You won’t need to travel far from Brisbane to enjoy a laid back and family friendly bush camping holiday with a twist this Spring School Holidays!
Just an hour and a half north of Brisbane, Lake Gkula is at Woodfordia, a 500 acre parkland located in the Moreton Bay Region Hinterland, on Jinibara Country.
You will find shady trees to camp under (or luxury glamping tents to stay in if you don’t want to pack the camping gear), a beautiful natural swimming lake, lots of self-led activities such as bush walking, snorkeling and exploring, plus guided walks and workshops and activities for children, teens and adults and music happening in the early evening most evenings.
Lake Gkula Camping and Glamping will be open over the Spring Holidays – from the 15th of September to the 3rd of October 2023, and again for the Autumn Holidays next March/April (2024).
Bring your camping gear, your bicycles and walking shoes, your swimsuits and your mask and snorkel, a hammock, comfy clothes and a light jacket or jumper for the evenings, pack the BBQ and your guitar and make your campsite your home for three days or a week or so.
Activities at Lake Gkula Camping
Some of the activities on offer at Lake Gkula Camping include:
- Swimming and lounging by the lake (of course!)
- Arty fun at the Crafty tent
- Trail walks
- Morning yoga by the lake
- Soccer
- Table tennis
- Board games galore
- A shaded sandpit
- Little library and book swap, and
- Evening sing-along sessions around the fire
Learn all about the secret life of Lake Gkula or be a Citizen Scientist and go on a wildlife adventure… grab a picnic lunch from the café and your sunhats and head off on your own Woodfordia safari.
Music at Sunset at Lake Gkula
Lake Gkula campers will be treated to fine music beside the lake in the early evening up to five evenings a week throughout the Spring School Holidays. Artists and performance dates will be announced in July 2023, and the programme will be available on the Lake Gkula Camping website then.
Lake Gkula Camping Workshops
Campers will also be able to book a range of additional paid workshops and activities in the Spring School Holidays.
Information about the workshops and how to book these will also be available on the Lake Gkula Camping website in July 2023.
Staying at Lake Gkula Camping
Tents, caravans, motorhomes, and camper trailers are all welcome – shady spots on flat ground are plentiful and shower and toilet facilities are available in the campground areas.
There are some powered sites available for caravans and motorhomes – book early for these.
Glamping at Lake Gkula Camping
If you are looking for a little luxury with your camping, the Woodfordia Glamping Tents might be the answer. They are close to the lake and have a queen bed and separate two bunk bedroom, your own bathroom, a well-equipped kitchenette and a BBQ on the deck.
Food and Provisions
The Woodfordia General Store & Gkula Café will be open for Lake Gkula Camping, offering fresh produce, basic essentials plus a range of camping equipment, clothing, snacks and treats. You can buy your basic supplies, enjoy a cup of coffee or take a look around the Woodfordia wares available. You will find the full range of lovely and locally made and organic skin, hair and sun care products there, plus a good range of basic camping supplies (and marshmallows for toasting over the campfire). The store is open from 7pm-10pm.
When you don’t feel like firing up the BBQ
You’ll find breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Gkula Café too. Meals are available from 7am-8pm, and a licensed bar is open from 3pm-11pm. Campfires, songs and conversations around the fire…
Exploring on the outside
Woodfordia is just 30 minutes from the arty town of Maleny and the beautiful Sunshine Coast hinterland and 50 minutes from the beaches of the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Region. Set up camp in the peaceful valley of Woodfordia and give yourself a few extra days to explore the local area too. The friendly town of Woodford is a 5-minute drive from the campgrounds if you need extra supplies.
About Lake Gkula
Lake opening hours are from 7am to 4.30pm each day.
- Lake Gkula is a chemical free, naturally filtered and fabulous place to swim. It is abundant with fish, frogs, invertebrates, and plant life. The up-flow wetland filtration system creates healthy stable conditions and keep pathogens at bay, so that we can swim safely and happily with them.
- There will be trained Safety Observers present at the lake during opening hours, however adults must take responsibility for their children and supervise them closely. Anyone under the age of 15 years must be accompanied by and supervised by an adult.
- Only approved sunscreens and deodorants can be worn in the Lake. To protect our aquatic creatures (over 400 fish and 4000 plants), please be 100% free of cosmetics and sunscreens – this includes wound treatments unless all ingredients are certified organic/reef friendly/100% zinc.
Other things you need to know
- The numbers for this camping getaway will be capped and workshop booking numbers are limited.
- A minimum three-night camping or glamping booking requirement applies.
- Accessibility camping and glamping is available. Pre-booking is advised.
- Caravans, RVs and camper trailers are welcome.
- There are a limited number of powered sites available for caravans and RVs only. An additional daily fee applies, and powered sites must be pre-booked.
- All children must be accompanied and directly supervised by an adult.
- Campers are asked to wear sun-smart clothing when outside and wear fully enclosed walking shoes when exploring the site.
- Accessibility camping and glamping is available. Pre-booking is advised.
- The General Store will accept cash and EFTPOS. Cash out is not available on site.
- Some activities are subject to weather and environmental conditions and may be cancelled on the day.
Bookings for the Spring Lake Gkula Camping will open online at the end of May 2023.
Lake Gkula Camping is located at 87 Woodrow Road, Woodford.
To find out more and to book, please visit https://woodfordia.org/camping/.
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