Site to Sights
Lakeland Downs Camping
Lakeland QLD
Category:
Caravan Park
Atherton QLD
Area
QLD: TABLELANDS REGION
GPS:
-18.2025003, 142.24550059999999
Nearby Sights/Things To Do
🌾 Lakeland Downs Camping — Lakeland QLD
PAID CAMP
🚩 Description & Location
Set just outside the small township of Lakeland, this low-cost camping area offers powered and unpowered sites in a rural setting. It’s a popular base for travellers heading north to Cape York or west toward the Gulf, with easy access to Lakeland’s roadhouse, café, and fuel.
🪶 History
Lakeland has long been a strategic junction town for travellers, where the Mulligan Highway meets the Peninsula Developmental Road. Lakeland Downs Camping was established to give budget-friendly camping options for both short-term and overnight stays.
🚻 Facilities and Amenities
⚡ Powered and unpowered sites
🚿 Amenities block with hot showers and toilets
💧 Potable water available
♻️ Dump point on site
🐾 Pets allowed (conditions apply)
🚮 Waste bins
🚗 Vehicle Access
🛣️ Fully sealed highway access. Suitable for caravans, motorhomes, camper trailers, and tents.
🏕️ Stay Information (as at August 2025):
📅 Booking: generally not required; pay on arrival
🏛️ Managing body: privately owned and operated
⛺ Site types: powered and unpowered sites
🐕 Pet policy: pets allowed (conditions apply)
🚪 Gate/access: open access during daylight hours
☎️ Phone: +61 7 4060 2108
📧 Email: lakelandcamping@gmail.com
🌐 Web: lakelanddownscamping.com.au
💲 User Price Reviews
“Powered site was $25 a night” (Aug 2025)
“Unpowered camping cost $20” (Jul 2025)
“We paid $23 for a powered spot in May” (May 2025)
“$18 for unpowered back in March” (Mar 2025)(Seasonal variations in rates may apply)NOTE: These are user submitted prices, confirm with camp operator.
📝 Reviews Summary
✅ Positives:
🚗 Handy overnight stop on Cape York route
💧 Potable water and dump point available
💵 Budget-friendly rates
🐾 Pet friendly
🛣️ Easy highway access
⚠️ Cautions:
🏖️ Basic facilities only
☀️ Limited shade
📶 Mobile signal can be weak during peak
🍻 Nearby Pubs & Clubs
🍺 Lakeland Hotel Motel — meals and bar service
🏕️ Nearby Campgrounds
🏞️ Hann River Tourist Park — full-service roadhouse camp north
🌳 Laura Rodeo Grounds — event camping (seasonal use)
🌄 Nearby Attractions
🏜️ Split Rock Aboriginal Rock Art site
🏞️ Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park southern access
🌄 Surrounding farming and savannah landscapes
🛒 Nearest Supplies
🛍️ Lakeland General Store
⛽ Fuel station in Lakeland
🏬 Larger range in Cooktown (~1 hr)
🚨 Breakdown & Emergency Info
📻 UHF CB: Road Channel = 40 | Emergency = 5
⛽ Fuel: on site in Lakeland
🏥 Medical: Cooktown Hospital (~1 hr)
📶 Mobile signal: Telstra patchy, better in town centre
🔚 Final Note
Lakeland Downs Camping is a no-fuss, budget-friendly base at a critical junction in Far North Queensland. Ideal for a quick stop or an early morning launch toward Cape York.