In short
- Permits cost $7.75 AUD per night for High Island.
- Russell Island camping is free but still requires a permit.
- There is no running water or sewage system available.
In this article
Camping on the Frankland Islands means going completely off the grid. High Island and Russell Island offer remote wilderness experiences. You must organize your own boat transport to reach the campsites, as the commercial tour operator does not provide camper transfers.
Can you camp on the Frankland Islands?
Yes, you can camp on High Island and Russell Island. Normanby, Mabel, and Round Islands do not allow camping.
You must book your stay in advance through Queensland Parks. Access to both camping islands requires a private boat from the Mulgrave or Russell river boat ramps.
How much is a Frankland Islands camping permit?
Permits for High Island cost $7.75 AUD per person per night. Russell Island permits are free.
Even though Russell Island is free to camp on, you still need to secure a permit online. Russell Island is a Commonwealth island and limits camping to a maximum of 16 people at a time.
| Island | Permit Cost | Capacity Notes |
|---|---|---|
| High Island | $7.75 AUD per person/night | Highly secluded wilderness |
| Russell Island | Free (permit required) | Maximum 16 people |
What facilities are on the camping islands?
Russell Island has basic bench seats and picnic tables. High Island has no facilities at all.
Neither island has running water, toilets, or a sewage system. You must be entirely self-sufficient. There are no bins on the islands, so you must carry out all your rubbish when you leave.
What gear do you need to survive completely off-grid?
You need to bring enough fresh drinking water for your entire stay. You also need a complete off-grid camping setup.
- Plenty of drinking water in reusable bottles
- Rubbish bags to take out all waste
- Insect repellent for the rainforest areas
- A fuel stove for cooking
Are campfires allowed on the Frankland Islands?
No, campfires are strictly prohibited anywhere in the Frankland Group National Park.
You must use a fuel stove for all cooking. Open flames can quickly damage the dense rainforest vegetation and disrupt the local ecosystem.
How do you get to the campsites?
You must use a private vessel to reach High and Russell Islands. The trip takes 30 to 45 minutes from the mainland.
Launch from the Mulgrave or Russell river boat ramps. You must check the tide times carefully. Sandbars at Mutchero Inlet make crossing the shallow river mouth highly tide-dependent. Be aware that estuarine crocodiles live in these rivers.
Questions travellers ask
Can I use a drone while camping?
No, drones are strictly prohibited anywhere in the Frankland Group National Park.
What is on Russell Island besides the campsite?
Russell Island features a historic navigation lighthouse that was constructed in 1929. Campers can walk up to view the exterior of the structure.
Can I camp on Normanby Island?
No, Normanby Island is exclusively for day-trippers. Only High Island and Russell Island permit overnight stays.
