South Cumberland Islands National Park

🏝️ South Cumberland Islands National Park (QLD)

🗺️ Summary of Camping Sites

• Refuge Bay (Scawfell Island) – Remote, beachside, tent-only, boat access, bookings essential

• Turtle Beach (St Bees Island) – Remote, natural bay, tent-only, boat access, bookings essential

• Singapore Bay (Keswick Island) – Coastal bush setting, tent-only, boat access, bookings essential

• Cockermouth Island Campground – Open grassland island site, tent-only, boat access, bookings essential

• Penrith Island Campground – Isolated tidal reef site, tent-only, boat access, bookings essential

⛺ Refuge Bay (Scawfell Island)

📍 Description & Location

A quiet beachside site on Scawfell Island, backed by rainforest slopes and granite ridges. Offers a tranquil and scenic environment for marine-based campers with boat access.

🚿 Facilities and Amenities

• Pit toilet

• Sandy and grassy tent space

• No water or waste services

• No fires or generators

🚗 Vehicle Access

• Private vessel access only

• Walk-in from beach after anchoring offshore

📝 Stay Information (as at July 2025)

• Fees apply – booking and permit required

• Booking: Essential

• Authority: Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service

• Site Type: Remote beach campground (tent-only)

• Pet Policy: No pets allowed

• Must be fully self-contained

• Max occupancy: 12 people

⛺ Turtle Beach (St Bees Island)

📍 Description & Location

Set within a mangrove-lined cove, this calm beach campsite offers basic tent-only camping with scenic island surroundings.

🚿 Facilities and Amenities

• Pit toilet

• No fires or generators

• No water or extra facilities

🚗 Vehicle Access

• Boat or kayak landing required

📝 Stay Information (as at July 2025)

• Fees apply – booking essential

• Tent-only, self-contained camping

• No pets allowed

⛺ Singapore Bay (Keswick Island)

📍 Description & Location

Fringed by coastal she-oaks and sandy beachfront, Singapore Bay suits tent campers seeking an isolated natural setting.

🚿 Facilities and Amenities

• No toilet or infrastructure

• No water or waste services

• No fires or generators

🚗 Vehicle Access

• Access by private vessel or kayak

📝 Stay Information (as at July 2025)

• Fees apply – booking required

• Tent-only, self-contained

• No pets allowed

⛺ Cockermouth Island Campground

📍 Description & Location

Hilly grassland with views of the surrounding reef flats. Best suited for experienced campers comfortable with isolation and open ground.

🚿 Facilities and Amenities

• Pit toilet

• No water or waste disposal

• No fires or generators

🚗 Vehicle Access

• Boat landing access only

📝 Stay Information (as at July 2025)

• Fees apply – bookings required

• Tent-only, self-contained

• No pets allowed

⛺ Penrith Island Campground

📍 Description & Location

Accessed via tidal reef flats, this minimalist beach site is one of the most remote camping experiences in the region.

🚿 Facilities and Amenities

• No facilities

• Natural ground only for tent pitching

• No fires or generators

🚗 Vehicle Access

• Boat access at high tide

📝 Stay Information (as at July 2025)

• Fees apply – booking required

• Tent-only, fully self-contained

• No pets allowed

📝 Final Note

The South Cumberland Islands provide Queensland’s purest marine camping options—completely off-grid and accessible only by watercraft. Each site enforces tent-only camping, booking requirements, and total self-sufficiency. An ideal choice for adventurers confident in their navigation, provisioning, and weather-readiness.