The campgrounds around Lake Tinaroo on the Atherton Tablelands are run by the Queensland Government. Here are the pros and cons.
CONS
- The lake is man-made and the forests have been planted so the area does not have the richness of diversity that natural old-growth forests have.
- It is popular for water skiers, so expect to hear motor boats. The quietest are probably Kauri Creek and School Point.
- Facilities are more basic than the privately run camping and caravan parks on the Atherton Tablelands. There are no showers.
- Making a booking for the first time is time consuming (see below).
PROS
- The rates are lower than the privately run places if there are only 1 or 2 of you.
- Most campsites are right on the lake.
- If you like fishing, you can catch dinner. Sooty grunter and barramundi are both found in Lake Tinaroo.
RATES: All camping fees are $5.95 per person per night, or $23.95 for families.
How to Make an Online Booking in 100 Easy Steps
To make an online booking you have to:
- Create an account with Queensland National Parks
- They send you an email asking for confirmation
- You must confirm
- They send you an email to confirm that you have confirmed with a link to the log-in page
- You must log in
- Then you must enter your details into the profile form but the form only accepts 4 digits in the post code field (If you’re not from Australia just make something up. ‘0000’ works fine.)
- Once you have gone through all of that, you’ll find the ‘Make a Booking’ button on the left-hand menu and are ready to begin the process of actually booking your site.
Platypus campground has one site for a campervan, the rest are for tents. It is in a hoop pine forest by the shore of Lake Tinaroo overlooking the dam wall. It has mobile phone coverage.
Facilities
- Flushing toilets
- Picnic tables
- Wood barbecues
- Individual fire rings
RATES: All camping fees are $5.95 per person per night, or $23.95 for families.
The campground looks over tall pine plantations and native forests and has uninterrupted water views. Camp sites are separated by native vegetation that attracts birds and butterflies. A 2.4 km walk through the forest and plantations brings you to the Kauri Creek camping area. It has mobile phone coverage.
Facilities
- Flushing toilets
- Fire rings
RATES: All camping fees are $5.95 per person per night, or $23.95 for families.
Kauri Creek campground is on the banks of an inlet to Lake Tinaroo with crystal clear water and a sandy bottom. It’s great for swimming and kayaking and is generally quiet. A 600 metre walk along the forested Link track brings you to the Kauri Creek day-use area. It has mobile phone coverage.
Facilities
- Flushing toilets
- Shower room (bring your own shower)
- Individual fire rings
RATES: All camping fees are $5.95 per person per night, or $23.95 for families.
School Point was once the site of a school before the dam was made. It is the most remote and least visited. There are 11 purpose built level sites, each with a tap, and 5 of the sites are suitable for campervans. The campground has stunning views of Lake Tinaroo and is nestled in pine plantations and landscaped bush. It has no mobile phone coverage.
Facilities
- Flush toilets
- Fires allowed
RATES: All camping fees are $5.95 per person per night, or $23.95 for families.
The following photos are courtesy of Bazman63. His blog on School Point camping area is worth a read.
This large camping area is popular among waterskiers and large groups, but if you come through the week and not during school holidays, you might get it mostly to yourself. The campground is located on a peninsula and most of the camp sites have water access and views. Beyond the lake, rolling hills, forests and pine plantations form a picturesque backdrop.
Facilities
- Flushing toilets
- Individual and communal fire rings
- A small shelter is available to facilitate group activities
RATES: All camping fees are $5.95 per person per night, or $23.95 for families.
A map of more camping options and places of interest on the Misty Mountains Loop.
More Information
- To see other campgrounds and places of interest in the region visit the Wooroonooran Blog Map.
- The Blog Map is a Google Map of all the campgrounds and places of interest I’ve blogged throughout Australia.
- Best private run camping and caravan parks on the Atherton Tablelands
- Free camping on the Atherton Tablelands
- Used campervans for sale
- Hire a campervan in Australia
Little Green Nomad 
Thanks Jodie. This was really helpful! We live in Cairns and were looking for a peaceful bush camping site for our family. I was worried Tinaroo may be loud and busy, so followed your recommendations and looked online for sites at School Point or Kauri Creek. School Point was perfect. Just a note for future visitors: there are white-tailed rats around the campsites at night; they are deterred by light, so it’s handy to take an extra lantern to leave on overnight.
The Jungaljungal Walk (from next to the Kauri Creek day use area) was also great … our children are aged 9 and 13 and both really enjoyed it. Kauri Creek was pristine, and would a great place for a swim in summer. 🙂
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Hi Jenny! Thank you for sharing your experience and for the tips. I’ll add them to the post. I am happy that you and your family had a good time ☺
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Thanks Jodie,
We prefer not to book ahead but understand that during school holidays we have to be prepared to be a little less “free” to go with the flow. I noted that Platypus campground does have one camper trailer and one campervan spot so that’s a possibility also. Will just have to make a decision out of what looks like 3 excellent options. We have a large fishing kayak so I was tending toward Kauri but it looks like the other two would also be fine for launching a kayak.
Your map is fantastic and is helping me to plan which way to travel around the Atherton Tablelands before we head for Karumba and Lawn Hill (and beyond). As we haven’t been to the Atherton Tablelands before I was allowing 10-12 days, but we can always head off early or stay longer depending on how we feel (and the weather).
Michelle
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I am so glad to hear my map is of use to you. Let me know how you go and if there is anything I should update on the blog article. Happy travels, Michelle!
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We have what might be called a large camper trailer – it is a hybrid and looks like a small pop top van. It is a true off road camper trailer. Just wondering whether Kauri Creek or School Point Campground at Lake Tinaroo would suit us and whether one would be better than the other for our set up? We will be there during school holidays in July (not by choice as we are retired, just timing on our trip north). How busy do these campgrounds get at that time and should we book well in advance?
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Hello Michelle,
Thank you for your message!
All the campsites around Lake Tinarroo have easy access so you won’t have a problem getting to them. School Point has purpose built level sites and as it is the most remote campsite, is less likely to fill up than the others. I don’t know exactly how full they get during school holidays because I was there off-season, but you are able to book ahead to secure a site. For more information, you could try contacting the Queensland NPWS through their contact form at https://www.npsr.qld.gov.au/contactus/feedbackform.php?type=enquiry
Enjoy your stay! It sounds like you are living the dream 🙂
Jodie (Little Green Nomad)
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