Cape Hillsborough National Park Mackay

Relax in large, shady camp sites just behind the beach at Smalleys Beach camping area. Photo credit: John Atkinson © Queensland Government

The ruggedly scenic landscape of Cape Hillsborough National Park. Photo credit: Linda Thompson © Queensland Government

Smalleys Beach

You will need to stay for a few days to fully unwind and experience all this magical part of the world has to offer.

Accessible by

Conventional vehicle

Camping area facilities

Anchoring allowed
Campfires allowed (conditions apply)
Toilets (non-flush)
Tent camping
Caravan camping
Camper trailer camping
Campervan camping
Tent camping beside car
Boating
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

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.
Any park-specific camping information for Cape Hillsborough.
Visiting Cape Hillsborough safely for important safety information.

You’ll feel right at home in this shady camping area that is right on the beach.

Launch your boat nearby at the Cape Hillsborough day-use area and spend your days exploring the coves, islands and reefs of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

Discover nearby beaches, ridge-top lookouts and mangrove forests (see Journeys) and watch the sunset splash across the sky as Cape Hillsborough’s agile wallabies visit the broad beach.

At night, gaze at the star-studded sky as the waves gently roll up the broad beach.

Getting there and getting around

Smalleys Beach camping area is in Cape Hillsborough National Park, 50km north-west of Mackay on the Central Queensland coast.

The camping area is located 1.5km along Smalleys Beach Road.

From Yakapari Seaforth Road turn onto the Cape Hillsborough Road, travel approximately 6km along Cape Hillsborough Road and turn left onto Smalleys Beach Road.
Smalleys Beach Road is gravel and suitable for conventional vehicles.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Smalleys Beach camping area is open all year round. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure. The camping area maybe closed at times due to severe weather or management activities.

Camping area features

Smalleys Beach camping area map (PDF, 182.5KB)

Shaded under eucalypt trees, this north-facing camping area has large camp sites and easy access to the beach.

Access: conventional vehicles, caravans, campervans and camper trailers.

Number of sites: 11 numbered sites.

Camp sites are suitable for: caravans, camper trailers and tent camping beside your vehicle.

Camp site surface: dirt and grass.

Facilities: toilets and drinking water.

Open fires: Camp fires are permitted (except when fire prohibitions and fire bans apply). Camp fires must be contained in above ground fire containers. Bring your own fire container and clean, milled 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: sturdy rubbish bags and sealable containers, insect repellent, sun protection, first-aid kit and a reliable torch.

Mobile phone coverage: poor.