Overview
Holidaying overseas has been off the cards for the past year due to Australia's international border closure. Vacationing interstate hasn't always been easy either, with domestic borders also opening and shutting with frequency. And, if you're a fan of staying local and going camping — or heading elsewhere within Queensland, but still pitching a tent — that's been subject to the state's campsite capacity restrictions, too.
With Easter almost upon us, the Queensland Government has just made a handy amendment to the current COVID-19 rules across the state, however — with caps on the number of people at campsites removed. The change came into effect on Saturday, March 13, which is when the state's gathering limits last eased. Clearly, with a long weekend almost upon us, the timing isn't coincidental.
Announcing the scrapped camping restrictions, Queensland Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef Meaghan Scanlon said that the state's online booking systems are being "updated to reflect the eased restrictions and ensure that as many people as possible can get into the great outdoors". So, if that's on your to-do list in the near future, you should now be able to find more spots to book.
Obviously, a fortnight out from the long weekend, some places are already maxed out for that period anyway — such as Teewah Beach and Bribie Island, Scanlon advised. But, that isn't the case across the board. At Inskip Point in the Cooloola Recreation Area, for instance, an additional 500 camping spots became available.
Matt Glastonbury via Tourism and Events Queensland
If you're keen on spending some time on North Stradbroke Island over the break, you mightn't have the same luck, with Minjerribah Camping announcing that Cylinder Beach is already booked to capacity. There's a waitlist for sites at Amity Point, Adder Rock and Home Beach for Easter, with any remaining spots opened to the public on Wednesday, March 17.
Looking for somewhere by the water to camp — either at Easter or later in the year? We've rounded up ten beachside spots in Queensland to add to your list.
For more information about the status of COVID-19 in Queensland, head to the QLD COVID-19 hub and the Queensland Health website.
Top image: Nick Boustead via Tourism and Events Queensland.