4WD Camping in the Scenic Rim: A Short Road Trip from Brisbane

Escape the hustle and bustle of daily life with a 4WD camping adventure at Larapinta Hipcamp in Laravale, QLD. Nestled in the Scenic Rim, this secluded campsite offers breathtaking views, privacy and the convenience of a hot shower. Enjoy hiking in some of the best national parks around Brisbane, making it a perfect retreat for nature lovers seeking tranquility and adventure.

Larapinta Hipcamp, Laravale QLD

Are you yearning to escape the daily grind and reconnect with nature, but not interested in crowded campgrounds? Pack your gear into a 4WD camper and head to "Larapinta" HipCamp in the Scenic Rim, where your only companions will be the sounds of your campfire.

From your private campsite, enjoy breathtaking views from the Jinbroken Range. With just 12 sites spread across 540 acres and connected by 4WD tracks, you’ll have plenty of space and privacy.

Explore the area on foot, where you’ll find ancient grass trees and wander along cattle tracks. For those who love bush camping but prefer a bit of comfort, there’s a hot shower and a flushing toilet available.

Visitors rave about their experiences at Larapinta. Cameron, the host, is highly praised, and the amenities, including a clean portaloo with ample supplies, are well-received. New signage makes finding your site easier, enhancing the overall experience.

Desert Sands 4WD camping, QLD. Photo: Campervan Village

Highlights from campers include:

• Cute baby calves and beautiful starry nights
• Stunning views from elevated sites and lush grass trees
• Spacious, mosquito-free campsites with plenty of privacy
• Exciting 4WD access to the property
• Private hilltop sites with 360-degree views and abundant birdlife
• Convenient amenities, including a kid's area and hot showers

Whether you’re looking for a serene retreat to unwind by a campfire or a scenic adventure with a touch of luxury, Larapinta offers an ideal 4WD camping experience.

Sunset Larapinta, QLD. Photo: Campervan Village

What to do around Larapinta?

Lamington National Park

Lamington National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, is the world’s largest subtropical rainforest. Known for stunning waterfalls and over 160 kilometers of walking trails, it features the historic 21.4-kilometer Border Track and the scenic Binna Burra Caves circuit. Binna Burra Lodge is ideally located at the park's entrance.

Just over 100 kilometers south of Brisbane in the Gold Coast Hinterland, the park is named after Queensland’s Governor Lord Lamington. It is part of the Gondwana Rainforest alongside Springbrook National Park. This ancient landscape, over 225 million years old, is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its unique flora and fauna.

Lamington National Park, QLD. Photo: Tourism and Events Queensland

New hikers can enjoy the 30-minute Centenary Track, which connects to Python Rock and Morans Falls. For a photo opportunity, try O'Reilly's Tree Top Walk or the 4.6-kilometer Morans Falls walk.

Adventurous hikers can tackle the 10.9-kilometer Box Forest Circuit or the 21.4-kilometer Border Track connecting Binna Burra and Green Mountains. The park is home to Australia’s largest remaining forests of ancient hoop pines and diverse birdlife, including the bowerbird, whipbird and the rare Albert’s Lyrebird.

Lamington National Park lookout, QLD. Photo: Tourism Australia

Springbrook National Park

Just under 100km from Brisbane lies Springbrook National Park, a land so ancient its trees remember a time when Australia was connected to Antarctica. This park stretches from the Gold Coast to the New South Wales border and offers a stunning array of waterfalls, serene rainforests and ancient landscapes. One of the highlights is the chance to stand atop a dormant volcano.

Springbrook National Park attracts over two million visitors annually. It features some of Australia's oldest vegetation, with roots dating back over 100 million years. For a family-friendly adventure, the Natural Bridge trail is an hour-long, easy walk leading to a glittering cascade in a basalt cave. The two-hour, 4km Twin Falls Circuit offers rock pools and towering waterfalls, while the 4km Purling Brook Falls trail features a dramatic suspension bridge and gorge views.

Springbrook National Park, QLD. Photo: Tourism Australia

For a longer hike, the 14km Warrie Circuit takes 5-6 hours, passing waterfalls and rock pools. Serious hikers can tackle the three-day Gold Coast Great Walk, which immerses you in volcanic geology and ancient flora.

Springbrook is home to rare wildlife, including the Albert’s Lyrebird, lace monitors, carpet pythons and the land mullet, the world’s largest skink. Pademelons and numerous bird species also inhabit the park. Botanists will find a paradise of ancient trees, including 3000-year-old Antarctic beech and Jurassic-era hoop pines. The Best of All lookout offers great views of these ancient trees.

Natural Bridge, QLD. Photo: Tourism Australia

Mount Barney National Park

Mount Barney National Park features rugged peaks formed by volcanic activity 24 million years ago. This undisturbed natural area is home to over 340 animal species and 700 plant species, including many rare and endangered ones.

The park's landscapes range from eucalypt forests and grassy slopes to rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests, supporting diverse wildlife like brush-tailed rock-wallabies, platypuses, kingfishers and rare birds such as the Albert’s lyrebird and plumed frogmouth.

Geological history includes basalt and rhyolite eruptions, creating the distinctive mountains. Significant vegetation includes ancient Antarctic beech trees and diverse montane heath and forest communities.

Mount Barney, QLD. Photo: Tourism Australia

The park connects with other protected areas and holds cultural significance for Aboriginal people. It was gazetted as a national park in 1947 and earned World Heritage status in 1994 for its unique geology and rare fauna.

Experienced hikers can tackle the Summit Route, which takes about 7-10h and requires some rock scrambling. For a more relaxed hike try the Lower or Upper Portals Track, where you can enjoy a swim in the beautiful creek. Yellow Pinch Lookout is probably the easiest walk and takes about 1h.