Site to Sights
Coen Cape York
Coen QLD
Category:
Camping Ground
Atherton QLD
Area
QLD: TABLELANDS REGION
GPS:
-18.2025003, 142.24550059999999
Nearby Sights/Things To Do
๐ด Coen Campgrounds โ Coen QLD
PAID CAMP
๐ฉ Description & Location
Coen serves as a key resupply and rest stop along the Peninsula Developmental Road for travellers heading to or from Cape York. Several basic camping areas are available, most set close to town facilities, with a mix of powered and unpowered options. The sites are practical stopovers rather than destination camps.
๐ชถ History
Coen was established in the late 1800s during the Cape York gold rush, later becoming a key supply and government post. Today, it remains an important midpoint for Cape travellers.
๐ป Facilities and Amenities
โก Powered and unpowered sites (varies by location)
๐ฟ Amenities with hot showers and toilets
๐ง Potable water available
โป๏ธ Dump point available in town
๐พ Pets allowed (varies by location)
๐ฎ Waste bins
๐ Vehicle Access
๐ฃ๏ธ Located directly on the Peninsula Developmental Road. Accessible to caravans, camper trailers, and motorhomes. Road is sealed only in sections; expect corrugations and dust in dry season, mud in wet.
๐๏ธ Stay Information (as at August 2025):
๐ Booking: not required for main camp areas
๐๏ธ Managing body: varies by campground (private and community-run)
โบ Site types: powered and unpowered
๐ Pet policy: varies, most allow pets
๐ช Gate/access: generally open access during daylight hours
โ๏ธ Phone: available for each operator locally
๐ง Email: not centralised; check individual site listings
๐ Web: not centralised; check individual site listings
๐ฒ User Price Reviews
โPowered site was $30โ (Aug 2025)
โUnpowered spot cost $20 a nightโ (Jul 2025)
โPaid $28 for powered in Juneโ (Jun 2025)
โUnpowered was $18 in Aprilโ (Apr 2025)
(Seasonal variations in rates may apply)
NOTE: These are user submitted prices, confirm with camp operator.
๐ Reviews Summary
โ Positives:
๐ Central location for Cape York route
๐ง Potable water and dump point available in town
๐พ Pet friendly at most sites
๐ Access to shops and fuel
๐งผ Basic but functional facilities
โ ๏ธ Cautions:
๐ Road noise from highway
๐๏ธ Limited shade in some areas
๐ถ Mobile reception patchy in spots
๐ป Nearby Pubs & Clubs
๐บ Exchange Hotel โ meals and drinks
๐ด Coen guesthouse cafรฉs
๐๏ธ Nearby Campgrounds
๐ณ Archer River Roadhouse โ powered/unpowered with river access
๐๏ธ Moreton Telegraph Station โ bush setting on Wenlock River
๐ Nearby Attractions
๐ฟ Coen Heritage House
๐๏ธ Archer River crossing
๐ค๏ธ Tracks north to Iron Range and Lockhart River
๐ Nearest Supplies
๐๏ธ General store in Coen
โฝ Fuel available in town
๐ฅ Small health clinic in Coen
๐จ Breakdown & Emergency Info
๐ป UHF CB: Road Channel = 40 | Emergency = 5
โฝ Fuel: in town
๐ฅ Medical: Coen clinic; larger hospital in Weipa (~4 hrs)
๐ถ Mobile signal: limited; Telstra best chance
๐ Final Note
Coenโs campgrounds are purely practical โ a safe, serviceable stop with basic comforts before pushing deeper into Cape York.