• M.V. Natone camping area. Photo credit: Queensland Government
• M.V. Natone camping area. Photo credit: Queensland Government
• M.V. Natone camping area. Photo credit: Queensland Government

You’ll never want to leave this shady and secluded camping area that has front row seats to the beach and Great Sandy Marine Park.

Set up camp under coastal sheoaks and Moreton Bay ash and take in the views towards Wide Bay Bar and K'gari.

During the day explore the area by 4WD or on foot. Fish from the long sandy beaches and cook your catch over your camp fire.

Why M.V. Natone?

The names of six camping areas on the Inskip Peninsula recall past shipping history. A veteran of six Antarctic voyages, the 450 ton M.V. Natone had carried explorers Sir Douglas Mawson and Sir Hubert Wilkins. In January 1959, after being battered by cyclonic seas on her way from New Guinea to Brisbane, she ran aground near Mudlo rocks. All 18 crew survived the ordeal.

Before you visit

Camping area features

Open camping area behind the foredunes. No formally defined sites.

• Coastal trees provide dappled shade in some areas.
• A few camp sites offer views across the ocean towards the Wide Bay bar and K'gari.
• Other camp sites, a little further inland, provide shelter from the sun and prevailing ocean winds.
• The beach is a short walk away.

Location: Behind the foredunes, off Inskip Point Road. This is the third camping area from the entrance of the recreation area.

Also see:

• Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area map (PDF, 648.0KB)
• M.V. Natone camping area map (PDF, 343.4KB)

Access: 4WD only on sand tracks, access from Inskip Point Road or the beach, vehicle access permits are not required.

Camp sites are suitable for: tent camping beside a 4WD vehicle and off-road camper trailers and campervans. Not suitable for caravans.

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 30 days is prohibited.

Camp site surface: Sand.

Facilities: Three hybrid toilet blocks are provided in this camping area. One has a wheelchair access ramp.

• No showers.
• No drinking water taps.
• Rubbish bins are located near the camping area exit.
• If you bring a portable toilet, the nearest waste disposal facility is available at the Gympie Regional Council service facility located on Clarkson Drive just outside of Rainbow Beach. Do not empty portable toilet waste into the camping area toilets. Penalties apply.
• The Gympie Regional Council facility also has drinking water—take your own water storage containers.

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.

Also see: 

• Camp fire prohibitions and fuel stoves
• Fire prohibitions and bans – cooking appliances (PDF, 729.4KB)

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

Essentials to bring: Drinking water, 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 as 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.
• If you bring a portable toilet, please dispose of your toilet waste at the council service facility on Clarkson Drive just north of Rainbow Beach. Do not empty portable toilet waste into the camping area toilets. Penalties apply.

Also see:

• Before you visit
• Camp fires and cooking

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:

• Camping during peak periods.

Book a camping area

Visiting safely

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