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!
It is worth the little drive off the highway to find a modest little camp area, high on the hill. But what views – the Gywdir River awaited us below.
Although this free site is overnight only, it has so much else going for it. Mother of Ducks Lagoon is located in Guyra, New South Wales.
Perrys Lookdown campground, Blue Mountains National Park We are pleased to announce there are two new reserves we have listed near Sydney’s beautiful Blue Mountains, plus a recent day use area is now available for camping and a new tent only site! Londonderry Reserve, NSW Londonderry Reserve There are no bookings for this new site. You’ll find BBQs and picnic tables, but no toilets or showers. Suitable for all except Big Rigs, please note this free camp is boggy in wet weather. Hartley Reserve 4WD only with steep unsealed access – you can camp here with your caravan, tent and
Perisher Ski Fields by Kate Gilmore In 2022, we are so fortunate that the snow season has started early! If skiing or snowboarding is your thing, or if you just want the kids to have the experience of a snowball fight and sticking a carrot in the face of a snowman they have rolled themselves… Here’s a few options for accommodation that are easier on the wallet. Island Bend Campground, NSW Island Bend Campground, NSW by Kate Gilmore It is only 15 minutes to Perisher and the snowfields. This is a free national park campground with toilets, BBQ, picnic tables. Permits apply. Island
We’d like to give a shout out to the folk at the Border Gate Roadhouse, New South Wales. Right on the border with South Australia, Covid and state border closures hit them hard. On top of that, they have had floods to contend with. This site was closed for a few months, but is now open again for 72 hour rests, pet friendly and free! However, they are still waiting for a plumber – so for now it is SCV (self contained vehicles) only – until repairs are made on their amenities. They said plumbers are flat out with repairs
Molong Bowling Club in New South Wales is now open for self contained vehicles – just find a spot under the trees. It is FREE camping with no time limit! The club will be looking at a donation box soon. This private, flat grassed area behind the bowling club, is pet friendly and central to town. Volunteers run the club which opens in the late afternoons most days, with meals available one day of the week (check with club). The organisers said, “Thanks for including us, we love having caravanners, great for us and our small community.” Also note the latest phone number is in
Score 15% off Camps 12 B4 (Easy to Read with Photos) by adding in the below code at checkout.
Add the code EXPLOREAUS into the checkout and SAVE today!
Want to stay in touch? Receive our weekly newsletter!
Join our I Love Camping Facebook community group and discover like-minded travellers across Australia!
Stay up to date with our free weekly email newsletter and get the latest travel tips, reviews and news straight to your inbox.
