Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area Sunshine Coast

Pelican Bay camping area. Photo credit: Queensland Government

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

Pelican Bay camping area

There’s something for every camper at this waterfront spot on the western side of the peninsula. With shady and secluded sites this camping area gives you all the benefits of a coastal escape away from the crowds, not to mention front row seats to the beach and Great Sandy Marine Park.

Accessible by

  • High clearance 4WD

Camping area facilities

  • Anchoring allowed
  • Campfires allowed (conditions apply)
  • Generators allowed (conditions apply)
  • Tent camping
  • Camper trailer camping
  • Campervan camping
  • Tent camping beside car
  • Walking
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Dogs permitted (on leash)

Queensland National Parks Booking System Update

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With shady and secluded sites this camping area gives you all the benefits of a coastal escape away from the crowds not to mention front row seats to the beach and Great Sandy Marine Park.

During the day explore the area on foot or by boat. Fish the calm bay waters and cook your catch over your camp fire as you watch the sun set.

Pelican Bay is located off Bullock Point Road, just north of the Inskip Point Road turn off.

A small, open camping area is located behind the foredunes and on the beachfront, with no formally defined sites. Coastal trees provide dappled shade in some areas, and camp site surface is sand. Some camp sites offer views across Pelican Bay towards Inskip Peninsula. Other camp sites, a little further inland, provide shelter from the sun and prevailing winds. The beach is a short walk away. Access is 4WD only and suits small groups.

There are no facilities provided in this camping area, mobile phone coverage is intermittent. Dogs are permitted but must be on a leash and under control at all times.

Why Pelican Bay?

Large flocks of pelicans reside in the calm waters of the bay.

Before you visit

Camping area features

Open camping area on the waterfront and foredunes. No formally defined sites.

  • Coastal trees provide dappled shade in some areas.
  • Some camp sites provide views across Pelican Bay and towards Inskip Peninsula.
  • Other camp sites, located a little further inland, are more sheltered from the sun and prevailing winds.

Location: Off Bullock Point Road, just north of the Inskip Point turn off.

Also see:

Access: 4WD only on sand tracks, access only off Bullock Point Road, vehicle access permits are not required.

  • Very restricted access for off road camper trailers and campervans. Not suitable for caravans.
  • No vehicle access to or from the beach from within this camping area.

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 29 days is prohibited.

Camp sites are suitable for: tent camping beside a 4WD vehicle, off road campervans and camper trailers.
Small camping structures are recommended here.

Camp site surface: Grass and/or sand.

Facilities:

  • No showers or toilets.
  • No water taps.
    • The Gympie Regional Council service facility on Clarkson Drive, Rainbow Beach, has drinking water—take your own water storage containers.
  • No rubbish bins.

Portable toilets

Portable toilets are mandatory to camp at Dorrigo South and Pelican Bay camping areas (penalties apply). Even if you are only staying for one night you must bring a portable toilet.

  • 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.

Also see:

Waste management

Bins are not provided at Pelican Bay camping area.

Rubbish bins are located at the following camping areas:

  • Sarawak West
  • M.V. Sarawak
  • M.V. Beagle
  • M.V. Natone
  • S.S. Dorrigo

Alternatively, take your rubbish home with you. Littering and inappropriate waste storage are prohibited, and penalties apply for non-compliance. Littering and illegal dumping are prohibited, and penalties apply for non-compliance. Report littering and illegal dumping.

Waste management tips when camping:

  • Do not hang rubbish bags from trees or tents. Securely store your waste until disposal, in sealed containers to prevent negative interactions with wildlife.
  • Be part of the solution - reduce, reuse and recycle.
    • Choose a menu with less packaged goods.
    • Take recyclables home for proper disposal.
  • Choose good quality camping equipment that will withstand the harsh elements of the coastal environment.
    • Reuse camping equipment.
    • Repair broken equipment – do not be a consumer with a throwaway mentality.
  • Remove all waste, including broken camping equipment and domestic waste.
  • Don't burn or bury anything.
  • Carry out sanitary products, disposable nappies and cigarette butts. Do not put these in the toilet facilities.
  • Avoid bringing glass as it can’t be crushed. Broken glass can harm other visitors and wildlife.
  • Bring small sealable canisters for cigarette butts. Don't discard butts in the park.

Also see:

Open fires: Permitted in pre-existing fire sites, except when QPWS-imposed fire prohibitions or Queensland Fire Department fire bans are in place. Fuel stoves are recommended.

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

Essentials to bring: Drinking water, portable toilet, 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. 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.

Also see:

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, especially for holiday periods including long weekends and public holidays.

Also see:

Book a camping area

Visiting safely

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