Camping - 2018 12 - Burrum Coast NP

Burrum point campsite

Distance from Brisbane: 4.5 hrs

Facilities: Beach Access. Cold showers. Flushing toilets. Relatively clean. Beach shower. 

Access: 4wd (beginner)

Water: Yes (Should be potable but treat before drinking)

Photos supplied by Kelly & Thoa

Headed away for the xmas/new years holidays with the 'steak group that occasionally dives together'. After changing plans due to bushfires, flooding rain and booked out sites we settled on Burrum Point in Burrum Coast National Park. Nice little campground tucked away in the bush about 50m from the beach. Putting together my gear realised that my solar battery had packed it in, meaning I couldn't use my 12v camping fridge. Luckily Dad had taught me well and I had a backup Gas fridge for the week.

We got away to a relatively early start and met by 7am at probably the most common North Bound meeting spot, Morayfield BP Servo. After a quick breaky we were on the road and 3 hours later made it to the camp road.

It was a little Sandy but looked solid. Andy questioned of we should let down our tyres and I assured him it looked fine and we should make it through in 4wd no worries. About 5min later Andy was up to the chassis in sand... woops.

I was still free so after a failed attempt to drive him out (it's been so warm the sand was like flour) I backed up my Dmax and towed him out. By the time all that was done we had a 3 vehicle audience who clapped as we got free.

Setting up at 1230 was brutal. Even with dappled shade covering our site we all broke into a sweat almost instantly. Shades and tents up Jane and Kelly went off to enjoy a swim as the rest of us stuck to the shade. Report from the water was refreshing. I think my beer was fairly refreshing too.


Around 2 it was time for a late lunch, where Jane realised she forgot to bring any. Luckily we never go hungry on car camping trips and had plenty to share. Kelly and Jane then spent what felt like the next hour (at least 30min) blowing up some Aldi pool toys. It was really hot at camp so we all wandered down to the water to test them out.

The breeze on the beach was amazing and it was pretty surprising how much difference 50m could make. Blessing and a curse for the camp location. Little wind so our site doesn't blow away but also hardly any of that ocean breeze to cool us down. Heading back to camp the bees were getting full use of the beach shower, trying for a drink. Not wanting to have a bee shower I opted for the one at camp.

Dinner was a slow cooked stew and 1/2 the camp retired soon after. Some went down to look at the stars on the back and try to guess townships lighting the shore but it wasn't long before we were in bed too. About 11 it started raining so it was a rush to get out of the tent and close the windows/move some towels out on the line to under the shades.

Up early in the morning to relieve myself and took a short walk into the bush. I was immediately accosted by marsh flies, mozzies and sand flies. They were bad yesterday but this nothing compared to by myself. I must have been the only meal around and they were hungry!

The morning was a relatively quiet affair. A nice bacon breakfast followed by lounging around camp. Swims were had and then lunch was eaten. A Goanna visited camp a few times, Baa (Thoa's very Vietnamese mum) wasn't much a fan, getting goosebumps at the site of the rather large lizard seemingly not caring about our presence.  More swimming after lunch but I hung around camp a little longer. A Unimog with a long ish Jayco trailer provided just over an hour of entertainment trying to back into a campsite.

When that was done I went down the beach to join the others. Setup just on the tree line there as plenty of shade and wind and it was a good 5° cooler than camp. Added bonus of the wind keeping the bloody bugs at bay.

While chilling in the shade Thoas' mum, who can't speak a lick of English, started laughing. There were three activities on the beach. A Fisher casting a net for bait fish, kid playing soccer and a pair with a metal detector. After some confused pointing she took her sarong and acted out with it as if she were casting a net.

As he came up the beach she went over to give him instructions. Apparently he didn't speak fluent Vietnamese... Luckily Thoa was just arriving back with snacks and she was able to play translator. Not often a grown man will stand there and take instructions from a Vietnamese Grandma, especially about fishing, but to his credit he listened and I think was happy to learn! Well done mate.

Dinner was a great stroganoff followed by some Choc Bavarian cheese cake, yum! And most people were pretty wrecked so early to bed. Sadly when returning my borrowed torch Kelly caught the fly screen in my tent zipper. No resolution without making a hole but luckily I had some tenacious tape (it's great stuff) on hand to patch and plug any potential access for bugs.

Morning was another smashing success with bacon, eggs and mushroom. Then came the thrill of packing. Andy, Thoa, Liam and 'Baa' were heading home to see the fireworks. Once all of their gear was packed Andy started his Dmax to cool it down with the aircon and a squeal immediately recognised by any motoring enthusiast screeched over the otherwise quiet morning camp ground. Oh no.

His fan belt had gone, possibly back when he got stuck in the sand (as we haven't driven other than getting to camp.) After some figuring out (with a little Mr Google help) we got it back, mostly, to where it needed to be. It was a little frayed but after the bumpy Sandy road out of camp the car wasn't over heating and it was still in place.

Not being able to do much more we said out goodbyes and turned left to visit the boat ramp as they turned right to head home. Nice little ramp and beautiful salt water creek, much like Tallebudgera. We then went off in search of the other campground, about 16km north (via road) of town. We also got news that Andys truck had made it home safe and well.

The track in was easier than out camp but much longer. We also extended the trip by heading off down a side trail to Theodolite Creek. How could I pass that? (Surveying reference.) Quite a few mosquitoes there though, obviously enjoying the mangrove linked creek. Back out to the beach camping which looked like it has some really nice spots, sand was very soft though. Very sluggish in a few spots.

Eventually back at our own camp we quickly abandoned our chairs and took towels down to lay under the trees just on the edge of the sand. Much cooler with the ocean breeze and significantly less bugs. One bug Jane managed to find (or rather it found her) was a bee as she went to wash her feet. She's had reaction to bees before so we prepared for the worst, gave her some antihistamine and hot water to soak the bite (on her finger) in. After 20min there was no significant swelling and she was feeling ok.

There was a shortish loop hike from camp, 8.8km by the signs ~7k by measurement, and despite the injury we decided that it would be a great way to cap off the end of the year. Just as we got started we had to cross the beach access road where a weary traveller towing a boat was well and truly stuck. We went over to offer help but his wife had already ventured off to ask for help from their neighbours so we continued on.

The track wasn't extremely well trafficked but still easy to follow. Lots of Melaleuca trees (which are significant if you ever try to knock one down...) and quite a few more palms etc through this section compared to camp which wasn't far away. About one third around we found ourselves alongside a swampy wetland with a very active mosquito population. To the point where Jane had a dozen on her back and many more buzzing around exposed arms and legs.

More pretty wetlands always in tandem with another wave of bugs at a few more locations but that's just good motivation to hike faster, right? Near the end the sun had set and we were hiking in the remaining light. Kelly lit up the path with a head torch for us (We all had one in case) and brought us home. Just as we reached camp was when I needed some light, the last 100m. We timed it pretty well.

Quickly off to the showers to mostly wash off all the blood and mosquito carcasses from our skin before settling in to dinner. With the phenergan taking affect Jane dozed in and out of the conversation. We did manage to stroll down to the beach to star gaze but the wind had a little chill in it so we headed back to camp. Jane retired early and Kelly and I gave it a good shot but turned in not too long after. Might as well bring in the New year with a good sleep.

With the bugs chewing away we decided it was time to pack it in and head home. It was a slow pack up, with lots of cool down breaks and a few swims/cold showers in between. We eventually broke camp just after 11. Reaching Gympie for lunch (pro tip, use the Aldi Car park rather than the food strip. It's easier and quicker) before continuing home to unpack and clean all the sand off.