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Flanagan Reserve Bush Camping

Home > Queensland > Dog Friendly | Escape the City | Family | Fun for Children | Nature | Outdoor | Weekend Escapes
by Debra Lidster (subscribe)
Debra, a stay-at-home mum of three, loves experiencing and sharing all that Brisbane has to offer; especially southside secrets.
Published June 7th 2012
Keen campers, new to Queensland, we jumped at the chance to go bush camping with some family and friends for the weekend. One of their favourite spots is Flanagan Reserve, a one and a half hour drive south of Brisbane. I had never been camping in the bush before and did not know what to expect. To my surprise, it was not unlike camping at a caravan park except dirtier and dustier. Flanagan Reserve, situated on twelve hectares in the Scenic Rim region near Rathdowney, has modern conveniences; flushing toilets, coin-operated hot showers and a kiosk selling basic items including ice-blocks. The best and most popular camping sites are on the shady banks of the Logan River facing Mount Maroon. Make sure you get there early to secure one of these prime spots; sites are allocated on a first in, first pick basis. Each camp site has a picnic table, fire pit, and wood-fired barbecue. All camp sites are unpowered so be prepared. As we were only going for the weekend, we took some battery-powered lanterns while our friends had some solar-powered ones. Generators are okay too but must be shut down at a certain time in the evening. Also, take tent pegs that are suitable for hard ground; our (soft ground) pegs kept bending in the rock-hard dirt.

It was a cracking hot weekend when we went and the river was the perfect escape from the oppressive heat and dust. The kids had a ball swimming, tubing and canoeing on the Logan. When they weren't busy frolicking in the river, they were either playing tag on the wide grassy banks or riding their bicycles on the dirt road.

The evenings were just as enjoyable. My brother in-law served up a scrumptious chicken and vegetable camp oven and we dined al fresco as the sun set over Mount Maroon. When the stars came out at night, we sat around a roaring camp fire singing songs while our fifteen year-old niece played her guitar. The younger kids delighted in roasting marshmallows on the fire.

I can see why our friends and family keep going back to Flanagan Reserve; it is ideal for a weekend getaway and you can even take the family pet (as long as they are restrained).

Camp fees are charged per person. Adults are $6.60 per night and children over 5 cost $3.30 per night. Families are charged a maximum of $22 per night. Dogs are free. Hot showers cost 20 cents for two minutes. Wheelbarrows of firewood are available at the kiosk for $10 or you can take your own.
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Why? Enjoy the great outdoors
When: Spring or Autumn would be best
Where: Flanagan Reserve, South East Queensland
Cost: Family: $22 per night maximum
Your Comment
Bit of a drive from the Perth section this is posted in....
by hotph (score: 0|5) 3885 days ago
Very good it sounds and looks so relaxing thank you for a great review.
by brown (score: 1|20) 3739 days ago
In Winter it can be freezing. That is when the log fires are needed. :)
by don.k (score: 0|6) 3626 days ago
August 2013. Camped for 3 nights at Flanagans. The creek is such a beautiful place but unfortunately that is where it ends. The toilet/shower block was not cleaned for our entire stay and it was dirty when we arrived.
Adults cost $8 and 5 year old child is $4 per night.
The hot water for the showers cost 20c per minute. The whole place is so dusty and hardly a blade of green grass to be seen. These people who run this camp do very little. What a shame as it could be so lovely.
by Fmyle (score: 0|4) 3509 days ago
We love this place. Dogs are welcome, and the kids had a ball. Bring their bikes for an extra activity. If we were closer we would camp there all the time. The creek is great to keep the kids busy all day, and they come back clean...
by Madby3 (score: 0|2) 3230 days ago
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