Days spent camping with family and friends create some of the best childhood memories. Getting dirty, sleeping in a tent, cooking over a campfire and the relaxation of rules generally leads to lots of laughter and fun times. Borumba Deer Park is one such place where you and your family can enjoy rural camping at its best.
Just outside of Imbil, as you turn off the main road, you will enter the sprawling grounds of Borumba Deer Park, located on the banks of Yabba Creek. As you amble down the long driveway you will immediately see the animals, ranging from deer, pigs, donkeys, peacocks, and goats.
Aside from the friendly animals, there are plenty of outdoor activities to supplement the laid-back atmosphere of camping at the family owned and operated Borumba Deer Park.
Borumba Deer Park is pet friendly, with many sites allowing dogs on-leash. There is also a dog off-leash area within the park. NB. NO dogs permitted in the cabins or at the campsites by the creek. For further details speak with the staff when booking.
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Accommodation at Borumba Deer Park
Whether you have a tent, caravan, camper, ute, swag or none of the above, there is a variety of accommodation to suit your needs at Borumba Deer Park.
Non-Powered Sites
Boasting more than 15 acres of camping grounds, there are plenty of non-powered sites spread throughout the park. Some sites are sign-posted and can be booked ahead of time. There are also other area available for large groups.
Powered Sites
Throughout the park there are powered sites suitable for campers or those with caravans or camper trailers. Some sites also offer a concrete slab with power and water points. A 10a outlet is provided on these sites to be used for basic appliances such as lighting, fridges, kettles etc. High power use appliance are not permitted.
Self-Contained Cabins
There are seven self-contained cabins available to book at Borumba Deer Park, all of which were refurbished in 2020.
There are three Country Cabins, including one cabin which is accessible. Additionally, there are four Eco Cabins, which are slightly smaller than the Country Cabins. All cabins contain a kitchen, tv, shower and toilet, with the benefit of air conditioning for the warmer days.
Guests in cabins are required to bring their own linen or hire a linen pack on arrival for an additional cost.
Borumba Deer Park Map
To help you plan your camping trip check out this link to view the Borumba Deer Park map.
Facilities at Borumba Deer Park
Just because you are camping doesn’t mean you have to miss out on some creature comforts to make your stay more comfortable. Facilities available at Borumba Deer Park include:
Kiosk
A well-stocked kiosk is located at the entrance/check-in area of the park. This is also where the office is situated. Here you can purchase hot and cold drinks, firewood, ice, kitchen staples and Borumba Deer Park merchandise. You can even get your gas bottle refilled at the kiosk. Sports and water-based equipment and lawn games can also be hired from this location during opening hours.
Amenities
There are two separate amenity blocks on site. One is located near the camp kitchen and laundromat, while the other is located in Sherwood Forest. Both lots of amenity blocks include flushing toilets and showers with hot and cold running water.
An accessible toilet/shower cubicle is available within these blocks and is also suitable for families showering more than one person at a time. The amenity block near the camp kitchen also has a screen door on it, which means younger children can be safely contained while in the toilets/showers.
A bank of portable toilets are located at The Meadows.
There are only a handful of showers and toilets in each block, so it can be very busy during peak times when the park is fully booked, so keep this in mind when visiting.
Camp Kitchen and Outdoor Entertainment Area
A large indoor camp kitchen is located at The Stockyard area and is free for all campers to use. Sinks, toasters, kettles, a fridge and other kitchen facilities are available within the kitchen, with free gas BBQ’s located outdoors in the adjacent Stockyard area (which is undercover). Sinks can also be found in this area. Additional BBQ’s are dotted throughout the park.
The Stockyard is undercover and is popular on rainy days and a great communal area to come together to eat, with plenty of picnic tables available. This area also contains a small stage and is utilised for special events and activities.
Laundromat
For a small fee you can take advantage of the bank of washers and dryers in the laundromat which is open 24/7. This is particularly useful for longer stays or if you have lots of dirty clothes and want to reduce the contents of your washing basket when you return home. There is also a folding bench and sink. The laundromat is located in the same block as the amenities, near the playground.
Caravan Dump Point
A handy caravan dump point and rinse bay is located at the back of the amenity block near The Stockyard.
Campfires
Sitting around a campfire is one of the best parts of any camping trip, especially when marshmallows are involved. Smalls campfires are permitted (subject to local fire bans) using the fire ring provided. Guests are also permitted to bring their own, which is highly recommended during busy times. You can supply your own firewood or purchase bags of wood from the kiosk.
Activity Hire
A range of sporting and water-based equipment can be hired (for a fee) from the kiosk. Items include mini golf equipment, large lawn games, cornhole, water tubes, floating mats and life vests.
Rubbish Bins
Large industrial rubbish bins are located near the kiosk for general rubbish. Broken camping equipment is not permitted in these bins. There are also separate bins provided for recyclables.
Animals at Borumba Deer Park
As the name suggests there are deer a-plenty at Borumba Deer Park. While many of the deer have been hand-raised, there is also a sizeable portion of wild deer too. If you are lucky you may even get to spot a baby deer frolicking in the paddocks. The deer, including red deer and chital deer are fenced in a number of paddocks with tall, wire fences. Guests are welcome to pat and feed the friendly animals through the fence (animal food can be purchased from the kiosk.)
Other animals you can see in the paddocks include goats, donkeys, pigs, geese, chickens and peacock.
Activities at Borumba Deer Park
There is no shortage of fun activities at Borumba Deer Park. While some activities do require a small payment, many are free for guests to enjoy.
Animal Feeding
Every morning around 8.15am one of the staff members from the park will feed the animals. As you enter the park keep an eye out on your left for the ‘Animal Feeding’ sign, where you will meet to see the goats, deer, pigs and donkeys fill their tummies. You can even help feed the animals with the food provided. Outside of feeding times you are welcome to purchase a container of animal food from the kiosk for the animals to snack on.
Mini-Golf
Keen golfers can practice their putting at the small mini-golf course which is located next to the main playground. Guests can hire clubs and balls from the kiosk for a small fee.
Playgrounds
There are two playgrounds at Borumba Deer Park for the kids to enjoy. The main playground is located next to The Stockyard with plenty of opportunities for climbing, swinging and sliding. A bike track also encircles this area, and it is rather hilly and dusty, so take care when navigating this play area.
The second playground, which is smaller and is more suited to younger children, is located in Sherwood Forest near the amenities block and contains a small fort structure with a slide.
Bike Track
Bring your own bike (and helmet) and pedal your way up, over and around the dirt BMX track which weaves its way around the playground. Of course, you don’t have to stop there, using your bike to explore the rest of the park is a great way to get around.
Water-Based Activities
With the campgrounds being conveniently situated on the banks of Yabba Creek there is always the opportunity for water-based activities. Fishing, swimming, kayaking, paddling in the creek, or just floating about can help you while away the hours. You may even be able to find a rope swing overhanging the creek. If you are up early and are very quiet, you may be able to spot the elusive platypus lolling in the creek.
Bushwalking
Take a leisurely stroll around the park or venture further afield on one of the many bushwalking tracks which take you through the picturesque and tranquil bushland surrounding Borumba Deer Park.
Day Visitors
Day visitors are permitted at the park (for a fee) between the hours of 8am – 4pm. There is a designated ‘day use area’ for water sports and swimming, which campers may also use, though no camping is permitted in this area. All day visitors must sign in at the kiosk prior to entering the park.
Making the Most of Your Stay at Borumba Deer Park
To make the most of your camping adventures at Borumba Deer Park we recommend to:
- Partake in the animal feeding at least once during your stay.
- Bring your camera – photographing the deer with their majestic antlers is truly amazing and very ‘Insta-worthy.’
- Time your visits to the shower block, especially when visiting during peak times.
- Bring the bikes – it is a great way to tire out the kids and get around the expansive campgrounds.
- Walk along the creek to discover the rope swings (be careful not to fall in!)
Nearby Areas to Explore
If you are looking to venture outside the campgrounds to sightsee you won’t be disappointed.
Many flock to the area, particularly in the warmer months, to take advantage of Lake Borumba (Borumba Dam). Less than 5km from the campgrounds the Dam is popular for boating, fishing and other water sports. With multiple picnic areas, BBQ’s and toilet facilities, heading to the dam for some fun in the sun is high on the list of many visiting families.
Visit the small, rural town of Imbil which is just 5-10 minutes down the road. Here you can find the local pub, cafés’, a bakery and often a small local market. A small supermarket and petrol station are also located in this town. Don’t forget to check out the history of Imbil and stop off at the lookout which offers stunning views over the surrounding area.
Featuring rainforest, pine plantations and dry forests, nearby Amamoor State Forest is frequented by many visitors who are seeking wildlife. Bird watchers, platypus seekers and bush walkers visit to experience the stunning natural surroundings with the hope of spotting a rare species of bird, frogs or wildlife.
What We Love About Borumba Deer Park
When our family of four camped at Borumba Deer Park, we enjoyed the quite rural setting, not far from Brisbane.
By far the highlight of our stay was the animals. The kids thoroughly enjoyed the morning feeding time where all the animals flock to the fence line for some tucker. At other times the children would happily watch the animal antics, particular that of the playful kids (goats) butting heads or the cheeky donkey siblings chasing each other.
The rope swing by the creek was also a source of much enjoyment, for the kids (and the kids at heart).
There was plenty to see and do in and close by to the campgrounds, or you could just relax by the campfire and watch the flames flicker. Either way, camping at Borumba Deer Park is a wonderful, family-friendly camping experience which can be enjoyed at any time of the year.
Getting to Borumba Deer Park
Borumba Deer Park is located approximately 170km north of Brisbane, inland from the Sunshine Coast.
If you are coming from Brisbane, just follow the Bruce Highway/M1 north, leaving the highway at Exit 244. Follow the signs to Lake Borumba/Imbil, driving through the town of Imbil. After crossing five bridges, you will then find Borumba Deer Park on your left (it is well signed so you shouldn’t miss it!)
Borumba Deer Park is located at 1133 Yabba Creek Road, Imbil.
1133 Yabba Creek Road, Imbil, QLD 4570
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