Chilli Beach Campground is located in the Iron Range National Park (Kutini-Payamu). It is a wonderful place to stop and rest on the way up to or back from Cape York. The campsite is located on Chilli Beach.
It is not a requirement to be self-contained to stay at this campground, but it does make things convenient.
Being a national park, pets are not permitted at this campground.
Tents are permitted.
Fires are permitted in the supplied fireplaces.
Before arrival, you must book your campsite. There is limited phone coverage at this site.
The fee to stay is $7.25 per person per night.
As there are considerable lengths of unsealed roads, a 4WD is recommended.
Chilli Beach Campground Quick Facts
| Campground Name | Chilli Beach Campground |
|---|---|
| Nearest Town | Weipa |
| GPS | 12°37'52.99"S 143°25'35.79"E |
| Access Road | Unsealed |
| Number of sites | 25 |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Water | No |
| Dump point | No |
| Power | No |
| Pets | No |
| Tents | Yes |
| Fires permitted | Yes |
| Telstra coverage | Weak |
| Optus coverage | No |
| Cost | $7.25 per night per person |
| Booking | Book Online |
Campground Layout and Features
This site has 25 bookable sites. Most of the sites are on sandy ground and are fairly level. The sites have varying degrees of shade: some are well-shaded, while others are in full sun.
According to the booking website, the sites are suitable for tents and camper trailers. However, some sites are suitable for smaller off-road caravans. We, and others, got our small van in with no issues.
If possible, check the wind forecast before making a booking. This site is notorious for windy conditions, and some sites are more protected than others.
Hybrid drop toilers are scattered around the campground.
Here are some notes that I made during our visit:
- Sites 1 -3
- Small area
- OK for small vans
- Solar is not great, especially site 1
- Not overly flat
- Provides some protection from wind
- Sites 4 – 10
- Small sites
- Not good for solar (especially 4 – 7)
- Protected from wind
- Site 11
- Singe site providing privacy
- OK for solar bu not great
- Provides wind protection when easterly
- Sites 12 – 15
- Open area exposed to wind
- Great for solar (especially 13 – 15
- Near toilet
- Flat and sandy
- Site 16
- Small site
- Protected from wind
- Sites 17 – 19
- Not good for solarExposed to wind
- Toilet close
- Sites 20 – 22
- Some wind protection
- Not good for solar
- Toilet close
- Not as sandy as other sites
- Sites 23 – 25
- Not good for solar
- Poor wind protection
- Not as sandy as other sites
Chilli Beach Campsite Location
The campsite is accessed via Portland Road, which starts on the Peninsula Development road. It is a 125km drive from the turnoff. On leaving, you must traverse the same route. During our visit, the road was in good condition. A 4WD is recommended to access this campground. The map below shows the campground’s location. You can zoom out for a more general location.
What to Watch Out For at Chilli Beach Campground
This campground is a 2.5 to 3 hour drive from the Peninsula Development Road. After your stay you must drive out the same way. Given that the site can be very windy you should take this into consideration before deciding to visit.
Note that if you wish to visit Lockhart River, there are alcohol restrictions. There are none to travel to and stay at this campground.
Final Words
Despite the windy conditions we enjoyed our stay here. The beach is beautiful and there were not many people around.
Book your stay now. You will need to create an account if you do not already have one.
Closeby Campgrounds
If you are heading north you may like to also stay near Bramwell Roadhouse at Rocky Creek Gravel Pit or if you are travelling faster, Fruit Bat Falls.
The Bend Campground near Coen is a great free camp if you are heading south.