Camping, Caravan Parks and Campgrounds in Australia
Australia is unusual and full of discoveries—if you travel beyond the cities. The real beauty and unforgettable experiences await in national parks and the remote Outback, far from paved roads. If you’re into cities—just go to Europe. It’s closer, prettier, and way more exciting.
To travel around Australia, you’ll need a car—public transport is almost useless here due to the country’s low population density (fun fact: all of Australia has fewer people than Moscow and the surrounding suburbs).
Traveling on Sealed Roads
If you’re sticking to paved roads, car rental in Australia is quite affordable: check prices here.
Traveling in the Outback or Bush
Heading into the Outback or the bush? You’ll need a serious 4WD and some extra gear.
I’ve written before about two types of 4WD campers for exploring the Australian wilderness:
Safari Landcruiser 4WD review
Safari Camper Camprite 4WD review
Where to Stay Outside Cities in Australia?
If you’re staying on paved roads, it’s easy: motels, inns, roadhouses, or established campgrounds.
But off-road or deep in the bush—you’ll need to find your own camping spot.
Before your trip, download the WikiCamps app. It’s the largest camping database in Australia and shows you every possible place to pitch a tent or park a camper.
Free Campgrounds in Australia
If night falls and there’s no motel or campsite nearby—look for green moon icons in the app. These mark unofficial but trusted free campgrounds with photos, reviews, and notes about facilities (water, toilets, etc.).
You’ll often find these campsites near rivers, creeks, or cool landmarks like a lone baobab or some odd rock. Also common—rest bays marked with a “P” on the road.
I don’t recommend sleeping in roadside pull-offs, especially if there’s an Aboriginal community within 30 km.
From what I’ve seen (and heard), some intoxicated locals cruise the roads at night, looking for tourists. They usually ask for booze, but sometimes for cash.
So it’s best to camp where you’re out of sight—behind some bushes, away from the road. Go to bed early and kill the lights so you don’t attract attention.
Another good idea—park where other campers already are. These usually have toilets, but don’t expect much. They often stink, and there are rarely any bushes to hide behind.
Free camping is totally legal in most parts of Australia.
Campgrounds in Australia
Campgrounds are designated areas for cars, campers, or tents. In the WikiCamps app, they’re marked with yellow icons.
Most major attractions have a campground nearby. You’ll usually find toilets, showers, and non-drinking water.
Pro tip: if you’re planning to camp near an attraction, grab your site first—then go sightseeing.
Leave a trailer (if you’re driving a Safari Camper Camprite 4WD) or drop your gear—like a table, camp chairs, or sleeping bags.
Most campgrounds in Australia are paid.
Caravan Parks in Australia
Think of these as vacation villages—people stay for a week or even longer. They’re like small towns with laundries, pools, playgrounds, and bungalows.
You can either park your camper or rent a cabin.
They’re usually farther from major attractions—but the comfort level is close to urban. Most sites have electricity and water hookups.
These are extremely popular with locals, so book in advance. Most are listed on Booking.com.
Naturally, caravan parks are paid.
