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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…
East of Cloncurry on the Overlander’s Way, Julia Creek have made tourism their business, an RV Friendly Town that welcomes travellers, offering fun ‘bucket-list’ activities for all. It was the combination of a soak in hot springs and seeing a little native marsupial that made sure this location was a stopover night. Book to see the dunnart feeding at the visitor centre, daily at 10am and 2pm (weekdays only from November to March). I didn’t know what a dunnart was – but this rare little critter, and the promise of an artesian bath, kept us here overnight. That’s not all
What is not to love about Lara Wetlands? Tell us your opinion on this outback camp: Damper, billy tea and live music put on for free (the damper was superb!) Free canoe and bike use Billabong views Pet friendly Great for families – there’s a kid “warm spa” paddling area and play fort But best of all – the HOT HOT mineral spa. Loved it sooo much I had another before bed – yep, all to myself! Children’s spa Lara Wetlands QLD Since it is super hot, there is a clock right there to remind you to hop out every
This fantastic little town in North West Queensland, has two sites for camping… Julia Creek RV Stop If you’d like to stay at the RV Stop, you must have a fully self-contained RV, no tents. In this shire, that means “built in and/or propriety brand toilets secured in the van” with a black water holding tank or toilet cassette and no portable showers. You’ll need to collect a permit, valid for 96 hours, from the Julia Creek Visitor Information Centre, or from onsite camp hosts in peak season (April to September). Julia Creek Information Center The RV Stop is just
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