Frankland Group National Park | Tropical North Queensland

Photo credit: © Queensland Government

Russell Island camping area (Commonwealth Island)

Russell Island camping area is the most popular island in the Cairns section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Accessible by

Boat

Camping area facilities

Anchoring allowed
Mooring points
Picnic tables
Tent camping
Walking
Fishing

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 The Franklands.
Visiting The Franklands safely for important safety information.

Features: the most popular island in the Cairns section of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.

Location: on the north-east side of Russell Island.

Access: by private boat from either the Mulgrave or Russell river boat ramps. Sandbars at the mouth of Mutchero Inlet at Russell Heads makes crossing the shallow river mouth tide-dependent—check tide times before you go. Frankland Islands Cruises will drop off and collect campers at Russell Island.

Number of sites: two sites (separate but not numbered) with a maximum of 8 people per group.

Camp sites are suitable for: small to medium tents. The maximum total number of campers allowed on the island at any one time is 16, or 24 in the case of school groups (where 20 students plus four supervisors are permitted).

Camp site surface: sand/grass.

Facilities: seats and picnic tables. At each site poles are provided for erecting tarpaulins.

Open fires: not allowed. Fuel stoves only.

Generators: prohibited.

Essentials to bring: portable camping toilet, tarpaulin, drinking water, toilet paper, rubbish bags, fuel stove, comprehensive first-aid kit, insect repellent and sun protection equipment. Read more about before you visit.

Mobile phone coverage: very limited or not available.