These are the best free campsites around Australia

Butts Reserve

On the outskirts of Melbourne, this green getaway is a great base for exploring the gold rush town, enjoying fresh local produce or heading up the impressive Mount Tarrengower. The campground is equipped for every eventuality, with a large shelter, toilets, bins, freshwater taps and wood-fired barbecues.  

Reeves Beach

Offering direct access to 90 Mile Beach, this sneaky spot has a few grassy sites where you can park up. Pet-friendly, the only amenity is a drop toilet, but the beautiful and fishermen-friendly beach makes it well worth a sticky-beak.  

Dando’s Campground

Gorgeous, green and right among the trees, this campsite can get very popular, particularly on long weekends. Another great dog-friendly destination, the area is known for the beautiful river nearby, with heaps of opportunities for a swim or a stroll through the bush. Open fire pits and scattered barbecues are on offer, as are drop toilets.

Queensland  

Babinda Rotary Park

You could hardly ask for a more convenient free stay in the Cairns region of Queensland. The dream base for exploring the famous Josephine Falls and unravelling the legends of Babinda Boulders, the site offers toilets, cold showers and barbecues for a maximum 72-hour stay. 

Bedford Weir

On the edge of the Bedford Weir, this camping and picnic area excels in terms of activities and amenities. A popular fishing destination and an ideal spot for walking, swimming and kayaking, the campsite is great for families who like the little luxuries such as fire places, flushing toilets, a dump point and even hot showers. Although it is a free campsite, Bedford Weir does ask you to consider leaving a donation so they can appropriately maintain the area. 

Yarrawonga & Notch Point Reserve

With scenic vistas of mountains and oceans, this 4WD-only campground allows visitors to stay free for seven days right beside the beach. Apart from the cows you’ll share the campground with, you could bump into wallabies, crocodiles and even sharks – so take precautions and follow the signposted advice.

Western Australia

Quondong Point Camping Area

This coastal campground is a favourite with locals and travellers alike, sitting right on the beach with access to sensational snorkelling and whale watching. Bush camping at its finest, Quondong Point doesn’t have any facilities, so make sure to come prepared as Cape Leveque is 4WD territory and pretty deserted. As each site is at least 100 metres from the next, this is a great place to stay for a little privacy and solitude.

Cliff Heads

Looking out on the turquoise waters of the coral coast, the three-part Cliff Head campsite has the lot: views, space and eco-toilets. The largest section is Cliff Head Central, where you’ll find a large communal campfire and a covered area with a sink, benches and table.  Campers can stay at this beautiful spot for three nights within a 28-day period at no charge. 

James Price Point

One of the worst-kept secrets in Western Australia, campgrounds do not get more spectacular than James Price Point. Perched on top of the deep-red Pindan Cliffs and offering million-dollar views, the remote campsite is 50 kilometres from Broome and has a couple of claims to fame, including the largest dinosaur footprint in the world. Make sure to pack everything you could need, from toilet paper to water, as out here there are no amenities and nowhere to stock up. 

Tasmania

Swimcart Beach

Open the door and step straight onto the sand at Swimcart Beach, a beautiful beach campsite that is easily accessible for all kinds of campers. Though the amenities are limited to pit toilets, the site is not far from the town of Binalong Bay and the stunning views out over the Bay of Fires more than make up for the lack of showers.

Green Point Marrawah

This tiny little campground is perched on one of the best surfing beaches in Tassie, and pretty popular as it is so picturesque. Great for bigger rigs, the area has a cold water beach shower, barbecues and a toilet.

Cockle Creek

Going fully remote? Head to the southernmost part of Australia you can drive to and set up camp along Finns Beach at Cockle Creek. The stunning national park is a dream for outdoor adventurers, with bushwalking, fishing and bird watching all popular pastimes. The nearest shops are 35 kilometres away so be prepared, as the only amenities are drop toilets and there is no on-site drinking water.

South Australia

Burra Creek Gorge Reserve – World’s End

A lovely quiet spot out in the bush, this beautiful campground is perfect for those wanting to explore 4WD tracks and river walks through the red gums. Again, it is only equipped with a single pit toilet but it’s great for a peaceful night out in the open air. 

The Gap, Yorke Peninsula

Another beach-side campground, The Gap is an open space with just 10 sites to make use of. There are no amenities here other than long-drop toilets, but the views and the sunsets are so worth it. Fill your days with fishing, surfing and some 4WD beach explorations, before dipping over the dunes to make your bed for the night.

Northern Territory

Finke River Two Mile

In prime location for exploring the Western Macdonnell Ranges, this 4WD campsite on the banks of the Finke River is a real gem. You have to be self-contained to stay here and it’s well worth it, because by all accounts the sunrises, sunsets and stars are out of this world. 

Gorrie Airfield

For a free camp with a bit of a twist, Gorrie Airfield is the perfect place to pitch a tent. During World War 2, the Gorrie Field was the largest aircraft service and repair base in Northern Territory and now it’s used as a campsite by eclectic travellers. While it has no amenities to speak of, it’s a great spot for a unique nights’ sleep.

Note: all camping inside a national park will require a fee to enter.