El Questro Campsite, Lyndon Sparrow
You’ve arrived at the campsite, set up your tent, enjoyed good conversations, good brews and good food around the campfire – now what?
If you’re looking for campsites with access to some of the best activities around the country, then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve picked campgrounds with access to some of Australia’s best activities, from walking in Wilsons Promontory to snorkelling in the Whitsundays.
Roaring Meg camping area, Wilsons Promontory National Park, Victoria
You have to be active to even reach most of the campsites in Wilsons Promontory National Park, as most of the campsites are walk-in only. This national park is at the southernmost point of mainland Australia, and Roaring Meg is the campsite closest to the actual southernmost point. And, you guessed it, it can only be accessed by walking in.
It’s a 12km hike to get to Roaring Meg camping area along the Telegraph Track from Tidal River. The campground itself is extremely basic – it’s tent-only camping (you have to carry the tent in) and the only facilities are a composting toilet and water supply. It’s still a bit more of a walk to get to the bottom of mainland Australia from the campsite. You can also walk across to Wilsons Promontory Lighthouse from the campground.
Mungo Brush camping area, Myall Lakes National Park, New South Wales
If you don’t like water, don’t camp at Myall Lakes National Park. With 40km of beaches and 100,000ha of waterways, this is a water-lover’s playground. And Mungo Brush camping area might just have the best position in the park, happily situated between the lake and the beach.
The campsites in Myall Lake are all no-bookings sites and are pretty affordable, especially considering that the facilities are great, with toilets, picnic tables, barbecues, boat ramps and more. The sites are also spacious, suitable for camper trailers, caravans and motorhomes.
And once you’ve set up, you’ll have access to swimming, waterskiing, boating, kayaking, fishing, sailing and (for those looking for land-based activities) walking.
El Questro Station – Black Cockatoo camping area, Gibb River Road, Western Australia
The Gibb River Road is one of the most famous 4WD treks in Australia. Starting in Broome, the road passes through the wild and spectacularly beautiful Kimberley region, ending in Kununurra on the border with the Northern Territory.
It’s got everything you want in an epic 4WD trek – river crossings, sometimes dubious road conditions, epic scenery and crocodiles. Well, maybe you don’t want the crocodiles, but they do add to the sense of adventure.
El Questro Station is 16km off the Gibb River Road. There are a variety of camping options at the station, including Black Cockatoo camping area. Black Cockatoo is the campground at the station, and subsequently has access to great facilities, including an on-site restaurant. This outback oasis also has more activities than just four-wheel-driving. You can choose to go boating on the Pentecost River or horseriding around the area.
Campsites along the Munda Biddi Trail, Western Australia
Tackling a 1000km bike ride is no walk in the park, although your journey can be broken up at the numerous campsites that line the Munda Biddi Trail. This epic bike trail starts at Mundaring, slightly to the north of Perth, and passes through Western Australia’s ancient forests. You’ll emerge from the foliage to ocean views at the other end of the trail in Albany.
This trail was built specifically with off-road cyclists in mind, and all of the campsites have shelter, water and toilets – everything an exhausted cyclist needs after a hard day’s riding.
Maureen’s Cove camping area, Whitsunday Islands National Park, Queensland
You don’t need us to tell you how beautiful the Whitsunday Islands are – they are internationally renowned for their stunning white beaches and turquoise water, as well as for their access to the Great Barrier Reef.
As with most of the campsites in the national park, you can only get to Maureen’s Cove by boat, and the facilities are limited to toilets and picnic tables.
Maureen’s Cove is on Hook’s Island and has access to the fringing coral reef, so don’t forget to bring your diving and snorkelling gear. The views under and over the water are equally good, as the camping area has views over the Coral Sea.
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