Bowling Green Bay National Park Townsville

Alligator Creek valley, Bowling Green Bay National Park Photo credit: Phill Copp © Queensland Government

Bowling Green Bay National Park—a stunning mosaic of coastal wetlands and rainforest on mountain tops Photo credit: Phil Copp © Queensland Government

Salmon Creek camping area, Cape Cleveland

Set up camp in a beach environment in close proximity to to Salmon Creek.

Accessible by

  • High clearance 4WD

Camping area facilities

  • Campfires allowed (conditions apply)
  • Tent camping
  • Camper trailer camping
  • Tent camping beside car
  • Fishing

Queensland National Parks Booking System Update

The new Queensland National Parks Booking Service is live for bookings.

Customer account login
If you are making your first booking since 1 July 2024, a new customer account will be created automatically as part of your next booking. Please note your previous login credentials will no longer be valid.

Customers who have made a booking after 1 July 2024, please use your email address to reset your password to access your account.

More information about the new booking system

Always check

Located near the mouth of Salmon Creek, set up camp among the she oaks along the bank of Salmon Creek. Try your hand at fishing, catch a stunning sunrise or stroll the shores of Big Beach.

Important information! Know the tide times. Camp sites at Salmon Creek are susceptible to tidal influences, especially at high tides.

Estuarine crocodiles inhabit this section of the national park. Always be croc-wise in croc country.

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.

Getting there and getting around

Salmon Creek camping area is located on the mouth of Salmon Creek. Access is via the coastal township of Cungulla.

  • Turn off the Bruce Highway onto Cape Cleveland Road and follow the signs to Cungulla, approximately 14km.
  • At Cungulla, turn left onto Frank Randell Drive and travel approximately 700m to reach the park boundary and entrance to Salmon Creek.
  • Drive approximately 6km along Big Beach to reach Salmon Creek camping area.

Do not drive along the beach to the camping area during the two hours either side of high tide. Avoid travelling at night.

Never sleep, sit or picnic in vehicle traffic zones such as the beach, roads or camping area access tracks. Please be respectful of other people on the beach.

Read the driving on sand (PDF, 943.6KB) brochure to find out how to be a safe and responsible beach user.

Wheelchair access

Wheelchair facilities are not provided.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Salmon Creek camping area is open 24 hours a day.

Seasonal closures

Access to Salmon Creek camping area may be closed at times due to extreme weather conditions and park management activities. Vehicle access via the beach is subject to the marine turtle nesting season.

Camping area features

Access: at low tide by four-wheel-drive vehicles only. The camping area is located 6km along Big Beach.

Number of sites: 3 separate but unnumbered camp sites. Camping is not allowed on the sand dunes or anywhere else outside the camping area.

Camp sites are suitable for: camper trailers and tent camping beside your four-wheel-drive vehicle.

Facilities: none.

Camp fires: permitted. Must be in above ground fire containers only (except when fire bans apply). 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: not permitted.

Essentials to bring: drinking water, rubbish bags, a fuel or gas stove and insect repellent. Read more about before you visit.

Mobile phone coverage: poor.

Bookings

Book online or learn about our camping booking options.

Book a camping area

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Bowling Green Bay safely and camp with care.