As we are very new to caravannin,we will be traveling from cairns to Townsville shortly and are looking at free camping along the way(Beachs).Hopefully someone can assist.
aussietraveller said
10:36 AM Jun 26, 2017
Gday Rusty 1956 and welcome to the forum
Have done the trip several times but we use caravan parks most of the time but for a small investment you can access wiki Camps which is an online app and is kept up to date by people using the site.
there is information on free camps and on caravan parks with comments from recent users usually including any cost and often photos.
We recommend wiki camps highly as it is the most up to date and most reliable tool we have found for finding the ideal stop.
brickies said
10:50 AM Jun 26, 2017
Hard to find free camp at the beach anywhere
Dougwe said
10:56 AM Jun 26, 2017
Welcome to the gang Rusty, enjoy here and out in the playground.
I agree about Wikicamps, a very good investment for this life style and I tell you that for free. There are some nice CV parks and free camps along the way so read about them and enjoy. There is also "Camping Australia Wide' and 'Caravan Parks Australia Wide' also both good books. I use Wiki most of the time though these days.
I am currently in Townsville for winter and have been doing so for many moons now to excape the Mexican (VIC) winter cold. These days, wherever my aluminium teepee is I am home, so spose I'm home as we speak.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Desert Dweller said
11:45 AM Jun 26, 2017
brickies wrote:
Hard to find free camp at the beach anywhere
Pretty easy on the Capricorn Coast, every night there are caravans & motorhomes parked next to foreshore toilet blocks overnight despite prominent NO CAMPING signage.
All mature aged wrinklies. They must have thick hides. It doesn't make the rest of us look good either.
Agree that Wiki camps is the way to go though there is some inaccurate information
on it. Mainly people calling DONATIONS PLEASE camps FREE CAMPS.
Tony Bev said
12:58 PM Jun 26, 2017
A warm welcome from me also Rusty1956
Unfortunately I can not help, as I have never been to that area
As others have said Wikicamps or Australia Wide Camp Book 9, is the way to find the free camps
As Desert Dweller has said, if the so called "Free Camp" has a donation box, or a sign saying where to donate, then please use it
No disrespect intended towards anyone
But...
In my opinion, those who do not wish to donate, at a donation camp, should not complain if that camp is no longer available, next time they pass through that area
Kebbin said
02:03 PM Jun 26, 2017
I don't think you will find a free camp between Cairns and Townsville, could be wrong it's happened before, but I reckon only overseas backpackers get away with it as they don't pay the fines.
Aus-Kiwi said
04:39 PM Jun 26, 2017
Pull up at sunset and move or park back from beach before 7- 8AM before the rangers start work ?
Pamela G said
09:04 PM Jun 26, 2017
You can camp at Blue water, balgal beach and babinda. Nothing in cairns
Pamela G said
11:05 PM Jun 26, 2017
You can camp at Blue water, balgal beach and babinda. Nothing in cairns
in transit said
11:35 AM Jun 27, 2017
Bluewater and Rollingstone were great when we lived in Townsville. There might be a small charge these days. Also if you can force yourself to move away from the water the Murray Falls is a large area and attractive but NP fees apply. There was a small site at Saunders Beach but if it is still there I expect it is chocka. Enjoy.
Homer and Marg said
04:33 PM Jun 28, 2017
I believe there is free camping at Babinda Creek near Babinda.
As we are very new to caravannin,we will be traveling from cairns to Townsville shortly and are looking at free camping along the way(Beachs).Hopefully someone can assist.

Have done the trip several times but we use caravan parks most of the time but for a small investment you can access wiki Camps which is an online app and is kept up to date by people using the site.
there is information on free camps and on caravan parks with comments from recent users usually including any cost and often photos.
We recommend wiki camps highly as it is the most up to date and most reliable tool we have found for finding the ideal stop.
I agree about Wikicamps, a very good investment for this life style and I tell you that for free. There are some nice CV parks and free camps along the way so read about them and enjoy. There is also "Camping Australia Wide' and 'Caravan Parks Australia Wide' also both good books. I use Wiki most of the time though these days.
I am currently in Townsville for winter and have been doing so for many moons now to excape the Mexican (VIC) winter cold. These days, wherever my aluminium teepee is I am home, so spose I'm home as we speak.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
Pretty easy on the Capricorn Coast, every night there are caravans & motorhomes parked next to foreshore toilet blocks overnight despite prominent NO CAMPING signage.
All mature aged wrinklies. They must have thick hides. It doesn't make the rest of us look good either.
Agree that Wiki camps is the way to go though there is some inaccurate information
on it. Mainly people calling DONATIONS PLEASE camps FREE CAMPS.
Unfortunately I can not help, as I have never been to that area
As others have said Wikicamps or Australia Wide Camp Book 9, is the way to find the free camps
As Desert Dweller has said, if the so called "Free Camp" has a donation box, or a sign saying where to donate, then please use it
No disrespect intended towards anyone
But...
In my opinion, those who do not wish to donate, at a donation camp, should not complain if that camp is no longer available, next time they pass through that area