Cylinder Beach Campground

Cylinder Beach Campground is a compact Point Lookout campground behind one of Minjerribah's best-known swimming beaches. Its north-facing position, established shade and proximity to shops and meals make it convenient, but the small powered inventory and fixed tent-site footprint require more planning than the simple campground layout suggests.

This is primarily a tent campground: there are 59 unpowered tent sites and only eight powered van sites. Travellers with larger equipment should confirm fit before arranging a vehicle ferry.

Getting there and checking in#

Address: 300 Dickson Way, Point Lookout QLD 4183

Cylinder Beach is reached by sealed road and is suitable for 2WD vehicles. Bringing a vehicle to Minjerribah requires a separate ferry booking from Cleveland to Dunwich. The campground operator says bookings are essential for vehicles, and SeaLink lists a crossing time of about 45 minutes.

Camping check-in is 11am and check-out is 10am. Present the confirmation or booking number on arrival to collect the camping tag and amenities access card. These are not posted automatically. Only one vehicle is allowed on a campsite.

Choosing a tent or powered site#

The official Cylinder Beach page lists:

• 59 unpowered tent sites, each restricted to 6m x 6m; and
• eight powered van sites, ranging across the operator's 6m x 6m to 9m x 10m powered-site dimensions.

Surfaces are grass or sand. Include the drawbar, awning, slide-outs, ropes and rear attachments when measuring. With only eight powered positions, availability can be constrained even when unpowered tent sites remain.

The maximum occupancy is four adults, or two adults and up to three children or infants. Camping permits run for no more than 30 days. Eco Island Tents and a three-bedroom house are separately bookable accommodation and should not be confused with campsite cancellations.

Facilities, beach and connectivity#

Facilities include potable water, toilets, timed hot showers and a coin-operated laundry. The operator does not list a camp kitchen, public fridge or dump point at Cylinder Beach, so plan cooking and waste arrangements accordingly. The nearest operator dump point is at Amity Point.

The campground is shaded and faces north, which the operator says provides protection from prevailing winds. Protection is relative rather than absolute on an island, particularly during changed weather. Cafes, a convenience store, restaurants, the hotel and post office are nearby.

Minjerribah Camping says Cylinder Beach is patrolled year-round. Always use the flagged area and follow current lifesaver advice. Some mobile coverage is advertised, but there is no campground Wi-Fi.

Dogs, generators and open fires are prohibited. All Minjerribah Camping properties are smoke-free.

What campers say#

Themes across Tripadvisor and public Reddit discussions provide a useful counterpoint to the facility list:

• Direct access to a generally more sheltered swimming beach is the campground's defining advantage.
• Guests repeatedly value the shade and ability to walk toward Point Lookout food, the hotel and island transport.
• Clean amenities are a common positive theme, although timed hot showers can feel restrictive at busy periods.
• The 6m x 6m tent boundaries leave little tolerance for oversized tents, gazebos or wandering guy ropes; measure the complete footprint before booking.
• Powered-site scarcity is the practical bottleneck for caravans and camper trailers, especially over school holidays.

These are traveller-reported patterns, not guarantees about weather, cleanliness, space, quietness or a specific site.

Booking, changes and cancellations#

Book through the official booking portal. Full payment is required at booking. The site fee includes the first two adults, with additional eligible guests charged at the current rate.

Under the current terms, changes made at least seven days before arrival cost $20; changes 1–6 days before arrival cost $30, and no changes are accepted within 24 hours. A cancellation at least seven days ahead receives a credit valid for 12 months, less a $30 administration fee, rather than a cash refund. The terms separately list a $30 cancellation fee at 1–6 days but do not clearly state whether the remaining balance becomes credit, so confirm with the operator. Less than 24 hours' notice, no-shows and unused nights receive no refund or credit.

Can't get a booking?#

Cylinder Beach has only eight powered van sites, while the 59 tent sites cannot suit every touring setup. If the appropriate category is sold out, set up a free CampWatch alert and we'll text when matching availability returns. No app, no account — just your phone number.

Campground details were checked against Minjerribah Camping's official campground, FAQ, travel and terms pages, SeaLink information and public traveller discussions on 3 September 2026.