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TOP CAMPS fan Michael Lennon is an RV travel expert. He uses his CAMPS guides to find wonderful free camps and plan his trips.
UPDATE May 2023: Coonalpyn Caravan Park is still free for unpowered camping, but with a fee for power & showers, using a pay wave system, and a great place to check out! Who doesn’t love a freebie! We have to give a shout out to Coorong District Council managing Coonalpyn Caravan Park also known as the Coonalpyn Soldiers Memorial Park. The park underwent some refurbishment earlier this year and council opted to charge no fees during that time, and have decided to continue that model for the time being and you will only pay as you use with a fee
Red Cliff Beach in SA, just 13 km south of Tumby Bay is pet friendly, with mobile coverage and a zero price and zero facilities. But you are rewarded with priceless views and abundant fishing! Fishing is best here at high tide off the points, and in the inlet. Said CAMPS Ambassador, Manda, “Daniel went fishing with a friend in his boat and they caught enough King George Whiting and squid to feed the family every lunch and dinner. Others were fishing off the rocks and spearfishing, both were also successful!” The southern end of Red Cliff is a beachfront camping area.
Newman Rock Western Australia – image Adams Family Travels CAMPS Ambassadors Tracey and Dale report on a free camp site in WA – along the iconic route: The Nullarbor. There are so many free camps to stay at along The Nullarbor. Newman Rock is located 50km west of Balladonia or 142km East of Norseman. There is plenty of room to camp and you will find some fire pits, rubbish bins and picnic tables. To access this camp, you travel about 1km north, off the Eyre Highway along a dirt road. If you take a short walk from the camp ground
“We had traversed the Nullarbor 16 times before but never stayed at a camp site for more than one night. …after travelling in non-stop rain all day we crossed the WA/SA border and stopped at the 10K peg inside SA. The next morning we woke to find the rain had cleared and there was a beautiful, clear blue sky. The other campers spread over the large area headed off, we had the site to ourselves and so decided that we would chill out, enjoy the vista, have a fire and stay a second night. We live in such a lucky
For those travelling the Limestone Coast in South Australia, the Bellum Hotel at Mount Schank in SA is always happy to offer free camping. Located 12 km south of Mount Gambier on the Riddoch Highway (aka Bay Road); halfway between Mount Gambier and Port MacDonnell. The hotel is near the base of the Mount Schank volcanic crater and very close to Little Blue and Kilsby Sinkhole. Pet friendly, free camping is on the grassed area on the southern side of the hotel. They welcome self-contained travellers as there is no power or toilet facilities available when the hotel is closed.
Images Courtesy of Scott Tonkin A new listing for us, and a beaut little spot to sneak away to is Greenways Landing just 3 km W of Nildottie in SA. Not far from Swan Reach and run by council, there’s plenty of room to stretch out, catch yabbies and do some fishing. Mid Murray Council has added a toilet and gravel road, best of all it’s pet friendly and free. All size vehicles are welcome here, but the road in can be slippery in the wet. You’ll find a boat ramp, nice shady campsites, and a good swimming hole. Watch
Image Credit Chris Alger @far_tracer on Instagram Penola is described as the “perfect place to pause”, and it is a well-earned title. There are more than 20 wineries and cellar doors in Coonawarra – you can even cycle to some from the campgrounds. For self-contained vehicles, it is just outside Penola, with large flat sites, BBQs, picnic tables, 48-hour limit, and is suitable for big rigs and dogs. Flushing toilets are in the adjacent picnic area. This magnificent site has a newly paved arboretum to explore the trees and 1.2km pathways, the Adam Lindsay Gordon walk around the dry lake,
Point Brown, Haley Roberts via Instagram @roberts_oz.lap_no.map Off the beaten track and stunning, you’ll find private beaches here, and there are plenty of recommendations for this spectacular location. Come for the seafood, swimming, sunsets and stars. Facilities are none, so be self-contained, and pets allowed! It is not patrolled so please show caution in the surf, same goes for beach four-wheel driving. You’ll find shelter from wind, because there is such an expanse to park in. It is likely you’ll see pods of dolphins, maybe seals! Good luck with your crabbing and fishing – we hope you bring home dinner. Located
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