- Telephone
- Email
Camping at Elim Beach gives you immediate access to the famous Coloured Sands and nearby Cape Bedford. Put them all together and you have an epic camping destination and the perfect place to connect with nature, not the internet. Think endless sandy beaches, big blue sky days and lots of offroad 4WD adventures, and you are scratching the surface of what it’s like to be camping at Elim Beach. This place is around a 5 hour drive north from Cairns and you want to spend at least 3 nights / 4 days here if you can, to make sure you get enough time to see and do it all, with some downtime too. Don’t think. Just go.
Please note when you are camping at Elim Beach you will need a 4WD. To access the Coloured Sands and / or Cape Bedford, you will be required to drive on the beach (access is tide dependent) and traverse sandy inland tracks and roads. Remember to bring everything needed to deflate and inflate your tyres, plus maxtrax and any other recovery gear you may have. Camping at Elim Beach is suitable for our camper trailer (beachfront site) and offroad caravan (which is what we took).
The highlight of camping at Elim Beach is exploring the local area, including the Coloured Sands and Cape Bedford, and enjoying epic sunsets. The campground is suitable for tents, swags, camper trailers (for beachfront sites) and offroad caravans. If you don’t have one, hire ours.
Eddie’s Camp is the place to stay when you’re camping at Elim Beach. Established by Eddie Deemal, a respected Thiithaarr Elder, Eddie’s Camp is First Nations owned and operated and is located on Guugu Yimithirr country. To get here from Cairns, you drive north to Cooktown, go through Hope Vale and follow the signs to Elim Beach. Today, Eddie’s Camp is run by his son Ivan Deemal and family and advance bookings are highly recommended. Contact details provided at the bottom of this review.
The campground itself is right on the beach and well maintained. If you have a tent, swag or camper trailer, you might be lucky enough to nab an absolute beachfront site. These are on a first in, first served basis and can’t be reserved. Other campsites are all well shaded, with plenty of space for everyone and can accommodate even the largest of caravans. Eddie’s Camp is family and pet friendly (rules apply – see FAQs) and has basic amenities, including a camp kitchen, flushing toilets and cold water showers. At sunset the beach is the place to be, for golden views and photo opportunities.
Other things you need to know about camping at Elim Beach. This is not a ‘party camp’ and there is to be no loud music during the day, with quiet time from 7pm to 6.30am, meaning no music. Small fires are OK and firewood can be purchased from Reception. Generators are allowed to operate on 1 hour intervals, between 12pm and 6pm. Due to the remote location, internet drop-outs are frequent and you should bring cash to pay for your camping. When you are camping at Elim Beach, you have free access to the Coloured Sands and Cape Bedford – which are both epic, read our Elim Beach and Coloured Sands review with photos and videos – day visitors must purchase a pass from Eddie’s Camp.
Eddie’s Camp is in a great location. There are some beachfront sites, shaded by large paperbark trees, and a range of other sites with established vegetation. The campground vibe is relaxed and head down to the beach for sunset drinks with views.
Elim Beach is around a 1 hour drive from Hope Vale. If you are coming from Cairns, you should take the inland road to Cooktown then turn to Hope Vale and follow the signs to Elim Beach. All up, this trip takes around 5 hours, not including stops.
No and yes. You do not need a 4WD to get to Eddie’s Camp at Elim Beach. However, you definitely need a 4WD to get to the Coloured Sands and/or Cape Bedford. To access either of these places includes beach driving (tide dependent) and taking the sandy, inland tracks and trails.
You can walk to the Coloured Sands from Elim Beach if you want too.
Yes – they prefer it if you do make an advance booking, so they can regulate numbers and ensure there is space for everyone.
The 2023 season prices were as follows.
Please note there is not always EFTPOS available, so it is a good idea to bring cash to pay for camping fees please. Your camp fee covers permit costs for day visits to the Coloured Sands and/or Cape Bedford
No and yes. There is limited internet, available during limited hours at Reception. You will not have internet at any of the campsites.
No. Eddie’s Camp at Elim Beach is off grid. There are no powered sites available. Generators are allowed to operate between 12pm – 6pm for 1 hour intervals. Many sites have direct sunlight for Solar. Please note: No generators on beachfront sites.
Yes, you can take your dog camping at Elim Beach – Eddie’s Camp is pet friendly. That being said, in order to maintain a calm environment for all guests, dogs who bark excessively are not welcome. All dogs must be kept on a leash and pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their dogs.
There is a small shop at Reception at Eddie’s Camp at Elim Beach, with very limited supplies. It is best to bring your food, drinks and necessities with you.
If you want to go camping at Elim Beach, please note it is seasonal. It is generally closed between November and March / April. Access is road dependent. It is always best to check for opening dates / availability before coming camping at Elim Beach.
No. Eddie’s Camp is open during the cooler / dryer months of the year. Generally speaking that is between March / April and November. Access is road dependent. It is always best to check for opening dates / availability before coming camping at Elim Beach.
Eddie’s Camp has the following facilities.
Eddie’s Camp has some basic rules, which are in place to ensure all guests can enjoy their time camping at Elim Beach. These rules include:
If you are coming from Cairns, you should take the inland road to Cooktown then turn to Hope Vale. All of these roads are sealed bitumen. From Hope Vale, follow the signs to Elim Beach and Eddie’s Camp, this is mostly sealed with only around 800m of gravel. You can get to Eddie’s Camp using a 2WD, but you will need a 4WD to get to Coloured Sands and/or Cape Bedford. All up, this trip takes around 5 hours, not including stops.
To visit the Coloured Sands and/or Cape Bedford you will need a 4WD. Access to the Coloured Sands is tide dependent and is via the beach. Access to Cape Bedford is on the inland tracks and trails, which are sandy and include water crossings.
This is the best place to base yourself, when visiting the Coloured Sands and/or Cape Bedford. You can visit it as a standalone destination or include in a ‘Trip to the Tip’ itinerary. Eddie’s Camp at Elim Beach is not open all year round. It is generally open between March / April and November, pending weather and access. They do prefer advance bookings. They do not have a website, but they do have a Facebook page and you can contact them on phone (07) 4060 9223 or email elimbeach@gmail.com We love this part of the world, the scenery is stunning and the 4WD adventures are awesome – check our camping at Elim Beach review for more photos and information regarding the attractions and activities. Don’t think. Just go.
© Tropical Trailblazers 2025
