24 of the BEST low-cost camps in OZ
BAY OF FIRES, TAS
It’s almost a good thing that you’re only allowed to stay at this campsite for a maximum of four weeks. With sensational ocean views and one of the whitest beaches on earth, it’d be impossible to stop people from moving in permanently! There are seven campsites within Bay of Fires Conservation Area and all of them free, but our picks are Swimcart Beach for the fishing or Cosy Corner North for a lagoon that’s ideal for kayaking and snorkelling.
Closest major townSt Helens
TOILETS, FIRES PERMITTED, DOGS PERMITTED, SWIMMING, FISHING, SNORKELLING, BUSHWALKING
BENDEELA, NSW
This lush, green campground is perfect for big group getaways, as it has over 1000 individual campsites. It’s located 7km west of Kangaroo Valley and is situated by the Kangaroo River. The massive size of the campground means it’s never full, and even at peak times you can still have plenty of space to yourself.
Closest major town - Kangaroo Valley
TOILETS, DRINKING WATER, BOAT RAMP, FISHING, SWIMMING, KAYAKING, BUSHWALKING
Why camp here?
Bendeela has the greenest grass you’ll ever find at a free campsite.
POLICE BEND, MURRAY RIVER, VIC
On the banks of Australia’s most iconic river is one of its best kept secrets! Police Bend, on the Murray River is home to 12 campsites all within a 4km stretch of water. Located just 10km south of Mildura, Police Bend is extremely accessible, but just hidden enough to keep it peaceful in the quiet seasons. Launch a tinny from the banks, or just kick back in any of the shaded campsites on the river.
Closest Major Town - Mildura
NO TOILETS, NO DRINKING WATER, FIRES ALLOWED, PETS ALLOWED, SWIMMING, FISHING
Why Camp Here?
You get to launch your tinny to explore the mighty Murray!
BLOWERING DAM, NSW
This massive dam is almost tailor-made for boating and is regularly restocked with fish, so even a novice is bound to catch something.
Closest major town - Batlow
TOILETS, FIRES PERMITTED, PHONE RECEPTION, PETS PERMITTED, PICNIC TABLES, SWIMMING, BOATING, CYCLING, BUSHWALKING
CORELLA DAM, QLD
Corella Dam was originally built to provide water for the uranium township of Mary Kathleen, which is now part of the greater region of Cloncurry. This spacious campground is perfect for those that love boating, canoeing or catching some tasty red claws in the dam.
MOBILE RECEPTION, SHADE, FIRE PLACES, BIG RIG, PETS ALLOWED, FISHING, SWIMMING
Closest major town – Mount Isa
BRETTI CAMPING RESERVE, NSW
Around 30 minutes north of Gloucester, on Thunderbolts Way, you’ll come across a picturesque riverside campground that is the perfect free campsite. This pet-friendly campground is set on a huge grassy paddock, and is perfect for the pup to run about on.
Closest town - Gloucester
TOILETS, FISHING, FIRES PERMITTED, PET FRIENDLY, SWIMMING
CAMOOWEAL BILLABONG, QLD
Camooweal is seemingly in the middle of nowhere, yet campers from all across Australia pull in here for a night, a week or a month as they tackle their big lap. It’s positioned right on the edge of a billabong just outside of town, so it’s not only popular with campers, but also thousands of native birds.
Closest major town - Mount Isa
NO TOILETS, PETS PERMITTED, SHADE, FISHING, KAYAKING
MAYS BEND, DARLING RIVER, NSW
Mays Bend is an unofficial campground on the banks of the Darling River just outside of Bourke. The kayak and fishing rod is all you will need once you have set up the camp in this cracking spot. With red dirt underfoot and a river full of life, there’s not much to worry about in this ideal outback bush camp.
Closest Town - Bourke
NO TOILETS, NO SHOWERS, NO DRINKING WATER, SWIMMING, FISHING , KAYAKING , BUSHWALKING
WARROORA STATION, NINGALOO REEF, WA
You’ve got to love a farm stay that lets you take your caravan right down to the beach and set up with an unforgettable view of the ocean. With the beautiful Ningaloo Reef as your backdrop, this is the perfect remote stay for those wanting to truly escape from it all.
Closest Town – Exmouth
FIRE PERMITTED, FISHING, SWIMMING, WALKING TRAILS, PET FRIENDLY, CANOEING
POINT DRUMMOND, MOUNT HOPE, SA
Many think this is only a lookout, but if you keep driving for a kilometre or so you’ll discover one of the more pristine winter camps in South Australia. It offers a lot for fishermen and lovers of our beautiful coastline.
Closest Town – Cummins
NO TOILETS, NO DRINKING WATER, FISHING, BUSHWALKING
QUONDONG POINT, WA
The entire Dampier Peninsula is spectacular and the stunning free sites at Quondong Point are no exception. You’ll have to sacrifice facilities to experience pure oceanfront camping on one of the most magical stretches of coast in the country.
Closest major town - Broome
PETS PERMITTED, 4WD ONLY, FISHING, NO TOILETS
CAVE CREEK CATTLE STATION, MATARANKA, NT
This working cattle property provides spacious camping, power, drinking water and allows fires. Best of all it’s just down the road from some of Australia’s best swimming holes, including the wonderful Mataranka Springs
Closest Town - Katherine
NO TOILETS, POWER, DRINKING WATER, FIRES ALLOWED, SWIMMING, FISHING
BIRTHDAY WATERHOLE, NT
Birthday Waterhole is located around 60km west of Alice Springs in the West MacDonnell Ranges and is one of the top free campsites around. Head out to Birthday Waterhole and get a taste of pure bush camping while you feel the heartbeat of this magnificent region beneath your feet.
Closest Town – Alice Springs
NO TOILETS, NO DRINKING WATER, FIRES ALLOWED, BUSHWALKING
YOU CAN’T MISS…
Taking a dip in the fresh waters of the Hugh River
BALGAL BEACH, QLD
This is one of the real hidden gems of the QLD coastline. Whether you love having a dip in the ocean, catching dinner, rainforest walks, or just lazing around a scenic camp, you’ll absolutely love Balgal Beach.
Closest Town - Townsville
TOILETS, PETS ALLOWED, FISHING, BUSHWALKING, DRINKING WATER, 48 HOUR STAY
SWANS CROSSING, NSW
When it comes to cracking free getaways close to home, Swans Crossing just outside of Kew is hard to beat. With sensational fishing beaches easily within reach, you’d be hard pressed to find a better RV-friendly campsite with as much to offer. From swimming to magic views, backed up by a pristine campground and impeccable facilities, Swans has the lot!
TOILETS, PETS ALLOWED, PICNIC TABLES, FIRES ALLOWED, SWIMMING, BUSHWALKING
Cleaverville offers spacious, flat camp sites overlooking a beautifully scenic coastline. This scenic beachside campsite in the Pilbara is the ideal spot to stop on your way down the WA coastline.
Closest Town – Port Hedland
NO TOILETS, NO DRINKING WATER, PETS ALLOWED, SWIMMING, FISHING
BIRDSVILLE, QLD
For a truly iconic outback experience, it’s hard to beat the Birdsville Races. This historic horse race brings people from all over the country to this tiny town on the edge of the Simpson Desert. You can stay in town for a fee, but riverside camping is available along the banks of the Diamantina River between the town and the racecourse.
Closest major town - Birdsville
TOILETS, SHADE, PETS PERMITTED, FIRES PERMITTED, SWIMMING
BARRADALE REST AREA, WA
On your way into the Ningaloo area, make sure you stop in at the Barradale rest area. It’s a perfect spot to meet fellow RVers and get some tips on the local area
TOILETS, DISABLED ACCESS, SHADE, PICNIC TABLES, FIRE PLACE, BBQS, BIG RIGS WELCOME, DUMP POINT, PETS WELCOME
YARRAWONGA PARK, QLD
Although QLD’s popular east coast is covered in great beach camps, finding a free one is a bit more challenging. But at Yarrawonga Park Reserve south of Mackay, you can camp by the water without a cent to pay. You’ll need to be self-sufficient and ready for a remote adventure. If you need to check back into civilisation, the nearby Ilbilbie Roadhouse has showers, meals, bait and ice.
Closest major town - Sarina
BOAT RAMP, FIRES PERMITTED, FISHING
Why camp here?
A top beach getaway for a few days of fishing and feasting.
STANLEY, TAS
Located 127km west of Devonport, the historic CMCA RV Friendly Town of Stanley is based on the lower slopes of the great table-topped monolith known as ‘The Nut’. At just $8 per night or $40 for 7 nights, the Stanley Recreation Grounds, which is in front of Tatlows Beach, is a great value-for-money place to stay.
Closest Town – Stanley
DUMP SITE, SCENIC, FISHING, SWIMMING, BEACH, TOILETS
NINDIGULLY PUB, QLD
If you’re heading on a trip to the QLD outback, you have to check out this iconic pub. The area is also known for the free camping alongside the Moonie River, where visitors can swim, fish, and catch yabbies. With excellent facilities including hot showers and a great atmosphere, it’ll be a must-stop on every trip west.
Closest major town - St George
TOILETS, SHOWERS, SHADE, FIRES PERMITTED, DRINKING WATER, PETS PERMITTED, FISHING, SWIMMING
KOHLHAGENS BEACH, NSW
Sitting just 20km west of Wagga Wagga, this hidden free campsite offers grassy areas right on the Murrumbidgee River. You can set up here for days just fishing, swimming and enjoying the beautiful spring climate.
Closest major town – Wagga Wagga
TOILETS, NO DRINKING WATER, PETS ALLOWED, FIRES ALLOWED, SWIMMING, FISHING, BUSHWALKING
WALHALLA, VIC
When the weather starts to warm up, it’s the perfect time to head to the Victorian High Country. The gold mining town of Walhalla is a fantastic place to start as it features excellent free camping at North Gardens Campground. The town is filled with historic buildings, mines and an old tramway that you can cycle along.
Closest major town - Walhalla
TOILETS, PICNIC TABLES, FIRES PERMITTED, PETS PERMITTED, FISHING, SWIMMING, BUSHWALKING
CHAFFEY DAM, SCONE, NSW
The banks of Chaffey Dam are the perfect place to base yourself for a fossicking and fishing adventure. With a gold pan in hand, why not spent a few days on the banks of Swamp Creek with the hope of striking it rich? If that’s not your style, throw in a line and cross your fingers for a giant yellowbelly. At only $5 a night, this is the ideal base camp for a northern NSW holiday.
TOILETS, SHOWERS, WATER, FIRES PERMITTED FISHING, KAYAKING