S’mores, bonfire, campfire songs, and the wonderful time you spend with friends and family—these are just some of the things we love about camping.
Whether mounting an actual tent or a makeshift one, Australia is a camping-friendly spot for everyone. Now, when it comes to packing stuff, make sure that you have essential items like; tent, oil lantern, quality suitcase, etc. We also recommend always using the odor-proof backpack to keep animals away.
Excited about a million-star accommodation experience? We have divided the list into three Australian territories to make it easier for you.
Tasmania
Mayfield Bay Coastal Reserve
Staying overnight at this coastal reserve is a good idea! You can fish, swim, surf, dive and do whatever you want if you camp here. There is no fee required to pitch a tent here, but you have to make sure that you bring your own water.
The best thing about this place is that you can also bring your furry friends with you as long as they are on a leash! No restrictions.
If you want to explore the surrounding area, you can visit Hobart which is just an hour and a half away, and hop around their cafes, museums, and cycling trails.
Huon Campground – Southwest National Park
Huon Campground is inside Tasmania’s largest national park, Southwest National Park.
This campsite will bring you closer to nature as it has 600,000 hectares of unspoiled country, giving enough stunning views to stare at and trails to experience.
You can hike, explore caves and caves, and just enjoy the view of the rolling mountain ranges. There are also thermal springs where you can relax. Fishing, canoeing, and boating are also available if you run out of camping activities.
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park
Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is one of those natural parks that will leave you in awe. Beautiful is not even enough to describe this postcard-perfect landscape.
Camping in this blessed piece of land will probably be the best decision you will ever have to make in your entire Australia adventure. Your photography skills will be put to test because this place is picture-worthy no matter the angle.
It is like looking at a storybook coming out alive right in front of your eyes.
Fortescue Bay Campground
With both the beach and the rolling hills in the area, Fortescue Bay Campground is a perfect site for those unsure as to what type of camping adventure they want to experience.
If you want to explore the nearby Tasman National Park or bush walk around the area, you most certainly can. But if you want to do some boating, kayaking, swimming, and other water activities out there, you also can.
Fortescue Bay is just a two-hour drive away from Hobart.
Narawntapu National Park
Narawntapu National Park is a wildlife haven, therefore can make your camping trip even more exciting. Not to mention that you would possibly have growls and screeches of Tasmanian devils as your wake-up call in the morning.
You also might have close encounters with wombats, wallabies, kangaroos, and Bennetts.
Narawntapu is known for its small islands, wetlands, sand dunes, and lagoons. Nevertheless, the area is generally considered to be a peaceful coastal refuge for some quiet time away from the city.
Western Australia
Sandy Cape
In Western Australia, you have a lot of options for camping sites. Some of which are located at Sandy Cape, 10 kilometers north of Jurien Bay.
There are several campsites that you can choose from. Some are accessible only by two-wheel-drive, others by four-wheel-drive vehicles. There are also designated parking areas for visitors.
Day campers can have access to barbecue facilities, picnic areas, and walkways leading to some of the most amazing beaches in the area. Just note that there is no available drinking water at the site so you must bring your own.
Plus points for Sandy Cape for having eco-toilets available.
Kurrajong Camping Area
This savannah-looking camping area is located at the Bungle Bungle Range in Purnululu National Park.
The outback landscape is even more beautiful at sunset. A beautiful cast of orange and purple hues covers the entire area making it even more dramatic, thus, calling for a picture-perfect moment. It is good to just gaze at the spectacular sites in the camping area and do some meditation.
Another special thing about Kurrajong is its water holes, such as the Echidna Chasm and Mini Palms Gorge. If you want the best view, you should try a helicopter ride above the boulders.
Lucky Bay
Lucky Bay can be like your very own private island in Western Australia. It is a picturesque campsite on top of the beach, offering a wonderful vista of the turquoise waters and the azure sky.
But the most exciting thing that you should look forward to in this site is the beach-loving kangaroos that you will see playing around the shore.
There are freshwater pools and a field of wildflowers if you wish to explore the rest of the property.
Margaret River
Margaret River is a small town in Perth where you can get a dose of sunshine in their white sand beaches.
You are also free to choose what type of camping you experience you want to immerse yourself in. There are forest campsites run by the Department of Parks and Wildlife for those who like to be closer to nature.
Another campsite available that you can choose for your accommodation is the caravan in the holiday parks. The place features swimming pools and playgrounds for the kids and kids at heart.
If you want to be close to nature but want a more luxurious and comfortable stay, consider booking a room at one of their chalets or cabin.
Kalbarri
With beautiful stacks of stones to welcome you to this stunning site, this is probably one of the best places to pitch your tents.
The wildflowers sprawled around the park might be too pretty for you but do not get distracted, there are still a lot of sights to appreciate in Kalbarri. This includes the sandstone cliffs, rock formations, deep gorges, and jaw-dropping beaches.
You also have the wild Murchison river within your reach.
New South Wales
Seal Rocks
New South Wales does not want to get left behind when it comes to camping grounds. NSW is also proud to be nesting a couple of sites suitable for camping adventures and explorations, one of which is Seal Rocks.
Located three hours from Sydney, Seal Rocks have four beaches that you can choose from. It is perfect for swimming, surfing, and fishing. There is also the nearby Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse where you can watch whales!
Camping may be a bit rough especially if you are used to having all the facilities in your house. But in Seal Rocks, it feels a bit closer to home since they have a modern toilet available for visitors, freshwater, and sinks for washing.
Cockatoo Island
Camping in the middle of Sydney Harbour? Yes, please!
Cockatoo Island is a post-industrial delight that is brimming with history as it used to be a colonial jail, a school, and a naval dockyard. It still has the ruins of the old and rugged establishments, giving more character to the island.
You can bring your own camping gear or rent on the island once you arrive if you do not have one. They also offer glamping packages to make you feel more comfortable.
Lake Macquarie
Lake Macquarie is the answer to your immediate camping cravings. You can ride a train going to this site if you want a quick getaway.
It may give you the fresh air and the peace of mind that you need, but it will not feel like you are in a far-flung territory since they have the usual facilities that you would need like toilets, hot showers, and laundry.
Aside from fishing, sailing, and swimming, the most popular activity in the area is horseback riding. Let your horse gallop around bushland trails and explore this side of the town while enjoying the cool breeze coming from the trees.
You can also drop by the Hunter Valley Wine Region as it is near Lake Macquarie.
Mount Kosciuszko, Kosciuszko National Park
Being mainland Australia’s highest mountain, camping at the peak of this mountain is a bucket list item that we can tick off if you have enough guts to try.
They say that this is the friendliest and most merciful among the “Seven Summits”. It would be a challenge for first-time hikers to camp out here but they can always learn and prepare for the trip.
You can check the official website of Kosciuszko National Park for more information about their campsites and caravan parks.
Green Patch
Green Patch is not the kind of place that you are thinking about. It is not a forest nor a bushy park, it is a beach in Boodere National Park with clear turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and kangaroos.
Like any other campsites mentioned above, you can also swim and do a lot of water activities in this area. You may even discover new picnic spots where you and your family can lounge.
But the most important thing to remember about this place is that you need a prior reservation before being able to book a slot. Apparently, this campsite is almost always fully booked so they will not be able to accommodate late reservations.
South West Rocks
If you want to escape to the ocean for just a few days, South West Rocks is perfect for you.
It is surrounded by a plethora of rivers, rainforests, rock formations, and beaches. You can also get a good view of every point if you climb up the Smoky Cape Lighthouse.
Going to South West Rocks from Sydney can take you up to 5 hours driving, so you better bring a lot of patience with you.
Red Cliff
Stunning and magical, Red Cliff in Victoria is located in one of those isolated beaches where you can fully enjoy the benefits of camping without having too many distractions from other visitors.
You would worry more about the presence of kangaroos and birds, but at least you have a higher chance of zero human interaction for a couple of days. That’s because not many tourists or locals visit the place
It is really like renting out your own piece of paradise and then without a fuss, pitch a tent where you can just do nothing and gaze at the million stars above you.
Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park
If you are one of those who got bitten by the glamping bug, then head over to Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park for one of the best glamping spots in New South Wales.
It is situated in one of the best surfing spots in the country, thus making it even more tempting to camp in.
You would notice that there are many regular visitors to this campsite because of the quality of service that they provide. It is like spending a day at your house, only that it was transferred closer to the beach and that the air feels more alive and healthy.
Cliché, but in Suffolk Beachfront Holiday Park, they will make you feel at home.
Conclusion
Reading a book or listening to music with your tent door open while letting the breeze of the ocean touch your face, or let the soft rustling of the wind in the middle of a forest reserve, put you to sleep are just some of the best reasons why camping is always a good idea.
It is probably one of the best feelings in the world—to just laze around and not do anything, or practically do every activity available out there without worrying about snoozing your alarm the next day.
Do not easily just shrug off the opportunity to live inside a tent for a couple of days, or even for a few hours just because you are scared you might not survive it. You can do anything you want, as long as you know where to do it.
We hope this list was able to help you decide where to camp out in Australia.