities blocks with toilets and hot showers, laundry facilities, and a dump point. The friendly on-site caretakers and the strong community feel make it a very welcoming place to stay. The location is a huge drawcard. The charming Samford Village, with its famous pub, boutique shops, and vibrant cafe culture, is just a short drive or a pleasant cycle away via the Samford Valley Rail Trail. The scenic drives up to Mount Nebo and Mount Glorious, offering stunning views back to the city and bay, start right on your doorstep. For a scenic, convenient, and incredibly well-equipped campground that combines the best of country and city, the Samford Showgrounds is a premier destination.

Site Information

• Name: Samford Showground
• Address: 40 Showgrounds Dr, Highvale QLD 4520, Australia
• Phone Number: +61 450 882 842

• GPS Coordinates: -27.369471, 152.820321

• Website:

Campground Details

• Location: In the Samford Valley, approximately 25km north-west of the Brisbane CBD.
• Site Suitable For: All vehicle types, including the largest motorhomes and fifth-wheelers.
• Road Access: Sealed road access.
• Site Surface: Mostly flat grass.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, low-cost camping with fees payable to the on-site caretaker. Bookings are recommended.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: Check with management for stays longer than one week.
• Facilities: Powered and unpowered sites, toilets, hot showers, dump point, laundry facilities.
• Potable Water: Yes, available on site.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: Excellent for all major carriers.
• TV Reception: Excellent.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish Bins: Yes.
• Open Fires: Strictly prohibited.
• Generator Use: Permitted with consideration for others, but powered sites are plentiful.
• Number of Sites Available: Huge area with hundreds of potential sites.
• Essentials to Bring: Cash for fees, hiking boots for the national park, a bicycle for the rail trail.
• Pet Friendly: Yes, pets are very welcome but must be on a leash at all times.
• Fishing: Fishing opportunities in the nearby Lake Samsonvale.
• Short Walks: Plenty of space for walks around the showgrounds and direct access to local walking and cycling tracks.

Local Amenities & Attractions

• Local Pubs:
  • Samford Valley Hotel: Approx. 6 km
  • The Albany Creek Tavern, Albany Creek: Approx. 15 km
  • Eatons Hill Hotel: Approx. 15 km
• Places to Eat:
  • The Flying Nun Cafe: Approx. 6 km
  • Samford Village has a wide range of high-quality cafes, bakeries, and restaurants.
• Local Attractions:
  • D’Aguilar National Park (Mount Nebo / Mount Glorious): Approx. 10 km
  • Samford Valley Rail Trail: Approx. 5 km
  • Cedar Creek Rock Pools: Approx. 10 km
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Newmarket Gardens Caravan Park (closer to city): Approx. 20 km
• Next Free Camps:
  • Very limited in the greater Brisbane area. Some rest stops north on the Bruce Highway.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Located on-site at the showgrounds.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Available in Samford Village (6 km). Multiple major stations at nearby suburbs like Ferny Grove.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Available on-site.
• Public Toilets (offsite):
  • Located in the main park in Samford Village.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

• Summer (Dec-Feb): Hot and humid, with a high chance of afternoon thunderstorms. Temperatures average 22°C to 30°C.
• Autumn (Mar-May): Generally the best time to visit, with warm, sunny days, lower humidity, and mild nights. Temperatures average 16°C to 28°C.
• Winter (Jun-Aug): Dry, mild, and sunny days with cool to chilly nights. Average temperatures range from 10°C to 22°C.
• Spring (Sep-Nov): Warm and pleasant, with increasing chances of rain towards the end of the season. Temperatures average 15°C to 27°C.