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!
Here’s what you need to know for Straddie camping or Minjerribah North Stradbroke Island. We live on the beach, so we tend to camp in the bush. But here is an island we loved. Plus we share why you don’t need a 4WD and where you can bring the dog … Pet friendly camping on Straddie If you like to travel with a pooch, Flinders Beach and Main Beach are your options for camping – and you will need a 4WD. Our friend’s dog, Bruce, loved it! Facilities are limited and in some zones, there’s nothing provided. Do your research
Fraser Island K’gari In light of the royals Harry and Meghan’s visit to Fraser Island, we thought it was high time to add more campsites to the App and CAMPS 10. In addition to Cathedrals on Fraser listed in Caravan Parks 4, we now have four more campgrounds and six dump points listed! First thing to note – K’gari Fraser Island travel is only suited to high clearance, off road 4WDs only – there are soft sandy and rough tracks. Vehicle permits are required. Prebook trailer sites – they are limited, and if in holiday time, well ahead, Fraser can
Only six Flying Boat Wrecks of Broome in Western Australia, are visible above the water and only at certain times of the year…
Here’s an ocean side beauty, brand new Rules Beach Holiday Park, Queensland. It is unspoilt, unique and uncrowded. It has lush green lawns, lots of open space and brand new amenities. Rules Beach is our newest listing. A remote idyllic beachfront location, with state of the art camping facilities, sealed bitumen roads and a beautiful new camp kitchen. The perfect place to relax, 4WD on the beach, fish, fossick or swim – and there’s no crocs to worry about here. On your doorstep is the Deepwater National Park, Baffle Creek and the Southern Barrier Reef. The park has powered camping
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
Hebel has two great free camps in such a small town – and a cracking pub! Check out more great Aussie roadtrips north to St George and south to Lightning Ridge! Read the full article here. Find sites like this and more nearby in the FREE updated CAMPS 12 guide books, CAMPS Pendium boxed set and CAMPS AUSTRALIA WIDE App, and remember Summer is calling, so share our giveaway! Download the Camps App for iPhone/iPad or Android
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.