Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area Sunshine Coast

Dorrigo South camping area. Photo credit: Queensland Government

Soak up a tranquil sunset over Inskip Peninsula. Photo credit: © Ben Blanche

Dorrigo South camping area

There’s something for every camper at this popular beachside spot on the eastern side of the peninsula.

Accessible by

  • High clearance 4WD

Camping area facilities

  • Campfires allowed (conditions apply)
  • Generators allowed (conditions apply)
  • Tent camping
  • Camper trailer camping
  • Campervan camping
  • Tent camping beside car
  • Walking
  • Fishing
  • Dogs permitted (on leash)

Always check

Set up camp with ocean views of Double Island Point, or seek out a more sheltered patch among the red ash and sheoaks. From here you can fish, walk and drive in the surrounding recreation area and marine park.

Why Dorrigo?

The names of six camping areas on the Inskip Peninsula recall past shipping history. On Good Friday 2 April 1926 the steamer S.S. Dorrigo, bound for Thursday Island from Brisbane, sank in heavy seas several kilometres off Double Island Point. The captain and his son were rescued, the body of the bo’sun was found on K'gari, but all 21 other crew members disappeared without a trace.

Before you visit

Camping area features

Open camping area behind the foredunes and close to the bitumen road. No formally defined sites.

  • Coastal trees and shrubs provide dappled shade in some areas.
  • It is only a short walk to the surf beach or to the more sheltered Pelican Bay.
  • Some camp sites provide views across the ocean towards Double Island Point.
  • Other camp sites, located closer to the bitumen road, are more sheltered from prevailing ocean winds.

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Access: 4WD only on sand tracks, access from Inskip Point Road, vehicle access permits are not required. Limited access for off road high clearance camper trailers and campervans.

  • Very restricted access for off road camper trailers and campervans. Not suitable for caravans.
  • No vehicle access to or from the beach from within this camping area.
  • A beach access track is located just north of the camping area exit.

Number of sites: Open area without separately defined sites.

  • Occupation of a camp site is on a ‘first in, best placed’ basis.
  • Reserving or roping off areas is not permitted.
  • All structures under a single camping permit must be in one place and no more than 3m apart.
  • Don't spread your camp too far, so others can fit in too; rangers will ask you to move structures that have taken up an unreasonable amount of space.
  • Camping more than 29 nights is prohibited.

Camp sites are suitable for: tent camping beside a 4WD vehicle, off road campervans and camper trailers.

  • Small camping structures are recommended here.

Camp site surface: Grass and/or sand.

  • No showers.
  • No water taps.
    • The Gympie Regional Council service facility on Clarkson Drive, Rainbow Beach, also has drinking water—take your own water storage containers.
  • Rubbish bins are located near the camping area exit.
  • No toilet facilities.

Portable toilets

Portable toilets are mandatory to camp at Dorrigo South and Pelican Bay camping areas (penalties apply). Even if you are only staying for one night you must bring a portable toilet.

Photos of the acceptable types of toilet (chemical) and unacceptable types (open bucket style and bag style)
  • Portable toilets must have a sealed waste holding tank and must be transportable and suitable for emptying into a portable toilet waste facility.
  • Bag and bucket style toilets are not permitted.
  • Minimum requirement of one portable toilet per camping permit holder.
  • It is illegal to bury a noxious substance, such as portable toilet waste. Do not empty your portable toilet waste into any toilets in the recreation area as it creates a risk to human health. On-the-spot fines apply.
  • Empty your waste into the purpose-built toilet waste disposal facility. For your convenience, the Gympie Regional Council portable toilet waste disposal facility is located at Clarkson Drive, Rainbow Beach.
  • Do not dispose sanitary items, disposable nappies and toilet wipes into the toilet waste disposal facility – these items will block the system. Bag these items and take them home for disposal.
  • After use wash down the toilet waste disposal facility with the hose provided.

Also see:

Waste management

Bins are not provided at Dorrigo South camping area.

Rubbish bins are located at the following camping areas:

  • Sarawak West
  • M.V. Sarawak
  • M.V. Beagle
  • M.V. Natone
  • S.S. Dorrigo

Alternatively, take your rubbish home with you. Littering and inappropriate waste storage are prohibited, and penalties apply for non-compliance. Littering and illegal dumping are prohibited, and penalties apply for non-compliance. Report littering and illegal dumping.

Waste management tips when camping:

  • Do not hang rubbish bags from trees or tents. Securely store your waste until disposal, in sealed containers to prevent negative interactions with wildlife.
  • Be part of the solution - reduce, reuse and recycle.
    • Choose a menu with less packaged goods.
    • Take recyclables home for proper disposal.
  • Choose good quality camping equipment that will withstand the harsh elements of the coastal environment.
    • Reuse camping equipment.
    • Repair broken equipment – do not be a consumer with a throwaway mentality.
  • Remove all waste, including broken camping equipment and domestic waste.
  • Don't burn or bury anything.
  • Carry out sanitary products, disposable nappies and cigarette butts. Do not put these in the toilet facilities.
  • Avoid bringing glass as it can’t be crushed. Broken glass can harm other visitors and wildlife.
  • Bring small sealable canisters for cigarette butts. Don't discard butts in the park.

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Open fires: Permitted in pre-existing fire sites, except when QPWS-imposed fire prohibitions or Queensland Fire Department (QFD) fire bans are in place. Fuel stoves are recommended.

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Generators: Only low decibel generators up to 2.0Kva are permitted. Turn generators off after 9pm.

Essentials to bring: Drinking water, portable toilet, rubbish bags, insect repellent, fuel or gas stove first-aid kit, sunscreen, sand pegs.

  • For camp fires bring clean, untreated firewood such as milled timber off-cuts.
  • Bring kindling and fire lighters. Collecting and burning wood, including leaves and twigs, from the protected area is illegal and penalties apply.
  • Don't bring bush timber for firewood. It may contain pests and diseases, which could kill native plants.

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Mobile phone coverage: Intermittent.

Bookings

Camping permits are required before setting up camp. Book online or learn about our camping booking options. Advance bookings are required for holiday periods.

Also see:

Book a camping area

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Inskip safely and camp with care.