Clancys camping area

Clancys is the kind of camp the Bicentennial National Trail riders treat as home base — a big open grassy area in Benarkin State Forest, set beside Emu Creek with flushing toilets, tap water, and (notably for QLD) dogs and horses are both welcome. About 14 km in via Forest Drive from Yarraman, it's an under-the-radar spot in the South Burnett with enough open grass for a 60-person crew, a proper tap, and the kind of flat, gentle terrain that suits trail riders, family campers, and 4WD groups equally.

Getting there#

Location: about 14 km off the Yarraman side of Benarkin State Forest, via Forest Drive.

• From Yarraman (~10 km, ~20 minutes): the closest village. Forest Drive is unsealed but 2WD-friendly in dry conditions.
• From Toowoomba (~80 km, ~1 hour): the standard approach for Brisbane and Darling Downs campers.
• From Brisbane CBD (~170 km, 2 hours): via the D'Aguilar Highway through Yarraman.
• From Kingaroy (~80 km, ~1 hour): the closest larger South Burnett town.

Forest Drive is graded but gravel — fine for caravans and camper trailers in dry weather, slow and rutty after rain. Mobile reception is not available inside the state forest, so download offline directions or carry a Hema before heading in.

Sites and facilities#

Clancys is configured as a single open grassy area rather than discrete numbered sites — the QPWS booking system limits it to a maximum of around 60 people. Suits tents, camper trailers, caravans, campervans, and motorhomes (the open grassy field has plenty of room to spread out).

Check-in is 2pm, check-out is 11am.

On site:

• Flushing toilets (rare for a state forest camp)
• Tap water (treat before drinking — boil, filter, or chemically treat)
• Wood barbecues (BYO firewood)
• Picnic tables
• Adjacent to the Bicentennial National Trail

Bring with you:

• Drinking water as backup (the tap water is treated as raw)
• Firewood — collecting is prohibited; bring your own
• Fuel stove (no campfires permitted, only the wood BBQs)
• Repellent for the wetter months
• Anything for the dog or horse (lead, water, feed, tether)

Important: no campfires permitted — only the supplied wood barbecues for cooking. This is non-negotiable in QLD state forests during fire seasons.

Nearest town and supplies#

Yarraman (~10 km, ~20 minutes) is the closest town. It has:

• A general store and IGA-style supermarket
• A pub
• A petrol station
• Basic hardware

For a fuller shop, Kingaroy (~80 km, ~1 hour north-west) is the South Burnett's main centre, or Toowoomba (~80 km, ~1 hour south) for the broader range. Crows Nest (~40 km, ~45 minutes) has a small shopping strip if you're approaching from the south.

The right plan: do your shop in Toowoomba or Kingaroy on the way through, top up at Yarraman if you need anything specific.

What to do at Clancys#

• Bicentennial National Trail riding — Clancys is a recognised stop on the BNT, the 5,330 km Australia-spanning trail for self-reliant non-motorised travellers (mostly horse riders and walkers). Even if you're not a thru-rider, day rides on sections near the campground are excellent.
• Horse riding — tether horses uphill from the fenced camping area, water them downstream of campers (or carry water to them), don't tie them to trees.
• 4WD and bicycle access — multiple unsealed forest tracks lead off Forest Drive for day exploration.
• Bushwalking — short walks along Emu Creek and into the surrounding eucalypt forest.
• Wildlife — wallabies, possums, and a strong nocturnal soundscape; powerful owls heard at night.
• Stargazing — minimal light pollution; clear winter nights are exceptional.

Best time to visit#

Subtropical South Burnett — hot wet summers, long mild dry winters:

• Autumn (April–May) is the clear standout: warm days (24–28°C), low rainfall, comfortable nights. April is famous for being the driest autumn month here.
• Winter (June–September) is the local sweet spot — cool dry days (19–22°C), cold but not freezing nights (~3–8°C), almost no rain. Peak season for the BNT and 4WD groups.
• Spring (October–November) is variable; storm season starts ramping up.
• Summer (December–March) is hot, humid, and storm-prone. Forest tracks can flood. Most experienced campers avoid this window.

Camping fees#

QPWS charges a per-person nightly fee for Clancys — around $7.50 per adult per night and cheaper for children at the time of writing. Children under 5 typically free. There's no vehicle entry fee for Benarkin State Forest.

Confirm current pricing on the QPWS booking page when you book.

Pets and dogs#

Clancys is dog-friendly — one of the more dog-friendly QLD QPWS areas. Standard rules:

• Dogs must be on lead at all times, including overnight
• Pick up after them
• Keep clear of horses and wildlife
• Don't leave dogs unattended in camp

The Bicentennial National Trail is dog-friendly through this section, but watch for horse traffic.

Can't get a booking?#

Clancys' open layout means it rarely "books out" in the same way a numbered-site campground does, but the per-person cap (~60 people) does fill for major long weekends, BNT events, and 4WD club gatherings. Cancellations show up in the booking system as soon as they're processed.

Set up a free CampWatch alert and we'll text you the moment a Clancys booking opens up. No app, no account — just your phone number.