Camping in Bowling Green Bay

There are several options for camping in Bowling Green Bay National Park.

Cape Cleveland section: Bush camping is available at Cocoa Creek camping area and Salmon Creek camping area. Access is by 4WD and facilities are not provided.

Bowling Green Bay section: Bush camping is available at Barratta Creek camping area. Access is by 4WD and facilities are not provided.

Mount Elliot section: Vehicle based camping is available at Alligator Creek camping area. Access is by 2WD, with toilets (flush) and barbeque facilities available at the Alligator Creek day-use area nearby. Hike-in bush camping is available at Cockatoo Creek camping area and Alligator Falls camping area. Access is by foot and facilities are not provided.

There is the opportunity to undertake remote hiking and to remote bush camp in the Mount Cleveland and Mount Elliot sections of the national park. Bushwalkers must be well-equipped and experienced.

Camping permits are required and fees apply. A camping tag or your camping booking details must be displayed at your camp site.

Park-specific conditions

• Camp fires are only permitted in Cocoa Creek, Salmon Creek and Barratta Creek camping areas (except when QFD fire ban and restrictions or QPWS-imposed fire prohibitions (PDF, 763.6KB) are in place). Camp fires must be contained in above ground fire containers. Bring your own fire container and clean firewood. Extinguish your camp fire with water and remove your fire container when you leave. It is recommended to use a fuel or gas stove.
• Generators are permitted at Cocoa Creek camping area only—conditions apply.
• Drones are prohibited in all camping areas, refer to drone safety and regulation.
• Leave your pets at home. Domestic animals are prohibited in national parks.
• No smoking (including vaping) within 10m of camp sites, toilets or other visitor facilities.
• Camping is not allowed on the sand dunes or anywhere else outside the camping area at Salmon Creek.
• Mount Elliot and Mount Cleveland remote bush camps are open from 1 April to 30 November annually, unless a Park Alert advises otherwise.
• Be Crocwise Estuarine crocodiles can be found in the freshwater and saltwater in  this area. Learn how to Be Crocwise when camping in crocodile habitat areas, and keep yourself, your family and friends safe whilst visiting Bowling Green Bay National Park.
• Dangerous stinging jellyfish (‘stingers’) may be present in the coastal waters at any time of the year, and occur more frequently in the warmer months. Visit marine stingers for the latest safety and first aid information.
• Read more about staying safe and looking after the park.