Seaforth Camping Reserve

Seaforth Camping Reserve is a council-run beachfront campground at 22 Palm Avenue, about 45 minutes north of Mackay, where unpowered grassy sites open straight onto the sand. Dogs are welcome, but only inside a dedicated dog-friendly section of the reserve, so booking into the right zone is the whole game for camping here with your dog.

Dogs at the reserve

Under Mackay Regional Council guidelines, dogs are permitted only within the designated dog-friendly area, on the unpowered side of the grounds. Pets are excluded from the general camping zones, a rule the council ties to protecting the shorebird and curlew populations along the foreshore. In the dog zone the standard rules apply: leash on, waste picked up, and quiet after 10pm. There is no listed size limit or pet fee, but confirm the current dog-zone allocation when you book because that section can fill.

Sites are unpowered, so bring solar or battery if you need power, and generators run only in set hours. Amenities are simple but clean: toilets, coin-operated hot showers, a dump point and water top-ups. Flat beach access sits right in front of the camp for on-lead walks, and campers regularly mention the friendly caretaker.

Max: book into the dog-friendly section by name, keep the lead on outside it, and plan around generator hours if you run one. The council rules on which section is yours are specific and enforced.

Getting there and out with the dog

The reserve fronts the Seaforth foreshore, and the beach in front of the camp is the morning walk. Cape Hillsborough and its coastal walking tracks are about 10 minutes away for a day trip. The weekly cap is six weeks, so this works as a proper beach base rather than just a stopover.

In town, Locals Corner is the local coffee stop, and Seaforth Holiday Units is the alternative if you want a roof instead of a tent. More options are on the Queensland pet friendly stays guide and the Seaforth destination page.