Category Archives: Budget camps

Best rest areas around Australia

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Highway, Tourism Australia

Highway, Tourism Australia

Have you ever planned to stop at a rest area, taken one look at the facilities, and just decided to drive on?

A good rest area can make a long drive that much smoother (and a bad one can add a few more rocks to the road). That’s why we asked Paul Smedley, author of Budget Rest Areas around Australia – which lists all of the rest areas along major highways in Australia – to nominate his favourite places to stop along Australia’s highways.

So whether you want to stop and stretch your legs or save a few dollars by staying the night (if permitted) these rest areas are always worth a stop.

Sea Lake park area, Calder Highway, Victoria

Near new, well designed and very well maintained, this rest area is at the entrance to the caravan park – but you won’t have to pay a cent. While you can’t stay here overnight, there are toilets, showers, barbecues, water, picnic tables, as well as being dog friendly.

Highly recommended in Victoria: Greenhill Lake camp area, Plantation camp area, Genoa rest area and Minyip rest area

Mundoonan rest area, Hume Highway, New South Wales

This rest area on the southbound side of the highway is matched by a twin area on the northbound side. Both are excellent, with toilets, drinking water, barbecues and shade. You can stay overnight for free. We’re not sure what it is about the rest area on the southbound side – but it’s slightly better than its twin, luckily for the people travelling towards Melbourne.

Highly recommended in New South Wales: Gol Gol park area, Ardlethan park area, Kempsey park area, Diamond Head camping area, Mulligans Hut camping area and Wallabadah rest area

Waikerie park area, Sturt Highway, South Australia

A picture-perfect rest area on the banks of the Murray River, this rest area is overflowing with facilities. But don’t worry, the facilities themselves aren’t overflowing, with clean toilets, showers, picnic areas, a playground and caravan access.

Highly recommended for South Australia: Port Neil park areas, Wilpena Pound camping area and Mambray Creek camping area.

Ellendale Pool camping area, Brand Highway, Western Australia

Ellendale Pool camping area is 27 kilometres from the highway, so it’s only worth the drive if you’re planning to stay overnight. It’s a scenic spot next to a pool, with showers, toilets, shade, picnic tables, barbecues and disabled access. There’s a small fee to stay here.

Highly recommended: Big Brook Dam park area, Walpole park area and Shannon camping area.

Berry Springs park area, Northern Territory

This is Paul Smedley’s favourite spot for a short break that usually lasts for hours. Around 10 kilometres west of the highway, the park area is in Berry Springs Nature Park, so you can take a dip as well as use the facilities (the creek can be shut to swimmers in the wet season).

Highly recommended in Northern Territory: Lake Mary Ann park area, Wangi Falls camping area in Litchfield National Park (another Smedley favourite), Edith Falls camp area (near Katherine).

Scottsdale rest area, Tasman Highway, Tasmania

Scottsdale has the most facilities of all of the rest areas on this list, as this site is a dump point, along with the regular facilities of toilets, showers, picnic tables and water. The setting is also pleasant.

Highly recommended in Tasmania: Swansea park area, Hellyer Gorge and Sisters Beach rest areas, Fortescue Bay camp area in Tasman National Park.

Seaford camping area, Bruce Highway, Queensland

Queensland takes the prize for most rest/park/camp areas with great facilities. But Seaforth camping area is among the best of the best. This is an official campground, so you have to pay to stay here. But we think you’ll agree that the facilities are worth it, with toilets, picnic areas, shade, showers, caravan access and drinking water.

Highly recommended in Queensland: Theodore camping area, Bramston Beach camping area, Bluewater rest area and Rollingstone rest area.

 

 

     

Top 16 winter camping spots

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Gunlom camping area, Kakadu National Park, Lyndon Sparrow

Gunlom camping area, Kakadu National Park, Lyndon Sparrow

Want to camp without freezing your tent pegs off this winter? We’ve picked the best winter campsites in Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia.

Lawn Hill Gorge camping area, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, Queensland

It’s hot, dusty – and incredibly beautiful. This is an oasis in the outback, with a palm-fringed emerald river hiding in a gorge. Lawn Hill Gorge camping area is the best camping area in the national park and has 20 sites ranged next to the creek.

Darlington Park camping area, Beaudesert, Queensland

This family-friendly gem is in the Gold Coast hinterland. With plenty of space and facilities, Darlington Park camping area is a popular site.

Platypus Bush Camp, Finch Hatton Gorge, Queensland

You might not catch a glimpse of Australia’s most elusive native creature (the platypus!) at this enchanting rainforest campground, but less elusive features here include hot showers with views, treehouses and a camp kitchen.

Babinda Creek camping area, Babinda, Queensland

Find water you can swim in at Babinda Creek camping area, a family-friendly camping area with good facilities nestled next to a creek south of Cairns.

Maureen’s Cove camping area, Whitsundays National Park, Queensland

It’s the holy grail of travel – good budget accommodation within an expensive tourist precinct. The campsites in Whitsundays National Park are one such accommodation option. Boat-access only Maureen’s Cove camping area is on the north coast of Hook Island. It has limited facilities, but swell snorkelling just offshore.

MV Sarawak camping area, Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area, Queensland

Dog-friendly and suitable for large groups, these campsites with a view (looking onto Fraser Island) might have limited facilities but that has not limited their popularity. Well worth a visit.

Camerons Corner camping area, Queensland

Camerons Corner camping area is the point where Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales meet – it’s also on the edge of the Stuart Desert, so you know it’s hot. There are good facilities and a store here.

Carnarvon Gorge camping area, Carnarvon National Park, Queensland

Gorge yourself on the views at Carnarvon Gorge – and then head back to Carnarvon Gorge camping area for the night. Only open during certain school holidays, this campground has good facilities and good access to the main attraction in the park.

Punsand Bay Camping Resort, Cape York, Queensland

It’s a long way to the top, but the drive is worth it for views like these – and for the experience of being at the tip of Australia. Punsand Bay Camping Resort is the closest campground to the northernmost point of Australia, and has tip-top facilities and activities.

Gunlom camping area, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory

This is one of the best camping areas in Kakadu, and not just because it has great facilities (although it does). No, this camping area is at the base of Gunlom Falls, where the views are remarkable and the waters are normally croc free.

Mornington Wilderness Sanctuary, Gibb River Road, Western Australia

Around 95km off Gibb River Road, down a well-graded road, this campsite is run by the not-for-profit Australian Wildlife Conservancy. It’s basic but beautiful, with shady sites ranged next to the river. And, as the name suggests, it’s a hang-out for local wildlife, as well as being close to gorges and other gorge-ous vistas.

Kooljaman camping area, Cape Leveque, Western Australia

Does it get much better than this? You’ll have to go and see for yourself.

The campground in Cape Leveque Wilderness Camp is suitably remote and beautiful (it’s greener than you’d expect), the facilities and amenities are good, and if you go for two nights, you’ll often end up staying for four.

Dales camping area, Karijini National Park, Western Australia

Karijini National Park is the jewel in the desert crown of the Pilbara region. On first glance, the national park seems to be red desert and shrubs. But the mountainous national park is hiding gorges with jewel-toned swimming holes and waterfalls. Dales camping area is near some of the best sights in the park, and has good facilities.

Surprise Creek Falls camping area, Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory

It wouldn’t surprise us if you fall in love with this remote and basic campsite in Litchfield National Park, if only for its access to an enchanting swimming hole.

Butterfly Springs camping area, Limmen National Park, Northern Territory

The three best things about this camping area are that it’s free, the spring that the campsite is named for is enchanting (and the only place to safely swim in the park), and it has a large population of butterflies that will flutter around you like you’re Snow White. A short distance off the Savannah Way, you can only stay at this campsite in dry weather.

Ormiston Gorge camping area, West MacDonnell Ranges National Park, Northern Territory

This camping area has one of the most scenic toilets you’ll find in Australia – and apart from that, it has great access to Ormiston Gorge, one of the Red Centre’s best known swimming holes.

 

 

     

Chase the blues away at the best campsites in Queensland

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Lawn Hill Gorge camping area, Lyndon Sparrow

Lawn Hill Gorge camping area, Lyndon Sparrow

Planning your trip north into Queensland to follow the sun?

These campsites in Queensland are sure to chase away the cold weather blues with their views, facilities and activities. And, of course, their affordability, so you can budget to spend more time in the warmth.

Lawn Hill camping area, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park

It’s hot, dusty – and incredibly beautiful. This is an oasis in the outback, with a gorge hiding a palm-fringed emerald river. Lawn Hill camping area is the best camping area in the national park and has 20 sites ranged next to a creek with good facilities.

Darlington Park camping area, Beaudesert

This family-friendly gem is in the Gold Coast hinterland. With plenty of space and facilities, Darlington Park camping area is a popular site.

Platypus Bush Camp, Finch Hatton Gorge

You might not catch a glimpse of Australia’s most elusive native creature (the platypus!) at this enchanting rainforest campground, but less elusive features here include hot showers with views, treehouses and a great camp kitchen.

Babinda Creek camping area, Babinda

Find water that you can swim in at Babinda Creek camping area, which is a family-friendly camping area with good facilities nestled next to a creek south of Cairns.

Maureen’s Cove camping area, Whitsundays National Park

It’s the holy grail of travel – good budget accommodation within an expensive tourist precinct. The campsites in Whitsundays National Park are one such accommodation option. Boat-access only Maureen’s Cove camping area is on the north coast of Hook Island with limited facilities, but swell snorkelling just offshore.

MV Sarawak camping area, Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area

Dog-friendly and suitable for large groups, these campsites with a view (looking onto Fraser Island) might have limited facilities but that has not limited their popularity. Well worth a visit.

Cameron Corner camping area

There’s not much to Cameron Corner camping area apart from knowing that you are camping at the point where Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales meet. There’s good facilities, a store and access to Sturt National Park.

Carnarvon Gorge camping area, Carnarvon National Park

Gorge yourself on the views at Carnarvon Gorge – and then head back to Carnarvon Gorge camping area for the night. Only open during certain school holidays, this campground has good facilities and good access to the main attraction in the park.

Punsand Bay Camping Resort, Cape York

It’s a long way to the top, but it’s worth it for views like these – and for the experience of being at the tip of Australia. Punsand Bay Camping Resort has the campsites closest to the top, and has tip-top facilities and activities.

 

 

     

Camping along the Indian Ocean Drive in Western Australia

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Denham Seaside Tourist Village, Lyndon Sparrow

Denham Seaside Tourist Village, Lyndon Sparrow

Do you want to watch the sun go down over the Indian Ocean every night? Get a campsite with a view without breaking the bank at these affordable caravan parks and campsites. We’ve followed the Indian Ocean Drive (Australia’s newest highway) all the way up the Western Australian coast from Perth to Exmouth, picking out our favourite places to stay along the way.

Cervantes

Pinnacles Caravan Park

Pinnacles Caravan Park is your best option if you want to camp near the famous Pinnacles Desert. There’s no camping in Nambung National Park, and this caravan park has good facilities and easy access to the national park.

Geraldton

Sunset Holiday Beach Park

In a quiet spot north of town, this popular caravan park has everything you need: good facilities, good access to the historic sites of Geraldton, and a tremendous position for watching the sun go down on the Indian Ocean.

Kalbarri

Murchison River Caravan Park

Located in the centre of town and just opposite the beach, Murchison River Caravan Park has the facilities you’d expect at a caravan park along this popular holiday route, such as toilets and showers (disabled access), laundry, dump point, camp kitchen, barbecues, pool and a playground

Denham

Denham Seaside Tourist Village

With a position near the beach fit for a king, and the views to match, Denham Seaside Tourist Village is your best option in the area. It has good facilities and the fishing opportunities are famous.

Francois Peron National Park

Francois Peron has a range of camping areas with good facilities and great views – but you do need a 4WD to access any of the campgrounds in this national park.

Carnarvon

Quobba Station

You’ll find Quobba Station north of Carnarvon. There are two options for camping at Quobba Station – the campground next to the station or the far more isolated Red Bluff, which allegedly has the best sunsets this side of Australia.

Coral Bay

Peoples Park Caravan Resort

At $50 a night for an ocean-front basic site, Peoples Park Tourist Park is on the expensive side. But it offers a great position in the extremely popular Coral Bay, with good facilities – so you might think it’s worth a bit of extra cash.

Exmouth

Ningaloo Caravan and Holiday Resort

If you’re all about the location, you can’t do much better than this centrally located caravan park, which has accommodation ranging from cabins to campsites.

Ningaloo Lighthouse Caravan Park

This caravan park has ocean views, which is a top requirement when travelling along the Indian Ocean Drive.

Cape Range National Park

Unlike its southern neighbour, Francois Peron National Park, you don’t need a 4WD to access many of the campsites in Cape Range National Park. While the campsites facing the Indian Ocean are often windblown and exposed, the views are worth it. Sites book out at popular times of the year, so make sure to get in quick.

Bush Bay camping area

The trade-off for this campsite being free is that you have to be entirely self-sufficient – there are no facilities here. But there are fantastic views of the Indian Ocean, as this campsite faces Shark Bay Marine Park.

 

     

25 Free Campsites That Will Save Your Wallet This Easter

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Free camping in Kosciuszko National Park, Tom Simpson

Free camping in Kosciuszko National Park, Tom Simpson

Free yourself from budget worries by staying at these free campsites.

You can camp for free at more places than you’d expect around the country. And aside from being free, many of these campsites are also dog-friendly – talk about hitting the jackpot. Here are 25 free campsites around the country.

New South Wales

Acacia Flat camping area (walk-in camping), Blue Mountains National Park

Experience one of the best bush camping sites in New South Wales – for free. Hidden in the famous Grose Valley (it’s a steep walk down), you’ll sleep underneath the blue gums. There are toilets, and you can drink the creek water, after you’ve treated it.

Bendeela Recreation Area, Kangaroo Valley

Bendeela Recreation Area is a large, grassy area surrounded by trees and next to Kangaroo River. There are toilets, but that’s about all there is to the site and probably all you really need.

Ben Halls camping area, Weddin Mountains National Park

As the main campground in the national park, you’ll find a good range of facilities here. Situated on the western side of the park next to the historic Seatons Farm, the sites are grassy and shaded.

Lobs Hole Ravine camping area (northern section), Kosciuszko National Park

Ain’t no mountain high enough to keep you from getting to a campsite this good. This free campsite is only accessible for those in 4WDs, and you’ll need to be completely self-sufficient, but the trade-offs are great trout fishing, swimming and that fresh mountain air.

Victoria

Snakes camping area, Upper Goulburn Historic Area

Don’t let the name put you off. There aren’t that many snales at this campsite. The sites are spacious and spread out next to the river, and there are great walking tracks nearby. It’s also dog friendly.

Loch Valley (The Poplars) camping area, Noojee

You’ll find Loch Valley (The Poplars) camping area approximately 7km from Noojee, a small town on the way to Baw Baw National Park. This campground is free and dog friendly, and has toilets and picnic areas. You can fish and swim in the lake, although you might find that you have to warm yourself up by the campfire after taking a dip. But get in quick – Loch Valley closes down over winter.

Little River Junction camping area, Snowy River National Park

It’s a long way to the bottom of Victoria’s deepest cleft, the Little River Gorge. Visit the lookout at the gorge on your way to Little River Junction camping area. The junction is between the Snowy and Little rivers, and the camping area is perfectly placed for some swimming or canoeing.

Meredith Park camping area, Colac

This is a well-known free camping area on the northern shore of Lake Colac. The fishing here is great, and the area can become crowded with anglers.

Bear Gully camping area, Cape Liptrap Coastal Park

Quieter than neighbouring Wilsons Promontory National Park, Cape Liptrap is on a charming section of the Gippsland coast, only a short distance from Walkerville. Bear Gully is the only camping area in the park, and you’ll find its shady sites just behind Maitland Beach.

South Australia

Artimore Ruins camping area

Rattle down the Public Access Track in your 4WD until you come to Artimore Ruins. Nestled in a valley, this is a secluded and often quiet site with absolutely no facilities, so be prepared to rough it. The surroundings make this spot ideal for telling ghost tales around the campfire at night.

Western Australia

Marrinup camping area, Dwellingup

There’s really only one word to describe Marrinup camping area – pleasant. It’s a pleasant camping area, with a pleasant location in the forest next to Marrinup Brook. There are pleasant walks around the camping area, with pleasant wildlife-watching. It’s also pleasantly free and dog friendly.

Eagle Bluff camping area, Francois Peron National Park

We’re as shocked as you – you can get free camping just a short swim away from the marine wonderland of Shark Bay Marine Park. The water is the main drawcard here, but there’s also good birdwatching. The sites are spread out amongst the coastal vegetation on the foreshore.

House Beach camping area, Fitzgerald River National Park

You need to have a 4WD and be completely self-sufficient to camp at House Beach. But other than those obstacles, this is a great beach campsite with good fishing and swimming.

Northern Territory

Alligator Billabong camping area (bush camping), Kakadu National Park

Camp for free in Australia’s biggest national park at Alligator Billabong camping area. This site is only accessible by a 4WD-only track, and has no facilities.

Birthday Waterhole camping area, West MacDonnell National Park

Birthday Waterhole camping area is a free campsite on the Larapinta Trail, which treks across the West MacDonnell Ranges from Alice Springs to Mount Sonder. There are no facilities here, so you’ll have to be entirely self-sufficient.

Curtin Springs Roadhouse, Curtin Springs

You can camp for free at this roadhouse, which is on a working cattle station. Also on the station? Mount Conner, a monolith that is often mistaken for Uluru. The real Uluru is still 87 kilometres up the road. The campsite has good facilities.

Limmen Bight Fishing Camp, Limmen

Among certain circles, this is a famously good free campsite – so don’t tell anyone we let you in on the secret!

Queensland

Chinchilla Weir camping area, Chinchilla

On the banks of the Condamine River, this basic site has a maximum stay of two nights and is popular with water lovers, as you can swim, boat, waterski and canoe on the river. There are picnic tables, fireplaces and toilets here, but not much else. On the plus side, it’s free, doesn’t require booking and is dog friendly.

The Boulders camping area, Babinda

You’ll find this camping area near one of the best swimming holes in Queensland. Sites are strictly limited – there are only five, with space for five people on each.

Broadwater Recreational Reserve camping area, Nanango

Twitchers, take note! This camping area is known for being a good birdwatching site. But it’s not known for much else. To camp here, you need to be completely self-sufficient.

Tasmania

Cockle Creek camping area, Recherche Bay Nature Recreation Area

You’ll have to go deep into the south to find this campsite – as far south as you can go by car in Australia. These campsites range along the final kilometres of Tasmania’s southernmost road. While you can’t camp on the ocean side of the road, the grassy sites have a great view and easy proximity to the beach. The only things provided by the campground are toilets and the views. You’ll have to be entirely self-sufficient and bring everything else (including your dog on a leash, if you want to travel with the whole family).

Green Point camping area, Marrawah

If you don’t feel like going south, how about taking on the Wild West? At Green Point you’ll have an unimpeded view of the mighty waves rolling in from South Africa. The facilities are good here, but this is a very exposed campsite, so bring shelter.

Hazards Beach camping area (walk-in camping), Freycinet National Park

Freycinet National Park is on most people’s must-visit list for Tasmania. But what a lot of those people don’t realise is that you can camp for free inside the national park – you just have to be prepared to walk in. The camping area is at the southern end of Hazards Beach, a 2 hour walk from Wineglass Bay.

Paddys Island camping area, St Helens

Get million-dollar views at Paddys Island camping area – for free. The campsites are nestled in the shrub just behind white-sand beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see. Catch your own dinner fresh from the ocean and cook it on the supplied fireplace.

Apsley Waterhole camping area, Douglas-Apsley National Park

Sometimes you have to work a little harder for the free sites – but Apsley Waterhole camping area is worth it. The campground is a 10 minute walk from the parking area, but once you arrive at the campsite and see it (hopefully) bathed in dappled sunlight, you’ll agree that it was worth it. The sites are only a short walk from a great swimming hole.