D’Aguilar National Park Camping in the Magnificent Mount Mee

D’Aguilar National Park and the Mount Mee State Forest are massive areas of wilderness in South East Queensland, which are perfect for a camping trip. The park spans an area of approximately 36,000 hectares, featuring stunning landscapes, including rugged mountain ranges, dense bushland, open eucalypt woodlands, and picturesque creeks and waterholes.

D’Aguilar National Park and Mount Mee are known for their rich biodiversity, the habitat here provides refuge to a wide range of native plant and animal species. We have been lucky to encounter a lot of them during our multiple camping adventures here.

Where is D’Aguilar National Park and Mount Mee Forest Reserve?

D’Aguilar National Park is about an hour and a half drive from Brisbane CBD (the Queensland state capital), or just under two hours from the Gold Coast. For my family and I, it’s around two and a half hours drive from our home, which is in the Scenic Rim region.

We have a 4WD, which I think is necessary to get in and out of the many unsealed roads inside the National Park, however – I have seen many 2WD cars and campervans parked inside. I guess it can be done, but I wouldn’t personally do it to my own car.

Day Trip to Mount Mee Forest Reserve

If you are doing a day trip only, then you can get into Mount Mee’s “The Gantry” by 2WD. This is a beautiful day use area, perfect for picnics or as a base for your hiking expedition.

The site was once a timber sawmill, which was in operation from the 1930s til the early 80s. The structures are still there, and interesting to walk through and explore. There’s also some great native Australian wildlife to see here too.

If you are visiting the region and want to do a day trip, you can book a Mount Mee Tour which includes transfers from your Brisbane accommodation.

Camping at D’Aguilar National Park

Before planning your camping trip, you can check availability and camping fees at the Queensland National Parks Booking Service. Here you can also see the facilities at the specific campground you wish to visit. There is little to no phone service, so you really do need to book online before you drive in.

There are also no showers at any of the D’Aguilar campgrounds, but they do have toilet facilities.

The camping areas are strategically located amidst the park’s picturesque landscapes, so we woke up to stunning views and the sounds of nature each and every day.

Camp fires are permitted provided there is no fire ban, which you can check here.

Archer Camping Area

The Archer Camping Area is a spectacular wide open grassland, perfect for pitching your tent alongside the creek. It provides basic facilities including toilets, water (not for drinking), and fire rings – note that you need to bring your own firewood, as collecting it from inside the park is prohibited. You will also need to bring rubbish bags, as you are responsible for leaving nothing but footprints when you leave the place.

There are 9 sites in total, and there is a car parking space for each vehicle which is not directly beside the your tent – but very close by.

Things to do at Archer Camping Area

Keeping ourselves occupied at Archer Campground was pretty easy. To be honest, I could’ve enjoyed watching Queensland wildlife all day long. From the kookaburras digging for worms, to the monstrous sized lace monitors scouring for food, they kept us entertained non-stop.

There is a rope swing hanging over the creek here too, so we had fun splashing about in the water and cooling down. We did some hiking through the bush, and the kids brought their bikes for when we were just relaxing by the campsite.

Neurum Creek for Mount Mee Camping

It’s honestly hard for me to say which I prefer out of Archer Camping Area vs Neurum Creek, because they are both SO fantastic, but instead I will let you know some differences.

For those that prefer more secluded sites, then you would be best to book Neurum Creek Area for Mount Mee Camping – not to be confused with Neurum Creek Bush Retreat, which is not part of the National Park.

We personally prefer site 3 – it is the most private of sites in the campground, but it is also one of the furthest away from the toilet block. We take privacy as our priority, and you feel like you have the entire bush to yourself.

Things to do at Neurum Creek Camping Area in Mount Mee

At Neurum Creek Camping Area your car is right by your tent, and you can’t really see your neighbours because you’re in your own little bush alcove. You still have a fire ring and a toilet block here, too. However – it’s not quite as family friendly – because the kids have less to do when you’re just hanging out. Unlike Archer, there isn’t the big grassy area to run around in. This meant we did more daytime activities – like visiting the Gantry, going to swimming holes, and doing bushwalks.

In the day time, we still had visits from Lace Monitors and birdlife, and on a walk to the creek we had a run in with an aggressive red bellied black snake. I’m pretty comfortable with snakes, knowing they don’t go out of their way to bite people… but we must have caught this one on a bad day, because it actually chased my husband. Have never seen anything like it before, and I hope not to ever again!

In the evenings, the native wildlife here was easier to spot, because you are in amongst the scrub. We saw little marsupials scurrying about, but the highlight for me was the FIREFLIES! I had never seen them in person before., and was beyond excited about these little sparkly visitors. How peaceful it was, sitting by the campfire, in the middle of the Aussie wilderness, no mobile phone service, with the nocturnal creatures rustling and the fireflies lighting up the forest. Bliss.

Whether choosing Archer Camping Area or Neurum Creek, both locations in D’Aguilar National Park and Mount Mee Forest Reserve promise incredible experiences. You”ll be immersed in the beauty of nature no matter which one you choose. From the diverse flora and fauna to the serenity of the surroundings, camping in D’Aguilar National Park offers a blissful retreat from the modern world.

TL;DR

D’Aguilar National Park and Mount Mee State Forest in South East Queensland are perfect for a camping trip with their stunning landscapes and rich biodiversity. These vast wilderness areas offer a range of camping options, from Archer Camping Area with its grassy plains and native wildlife encounters to Neurum Creek Camping Area for a secluded bush experience. Day trips to “The Gantry” and nearby swimming holes provide opportunities for picnics and Australian wildlife sightings. Whether you prefer open grasslands or intimate bush alcoves, camping in these areas allows for a peaceful retreat surrounded by nature’s beauty.

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