7 Best Campgrounds & Caravan Parks near Coolum Beach

Coveted surf breaks, beautiful beaches, and wonderful hikes — no wonder so many campers want to stake a camping spot near Coolum Beach on Queensland's beautiful Sunshine Coast.

This laid-back little beach town is quite small, so you'll find only one campground and caravan park in Coolum Beach proper: Coolum Beach Holiday Park, and it's one of the best campsites and caravan parks on the Sunshine Coast. Here, you're just steps from the surf-washed shores of the town's popular beach, as well as other top Coolum Beach attractions.

If this one's booked out, you'll find other great camping spots near Coolum Beach. Only a 20-minute drive north, Noosa Shire hosts some of the state's top campgrounds and caravan parks, and you'll find other scenic spots with easy access to the water in Mudjimba, Cotton Tree, and Maroochydore, all a short drive from Coolum Beach. You can even camp on a working macadamia farm in the beautiful Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

Find the perfect place to set up camp in your caravan, RV, camper van, or tent with our list of the best campgrounds and caravan parks near Coolum Beach.

1. Coolum Beach Holiday Park

Coolum Beach Holiday Park sits in a superb location on 10 acres of beachfront land. Here, you're just steps from Coolum's top attractions, including Coolum Beach and the scenic Point Arkwright Trail. There's a reason this is one of the best campgrounds and caravan parks on the Sunshine Coast.

Sleep to the sounds of surf sloshing on the soft-sand shore, and stroll down to the beach along a walkway right from the caravan park. When you're not basking on the beach, riding the waves, or fishing, you can hike up Mount Coolum or explore the Point Arkwright Trail, which runs right along the caravan park linking beautiful bays and beaches.

Shops, cafés, restaurants, and Coolum Beach Bowls Club are a short walk from the park, including a well-stocked supermarket for any last-minute supplies.

Kids will love playing on the beach or riding their bikes around the delightfully named Tickle Park next door. You'll also find a popular children's playground at the park, and there's plenty of room to kick a ball around.

Dining is easy. Cook up a meal at the camp kitchen, which comes complete with barbecues, a fridge, hotplates, and dining areas, or head across the road for fish and chips or a delicious meal at one of Coolum's cafés and restaurants.

Accommodation at Coolum Beach Holiday Park is a mix of powered and unpowered tent and caravan sites with concrete pads, as well as deluxe air-conditioned cabins. The latter are fully self-contained with TVs, DVD players, kitchen facilities, and Wi-Fi.

Dune-top sites along the beach are the best picks for hearing the surf — check the Coolum Beach Caravan park map on the website for the layout.

Pets are welcome here, but you need to apply first before you bring your furry friends. If you do bring a dog, you'll find a great off-leash area down the beach at Stumers Creek.

Address: 1827 David Low Way, Coolum Beach, Queensland

Official site: http://www.sunshinecoastholidayparks.com.au/holiday_parks/coolum_beach_holiday_park/

2. Noosa River Holiday Park, Noosaville

About a 20-minute drive north up the coast from Coolum beach, Noosa River Holiday Park is one of the best camping spots in Noosa.

The location is ideal. Prime sites front the peaceful Noosa River, steps from Noosaville cafés and restaurants and a five-minute drive from some of the top things to do in Noosa Heads.

Caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes, and tents are all welcome here, but you won't find any cabins. The best sites front the river, but these are unpowered sites for tents and camper vans. Most of the other sites are powered sites with concrete slabs, scattered among the trees.

Noosa River Holiday Park has all the expected amenities. Cook up a meal and connect with other campers at the communal kitchen, which comes with gas barbecues and cooking appliances. Catch up on laundry at coin-operated machines, take advantage of the free Wi-Fi, or rent a bike here to explore the area. Forget some essentials? A kiosk is on-site, and you can walk to nearby Noosaville shops. Like all the facilities, the restrooms are scrupulously clean and include a family bathroom.

Planning to get out on the water? Conveniently, you'll find a boat ramp here, so you can spend a relaxing day cruising along the Noosa River. Alternatively, hop aboard the ferry for a scenic ride, or use it to travel into Noosa Heads.

Make sure you also leave time to soak up your surroundings. Each day when the sun sets, campers head to the riverfront, set up their deck chairs, and sip on a cool drink while they watch Nature's magic. It's one of the perks of staying in this peaceful park.

Unfortunately, pets are not permitted here.

Insider's tip: Book well in advance to nab a spot — this popular park fills up quickly.

Address: 4 Russell Street, Noosaville, Queensland

Official site: https://www.noosaholidayparks.com.au/noosa-river

3. Cotton Tree Holiday Park, Cotton Tree

If you love water sports, this park is heaven. A 22-minute drive from Coolum Beach, Cotton Tree Holiday Park sits snug between Maroochydore Beach and the Maroochy River, with opportunities for all kinds of aquatic activities.

Love to ride the waves? Head to the beach. Prefer to paddle a kayak or SUP? The river is just around the corner. And both spots are great for fishing. You can also choose your waterfront activities depending on the wind direction and weather. Feel like swimming some laps? Cotton Tree Aquatic Centre is also right next door.

If you're a landlubber, you can bask on the calm shores of the river beach under rustling palms, or walk the windy shores of the ocean beach.

Cotton Tree Holiday Park has the usual handy amenities: barbecues, restrooms and hot showers, laundry facilities, a baby bath and change table, as well as free Wi-Fi. Prefer not to cook? Cafés and restaurants are a short stroll away, as well as plenty of entertainment venues.

Choose from powered sites (some on the waterfront) and one- or two-bedroom cabins, or pitch your tent on the waterfront without power. Either way, you'll enjoy easy access to the water, and spectacular sunset views.

Address 2-36 Cotton Tree Parade, Maroochydore, Queensland

Official site: http://www.sunshinecoastholidayparks.com.au/holiday_parks/cotton_tree_holiday_park/

4. Mudjimba Beach Holiday Park

Beach lovers, anglers, and dog-owners in particular love the pet-friendly Mudjimba Beach Holiday Park. It sits within a short stroll of beautiful Mudjimba Beach, one of the best beaches on the Sunshine Coast, about a 15-minute drive south of Coolum Beach.

You'll find plenty of things to do in this laid-back little beach town. Mudjimba Beach is right near the mouth of the Maroochy River, so fishing can be excellent along these shores. It's also a wonderful family beach, with good surf, a children's playground in the beachfront park, and plenty of bike paths in the area. You can also walk to popular little local restaurants and cafés. Kids will love swimming in the park's freeform pool.

Large trees shade the spacious campsites, which are a mix of powered caravan sites and unpowered tent sites. All come with concrete slabs, which are handy during wet weather. If you prefer not to camp, three villas are available, including a two-bedroom unit, with well-equipped kitchens.

Cooking is easy in the camp kitchen, and you'll also find laundry facilities, hot showers, restrooms, and free Wi-Fi at this friendly little park.

Note that pets are welcome in some of the caravan park sites — not in the cabins — but this is subject to application. If you do bring your pooch, you'll be happy to know that North Shore Off Leash Dog Beach, at the southern end of Mudjimba Beach, is a paradise for pets.

Address: 3 Cottonwood Street, Mudjimba, Queensland

Official site: http://www.sunshinecoastholidayparks.com.au/holiday_parks/mudjimba_beach_holiday_park/

5. Big 4 Maroochy River, Maroochydore

A 16-minute drive from Coolum Beach, Big 4 Maroochy River offers a friendly welcome in a beautiful riverfront location with excellent facilities.

Looking for things to do? Apart from the river, the bustling city of Maroochydore sits on your doorstep with fantastic shopping, restaurants, and entertainment, and you can walk from the park to a supermarket and restaurant.

Kids love it here. They can splash in the saltwater pool, ride bikes, go wild on the playground, or join in one of the school holiday activities. Crafts, outdoor movies, games, weekly pancake breakfasts, and roasting marshmallows around the fire pit are perks of staying here.

A major bonus is the van-parking service. A "marriage-saving" valet service parks every caravan or camper trailer on the site with a tractor — a welcome treat after a long day's drive.

Laundry facilities, a camp kitchen, and BBQ area round out the sparkling clean facilities.

Accommodations are excellent. Brand new contemporary-style, two-bedroom cabins top the line-up here, or you can save money and opt for an older cabin. All are bright and cheerful and come with air-conditioning, kitchens, TVs, lounges, bathrooms, and patios or balconies. If you're camping, powered tent and caravan sites accommodate up to six campers.

Note that while this park is family friendly, pets are not allowed.

Address: 1 Diura Street, Maroochydore, Queensland

Official site: https://www.big4.com.au/caravan-parks/qld/sunshine-coast/maroochy-river-park

6. Noosa Caravan Park, Tewantin

Noosa Caravan Park, about 25 minutes north in the relaxed town of Tewantin is another great place to stay near Coolum Beach. A major bonus: this park makes the list of dog-friendly caravan parks on the Sunshine Coast — pets are welcome at the powered sites, but conditions apply.

Are you looking for cabin accommodation? You're in luck! Noosa Caravan Park offers air-conditioned, self-contained one- and two-bedroom villas, as well as powered tent and caravan sites amid its tropical gardens. Palms shield the villas' furnished balconies, and each comes with a fully-equipped kitchen, bathroom, and ceiling fans. If possible, opt for one away from the main road for a quieter stay — check the Noosa Caravan Park map on the website to find the best site for your needs.

If you're planning to camp, you can choose between powered caravan sites on concrete slabs or grassy sites for tents and camper trailers.

Noosa Caravan Park has everything you need for a comfortable stay. You can swim in the palm-lined heated pool; hang out at the games room and TV lounge; or cook up a meal on the barbecues or in the well-equipped kitchen, which even comes with a pizza oven. A small convenience store on-site sells essential items you might have left off your packing list. You'll also find laundry facilities, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the park.

Planning to launch your boat? A boat ramp sits only 800 meters from the park.

Kids can keep busy at the playground complete with two slides, or splash about in the wading pool. Table tennis and pool tables are also available.

Address: 143 Moorindil Street, Tewantin, Queensland

Official site: https://www.noosacaravanpark.com.au/

7. Hidden Valley @ Gro Mad Plantations, Yandina

It's a little farther from the surf breaks of Coolum Beach (about a 20-minute drive), but Hidden Valley offers camping with a difference. Here, you can soak up a little country life on a sustainable working macadamia farm.

Hidden Valley is true to its name. It lies in a lush valley in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Popular things to do here include collecting eggs from the chickens, learning about the native bees, biking and hiking the rainforest trails, and hanging out with the resident emu and dog. Kangaroos might also join you while you're camping.

Choose from wide-open camping areas or secluded spots tucked away in the trees. Sites are powered. Drinking water and basic facilities with flushing toilets and hot showers are all available on-site. Feel like toasting some marshmallows? Campfires are allowed in designated camp pits, and you can purchase wood, too.

Sustainability is a core concern here, so composting bins and recycling bins are available on the premises. You can also purchase farm-fresh produce, including macadamia nuts, ginger, turmeric, herbs, vegetables, and honey from the native bee hives.

Dogs are allowed, but they must be on a leash at all times to protect the local wildlife.

Note that reservations are essential. You can book by email or text — check out the website below.

Insider's tip: Bring a reusable water bottle to fill up with drinking water.

Address: 180 Yandina-Bli Bli Road, Gro Mad Plantations, Yandina

Official site: http://hiddenvalleyfarm.com.au/

Map of Campgrounds & Caravan Parks near Coolum Beach