Seven best Queensland's beach glamping picks: what to do

Queensland is awash with accommodation options from luxury to budget conscious holiday parks. Here are a few choices where the accommodation is strictly limited and exclusive. Glamping is about privacy, space and ultimately comfort while enjoying the natural surroundings. Port Douglas with its vibrant tropical village atmosphere is a great place to get a taste of glamping. The magic of an immersion in a marine world of the Great Barrier Reef on a pontoon, what a holiday thought. Queensland, with its experienced visitor sector and warm climate is ideal for glamping outdoors. A swag on the outdoor deck, it does not get any better than this.

Best time to go glamping outdoors in Queensland

April to October is the best time to visit.

A sub-tropical climate brings hot humid days in summer and drier warm or mild days in winter and spring.

Glamping at the beach. Forget the tent, the sandy floor and the lack of facilities. Queensland offers luxury beach tented accommodation making your beach stay sheer bliss.

Lady Elliot Island is part of the protected Green Zone, a sanctuary for over 1,200 species of marine life including the iconic manta rays. The island’s award-winning eco-resort has recently launched ‘glamping’ with two sustainable Eco Tents sheltered amongst the natural flora of the island.

Glamping with the comfort of a world class resort as part of the hospitality suite, the Great Barrier Reef doesn’t come any better. For further information or book check out Lady Elliot Island Eco Resort.

Silky Oaks Lodge is perched on the Mossman Gorge River making it an ideal location to appreciate the natural tropical environment with a choice treehouse accommodation, all with individual and personalized touches.

Spectacular views do not come any better with floor to ceiling windows open out to a private balcony with double hammock, providing a perfect way to sit back and relax. Rooms are in close proximity to the main lodge. While not tenting, you have a hammock to chill out and indulge your senses. The beach is just 15 minutes away for beach culture buffs.

For further information check out Silky Oaks Lodge.

Sunshine Coast and Habitatnoose camping grounds have a touch of glamour. Noosa everglades are the setting for paperbark tents located within a National Park. You do not need to break the bank with your initial foray into the world of glamping, let the kids set up a tent on an unpowered site while you glam away just a short stroll away. Kids in conventional tents, Mum & Dad ensconced in a bit of luxury.

What to do nearby:

• Noosa River beachfront
• Explore park walks
• Dive into the Noosa town atmosphere

For further information check out Paperbark Tents.

Great Barrier Reef glamping on a pontoon. Reefsleep with Cruise Whitsundays. A room with a view, underwater. Glamping overnight on the Great Barrier Reef. You are gently lulled to sleep with the sound of the ocean for those pontoon deck sides. Underwater luxury comes with achingly beautiful marine life floating by your port windows. You cannot get any closer to a World Heritage marine environment and your feet are dry. Whitsundays, Reefworld by Cruise Whitsundays allows you to stay over on its Heart Pontoon. After a dinner on deck with unbeatable sunset views, time to dive into your snuggy swag to get some sleep. Not keen to sleep under the stars? Head below deck to a Reefsuite, the Reef’s only undersea accommodation.

In the morning take a private snorkel safari and glass-bottom boat ride before the day-trippers arrive. In the Whitsundays, Reefworld by Cruise Whitsundays adds a little more exclusivity out at its Hardy Reef base, 40 nautical miles from shore.

What to do nearby:

• Great Barrier Reef immersive experience
• Want to return

Minjerribah Camping. Lapping water a stone’s throw away from your lux accommodation. A glorious tent, decked out with comforts from fresh cotton sheets on a soft bed, deck chairs, BBQ for cooking on the raised deck and power. Minjerribah Camping offers a bewitching location, Adder Rock site at Point Lookout. Another option with basic tent sites for other members of the group while you forgo roughing it. The campgrounds communal kitchen, barbecue and picnic facilities or nearby shops and pubs make life easy. Let some else worry about inflating an air mattress.

• Check out Cylinder Beach
• Chill out and find your zen moment, there are no power points in your fabulous tent, you are truly switched off
• North Stradbroke heritage walk

Straddie (North Stradbroke Island) has a serious competitor in the glam stakes with Castaways. Let’s get real here, Australia has oodles of creepy crawlies and the thought of packing a shovel to dig a hole for your toilet really can put a damper on the idea of camping. Moreton Island glamping has the requisite lush linen sheets draped over the comfy bed your beach camping experience is sorted. Castaways glamping offers a private ensuite, solar lighting, raised deck for your personal BBQ and use of a communal kitchen.

• Check Bulwer Wrecks, located just a 100 metre stroll from your front door, well, tent flap
• Chill out and find your zen moment, there are no power points in your fabulous tent, you are truly switched off
• 4WD tour of Moreton Island

Whitsundays glamping option at Paradise Cove Resort is nestled in 4,000 acres of private island space surrounded by national parks. Drop your bags and make yourself at home and crash on the lush king sized bed. Being steps from the iconic white sands of tropical beach. With a private outdoor hot shower, and resort facilities at your fingertips relaxation, resetting your energy and enjoying your holiday moments. For further information check out Paradise Cove Resort Whitsundays Weddings Functions And Tours.

What to do nearby:

• Fine dining at Paradise Cove restaurant
• Whitsunday reef exploration
• Whitsunday beach walks

The journey is worth it.