Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area Sunshine Coast

Soak up a tranquil sunset over Inskip Peninsula. Photo credit: © Ben Blanche

Park specific conditions

    Portable toilets

    Portable toilets are mandatory (on-the-spot fines apply) to camp at Dorrigo South and Pelican Bay camping area. Even if you are only staying for one night you must bring a portable toilet. QPWS have implemented a waste management plan to protect the natural environment, your coastal camping experience and visitor health.

    • Portable toilets must have a sealed waste holding tank and must be transportable and suitable for emptying into a portable toilet waste facility.
    • Bag and bucket style toilets are not permitted.
    • Minimum requirement of one portable toilet per camping permit holder.
    • It is illegal to bury a noxious substance, such as portable toilet waste. Do not empty your portable toilet waste into any toilets in the recreation area as it creates a risk to human health. On-the-spot fines apply.
    • Empty your waste into the purpose-built toilet waste disposal facility. For your convenience, the Gympie Regional Council portable toilet waste disposal facility is located at Clarkson Drive, Rainbow Beach.
    • Do not dispose sanitary items, disposable nappies and toilet wipes into the toilet waste disposal facility – these items will block the system. Bag these items and take them home for disposal.
    • After use wash down the toilet waste disposal facility with the hose provided.

    Read also Frequently asked questions – toilets and rubbish and before you visit.

    Campfires

    • Permitted at Inskip camping areas, except when QPWS-imposed fire prohibitions or QFES-imposed fire bans are in place.
    • Use a pre-existing site and extinguish campfires with water, not sand.
    • Bring clean, untreated firewood such as milled 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.
    • Chainsaws cannot be used.
    • Preferably bring a gas or fuel stove for cooking.

    Read also: Campfire prohibitions and fuel stoves—a short video.

    Camping

    • Camping more than 29 nights is prohibited in the Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area.
    • Camping structures belonging to all people registered under a tag must be in one place no more than 3 metres apart.
    • When setting up camp, use an established site and camp within the fence line—not on the foredunes.
    • Reserving or roping off areas is not permitted.
    • Camp sites must be vacated by 11am on the day of departure.
    • Please stay out of revegetation areas.
    • Most camping areas are for 4WD only.
    • 2WD vehicle access is very limited.
    • Very few sites cater for large tents or camper trailers.
    • Caravans are not recommended.

    See further information about camping during peak periods.

    Keep noise to a minimum after 9pm.

    • Use only low decibel generators up to 2.0Kva.
    • Turn generators off after 9pm.
    • Keep groups small, as large groups have more environmental impact and can adversely affect the experience of other visitors.

    Camping during peak periods

    Camping areas at Inskip are popular all year, but are often full at peak periods—school holidays, long weekends, Christmas, New Year and Easter.

    Remember, only campers with current/valid permits are allowed to set up camp.

    Be aware! Vehicle access permits (VAPs) are required when traversing beaches and beach access tracks in the nearby Cooloola Recreation Area (i.e. Double Island Point and Freshwater Road).

    Penalties and evictions apply for camping without a valid permit. Avoid the disappointment of being turned away.

    • Permits must reflect number of people and duration of stay.
    • Buy permits well in advance.

    Plan ahead especially in peak times!

    • Visitors cannot book specific camp sites.
    • All camp sites are available on a ‘first in, best placed’ basis.
    • Most camping areas are for 4WD only.
    • 2WD vehicle access is very limited.
    • Very few sites cater for large tents or camper trailers.
    • Caravans are not recommended.
    • Bring small tents, particularly during peak periods, as they are more easily accommodated.

    During peak periods, strict conditions of camping apply

    • Camping structures belonging to all people registered under a single camping tag must be in one place and no more than 3m apart.
    • Rangers will ask campers to reset their camping structures to allow for all visitors with valid permits to fit into the camping areas.
    • Camp sites must be vacated by 11am on the day of departure.

    Camper hygiene

    Maintain high personal hygiene standards whilst camping in the Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area. Washing hands frequently with soap and water is essential, particularly after visiting the toilet, when preparing food and before eating and after visiting waste disposal and water point sites.

    For the health and wellbeing of our park visitors and staff, and to limit the spread of illness, visitors are recommended to:

    • Wash hands often with soap and water, especially before preparing food, eating and after going to the toilet (viral and bacterial stomach illnesses are not prevented with alcohol-based sanitisers).
    • Ensure all campers have a personal towel for hand drying.
    • Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or a tissue.
    • Ensure your campsite is located away from other tents.
    • Where possible, bring your own portable toilet.
    • Keep your rubbish secure and dispose in bins provided or take home.
    • Stay at home if you or any members of your group are unwell.
    • Keep a personal supply of drinking and washing water during your stay.

    Dogs and other domestic animals

    • Dogs are permitted at Inskip but must remain on a leash and under control at all times.
    • Camping with any other domestic animals, including birds, is prohibited.

    Be aware!

    • Dogs are not permitted in vehicles while traversing beaches and beach access tracks in the nearby Cooloola Recreation Area (i.e. Double Island Point, Teewah Beach and Freshwater Road).
    • Campers travelling with dogs to or from Inskip must detour via the Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach sealed roads.

    Read also: Staying safe and Looking after the park.

    • View some short videos about minimising your impact when visiting.