Temporary closure of Inskip camping areas

Issued: 2 Dec 2020

Queensland Health has advised the Department of Environment and Science (DES) to temporarily close the MV Sarawak and MV Sarawak West camping areas at Inskip Point following concerns over a gastrointestinal illness.

The camping area was closed on 3 December 2020, and will be closed until at least 9 December 2020 to allow Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) rangers to thoroughly clean the toilet facilities.

DES apologises for any inconvenience to existing campers or people who had made bookings up until 9 December 2020.

In November, a number of people experienced severe vomiting and other gastrointestinal symptoms and reported it to QPWS rangers.

QPWS and Queensland Health investigated potential sources of the virus, however the cause of the outbreak remained unknown.

Queensland Health believes a person arrived at Sarawak campground with the illness in its early stages and later developed symptoms.

Queensland Health’s advises gastrointestinal illnesses are highly contagious and could have been spread among campers through poor hygiene, close personal contact or use of shared facilities.

Campers currently at MV Sarawak and MV Sarawak West camping areas have been instructed to leave, and not relocate to another campground for the next 72 hours.

QPWS will contact people who hold existing bookings up until 9 December 2020 and those who are yet to set up camp at MV Sarawak and MV Sarawak West camping areas to advise them they can relocate to another area within the Inskip Peninsula, subject to availability.

Refunds will be provided for people who are unsatisfied or cannot be accommodated.

For more information about Queensland’s national parks and campgrounds, please visit park alerts.