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If you’re planning to go camping in Ballina, Flat Rock Tent Park is one of the most popular spots. Located right by the beach, it’s only a few minutes’ drive from town. We spent a weekend there in mid-October and, while it wasn’t perfect, it can be a good option for beach camping near Ballina. I also compare other Ballina camping options in this article to help you choose what’s best for your trip. Some are even dog-friendly, but not Flat Rock Tent Park.
Tips for choosing the best site at Flat Rock Tent Park
Flat Rock Tent Park is quite popular with families from Brisbane looking for camping near the beach in Ballina. If you plan to camp there on a weekend, booking in advance is a must – it was fully packed on Saturday night! It will also allow you to choose the best site.
Check the camping map
The campground map on their website was useful to pick a site, but not completely accurate. We were surprised to see the sites were much closer together than they appeared online, especially considering they advertised “spacious sites.” I guess it depends on what you’re used to. If you usually stay at caravan parks, you may find them roomy – that’s what our friend who camps at Cylinder Beach on Stradbroke Island said – but for us, who often camp in quieter, more natural places, it felt a bit cramped.
We were a group with friends who had kids, so we picked a cluster of sites together.
Review of our sites and the site I’d choose next time
When you’re on the booking page, you can view a description of the site you select.
Our site (number 10) had good morning shade – essential unless you’re camping in winter – and had a flat area. However, it was a bit too small for our group to set up a shared area comfortably. Our friends’ site (11) looked slightly larger but was only “partially flat.” Keeping the table steady was a challenge, and we ended up with things on the ground more than once. At that price, I’d expect not to have to engineer table supports every time the kids bumped into it! I was also glad that the people on site 9 were part of our group, as there wasn’t much space between our two sites.
Some sites are smaller or more sloped than others, and we noticed a few get a lot of foot traffic from campers cutting through to the toilets or just to follow the path to access the beach. My recommendation? Site 12 looked like the most private one – close to the amenities but surrounded by bush on two sides, a few trees on the other and no one in front of you. I’d probably pick that next time if it’s just the two of us.
Facilities at Flat Rock Tent Park
That’s how they describe the campground: “Flat Rock Tent Park offers the old-fashioned camping experience combined with the convenience of modern amenities.”
This is one of the biggest differences compared to the places we usually camp. Flat Rock Tent Park offers a lot more facilities. The communal kitchen has sinks, toasters, microwaves and an air fryer, and they also have wood and gas barbecues – perfect if you don’t have much camping gear. We mainly used it for washing dishes, and it’s always a bonus to have a proper sink and not worry about bringing enough water.
The hot water in the showers worked well throughout our stay, although the men’s toilets could have been cleaner, and there was no toilet paper left in some of them by Sunday morning.
We loved that campfires were allowed. We used our own fire pit to cook dinner both nights – grill one evening, rotisserie the next – and it made the campsite feel cosy when the wind picked up and after the rain. If you don’t have your own fire pit, you can borrow a brazier and buy wood from reception.
Another thing that made the camping trip easier than usual: there are plenty of bins at the campground, including recycling bins (although not everyone seemed to know how to use them).
What to know before booking Flat Rock Tent Park
Rates
Camping in Ballina is generally on the expensive side, even for unpowered sites. Its proximity to Brisbane makes it a popular weekend getaway, and coastal locations like this usually come with higher prices than inland national park campgrounds. You’re really paying for the location and easy beach access rather than seclusion or space.
Compared to other camping options in Ballina, Flat Rock Tent Park sits in the mid-range. We paid $45 per night for a tent site, which felt reasonable given the facilities and the beach just a short walk away. Beachfront sites are $5 extra, but they don’t actually have a view, so in my opinion, it’s not worth the upgrade. Each site allows up to six people, but only one vehicle and a maximum of three adults. If you’re camping as a group, there’s not much room to share costs.
Rules
We got a bit of a laugh when we received the welcome letter listing all the rules but nothing about what to see or do nearby – it set a slightly odd tone for our stay. Luckily, the staff weren’t strict about enforcing everything, and the atmosphere felt relaxed overall. Maybe a bit too relaxed, as we saw someone breaking branches off a tree for their campfire!
That said, being allowed to have a campfire is one of the highlights of Flat Rock Tent Park (as long as there’s no regional fire ban).
Check-in and check-out
Check-in is from 12 pm and check-out is at 10 am, which felt a bit early. I always prefer when we can take our time packing up and enjoy a relaxed morning, especially since we usually arrive late on Friday after driving from Brisbane.
We arrived after reception had closed, but thankfully they’d sent all the details by email, including the gate code, so we could go straight to our site. It was really convenient to set up quickly and enjoy the evening without having to worry about checking in at the office.
It would make sense to offer a later check-out, at least outside peak season, but it comes at an extra cost. Considering the sites aren’t cleaned between guests, the 10 am checkout really feels unnecessary.
The beach and surroundings
The beach is beautiful but not ideal for young kids to swim in, as the waves can be quite strong. It’s a popular surf spot, though. Still, there are small rockpools on the flat rocks that are perfect for little ones to explore. My friends went for a dip while the kids played around the rocks, spotting birds and tiny fish. Someone even told us they saw whales and dolphins early one morning from the shore.
If you’re looking for other things to do during your weekend away, here’s an idea for after you check out. On Sunday, we went to Shelly Beach for lunch at a café with ocean views – definitely worth it, but book ahead for Sundays – before driving back to Brisbane with a quick stop at The Farm in Byron Bay.
Important things to remember when going camping to Ballina
The weather felt noticeably cooler than in Brisbane, especially in the evenings, with coastal wind one night and rain the other. Interestingly, the sites closest to the beach – almost directly behind the dune – seemed a bit more sheltered from the wind compared to our spots further away. Bring a jacket!
There’s also a one-hour time difference in summer between Ballina and Brisbane, as New South Wales is ahead of Queensland. If you’re heading to Ballina for a weekend camping trip and leaving Brisbane after work on Friday, keep this in mind – especially if your campground requires check-in before a certain time. Always double-check the check-in times, and if you’re planning a late arrival, make sure the campground is aware and prepared for it.
Who will enjoy Flat Rock Tent Park campground… or not
Who it is best for
Those who want to experience camping close to nature with the comfort of facilities:
- Families with kids – the rockpools at the beach are great for exploring, and the facilities make everything easier.
- First-time campers – the equipped kitchen and shops just a short drive away make it simple to camp without much gear or planning.
- Anyone camping in wet weather – the large covered kitchen area offers good shelter if you’re unlucky with the weather.
Who it’s not for
- Those after a quiet, nature escape – weekends get busy and there’s little privacy. If that’s what you’re after, head inland to a national park or private property instead.
- Caravan or hybrid travellers – these aren’t allowed (though smaller vans and camper trailers are fine).
- Pet owners – dogs aren’t allowed.
Comparing camping options in Ballina
Other options
If Flat Rock doesn’t sound like your style or is already booked, here are a few other options we noted for camping in Ballina (we haven’t tested them ourselves):
- Holiday Parks – ideal if you value facilities and location over privacy: Shaws Bay Holiday Park, Ballina Headlands Holiday Park, and Lake Ainsworth Holiday Park.
- Ballina Beach Nature Resort – near South Ballina Beach, with top facilities (pool, playground, undercover kitchen and dining area, campfires allowed). Pet-friendly and suitable for caravans. A bit more expensive than Flat Rock Tent Park.
- Sugar Beach Ranch – a more private and eco-style stay with ocean views, composting toilets, and no showers (BYO portable setup). Best for groups who want a secluded experience. Pets aren’t allowed as it’s a wildlife sanctuary.
Comparison table
Things might have changed since I wrote this, but this table will help you find the best camping spot in Ballina for your style of camping. Rates were calculated for a basic unpowered site.
| Name | Distance from Brisbane/Ballina | Rates | Facilities | Privacy | Views & wildlife | Campfire allowed | Beach access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat Rock Tent Park | ~2 hrs 10 min from Brisbane 5 min from Ballina | $40/night for up to 6 people (max. 3 adults) | Showers, toilets, barbecues, kitchen /!\ No caravan | Low / Medium (more natural than holiday parks) | No views, a few birds | Yes | Direct |
| Shaws Bay Holiday Park | ~2 hrs 10 min from Brisbane In Ballina | $75/night up to 2 people. +$14 for additional adults +$10 for children | Showers, toilets, barbecues, kitchen, playground Dog-friendly | Low | Some sites with river views (premium sites – extra $) | No | Short walk |
| BIG4 Ballina Holiday Park | ~2 hrs 10 min from Brisbane 10 min from Ballina | Powered sites only. $59/night up to 2 people. +$10 for additional adults and children. | Showers, toilets, kitchen, swimming pool, hot tubs, playgrounds, table tennis, games room, pool table, EV charger… | Low (bigger sites for extra $20 but still low/medium privacy) | No | No | 15-min walk |
| Lennox Head Holiday Park | ~2 hrs from Brisbane 15 min from Ballina (in Lennox Head town) | $61/site up to 2 people. +$14 for additional adults +$10 for children. | Showers, toilets, kitchen, barbecues, EV charger Dog-friendly | Low (but they indicate “XL sites”) | Some side seems lakeside, birdlife | No | Short walk |
| Ballina Beach Nature Resort | ~2.5 hrs from Brisbane 20 min (with ferry) from Ballina | $63/night up to 2 people. +$15 for additional adults and children. | Showers, toilets, kitchen, swimming pool, playground, EV charger Dog-friendly | Low | Near a nature reserve (wildlife) but no views | Yes | Direct |
| Sugar Beach Ranch | ~2.5 hrs from Brisbane 30 min from Ballina | $97 up to 2 people. +$24 for additional person >13yo and +$6 other children. | Basic (compost toilets, access to drinking water but no showers, no kitchen), swimming pool | High (secluded camping) | Wildlife and ocean views from the property | Yes | Direct (short walk on the property) |
Is Flat Rock Tent Park worth it?
Yes – with the right expectations. It’s not for us (a couple without kids who prefer privacy, peace and a closer connection with nature and wildlife), but it was a great option for our friends with kids. It’s not the most peaceful campground, but it’s a convenient, family-friendly spot for a beachside weekend.
You’ll have a better time if you pick your site carefully and avoid weekends if you want quiet. Ballina’s Flat Rock Tent Park isn’t perfect, but its location, beach access, and campfire-friendly setup make it one of the easiest and most convenient camping experiences in Ballina for families and groups.
