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Capricornia Cays National Park Gladstone

Immerse yourself in a remote island paradise. Photo credit: Collette Bagnato © Queensland Government

North West Island shark research project

The Capricornia Cays is abundant with wildlife — including sharks. We are currently conducting research into the prevalence, movements and behaviour of sharks around North West Island. Photo credit: © Queensland Government

The exceptional beauty of the islands within Capricornia Cays National Park will leave a lasting impression. Photo credit: Collette Bagnato © Queensland Government

Lady Musgrave Island campground

Camp nestled in pisonia forest with endless reef and ocean views in the southern Great Barrier Reef and let lapping waves lull you to sleep.

Accessible by

  • Boat

Camping area facilities

  • Anchoring allowed
  • Toilets (non-flush)
  • Tent camping
  • Short walk to tent
  • Walking
  • Snorkelling and diving
  • Cultural and historic sites
  • Canoeing and kayaking
  • Boating
  • Swimming
  • Guided tours and talks
  • Fishing

Always check

After a night serenaded by the howling calls of shearwaters, rise with the sun, grab the snorkelling gear and plunge into the sea to discover a vibrant underwater world. Patch reefs and bommies, adorned with colourful corals, rise vertically from the sandy floor and colourful reef fish dart and dance in crystal-clear water.

Spot noddies in the pisonia forest on the Lady Musgrave Island track leading to the north-west side of the island, or laze the day away on the beach soaking up endless reef and ocean and views. Sit around camp at dusk, and be entertained by shearwaters returning to their burrows.

Capricornia Cays National Parkis part of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area, famed for its superlative natural beauty, outstanding examples of reef ecosystem development, evolutionary history and amazing diversity.

Getting there and getting around

Lady Musgrave Island camping area is in Capricornia Cays National Park, 96km north-east of Bundaberg and 59km east-north-east of Seventeen Seventy in the southern Great Barrier Reef.

  • The camping area is on the north-west side of the island.
  • Follow the walking track from the northern beach to the camping area.

Getting to the island

  • You can reach the island by private boat or commercial vessel. The nearest departure points are Bundaberg and Seventeen Seventy.
  • There is a daily commercial service to the island.
  • The service is weather-dependent so you need to check with operators for timetables.

Staying safe

Be SharkSmart. Sharks are present at all times of the year in open ocean.

Before you visit

Be pest-free!

Our precious Great Barrier Reef World Heritage islands are among the most pest-free islands in the world. They need your help to stay this way. Please Be pest-free! (PDF, 573.6KB) , Be pest-free! video—YouTube before your visit.

Before you visit, please check that your boat, clothing, footwear and gear are free of soil, seeds, parts of plants, eggs, ants and insects (and their eggs), spiders, lizards, toads, rats and mice.

Be sure to:

  • Unpack your camping gear and equipment and check it carefully as pests love to hide in stored camping gear.
  • Clean soil from footwear and gear as invisible killers such as viruses, bacteria and fungi are carried in soil.
  • Check for seeds in pockets, cuffs and hook and loop fastening strips, such as Velcro.

While you are on the islands, remove soil, weeds, seeds and pests from your boat, gear and clothes before moving to a new site. Wrap seeds and plant material, and place them in your rubbish.

Everyone in Queensland has a General Biosecurity Obligation to minimise the biosecurity risk posed by their activities. This includes the risk of introducing and spreading weeds and pests to island national parks.

See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.

Opening hours

Lady Musgrave Island camping area is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Seasonal closures

  • The camping area is open from the first day of the Queensland Easter school holidays until the day after the Australia Day long weekend (or the day after the Australia Day public holiday, if the holiday falls midweek).
  • The camping area is closed at all other times, but you can visit the island during the day.
Image showing camping on Lady Musgrave Island.

Camping on Lady Musgrave Island.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Camping area features: Sheltered by pisonia trees with scenic views over the reef. Swim, dive and snorkel or enjoy the walking tracks.

Location: Southern-most island of the Capricornia Cays National Park, 96km north-east of Bundaberg.

Access: The camping area can be reached by boat only.

Number of sites: Open area without separately defined sites. Up to 40 people can camp here at any one time. Camp only in the designated area inland of rope barriers.

Maximum Number of camping nights: 21

Camp sites are suitable for: tent camping only.

Camp site surface: Sand.

Facilities: Accessible toilets, emergency radio, fuel storage and compressor bunker.

Fires: Prohibited (open and closed). Gas or liquid fuelled stoves for cooking purposes are permitted.

Generators: Not permitted. There is no medical exemption to operate a low decibel 65dB(A) generator in the Capricornia Cays National Park’.

Essentials to bring: All food and drinking water, sturdy rubbish bags, insect repellent, sun protection, first-aid kit, reliable torch. Read more about before you visit.

Bookings: book online or learn about our camping booking options. Advance bookings are essential for school holiday periods.

Mobile phone coverage: Unreliable. Marine VHF radios and satellite phones are recommended.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

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