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!
Our GoRV Freedom Camp of the Month is Churchill’s Head, north of Tennant Creek, in the Northern Territory. Read the full article here. Find more destinations throughout Australia in the CAMPS 12 guide books, CAMPS Pendium boxed set and FREE updated CAMPS AUSTRALIA WIDE App. Download the Camps App for iPhone/iPad or Android
Newtons Crossing FREE CAMP Bega Region, NSW Do not despair, you can still find free camps on the NSW South Coast … Made up of Illawarra and Kiama, Shellharbour, Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley or Sapphire Coasts regions, we loved our New South Wales South Coast adventure. However, it can be difficult to find camping options that aren’t caravan parks or sometimes expensive National Park campgrounds. Pet friendly options may also be harder to find. This list has both! Expect swimming and fishing at most of these (make sure you have a permit) so pack your togs and your fishing
JB Plain Hut is the first hut you will come across from Dinner Plain, only 1.8 km towards Hotham Alpine Village in Victoria High Country. Surprisingly, there were several RVs at the carpark entrance on the Great Alpine Road – and at least 4 tents around the hut and my favourite snow gums. One skier set up right on the edge of the plain. A beautiful spot! It is a walk-in site for tent camping – with a drop toilet. The two room hut is pretty rustic inside and out – there is a fireplace, the hut is only for
Drone image by Hugh Gilmore Geez, we enjoyed our night here! The sky and birdlife was amazing – but rug up as it was on the chilly side (it was winter).⠀ Long Waterhole in Winton, Queensland is commonly known as the locals’ waterhole. It is approximately 2 km from Winton (dirt road) on the Jundah Road. Long Waterhole is man-made and was once used during the Outback Festival as the site for the World Crayfish Derby! Camps Australia Wide stop at Winton – Long Waterhole The townsfolk often go there in the summertime for a swim and occasionally a speedboat
Our GoRV Freedom Camp of the month is Darr River, located between Winton and Longreach, Queensland. Read the full article here. Find more destinations like Blue Heeler throughout Australia in the CAMPS 12 guide books, CAMPS Pendium boxed set and FREE updated CAMPS AUSTRALIA WIDE App. Download the Camps App for iPhone/iPad or Android
We were so impressed with this country town, we doubled our stay to two nights in Walgett NSW! Camped at Alex Trevallion Park – a top freedom camp where we cooked up scones, chatted with other travellers by the “pond”. Showered in new facilities (thank you council), we also could walk to town. This pet friendly camp has two large parking areas and a large grassed area with trees. Plus, our first encounter with black cockatoos on our Darling River Run! Banjo Patterson’s poetry is on a rock here – “Been There Before” mentions “Walgett Town”. The cool coffee/gift shop
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