Last Updated on 4 July 2026 by Rob
The Bend Campground is a free campground, a short drive north of the town of Coen on the Peninsula Development Road. If you are planning a Cape York trip, you may like our Cape York Itinerary.
The campground is a great place for a rest stop on the way to the York Peninsula. A little farther south, there are two other areas where camping is allowed, but this review will focus on the Northern Bend Campsite. This particular spot is a favourite for travellers heading up the Cape, offering a classic riverbank setting that trades the dust of the PDR for the cooling waters of the Coen River.
To access this site, driving on unsealed roads is required. However, the campsite is on a sealed section, so there is no dust issue.
There is no requirement to be self-contained. A drop toilet is provided. However, since the Coen River is nearby, it is best to dump your grey water away from it.
Swimming is possible in the river.
The Bend Campground Quick Facts
| Campground Name | The Bend Campground |
|---|---|
| Nearest Town | Coen |
| GPS | 13°55'26.55"S 143°11'38.52"E |
| Access Road | Unsealed |
| Number of sites | 6 |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Water | No |
| Dump point | No |
| Power | No |
| Pets | Yes |
| Tents | Yes |
| Fires permitted | Yes |
| Telstra coverage | Weak |
| Optus coverage | No |
| Cost | Free |
| Booking | N/A |
Planning a Trip to the Tip?
This campground is a key off-grid stop on our comprehensive, un-sponsored Cape York Itinerary for Caravans & Overlanders. See how to pace your corrugated dirt miles, fuel stops, and creek crossings safely.
Explore the Cape York Itinerary →Campground Layout and Features
At this free campground, there are 6 or 7 unmarked campsites close to the Coen River. The sites are gravel and fairly flat. If you are not towing (or towing a camper trailer), there are some further sites on the other side of the river. The crossing is shallow and sandy.
The site is close to the road. However, there is very little traffic at night.
As previously mentioned, this campsite has a basic drop toilet.
The town waste disposal facility is located on the edge of this campground. It is a large skip, making disposal easy. We stopped here on our return journey just to get rid of our rubbish, even though we did not stay for the night.
The Bend Campsite Location
The Bend Campground is a 3 km drive north of Coen. The map below shows the location of the campground. You can zoom out for a more general location.
What to Watch Out For at The Bend Campground
The access tracks from the road are quite steep. I would avoid this campsite in the wet or if rain was expected. It might be difficult to get back out in the wet.
Final Words
We enjoyed our stay here and recommend it.
During our stay, we met someone who had been stranded here for a month. He needed a part for his van, but the first delivery contained the wrong part. While it is a good site, a month’s stay would be a little too much.
Closeby Campgrounds
Rocky Creek Gravel Pit near Bramwell Junction is an easy day’s drive north from this campsite and is a good place to rest for the night. If you have the time you may also like to consider Chilli Beach Campground.
If you are heading south you may like to deviate off the Peninsula Development Road and stay at Kalpowar Crossing Campground in the Lakefield National Park. For those continuing down the Peninsula Development Road Rifle Creek Rest Area near Mount Molloy is a good place to spend a rest night.
Details checked 5/1/26.
