About halfway between Townsville and Cairns — and on the way up to Cape Trib — is the Mission Beach area.
There are a number of council-run campgrounds and caravan parks here, but head straight to Kurrimine Beach for a prime beachfront posi. This site is pretty well set up — powered sites with access to a laundry, hot showers and toilets are available along with some unpowered sites in peak season.
You can't book, so turn up early in the day and hope for the best.
Image: Matt Glastonbury via Tourism and Events Queensland