While many locals pack up the car and head out of town for their camping trips, you might be surprised to hear that there are some great places to camp right here in Ipswich. From stunning bushland properties, picturesque working farms and riverfront properties, Ipswich has a great range of campsites to choose from.
If you’re a camper and think it’s about time to go on a camping trip in your own background, here is our pick for the best campsites in Ipswich.
Hardings Paddock
Located in the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate, just 20 minutes from the Ipswich CBD, Hardings Paddock is a lovely place for a bush camping experience. The campgrounds are surrounded by natural bushland and despite its proximity to the city, you’ll feel a million miles away.
There are only eight campsites at Hardings Paddock, so you’re guaranteed not to feel crowded in. Each site is a decent size, offering privacy from other campsites and comes with its own comes with picnic table.
The facilities here are basic, but all the essentials are covered, including long drop toilets and shower cubicles (you’ll need to bring your own water to shower and drink). There are also free barbeques in an undercover kitchen area and a fire pit – so remember to bring some firewood to get all snuggly under the starry night sky.
The campsites at Hardings Paddock are suitable for all kinds of campers, including those with tents, caravans and even motorhomes. There is even a holding yard for horses, so feel free to bring your horse and ride on nearby horse trails.
Hiking is the most popular activity in the surrounding area, thanks to the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate, which is over 2200 hectares in size. The estate includes volcanic peaks and slopes, including Flinders Peak, Mt Blaine, Mt Catherine and Mt Goolman and offers several different trails with varying difficulty.
Camping at Hardings Paddock is $15 a night per site, accommodating up to six people. Click here to book.
Ivory’s Rock
Just a short drive away from Hardings Paddock, you’ll find Ivory’s Rock – a 600 hectare property, backing onto the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate and surrounded by native bushland. It’s an excellent option for those campers that prefer a few more modern amenities than what Hardings Paddock offers.
Ivory’s Rock is a private property that offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountain peaks. Animal lovers will be in heaven here with wallabies and kangaroos regularly hopping about the property. You may even be lucky enough to spot a koala or two.
Campsites at Ivory’s Rock are suitable for all kinds of campers, including those with tents, caravans or motorhomes. There is a choice of powered and unpowered sites, which all have access to laundry and bathroom facilities. Other amenities include gas barbecues, communal fire puts, water and even free wifi.
For those new to camping and don’t have their own gear, at Ivory’s Rock, you can even request a site that has all the camping gear set up for you. Then, all you have to do is arrive and relax. Of course, there’s no packing up either – that’s camping in true style!
Given the proximity to the Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate, hiking is a popular activity while camping here. In addition to the estate, there is also the Ivory Rock hiking trail. Guided hikes are offered for the Ivory Rock Circuit Hike, which is 9km and takes around 5 hours.
Prices are $37 per night for a powered site or $31 per night for an unpowered site on weekends – these rates are for two people, with additional children $10 per night and additional adults $15 per night. There is also a bush camp option that is priced at $27 per night for two people, for those that have their own toilets and showers. Each site can accommodate up to 5 people. Click here to book.
Allawah Scout Campsite
You probably didn’t even realise this, but the Scout Association has some fantastic campgrounds which are available for the public. As long as the sites aren’t booked by the Scouts themselves, you’re free to make a booking – and some of these properties are just beautiful, like the Allawah Scout Campsite.
The Allawah Scout Campsite is located just west of Colleges Crossing, along the Brisbane River. The proximity to the river makes it great for water activities such as kayaking, SUPing, and fishing. Bring your own gear, or hire canoes onsite for $8 per day, including a life jacket.
There is a range of different campsites, including powered and unpowered sites. Sites are suitable for all types of campers, including those with tents, camper trailers, caravans or motorhomes. It’s also pet friendly.
While facilities are fairly basic, campers have access to flushing toilets, hot showers and drinking water. Although if you’re really keen, you can hire out their stainless steel kitchen for $20 per day. You’re also able to have campfires which are great to snuggle around during the evenings.
Campsites are $12.50 per person per night for a powered site or $10 per person per night for an unpowered site. Bookings can be made by phone – 0429 133 250 or by emailing [email protected].
Rosewood Showgrounds
If you’re in the Ipswich area and looking for an easy and convenient place to pull up stumps, the Rosewood Showgrounds may just be what you’re looking for. Rosewood is a picturesque town, just 20 minutes west of the Ipswich CBD, and is an official RV friendly town.
What’s an RV friendly town you ask? Well, this is an initiative by the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia which allows those on the road to know when they’ve stumbled upon a town that will meet their needs. Basically, an RV friendly town will have appropriate parking for RV’s with easy access to shops and attractions, access to potable water and a free dump point.
The showgrounds themselves offer 16 powered sites with access to water and sullage and an additional 40 unpowered sites. Amenities on the property include toilets, showers, a dump point and drinking water. The campgrounds are also pet friendly.
The beauty of staying at the showgrounds is you’re super close to all the shops in town. From here you can easily walk to the supermarket, chemist, post office, coffee shop and more. You can even walk to the train station, which will take you into the Ipswich CBD or even further into Brisbane city.
Campsites are $15 per night per vehicle for a powered site or $12 for an unpowered site. For bookings phone 0481 382 049.
Other places to camp…
If you’re looking for more options there’s also about 150 sites at the Willowbank Caravan Park. The park features upgraded amenities blocks and a swimming pool with prices starting from $40 per night Sunday to Thursday and $50 Friday and Saturday for a powered site, unpowered sites are $30 Sunday to Thursday and $40 Friday and Saturday.
The Ipswich Showgrounds has 25 camping spaces located in the middle of Ipswich. The sites don’t accommodate tents, just caravans, camper-vans and camper-trailers. The price is $30 per night for up to two people, the sites are all powered and pets are welcome.
Ipswich Caravan Village has six powered sites and up to 200 more unpowered spaces. It does take bookings from travelers and the price ranges from $45 per person per night for a powered site and $35 for an unpowered site.
