Lake Nuga Nuga Camping Area – Arcadia Valley

Lake Nuga Nuga Camping Area offers a truly remote and self-sufficient camping experience on the shores of the largest natural body of water in the Central Queensland sandstone belt. Situated within Nuga Nuga National Park, this is a destination for the adventurous traveller looking to disconnect and immerse themselves in a rugged, natural landscape. The campground is an open, grassy area beside the lake, fringed by dead ghost gums that create a beautifully stark and photographic backdrop, especially at sunrise and sunset. Access is via unsealed roads, requiring a high-clearance 4WD, as tracks can be rough and become impassable after rain. The site is a haven for birdwatchers, with pelicans, black swans, and magpie geese often seen in vast numbers, and it’s also a popular spot for kayaking and canoeing. Facilities are minimal, with only composting toilets provided, so campers must be completely self-reliant, bringing all their own water, food, and supplies. There is no mobile phone reception, reinforcing the sense of isolation. This is a place to enjoy the simple pleasures of the bush: fishing in the lake, sitting around a campfire under a blanket of stars, and enjoying the profound peace and quiet of a truly wild place. A permit is required to camp, which must be booked in advance.

Site Information

• Location: Nuga Nuga National Park, Central Queensland Highlands.
• Site Suitable For: Tents, off-road camper trailers, and high-clearance off-road caravans.
• Road Access: Unsealed roads. A high-clearance 4WD is required. Roads are impassable when wet.
• Site Surface: Grass and dirt.
• Camping Permitted: Yes, a camping permit must be booked in advance.
• Maximum Overnight Stays: Check QLD Parks website for current limits.
• Facilities: Composting toilets only. No showers or power.
• Potable Water: No. You must bring all your own water.
• Mobile Phone Coverage: None. Emergency communication device (e.g., PLB or satellite phone) is essential.
• TV Reception: No.
• Onsite Public Toilets: Yes, composting toilets.
• Rubbish Bins: No. All rubbish must be taken with you.
• Open Fires: Permitted in designated fire rings only, subject to local fire bans.
• Generator Use: Not permitted.
• Number of Sites Available: Open, unpowered area without defined sites.
• Essentials to Bring: All water, food, fuel, rubbish bags, insect repellent, and emergency communication equipment.
• Pet Friendly: No, pets are not permitted in National Parks.
• Fishing: Yes, fishing is permitted in the lake. A QLD fishing permit may be required.
• Short Walks: Bushwalking around the lake perimeter.

Local Amenities

This is a very remote location. The nearest towns with services are Injune and Rolleston, both over 100km away.

• Local Pubs:
  • Injune Hotel (approx. 120 km)
  • Rolleston Hotel (approx. 130 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • Limited options in Injune or Rolleston.
• Local Attractions:
  • The lake itself (birdwatching, kayaking)
  • Carnarvon National Park (significant drive away)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • Injune Caravan Park (approx. 120 km)
  • Rolleston Caravan Park (approx. 130 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Very few options nearby; consists of roadside rest areas on major highways.
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Available in Injune or Rolleston.
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Injune or Rolleston. It is critical to carry sufficient fuel.
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Injune or Rolleston.
• Public Toilets:
  • Onsite (composting). Nearest flushing toilets are in Injune or Rolleston.

Seasonal Weather Forecast

The Arcadia Valley has a climate of hot summers and mild, dry winters. The wet season can make access impossible.