We recently went camping at Glastonbury Creek camping area for a few days over a long weekend.
The Glastonbury Creek camping area is a camping area in the Brooyar State Forest, which is west of Gympie and off the Wide Bay Highway.
This was our first trip in our Jayco Hawk camper trailer too, so it was very different to any family holidays away we have had so far.
As it was a long weekend we looked at quite a few campsites closer to Brisbane but most were full already and so we ended up travelling a little further than what we wanted.
But it was still good fun none the less!
Glastonbury Creek camping area has no water and electricity, so we had to make sure we prepared for that and also prepare the kids for it too.
The camping ground is great, it was pretty easy to find and also easy to drive there.
When we arrived there were quite a few people already there for the weekend.
So we drove around a few times and then settled on a spot to set up for the night.
Don’t make the mistake of driving to the end of the campsite and heading up the dirt road, if you have a Jayco camper trailer or caravan on there won’t be any or many places to turn around at all.
We almost drove up there thinking there was more camp sites further on, but after walking up this road it was lucky we didn’t head up there as it would have been a mission to turn around.
This was the first time setting up the camper trailer and the awning too.
So it took a little while to complete the first setup but I learnt a lot and I’m sure it will be a shorter and easier experience next time too.
The Hawk camper trailer is such a great size and also a great setup!
You don’t realise what they are about until you have a look through one and set one up, the Jayco camper trailers are certainly magic.
After set up we settled into the camping side of things, which is usually a bit of food and a bit of exploring.
It gets dark pretty quickly at Glastonbury Creek as the sun disappears behind the hill pretty early and with the sun the heat disappears too if you are camping in winter.
So this means you have to light the fire in the fire rings pretty early if you want the fire blazing when the cold really sets in and also so you are set to cook your marshmallows.
There are toilets and a basin pretty close to all the campsites too in case you were wondering.
They are just up the stairs halfway up the hill and remember to take your own toilet paper just in case you need it.
Also torches in case a late night visit is needed to the toilets as well.
We cooked our meals on the little gas cooker we have and had set up on a table in the awning, and on the second night we made jaffles on the open fire.
As there aren’t any showers or running water at the campsite we took our own water and a large pot to heat it up on the gas cooker.
This made it easy to pour into the kid’s bath we took at night.
If you don’t take firewood with you and you are camping through winter, don’t worry, there is a house on the way in that sells bags of wood.
It is quite expensive for how much wood you get but I guess they are doing you a service by having it there.
The campsite is still close enough to do a quick drive to Gympie for supplies if you need them as well.
There are plenty of walking tracks around the site and you can head off to the Point Pure Lookout for a few hours to watch the abseiling too and also take in the great view.
So overall the Glastonbury Creek camping area was a great few days away, as relaxing as it can be with little kids anyway.
We would definitely go there again, but being the type of people that don’t too often holiday in the same place twice we probably won’t make it back there again for a while.
Here below is more information I thought that was important for you about the Glastonbury Creek camping ground, including:
- How to get to Glastonbury Creek
- Make sure you book your campsite
- About the Glastonbury Creek camping area
How to get to Glastonbury Creek
Driving to the Glastonbury Creek camping area is quite an easy task as it is just off the main roads and well signed too.
The drive from Brisbane to Gympie usually takes around an hour and forty minutes from the north side of Brisbane.
And then you would add on the extra drive time of driving through Gympie on the Bruce Highway for 10km.
Turn left off the Bruce onto the Wide Bay Highway and travel for a further 8km.
On your left on the Wide Bay Highway is Peterson Road.
Travel down Peterson Road until you reach the park entrance, the Glastonbury Creek camping area is about 2km down this road.
So the total travel time from the north side of Brisbane is about two and a half hours if you are just cruising and also taking into account a few pit stops for toilet breaks for the kids and adults.
Obviously this would change quite a bit depending on where you live in Brisbane.
The road once you get into the Brooyar State Forest park isn’t that bad either.
If your car and your camper trailer aren’t 4WD it doesn’t matter really and you can just travel a little slower.
Make sure you book your site
Now back in the old days when we used to camp, unless you were at a main camping ground you could just turn up, pick a spot and camp.
I learnt that you have to book ahead, and even more so on a long weekend.
You can book any of the Queensland parks and forest camping sites here “Campsite Booking in Queensland”
You register first with the site, see if the camping ground is booked out or not and then pay for your permit for camping.
This permit has to be displayed on your camper trailer, caravan or tent as the Rangers do come around to check most days.
They were pretty friendly and also use them to ask any questions you may have about the area.
Also it is a way for them to keep track of the people coming and going out of the camping areas if there is an emergency.
And lastly, it would pay for a bit of the upkeep of the areas too.
The fee for camping at Glastonbury Creek camping area at the time of writing this was $34.50 for two nights.
I have to tell you as well, when you are booking on the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing website makes sure you only have one session open, they have a glitch in their system that won’t let you book if you have multiple sessions or windows open.
I found out the hard way and wasted a little bit of time trying to book continually and thought the website was just overloaded.
About Glastonbury Creek camping area
Here is some of the more important information you will need to read about if you are using the Glastonbury Creek camping area.
You can camp with a tent, trailer or van in the open area of Glastonbury Creek camping area which is fringed by many shady rainforest trees.
Bookings are required prior to arrival via the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing website.
You can book either online or by phone.
Camping permits are required and fees apply if you wish to camp here.
A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite.
Dogs are permitted but must remain under control and on a leash.
Preferably bring a fuel stove or barbeque.
Firewood is not supplied.
If you plan to use the fire rings or barbecues you must bring your own firewood.
Make sure you bring your own kindling, paper and a lighter to start the fire if needed.
Collecting firewood from the Brooyar State Forest is illegal.
Make sure you bring plenty of drinking water and water to bath and wash if needed.
The Glastonbury Creek campsite is an open grassy area at the base of a hill.
Main activities around this campsite include
- Exploring the surrounding forest on foot or by vehicle
- Abseiling nearby
- Relaxing
- Watching birds and wildlife
Also note there are high tension power-lines that cross 40m above the camping area.
The Glastonbury Creek camping area is on the southeast edge of Brooyar State Forest alongside Glastonbury Creek.
The camping sites are not numbered, so when you arrive you will pick a spot for yourself.
The maximum capacity for the Glastonbury Creek camping area is 120 people.
Campsites are suitable for
- Tent camping beside your car
- Caravans
- Camper trailers
- Small and large motor–homes
- Large groups
There are fire rings, composting toilets and non-potable water available in the area.
The adjacent day-use area has wood barbecues and also has picnic tables.
Open fires are allowed (except when fire bans or prohibitions apply) in fire rings only.
There is no electricity on site and generators are not permitted.
There is some mobile phone coverage in the campsite and it is a bit better up on the hill.
It will depend on which mobile phone network you are on whether you will get any coverage.
You are camping, relax, get off your phone and enjoy the fresh air, sights and sounds around you.
The essentials to bring to Glastonbury Creek camp area
- Drinking water
- A fuel stove for cooking
- Rubbish bags as bins are not provided
- Insect repellent and sunscreen
- If you wish to use the fire rings bring your own firewood
I hope this has given you a good amount of information and insight about the Glastonbury Creek camping area if you are thinking about camping there in the near future.
As we learnt, if you are camping at any of the areas in the State Forests or similar, make sure you book ahead to beat the rush especially if you are looking at getting away on the long weekends.
Other than that, get out there and enjoy it!
