RainBow Beach..Inskip Camping

The aboriginal name of Carah was once given to Inskip Point. Early this century Inskip Point was the original settlement in the area and boasted a small school to cater for the children of the local timber workers and the Inskip Light Keeper. Some of the area between Inskip and Rainbow Beach was mined for […]

RainBow Beach..Inskip Camping

Beach she-oaks, cypress pine and other coastal trees and shrubs shade Inskip Peninsula’s camping areas, which are ringed by open ocean beaches and sheltered estuary shores—all within 15 minutes drive of Rainbow Beach. You purchase a camping permit for $6.80 from the National Parks and select the camping ground you want to camp at. I drive 2WD so can only park at the Dorrigo Camping areas, but you can park there and walk to the other areas, or drive, park and walk. The Dorrigo Camping area is well equipped with toilets and taps for washing hands. Three hybrid toilet blocks are provided in this camping area. One has a wheelchair access ramp. There is also plenty of shaded areas with grass and sheltered camping among the trees if you have a tent. Those with 4WD were parked right on the waterfront with a view of the sunrise over the sea.

• Coastal trees and shrubs provide dappled shade in some areas.
• It is only a short walk to the surf beach or to the more sheltered Pelican Bay.
• Some camp sites provide views across the ocean towards Double Island Point.

When you wander down the track to the beach, stop to consider the fate of the SS Dorrigo’s crew. The steamship sank several kilometres off Double Island Point on 2 April 1926. The captain and his son were rescued, and the body of the boatswain floated up on Fraser Island, but no trace was ever found of the remaining 21 crew members.

Why S.S. Dorrigo? The names of six camping areas on the Inskip Peninsula recall past shipping history. On Good Friday 2 April 1926 the steamer S.S. Dorrigo, bound for Thursday Island from Brisbane, sank in heavy seas several kilometres off Double Island Point. The captain and his son were rescued, the body of the bosun was found on Fraser Island, but all 21 other crew members disappeared without a trace.

The Sunrises are amazing… Every Day a new sunrise and a new experience.