Tabby Wilson checks out all the best free campsites that Australia has on offer.
Tabby Wilson checks out all the best free campsites that Australia has on offer.
Australia was made for life on the road, whether thatβs in a van, towing a home on wheels or with a foldaway tent and sleeping bag crammed in the boot. There are beautiful beaches, world-class national parks and majestic mountain ranges all waiting to be explored, and plenty of campsites along the way where you can keep costs low on a family holiday.Β
Instead of forking out an arm and a leg on accommodation, you can take advantage of one of the many campgrounds that let you stay for nothing, saving your dollars for other experiences along the way. After all, the best things in life are free.
New South Wales
Ellenborough Reserve
Only accessible by 4WD, the beautiful Ellenborough Reserve campground allows you to stay beside the river for 14 days before you have to move on. The pet-friendly park has heaps to do, with bird watching and canoeing along the Ellenborough River topping the list. Wildlife is also abundant here, so keep your eyes peeled.Β
Wollombi Tavern
This pub is packed with personality, and they offer free camping on their grounds. With such easy access to live entertainment, delicious meals and cheeky beverage or two, staying here is a no brainer. While you have to bring your own water and firewood, they do have an onsite toilet block for campers to use.Β
Bendeela Recreation Area
If youβre looking for the neighbours or atmosphere you get at a holiday park, Bendeela Recreation Area is the closest you can get. The enormous campground has toilets, water and dump points, but what really brings in the visitors is their friendly wildlife. Wombats are often spotted wandering the park and make for a great photo, particularly when paired with the spectacular mountain backdrop.
Gap Creek Camping Area
This tiny campground has just three sites, so get in quick to nab a spot at this green getaway. Known for the wallabies that often drop in on happy campers, the campground offers direct access to the beautiful Gap Creek walking track, which traces all the way to an impressive waterfall. The site has also got toilet and barbecue facilities, as well as picnic tables for a civilised family dinner.Β
Newnes CampgroundΒ
Right at the centre of a natural amphitheatre, this beautiful campsite has a great, grassy flat to pitch a tent on and set up for the night. There is plenty of room with 80 sites available, as well as toilets and barbecue facilities to make use of. Enjoy the Wolgan River which runs beside the campground or plan a walk to the glow worm tunnel, just a short drive away.
Victoria
Plantation, The Grampians
Famous for the rugged landscape and tough walks, you couldnβt ask for a more convenient free camp than Plantation. The biggest in the area, this campground has around 30 sites as well as bush showers, drop toilets and fire places, but you will have to bring in your own water as none of the water in The Grampians is suitable to drink.Β
Pettmans Beach
Just metres from the beach, the campground at Pettmans Beach is beautiful and all you have to do is rock up and pop open those camp chairs. The majority of sites have their own fire pit with a hot plate, which are ideal for cooking up the fish youβre sure to catch during the day. As an added bonus, this sweet little spot is pet-friendly.
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.Β Β
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.Β Β
Dandoβs 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 Β
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.Β
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.Β
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 youβll 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 doesnβt 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 youβll find a large communal campfire and a covered area with a sink, benches and table.Β Campers can stay at this beautiful spot for three nights within a 28-day period at no charge.Β
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.Β
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 itβs great for a peaceful night out in the open air.Β
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 itβs well worth it, because by all accounts the sunrises, sunsets and stars are out of this world.Β
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 itβs used as a campsite by eclectic travellers. While it has no amenities to speak of, itβs a great spot for a unique nightsβ sleep.
Note: all camping inside a national park will require a fee to enter.
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Feature image Β© Tourism and Events Queensland
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