16,000+ Campsites Personally Checked By Our Team Since 1992
16,000+ Campsites Personally Checked By Our Team Since 1992
Camps Australia Wide
Showgrounds and country clubs are one of the best-kept secrets of travelling Northern Territory. Many open their grounds to caravans and self-contained travellers for a small fee, with a level site, basic facilities and a friendly local welcome. We have been checking camps and stopovers around Northern Territory since 1992, so the guidance here comes from travellers who have actually stayed.
Showground camping in Northern Territory
Below is our guide to showgrounds and club stays across Northern Territory, grouped by region and by season. When you are planning the trip, CAMPS 13 lists showgrounds and club stays right around the country, and the Camps Australia Wide App puts Personally Checked sites, with GPS coordinates and offline maps, in your pocket.
We are adding our favourite Personally Checked Northern Territory showgrounds and club stays to this page. In the meantime, CAMPS 13 lists showgrounds and club stays across the state, and the Camps Australia Wide App helps you find and map personally checked sites as you travel.
Northern Territory is a big place, so timing shapes both the weather and how busy it gets. Here is the rough rhythm of the year.
The dry season is the time for the Territory, with warm days, cool nights and open roads across the Top End and the Red Centre. This is peak season, so book the popular spots ahead.
Good for: The Top End, Kakadu and the Red Centre.
The Top End’s wet brings storms, humidity and some road closures, though the country turns green and the waterfalls run. The Red Centre is very hot in summer, so time desert trips for the cooler months.
Good for: The Top End in the green season; save the desert for cooler months.
Northern Territory breaks roughly into these travelling regions. Here is the lay of the land, then open the Camps Australia Wide App or CAMPS 13 to find sites in the area you are headed.
The harbour city, Litchfield and the tropical north.
Wetlands, escarpments and ancient rock art.
The gorge, the hot springs and the crossroads of the Territory.
The wide cattle country of the central north.
The desert heart, Uluru and the West MacDonnell Ranges.
Gorges, waterholes and walking country west and east of Alice.
Fresh from our blog. These update on their own as we publish new Northern Territory stories, so the page never goes stale.
Prefer a book on the dash? CAMPS 13 is our go-to for free and low-cost camping right around the country, including showgrounds and club stays, all personally checked.
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The Camps Australia Wide App finds Personally Checked sites near wherever you are, works offline when you lose coverage, and lets you filter for your setup. Free 7-day trial, then $14.99 a year. Cancel anytime.
Get the Camps Australia Wide AppA little planning goes a long way. A few simple habits help every time.
Many Northern Territory showgrounds open their grounds to self-contained travellers and caravans for a small fee, especially outside show week and events. Facilities vary, and grounds are often run by local committees. Check current availability in the Camps Australia Wide App and CAMPS 13.
It is usually low cost, often a small nightly fee paid to a caretaker or an honesty box, which helps the local show society. Prices vary, so check the listing or call ahead.
Often you can just turn up, but it pays to call ahead, especially around show dates and long weekends when grounds may be closed to campers or booked out.
Most have toilets, many have showers and power, and some have a dump point. Facilities are basic and vary a lot, so confirm what is available before you arrive.
Many are, since they are open grounds, but rules vary and some close to pets during events. Always check before you bring the dog.
Heading across the border? We have it covered there too.
Wherever the road takes you in Northern Territory, we hope you find a cracking spot and love it out there. For new sites as we check them, our free weekly newsletter is well worth a look.
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