Blackbraes National Park | Outback Queensland | Townsville | Tropical North Queensland

Hospital Spring, Blackbraes National Park Photo credit: Fiona O'Grady © Queensland Government

Emu Swamp camping area

Camp in a wide-open space near Emu Swamp, a fantastic location for viewing wildlife.

Accessible by

Camping area facilities

Campfires allowed (conditions apply)
Tent camping
Camper trailer camping

Always check

Park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.
Bureau of Meteorology weather forecasts.
Current bushfire warnings and incidents and also fire bans and restrictions.
Your camping permit is booked – book online.
Any park-specific camping information for Blackbraes.
Visiting Blackbraes safely for important safety information.

Camp near Emu Swamp dam.

Photo credit: Eleanor Collins © Queensland Government

Camping area features: wide-open space close to Emu Swamp, minimal shade is available.

Location: approximately 25km from the national park entrance.

Maps: Blackbraes National Park map (PDF, 1.9MB)

Access: by 4WD vehicles only.

Number of sites: open area with no separately defined sites.

Camp sites are suitable for: tent camping/roof-top tent camping and off-road camper trailers.

Camp site surface: dirt.

Facilities: none.

Open fires: camp fires are permitted in the fire rings provided, except when QFD fire ban and restrictions or QPWS-imposed fire prohibitions (PDF, 763.6KB) are in place. Bring clean firewood such as untreated, mill off-cuts—collecting firewood from the national park is prohibited. Fuel stoves are recommended.

Generators: not permitted.

Essentials to bring: drinking water, rubbish bags, fuel or gas stove, trowel or shovel and suitable clothing for cold nights. Read more about before you visit.

Mobile phone coverage: not available.

Getting there and getting around

Blackbraes National Park is located 170km north of Hughenden or 95km south of the Lynd Junction on the Kennedy Developmental Road. All roads in the national park are unsealed (dirt). To reach Emu Swamp camping area:

Turn off the Kennedy Developmental Road onto Dulthara Road at the entrance of the national park.
Follow Dulthara Road for 5km and turn right onto to Werrington/Emu Swamp Road (just past the ranger station).
Follow the Werrington/Eum Swamp Road north for approximately 18km to the Emu Swamp Dam track.
Turn right onto the Emu Swamp Dam track, the camping area is located 2km along this track.

Wheelchair access

Wheelchair-accessible facilities are not available at Emu Swamp camping area.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Emu Swamp camping area is open all year round. Access maybe unavailable at times due to wet and boggy road conditions. The national park may be closed at times due to severe weather or management activities.