Cape Palmerston Holiday Park: Your Basecamp for Wild Coastal Exploration

For the adventurous traveller seeking a genuine escape into a rugged coastal wilderness, the Cape Palmerston Holiday Park is an unparalleled destination. Perfectly situated at the very entrance to the spectacular Cape Palmerston National Park, this holiday park is less a typical tourist stop and more a true basecamp for exploration. It’s a haven for self-sufficient 4WD enthusiasts, keen boaties, and anyone who wants to trade the bitumen for remote sandy tracks and pristine, empty beaches. The atmosphere here is one of shared adventure, where the talk is of tides, tracks, and the day’s catch. It’s a friendly, laid-back park that provides the essential comforts while encouraging guests to immerse themselves in the wild beauty that surrounds them.The park is your launchpad into the national park, a stunning landscape of rocky headlands, vast sand dunes, and secluded beaches. From here, you can spend your days exploring the challenging 4WD tracks that lead to breathtaking lookouts like Mount Funnel, or find your own private fishing spot along the coast. The region is a legendary hotspot for fishing and crabbing, with the nearby boat ramp providing excellent access to the productive mangrove-lined creeks and offshore waters. After a day of adventure, you can return to the park to use the fish cleaning facilities and cook up a feast in the camp kitchen. While it feels wonderfully remote, the park is easily accessible from the Bruce Highway, offering the perfect balance of wilderness and convenience. If your idea of a holiday involves tyre pressures, tide charts, and tackle boxes, Cape Palmerston Holiday Park is your ultimate destination.

★★★★☆ (4.8 Stars)

Cape Palmerston Holiday Park
989 Greenhill Rd, Ilbilbie QLD 4738

Website: Cape Palmerston Holiday Park
Phone: (07) 4950 3987
GPS Coordinates: -21.67392, 149.44342

Location Map

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Site Details and Facilities

Location: At the entrance to Cape Palmerston National Park, offering a remote coastal experience.
Site Suitable For: Tents, camper trailers, off-road caravans, and motorhomes. Ideal for self-sufficient setups.
Road Access: Sealed road to the park. Access to the national park requires a 4WD vehicle.
Site Surface: Spacious grass and sand/dirt sites.
Camping Permitted: Yes, powered and unpowered sites are available.
Maximum Overnight Stays: Caters to holidaymakers and adventurers.
Facilities: Camp kitchen, BBQs, amenities block, laundry, fish cleaning station, kiosk with basic supplies.
Picnic Tables: Yes, in communal areas.
Potable Water: Yes.
Mobile Phone Coverage: Limited and can be unreliable. Best with Telstra.
TV Reception: Satellite equipment (VAST) is essential for reliable reception.
Onsite Public Toilets: Yes.
Rubbish Bins: Yes.
Open Fires: Permitted in your own off-the-ground fire pit, subject to local fire bans. Check with management.
Generator Use: Permitted with consideration for others; check for preferred times.

Activities & Essentials

Essentials to Bring: A well-equipped 4WD with recovery gear, fishing and crabbing gear, a boat if you have one, and strong insect repellent.
Pet Friendly: Yes, the park is pet-friendly. Note: pets are not allowed in the National Park.
Fishing: Renowned for its excellent beach, rock, and estuary fishing and crabbing.
Short Walks: Explore the numerous remote beaches and walking tracks within the adjacent national park.

Local Amenities

Pubs & Restaurants

Ilbilbie Hotel/Motel: Approx. 12 km
The next closest pubs are in Carmila (approx. 35 km south) or Sarina (approx. 45 km north).

Local Attractions

Cape Palmerston National Park: Adjacent to the park.
Mount Funnel Lookout: Inside the national park (4WD required).
Remote beaches and headlands: Throughout the national park.

Camping & Travel Resources

Nearest Caravan Parks: This is the only park in the immediate area. Carmila Caravan Park is to the south.
Next Free Camps: Waverley Creek Rest Area (approx. 15 km south).
Nearest Dump Points: A public dump point is available in Carmila (approx. 35 km).
Nearest Petrol Station: Available at Ilbilbie on the Bruce Highway (approx. 12 km).
Drinking Water Resupply: Available onsite.
Public Toilets: Onsite for guests.

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Cape Palmerston (Central Queensland Coast)

Wet Season (Nov-Apr): Hot and humid with a high chance of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and marine stingers. Tracks can become impassable. Averages range from 24°C to 31°C.
Dry Season (May-Oct): The peak tourist season. Beautiful, warm, and sunny days with lower humidity and pleasant sea breezes. Ideal conditions for 4WDing and fishing. Average temperatures from 14°C to 28°C.

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Cape Palmerston Holiday Park – Your Basecamp for Wild Coastal Exploration