Free Camping ……. and caravanning is one of the more rewarding ways to explore and experience a place. This is especially true in a country like Australia, famous for the great outdoors.
There are plenty of campsites tucked away – but if you don’t know where they are you can easily miss them. People often assume that it won’t be difficult to find a place to stopover on a budget but soon discover it can be a lot more expensive than anticipated. Or worse, they can’t find somewhere to stop and continue driving when they are tired.
These “free camping” sites include rest areas, picnic areas, parklands or parking areas next to a business. You can also stay for free at some hotels, state forests or RV Parks – we even come across free caravan parks!
Some would only be suitable for a brief overnighter on your journey and may have a maximum time limit. Others are next to pools or rivers, with toilets and you are welcome to bring along your pets and stay for longer.
Generally, less pricey means less facilities. However, we list free camps with pools, showers, playgrounds, near boat ramps and wonderful views. Some are close to world class destinations, and Aussie icons.
Just use the symbols or the filters to find them in our comprehensive guide books and Camps Australia Wide App!
Boy, have we seen some awesome free camps lately! Although we’ve based ourselves at Dinner Plain- we’ve had epic drives through the Victorian High Country. (You can check out the chalet here, there is room to park up a van out the front. But don’t take one up in winter!) One thing up here, free camps are plentiful. Buckety Plain (pictured), Raspberry Hill and Langfords West are a winning free camp trifecta in the Alpine National Park – east of Falls Creek. That is, if you love the Aussie bush, hiking and escaping the heat. PRETTY PRITCHARDS CAMPGROUND This beautiful
Our GoRV Freedom Camp of the Month is Karoonda Wheat Shuffle in South Australia. Read the full article here. Here’s our ‘best of’ list where Karoonda really stood out! Find more budget and free camping sites, or caravan parks throughout Australia in the FREE updated CAMPS 12 guide books, CAMPS Pendium boxed set and CAMPS AUSTRALIA WIDE App. Download the Camps App for iPhone/iPad or Android
TOP CAMPS fan Michael Lennon is an RV travel expert. He uses his CAMPS guides to find wonderful free camps and plan his trips.
In the little town of Mundoora located on a street between two councils sits the Mundoora Museum Caravan and Camping Park. You can stay by donation and the park accommodates, tents, trailers, caravans or motorhomes.
Eight Mile Creek & Birdhide – images courtesy District of Grant Council The Grant District council in SA have changed a day use only in the Port MacDonnell area to camping for self contained vehicles, as well as an extra bonus … The Day Use at Eight Mile Creek is now 72 hour free camping for self contained vehicles. There are now two sites here on either side of the inlet, the other is called Birdhide and is also 72 hours. Dry Creek Campground has river access A further spot closer to Port MacDonnell at Orwell Rocks is for 24
UPDATE May 2023: Coonalpyn Caravan Park is still free for unpowered camping, but with a fee for power & showers, using a pay wave system, and a great place to check out! Who doesn’t love a freebie! We have to give a shout out to Coorong District Council managing Coonalpyn Caravan Park also known as the Coonalpyn Soldiers Memorial Park. The park underwent some refurbishment earlier this year and council opted to charge no fees during that time, and have decided to continue that model for the time being and you will only pay as you use with a fee
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