An Iraq war veteran accused of secretly filming naked backpackers while they showered has been released on bail.

William Gerardus Rush Huybregts allegedly hid a motion-activated camera inside a can of insect spray in the bathroom of his Townsville home, and used an online couch-surfing website to offer free accommodation to travellers.

During a search of his home, police allegedly uncovered more than 100 recordings showing the breast and genital region of male and female house guests.

Mr Huybregts has been charged with 124 counts of recordings in breach of privacy.

While opposing bail today in Brisbane, police prosecutor Eddie Fraser said that the "sophistication of the offending cuts to the core of community safety, particularly privacy".

Mr Huybregts was previously enlisted in the American Army and had been deployed on operations, but was working as a FIFO geologist at the time of the alleged offending.

"This defendant has the adequate and sophisticated training, particularly to execute these types of offences, of which are multiple [and over] an extended period of years," Mr Fraser said.

The court heard Mr Huybregts was arrested last week after he tried to board a flight to Singapore.

Mr Fraser said although he had a return ticket to Australia, there was no proof he intended to return because travellers are required to have a ticket back to their home countries.

The court heard the accused also tried to renew his US passport after he noticed police at his Railway Estate home.

Mr Huybregts was granted bail with conditions and will appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court next week.