Kinkuna Beach Camping: Review & All You Need to Know!
Stop searching! I’ve found you the perfect spot to enjoy beach camping at Kinkuna near Woodgate in Queensland. This hidden gem along the Bundaberg coast offers one of the most peaceful and unspoiled camping experiences in the region, where the soft sand, rolling surf, and sunsets are right at your doorstep.
Kinkuna really stands out as a coastal escape within the Burrum Coast National Park. Ideal for those who love off-grid camping and don’t mind a 4WD adventure to get there.
In this guide, I’ll share my review & everything you need to know about camping at Kinkuna. This includes how to get there, tides, costs, what vehicle requirements you’ll need, and tips to make the most of your stay. Whether you’re chasing sunrise views or beach fishing, Kinkuna offers a slice of Queensland’s coastline that still feels untouched.
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My Review of Kinkuna Beach Camping!
Overall, beach camping at Kinkuna is absolutely magnificent, and we will definitely stay here again. Between the early morning views of the beach, the isolation from other campers, and the fact you don’t need to purchase a beach driving permit – it can’t get much better!
The best news is that all the sites are facing towards the east, and with the sun is rising up over the water, nobody will miss out. I find the quiet early morning walks are what makes the beachside camping great, so make sure you take advantage of that.
In the evenings, we gathered around the campfire to stay warm and soaked in the stunning sunset while sipping down a few drinks. This was followed by a starlit sky perfect for gazing at the Milky Way and other constellations. This is due to it being in a low-light pollution area.
If you need a visual, please click below for our video, which includes most of the information mentioned below.
However, if I were to say one small negative thing, it would be how close the crashing waves were overnight. Normally, this white noise would put me straight to sleep, but we both found that the high tide in the middle of the night was pretty loud. Therefore, if you’re a light sleeper, you might want to bring earplugs or an alternative with you.
In the end, if you love beach camping, I would definitely recommend checking out Kinkuna Beach.
Especially considering how much cheaper and easier it was to get to, compared to our stays at Ocean Beach Campsites on Bribie Island and Flinders Beach Campsites on Stradbroke Island.
How to Book Your Site & Cost?
Securing a camping spot at Kinkuna Beach is straightforward. To do so, you must log on to the QLD Parks website, navigate to the booking system, and make your online purchase.
Most beach camping sites in South East Queensland require a Beach Driving Permit and a Camping Permit. But, the great news is for all those beach enthusiasts, NO beach Driving Permit is necessary for Kinkuna. Only the car must be registered, and the driver must be licenced.
However, you will need to purchase a camping permit, which currently costs $7.50 per adult (2025). This affordable fee ensures that you can enjoy all the natural beauty and amenities while supporting the maintenance and conservation of this pristine location for future campers.
How do you get there?
Know that the Southern route in was closed off for our visit, so we took the northern route (closer to the Bundaberg side). As a result, accessing the beach from Woodgate can take a bit longer as you need to drive around the closure. Ultimately, this took us about 1 hour to get around, instead of 30 minutes direct to the southern end.
Therefore, to reach the camping sites from the north:
- we started from Bundaberg along Goodwood Road
- turned left onto Coonarr Road and drove 7.8 kilometres.
- make a right turn onto Palm Beach Road.
- Another right turn into the Camping site tracks
About 500 metres along Palm Beach Road, there is a stopping area on the side of the road where you can air down your tyres. Although, there is another point to do this, about one kilometre along the dirt road. This is where you can also read up on the Burrum Coast National Park and Kinkuna Camping area.
What tyre pressure?
We generally range our tyre pressure between 18 and 20 PSI for soft sand and didn’t seem to have any issues.
What are the roads like?
While we were still driving along Palm Beach Road, know that this area is compacted dirt and easy to drive, but do expect to see a few trucks driving up and down it too.
Eventually, you’ll come to a right-hand turn with a prominent sign to “Kinkuna Camping Area”. This is a very definite 4WD track, and you could tell there had been plenty of rain beforehand.
The track is still a bit compacted here, but you’ll go through lots of potholes, and depending on the rain, there can be quite a bit of water to drive through. Eventually, the sand gets a bit softer as you get closer and you’ll be driving much slower.
After about 5 kilometres, you’ll come to a fork in the road leading to the camping sites and beach access. We chose the “beach access,” which took us to the day-use area and the start of the camping sites. However, if we kept on going the other way, it led to two different entry points into the camping spots.
So, either way, you’ll get there!
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How to Choose a Camp Site?
The camping sites at Kinkuna Beach operate on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s very hard to say which one is better than another, and in busy times, it might be very hard to return to the same site every time.
Here is a pdf MAP of the site area, but you’ll notice there are NO zones and especially NO site allocations. A total of 120 people can book here each night, so you’ll just drive along until you find an available spot. Although, if you have more than 10 people, I’m not sure how you would go finding a site altogether during busy times.
Know that we stayed out of school holidays and during the week, so there were plenty of free sites to choose from. Most had plenty of trees around, and all situated higher on the dunes, so you don’t get affected by the High tides. Also, some where more sandy than others, and others with more grass or beach vegetation.
Apart from that, there were heaps of beach access points, and if you’re planning to go back and forth to the beach, know that I found some entry points slightly easier than others. This means some have less elevation than others or a metre or two shorter distance. So, just keep driving untill you find one suitable for you!
Our Campsite!
Setting up our campsite was pretty easy, we just found a spot with quick access to the beach and a clear view in the morning for the sunrise.
We opted for a simple swag off the side of the Pajero, which provided us with both comfort, warmth and a connection to the great outdoors.
The in-built awning offered much-needed shade and protection from the elements, creating a cozy outdoor living space. We also brought along a couple of chairs to relax around the fire,
All in all, it’s takes us about 20 to 30 minutes to set up our site.
Beach Driving & Tides?
Is it easy to drive on the Beach?
Driving on the beach at Kinkuna is an exhilarating experience that offers both scenic beauty and the opportunity for some adventurous off-roading. However, there are a few tips and guidelines to ensure your journey is as smooth as possible.
First and foremost, it’s crucial to air down your tyres (Which should already have been done to get there), as this helps provide better traction on the soft sand to get off and on the beach.
Remember to always engage your 4WD system before hitting the sandy stretches to avoid getting bogged down.
Avoid driving too close to the dunes as this is where the sand is often the softest and most difficult to navigate. Additionally, be mindful of other beachgoers and wildlife, and maintain a safe speed to prevent accidents.
Do you need to check Tide Heights?
You shouldn’t drive on the beach at the peak of High Tide. We did most of our driving about 2 to 3 hours AFTER a 2.3-metre high tide, and there was plenty of room.
To be honest, I think we could have ventured out there an hour after high tide, but please look up the tide heights for your visit and gauge the best time. Otherwise, just avoid the beach when coming into a high tide.
Note: You don’t have to worry about the Tides times to access the Camping Sites.
Facilities & Common Questions!
What do you need to bring?
Know that this is off-grid camping, and you must bring everything with you that you need. This includes food, drinking water, even water for showers, washing plates, cutlery and cooking equipment.
The most important thing is you’re required to bring your own portable Chemical toilet. This is a national park campground and there are no facilities nearby (except maybe at Woodgate or Bundaberg). The toilet must be chemical-based and have a two-part cavity. This includes a sealed waste holding tank suitable for emptying into a portable toilet waste disposal facility.
Apart from that, our car fridge ensured we had fresh food and cold drinks on hand, while our Pajero is fitted with plenty of 12-volt charging capabilities to keep our tunes and phones going.
Ultimately, whatever you bring in, must be taken back out again. This ensures you’re preserving the natural beauty of the area for future visitors.
Can you have a fire?
Yes, you can have a fire, but you’ll need to check the Queensland Parks website for the latest information to ensure there isn’t a fire ban in place. For us, in winter, we didn’t have any issues, but summertime is more prone to dry and humid weather, and you might need to check for restrictions.
There is a preference to use a fire pit, so we brought ours along too. This not only helps protect the environment but also makes it easier to manage your campfire safely.
You also must bring your own milled fire wood. So please don’t bring an axe to chop down any trees in a national park zone and there are fines if you’re caught doing so.
Is there a Phone Data Service?
Yes, there is Phone & internet Data service available at Kinkuna Beach (no Wi-Fi). Camping is always a good time to tune out and enjoy nature, but it’s reassuring to know that you can stay connected if needed.
I must admit, there were a couple of blank spots or times when my phone was a bit slow. But overall, with Woodgate and Bundaberg being relatively close, we didn’t have any major issues with service.
Can you take a caravan?
Yes, you can take your Caravan to Kinkuna, but it’s important to prepare properly and understand the conditions. While the initial part of the road is compacted dirt and relatively easy to navigate, the final stretch leading to the beach is where you’re going to have the most trouble.
For those with off-road or semi-off-road caravans, it’s feasible to make the journey with caution. Funny enough, we did see one caravan here that had done it.
However, due to the softer sand and terrain challenges near the beach, it’s essential to ensure that your towing vehicle is well-equipped and capable of handling these conditions. Additionally, airing down your tyres can significantly assist in maintaining traction.
What are the Check in/out times?
Check-in is around 2pm, but you’ll find you can get in slightly earlier than that, especially during low seasons. However, Check-out is 11am which is the same for all Queensland National Park camping sites.
Can you take dogs?
Sorry, but Kinkuna Beach is part of the Queensland National Park network and there are NO Domestic animals allowed at this camping site.
Things to Do in the area?
You can drive up and down more than 10 kilometres of Kinkuna Beach from around Coonar to the entry point of Cannonball Creek.
This offers activities to make your camping trip memorable as a 4WD adrenaline junkie or someone seeking tranquillity. The clear waters and pristine sands make it a perfect spot for swimming, fishing, sunbaking, making sandcastles, reading a book and beachcombing.
Swimming
Our trip was in the middle of winter, so swimming wasn’t on the cards for us this time, but we have been to the Woodgate area several times. Although, it was still swimming weather for some, and we saw a couple of people out there.
Fishing
The abundant marine life also makes it an excellent location for fishing; you can try your luck catching bream, whiting, and flathead. And, for those who love exploring on foot, you can walk in and out of the dunes or along the beach.
Sunrise Walks
I especially love the morning walks and can tell you there wasn’t another sole in sight when I did it. But, I must stress the importance of watching out for the cars and don’t walk on the driving tracks. You just never know when another vehicle will come past.
Birdwatching
Birdwatching is another popular activity here, with the Burrum Coast National Park being home to various bird species. We saw some sea eagles, willie wagtails, and sparrows, and probably a couple more that I didn’t know the names of.
Bundaberg
Alternatively, Bundaberg is an ideal day trip spot and is always there to provide any supplies you need. I used to live in Bundaberg, and highlights include the Rum factory, The Brewed Drink Ginger Beer tours, see Turtles lays eggs or hatch at Mon Repos, Hinkler House, Alexandra Park Zoo, or the Tinaberries Strawberry farm.
Honestly, I think you could spend three or more days exploring the city of Bundaberg, so it might be better for a separate trip. Either that, or stay in town before or after your camping trip!
Woodgate
If the southern Kinkuna Track is open, then Woodgate is a great spot to head into for a day trip or to pick up supplies. There’s a “Friendly Grocer” supermarket for those things you may have forgotten and a bakery for fresh treats. You could also stop into the local bowls club for a few drinks or lunch.
The only fuel station is located at the Woodgate Caravan Park, just outside of reception. This is also a convenient place to stay that’s straight across from Woodgate Beach, offering a less “off grid” option for camping.
They even have a local Coffee Cart who visits when you need that local brew coffee fix.
Wrap Up!
There is no doubt we’ll be visiting the Kinkuna Beach Camping sites again in the future. But overall, I hope you enjoyed reading my review and all the information needed to prepare for your visit.
However, if you’re still researching, please check out my other Queensland resources to help plan or inspire your future travels. Otherwise, stay tuned for other beach camping sites I’ll be visiting in the coming months or check out other caravan sites in Bundaberg to chose from.
