Top 10 beach camping spots

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Explore Australia

No Comments

Want to camp on, or close to, some of the most attractive beaches in the world?

We’ve picked the best beach camping spots to be found all over Australia. Most of these campsites are simple and have limited facilities. But with views like these, who’s complaining?

Let us know your favourite beach camping spot in the comments section.

Flinders Beach camping area, North Stradbroke Island, Queensland

Flinders Beach camping area

North Straddie is only a short drive and ferry ride from Brisbane, which makes it a popular destination for local holidaymakers.

There are a few beachfront areas to choose from on the island, including the popular Cylinder Beach. But the 4WD-accessible-only Flinders Beach camping area, nestled behind the dunes on the north-east end of the island, is our pick.

While it has limited facilities, this campsite has fantastic beach access, which is just what you need in summer. And it’s generally quieter than the other spots.

Also worth a look: Beach camping sites on nearby Moreton Island and camping just off Ocean Beach at Bribie Island.

Paradise Beach camping area, Gippsland Lake Coastal Park, Victoria

Paradise Beach camping area is one of the few spots in Gippsland Lake Coastal Park you can enjoy with your dog. The campsite also lives up to its name, with spectacular views over both the beach and Lake Reeve Wetlands.

Facilities include toilets, drinking water and access for caravans and camper trailers. But you probably won’t want to spend much time at the campsite – the coastal park offers great opportunities for watersports like waterskiing and surf fishing.

Sloop Reef camping area, Bay of Fires Conservation Area, Tasmania

While some parts of Tasmania are still closed due to bushfires, Bay of Fires Conservation Area is thankfully open for business. Situated between Taylors Point and Seaton Cove in the conservation area is Sloop Reef camping area.

Campers at Sloop Reef really have won the pick of the draw. With clear blue waves and pure white beach, it’s a truly idyllic spot.

The campsite has limited facilities, but activities are in abundance from fishing and canoeing, to swimming and hiking.

What else makes Sloop Reef a top beach camping spot? It’s free, doesn’t take bookings and is pet friendly.

Broken Head Holiday Park, Broken Head, New South Wales

Want the beauty of Byron Bay, but less hustle and bustle? Broken Head Holiday Park is 7 kilometres south of the popular tourist town, situated right next to the lush and fertile rainforests of Broken Head Nature Reserve.

It has powered and unpowered sites, and you can pitch your tent right on the beachfront.

Diamond Head camping area, Crowdy Bay National Park, New South Wales

Crowdy Bay National Park, courtesy of Destination New South Wales

Crowdy Bay National Park isn’t as flashy as some of the state’s other coastal parks, but it has a quiet charm that appeals to active campers. People come to Crowdy Bay for swimming, fishing, boating, walking and hiking.

Diamond Head camping area is located right by the beachfront and has good facilities. If you’re staying at Diamond Head, making the short loop walk to Indian Beach is recommended – there are fantastic views along the coast, mountains and forest.

Alexander Bay camping area, Esperance, Western Australia

Esperance has plenty of stunning beachside campsites. Lucky Bay is certainly the most well known campsite in the area (and one of our favourites), but the nearby Alexander Bay camping area is equally beautiful – and has shaded campsites.

The camping area is situated in native bush just off the beach, and is accessed by an unsealed road. Van sites and facilities are limited, but you can bring your dog.

Once you have set up tent, head down to the pristine beach to enjoy stunning panoramic views and great swimming and fishing.

Johanna Beach camping area, Great Otway National Park, Victoria

If you’re a surfer, there is arguably no better place to camp on the Victorian coast than at Johanna Beach camping area. The beach is the back-up venue for the Rip Curl Pro, normally held at Bells Beach.

The camping at Johanna is pretty chilled, just as the surfers like it. It’s a dog-friendly and no-bookings site hidden behind the sand dunes, and suits tents, caravans and campers trailers. Facilities are limited, and you’ll have to bring your own drinking water.

Johanna Beach is situated in Great Otway National Park, so you can choose between spending your days on the beach or in the pristine rainforest.

Wauraltee Beach camping area, Yorke Peninsula Reserves, South Australia

One of the campsites maintained by the Yorke Peninsula District Council, Wauraltee Beach camping area is extremely basic and has basically no shade.

But don’t let that deter you! The beach is pretty enough that you’ll feel happy bringing your own … well, everything (including your dog).

The main activities at Wauraltee Beach are fishing and swimming, as well as gazing at the spectacular sunsets. A camping fee of $10 per night applies.

Ocean beach camping areas, Coorong National Park, South Australia

Like the name suggests, there’s really nothing but the beach at these bush camping sites. Only accessible by 4WD, the sites have basically no facilities – but the location more than makes up for it.

Situated on the Younghusband Peninsula, Coorong National Park is home to both beaches and a slender series of saline lagoons, which you can explore by canoe. It’s this understated beauty (and the fishing) that appeals to campers.

There are also an abundance of bird species, which makes the park an attractive prospect for twitchers.

Cleaverville Beach camping area, Roebourne, Western Australia

If you love the beach, you can hardly find a better camping spot in Western Australia than Cleaverville.

Situated behind the dunes of the beach, the campsites are very basic. It’s recommended that you bring your own firewood and drinking water, as well as a portable toilet.

The beach is the main attraction with boating, canoeing, fishing and swimming opportunities. As well as the many water-based activities, you can also just sit back and enjoy the view.

Australia Day long weekend daytrips

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Explore Australia

No Comments

Captain Cook Highway, Tourism Queensland

Even though it has only been a few weeks since the Christmas holidays, many of us have been eagerly awaiting the Australia Day long weekend.

Here in the Explore Australia office, an extended weekend means only one thing – time to take a daytrip!

Whether you’re in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane or Hobart, we’ve picked a few places for east coast dwellers to explore that are within a few hours from each capital city.

SYDNEY

Barrington Tops National Park

Barrington Tops National Park, courtesy of Tourism New South Wales

Not into wine tastings? The Hunter Valley is home to more than just vineyards.

You’ll find the World Heritage–listed Barrington Tops National Park here, with its idyllic subalpine forests and subtropical rainforests, and it’s all just three hours from Sydney.

People come to Barrington Tops for the views and bushwalking. It’s a trip you can make in a day, but with the great camping sites on offer in the park, you’ll want to stay longer.

Gloucester River camping area is the biggest camping area in the park, and is located right next to a river. It’s perfect for a big Australia Day hangout.

But if you are after something a bit more spectacular, Devils Hole camping area is a spot that really doesn’t live up to its name. It’s located right next to a lookout over the stunning tree-wreathed hills of the national park, so it’s about as far from being a hole as you can get.

Berrima

Berrima, courtesy of Tourism New South Wales

It seems like every kid in Sydney has done a trek to the Berrima lolly shop at one time or another. But once you drag yourself away from this sugary paradise, you’ll find plenty to see and do in Berrima.

Located in the Southern Highlands, Berrima is an hour and a half from Sydney. Preserved historic buildings have been turned into antique shops and tearooms. It could feel overly quaint, but Berrima has a way of drawing you into its spell – maybe it’s all that sugar.

Once you have finished exploring the nooks and crannies of Berrima, head on to nearby Bowral, hometown of ‘the Don’, or visit the spectacular Minnamurra Rainforest.

Other options:

Newcastle: Sydney’s northern neighbour has the beaches, the cafes, the historic buildings and a casual beach feel.

Windsor: Eat fish and chips on the river in this heritage town.

Hawkesbury: Catch a ride with the Riverboat Postman, or cross the river at Wisemans Ferry to visit Dharug National Park.

MELBOURNE

The Dandenongs

Whether it’s completing the 1000 Steps Walk in Dandenong Ranges National Park, or catching a ride on the Puffing Billy steam train, many Melburnians have affectionate memories of spending time in the Dandenongs.

And with the opening of a high ropes course, there’s another reason to visit the area. With easy courses for kids, and the black (intense) course for adults, you won’t get tied up in knots finding an activity to suit everyone.

Of course, if hanging out in the treetops isn’t your idea of fun, William Ricketts Sanctuary is an idyllic escape featuring sculptures among the ferns and trees, and who could say no to a Devonshire tea in one of the tearooms in Olinda or Sassafras?

Torquay

Torquay, courtesy of Tourism Victoria

You can bet your bathers that come Saturday morning, there will be people lining up to go to the beach.

Australia Day is very much about the sun, the sand – and the surf. So rather than head down to the bay beaches of the Mornington Peninsula, why not visit the world-renowned beaches of Torquay?

Home to the famous Bells Beach, there is plenty of impressive surf along this stretch of coastline.

Torquay is at the beginning of the Great Ocean Road, and it has everything you’d expect of this famous winding road, including dramatic cliffs and spectacular ocean views.

Whether you want to go for a swim, walk along the foreshore, or keep driving down to Aireys Inlet to visit the lighthouse made famous in the TV show Round the Twist, this is a fantastic spot only a couple of hours from Melbourne.

Other options:

Daylesford: Even though the iconic Boathouse Cafe burnt down late last year, there are plenty of other foodie havens in this pretty town in the middle of Spa Country.

Heide Museum of Modern Art: Although it’s hidden in the suburbs of Melbourne, this gallery is an oasis for art and nature lovers alike. Don’t miss seeing how many sculptures you can find hidden all over the grounds.

BRISBANE

Lamington National Park

There’s just something about Lamington National Park. Whether it’s the famous rescue of plane crash survivors by Bernard O’Reilly (who trekked through the national park to reach the men), or the incredible natural beauty, or that there are only two access roads, this national park has an almost magical air.

Lamington National Park is one of the most popular parks in Queensland, and lures many Brisbanites to make the two-hour drive down to the park. The most popular activity here is bushwalking, but there are also opportunities for adventure sports like abseiling.

North Stradbroke, Moreton and Bribie islands

Flinders Beach camping ground

If you don’t feel like getting lost in the mountains, spend the weekend camping on one of these islands within a few hours of Brisbane.

The most popular is probably North Stradbroke Island, which has some great camping options, most of them either on or behind beaches. The biggest is Cylinder Beach, but if you have a 4WD, you can head to the quieter Flinders Beach camping area.

Whether you love the lake or the beach, you’ll find a camping spot to suit you on Moreton Island. You’ll also find sites that are only accessible by 4WD, as well as campgrounds that are suitable for big rigs and camper trailers.

If you want a particularly chilled weekend, Bribie Island’s popular activities including golf and lawn bowls should suit your mood. Ocean Beach camping area is the largest site on the island, but you can also relax at some camping areas that are only accessible by boat.

HOBART

Bruny Island

We have a feeling that Wallace and Gromit would approve of Bruny Island, where cheese has a bigger sway than on most communities. It’s the hard work of the Bruny Island Cheese Co. and other local producers that has put Bruny Island on the map. And we’re very thankful they did.

Apart from the delicious gourmet treats for sale, Bruny (which is only a short drive and a trip on a car ferry from Hobart) has some spectacular views across the D’Entrecasteaux Channel and the Tasman Sea.

With family-friendly beaches and some great short walks, you’ll find plenty of ways to walk off all of that delicious cheese you’re likely to consume.

Mount Field National Park

Home to arguably the best waterfalls in Tasmania, Russell Falls, Mount Field National Park is only one hour from Hobart. It has attracted holiday-makers for over a hundred years, and people continue to come here for bushwalking in the forest and the alpine regions.

While you can easily do this trip in a day, you’ll find some very pretty camping areas in Mount Field National Park, including at Mount Field Campground, which is situated next to the Tyenna River.

On your way to and from the national park, make sure to stop in the town of New Norfolk, which looks like a slice of England in the Apple Isle. It’s a mecca for antique and collectibles shoppers, and well worth a visit for the heritage buildings and beautiful location on the Derwent River.

Where will you be going this weekend?

Dictionary of Australian slang

Posted on January 11, 2013 by Explore Australia

2 Comments

Cattle Pool campsite, courtesy of Tourism Western Australia

Understanding Australian slang is no walk in the park – for overseas visitors, it can feel like you need a dictionary.

After landing in the country, tourists are confronted with words like ‘hooroo’ and ‘crikey’. But what does it all mean?

We take you through our favourite words in Aussie slang from A to Z.

Arvo: Aussies have never met a word we couldn’t abbreviate. Arvo stands for afternoon, and it can make all sorts of great phrases, such as ‘arvo tea’.

Barbie: A classic slang term from the Australian tourism ad featuring Paul Hogan, Australians like to throw things on the barbecue, such as snags (sausages) and steaks.

Unfortunately the ad was a little misleading – shrimps are called prawns in Australia, and shrimp more often means a short person.

Crikey: Made popular by the late Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin, crikey can express admiration or amazement – particularly when faced with a particularly huge croc.

Dunny: If you ask for the bathroom and get directed to the dunny, don’t worry. Dunny is slang for the loo/toilet/bathroom, so you have been pointed in the right direction.

Esky: An esky is a cooler, and is a necessity for a picnic in spring or for a day at the beach.

Fair dinkum: Fair dinkum basically means straight up, I’m telling the truth, fair go. More often used in television shows than in day-to-day life.

G’day: An abbreviation for ‘good day’, saying ‘g’day’ can be a struggle for some tourists who haven’t had years of practice abbreviating words.

But give it a go, and ask some locals for pointers.

Heaps: Basically meaning a lot, you’ll hear ‘heaps’ heaps of times in Australia.

Hooroo: Saying ‘goodbye’ when you depart sounds unnecessarily formal to an Aussie. We’d much rather say ‘see ya’ or if we’re in a more expansive mood, you might be on the receiving end of a ‘hooroo’.

Jackaroo and jillaroo: If you’re travelling around Australia on a working visa, you’ll be sure to run into some jackaroos and jillaroos, who work as jack-of-all-trades on cattle stations. But their main job is rounding up cattle.

Kanga: When driving the roads of Australia and someone yells ‘kanga!’, watch out. There’s probably a kangaroo on the road, and you don’t want to be in a road accident with these large mammals.

Larrikin: Meaning a joker, trickster or stirrer, a larrikin is a person who is always out for a laugh and might just use you as a way to get one.

Mob: Watch too many American television shows, and you’ll end up thinking that mob is related to the mafia and gangsters.

But as in the famous Australian novel They’re a Weird Mob, mob just means a group of people who hang out together.

No worries: We don’t know whether it’s the sun, the surf, the excellent food or the great people, but Aussies often seem to have no worries.

Or at least it will be seen that way by tourists, who will be told ‘no worries’ when asking for anything from directions to Uluru to a tube of sunscreen.

Oz: The official name is Australia, but Down Under, God’s country and Oz are all words you’ll hear to describe this great southern land.

Pom: The English first came to Australia over two hundred years ago, and they haven’t stopped coming. Pom is an affectionate nickname (unless the English are beating us in cricket) for an English person.

Qantas: This carrier often feels like Australia’s unofficial national airline, and the Peter Allen song Qantas has co-opted, ‘I still call Australia home’, has been known to bring a tear to a returning Aussie’s eye.

Ranga: A nickname for a person with red hair. There may be one particularly well known ranga in Australian politics.

She’ll be right: The ‘she’ in this phrase can mean anything from an actual woman to a car.

This phrase is often uttered over things that will definitely not be alright, like a flat tire, a burst pipe or a pub that’s run out of chicken parmas.

True blue: If you’re true blue, then you’re an authentic, real, dinky-di Aussie.

Ute: There are utes, and then there are utes. A classic Aussie ute (meaning utility vehicle) has a front cabin for driving, and an exposed steel trailer on the back, often with a kelpie dog hanging out of it.

Vegemite: If you don’t like Vegemite, then you can’t really be Australian. This yeasty spread has livened up many a sandwich, and as the tag line says, it puts a rose in every cheek.

The recent marketing campaign for Vegemite iSnack 2.0 wasn’t necessarily received well, but let’s all pretend that didn’t happen.

Walkabout: Gone walkabout means taking off for a while, and being pretty much out of reach. If you ask where someone is and are told that they’ve ‘gone walkabout’ it probably means that no one really knows where they are.

You beauty: Often heard at the races when a punter has just won big, this phrase normally refers to someone/thing that’s done well in a sport, and has become beautiful by association with its success.

Zinger: No, it’s not a KFC burger, but rather a really great insult or comeback.

What’s your favourite Aussie slang word?

Last-minute holiday camping – South Australia and Western Australia

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Explore Australia

3 Comments

Lucky Bay camping area, courtesy of Lyndon Sparrow

South Australia

Less flashy than its eastern neighbours, South Australia has some spectacular camping areas where last-minute campers can find spots.

Shell Beach camping area, Innes National Park

This campsite, in Innes National Park, is in a beautiful spot tucked behind Shell Beach on the northern shores of the park.

The site doesn’t take bookings and it can get pretty busy, although the site empties out after the new year. If you can’t get a spot at Shell Beach, you’re sure to find a site somewhere in the park.

Park employees recommend that you call the visitor centre a day before you plan to arrive to get up-to-date information on how many people are currently camping in the park. Then, when you arrive at Innes National Park, they also recommend popping into the visitor centre to get advice on the best place to pitch your tent.

Don’t forget to bring insect repellent and your own water.

Yangie Bay camping area, Coffin Bay National Park

Yangie Bay camping area, courtesy of Paul Smedley

Coffin Bay National Park is one of the most spectacular national parks in South Australia, and is a playground for 4WD enthusiasts. Its shallow bays also make it very popular with kayakers.

Yangie Bay camping area is the only 2WD-accessible site in the national park and is also suitable for caravans and camper trailers. It has 13 sites in total.

But if you do have a 4WD, we recommend bringing it along. Big Yangie camping area is only a short distance from Yangie camping area, but it is 4WD-accessible only. As it isn’t signposted, it’s much quieter and more secluded than Yangie Bay. You also might have luck trying the popular Black Springs camping area.

42 Mile camping area, Coorong National Park

42 Mile camping area is in Coorong National Park on the Younghusband Peninsula. It’s more famous for its saline lagoons than its beaches, and canoeing is the adventure activity of choice at this park.

Park rangers assure us that you can always find a spot at 42 Mile camping area around Christmas. There’s not much shelter, but the weather next week is forecast to be reasonable, so there should be good camping.

All camping within the park requires self-registration.

Western Australia

The summer holidays are the busiest time of the year for camping in Western Australia’s south-west, probably because most other parts of the state are too hot to comfortably camp at.

But with some good planning, and a lot of luck, you could nab a spot somewhere in the south.

Black Point camping area, D’Entrecasteaux National Park

Located between Augusta and Walpole, you’d expect Black Point camping area to have a magnificent setting – and it doesn’t disappoint.

The stunning ocean scenery is a siren call for fishers and surfers, and even though the site doesn’t take bookings, it fills up very quickly over Christmas and New Year’s.

If you call before you are planning to visit, the rangers can give updates on how busy the area is. Missed out on a spot at Black Point? You can always try your luck at nearby Chapman Pool.

Lucky Bay camping area, Cape Le Grand National Park

Lucky Bay camping area is one of our favourite camping spots, and it is always pretty much full from Boxing Day onwards. But people do move in and out, so you have more chance of getting a spot if you arrive early in the morning.

The other camping areas in Cape Le Grand National Park are just as popular, but if you can’t get a site in the park, the council opens the sports ground as an overflow area, so you are still within close proximity to the park. Park rangers tell us that the sports ground never gets completely full. You can also try the nearby Stokes and Cape Arid national parks.

Boranup camping area, Leeuwin–Naturaliste National Park

Boranup is only a small campsite, so it does get full quite quickly after Christmas. If it is full when you arrive, you can try the nearby Banksia and Crystal Springs camping areas. They are all fantastic bases from which to enjoy the many activities within this national park.

Last-minute holiday camping – Queensland and Tasmania

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Explore Australia

No Comments

Camping in Lamington National Park, courtesy of Tourism Queensland

Here are our last-minute holiday camping selections for Tasmania and Queensland.

Queensland

You need to book for all of the camping areas in Queensland. Handily, they have an online booking system that lets you check out the availability of all of their sites. All information is accurate at time of writing.

Green Mountains camping area, Lamington National Park

There are sites available for all but a few days in Green Mountains camping area. It is suitable for all sorts of camping, from caravan-based to tent-based camping.

The site is situated on a hillside in forest surrounds in the Gold Coast hinterland, and is close to the renowned O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.

The main leisure activity on offer in the park is bushwalking, and there are some top walks, including the Gold Coast Hinterland Great Walk.

Amamoor Creek camping area, Amamoor State Forest

Although it’s on the Sunshine Coast, Amamoor State Forest is completely land-based and has majestic forests of gums, as well as riverine rainforests.

You can bring your dogs to this camping ground, although you’ll need to be careful, as the river is home to frogs and elusive platypus.

There are plenty of camping spots still available, and the camping is on flat, grass-based sites.

Glastonbury Creek camping area, Brooyar State Forest

There is a maximum capacity of 120 people at this site, and it is almost full for the rest of 2012, but you might be able to nab a spot in the new year on one of the grassy sites.

Brooyar State Forest is west of Gympie, and is well known for its fantastic lookout spots. You can choose between walking or swimming – and you don’t have to leave your dog at home, as Glastonbury Creek is dog friendly.

Camping at Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area

The peninsula looks out towards Fraser Island, and is a popular area for birdwatching and fishing.

There are thousands of sites along the peninsula, and although most sites are full towards the end of January, you can currently still get spots at the end of December and beginning of January.

Popular sites in the park include the Oaks and the SS Dorrigo camping areas.

Tasmania

Jeanneret Beach camping area, Bay of Fires Conservation Area

Jeanneret Beach camping area, courtesy of Paul Smedley

The Bay of Fires is one of the most spectacularly beautiful coves in Australia, with azure water and pristine, white sand. This naturally makes it quite popular around Christmas and New Year’s.

Due to algae in the water, this year the fisheries are closed, which means there could be less people camping in the area (as people usually come to eat mussels). But there also could be more campers if people think the area will be less crowded due to the closure.

There are no bookings, and the ranger didn’t want to make guarantees, but you will probably find a spot in the Bay of Fires.

We can’t think of a better place to camp during the summer holidays.

Arve River Picnic Ground camping area

Put up your tent amid the riverside ferns at this delightful camping area. There are no designated sites, and the camping area doesn’t take bookings, so it is first in, best dressed.

This dog-friendly campsite isn’t really ideal for any vehicle-based camping, caravans and camper trailers. It is more suitable for tents.

Bethune Park camping area, Meadowbank Lake

This spot does get pretty busy in the lead-up to Christmas and throughout the summer holidays – and it’s not hard to see why.

Situated next to Meadowbank Lake, and suitable for big rigs, this camping area is a perfect spot for people who love water-based activities. There’s waterskiing, fishing, boating and swimming.

Author Archives: Explore Australia

Top 10 beach camping spots

Australia Day long weekend daytrips

Dictionary of Australian slang

Last-minute holiday camping – South Australia and Western Australia

Last-minute holiday camping – Queensland and Tasmania

POPULAR CAMPSITES

POPULAR TOWNS & CITIES

POPULAR NATIONAL PARKS

Explore Australia

About this site

Stay in the loop