Camping
Sleep under a canopy of stars from coastal campgrounds to outback under canvas
About Camping
Camping in Australia is a cherished national pastime and one of the most rewarding ways to experience the country's extraordinary natural landscapes. From beachside campgrounds where you fall asleep to the sound of crashing waves, to remote bush camps surrounded by ancient eucalyptus and echoing with birdsong, to glamping under the stars in the red desert of the outback, Australia offers camping experiences for every comfort level. With minimal light pollution across vast areas of the country, the night sky alone — a dazzling display of the Milky Way and Southern Cross — is reason enough to sleep outdoors.
Quick Facts
- 500+ national parks with camping across Australia
- Free camping available across much of regional Australia
- Best stargazing: May–October (winter skies, less cloud)
- Glamping options from $200–$2,000+ per night
- Fire bans may apply November–March in southern states
Top Highlights
Wilsons Promontory, VIC
Victoria's most beloved national park offers campgrounds set among pristine beaches, coastal bushland, and granite headlands. Tidal River campground is the gateway to spectacular day walks and overnight hikes to remote lighthouse camps at the southernmost point of mainland Australia.
Sal Salis, Ningaloo
Luxury wilderness camping at its finest — eco-luxe safari tents perched on sand dunes overlooking Ningaloo Reef. Fall asleep to the sound of the Indian Ocean and wake to snorkel with whale sharks, manta rays, and turtles right from your doorstep.
Kakadu National Park, NT
Camp in Australia's largest national park surrounded by ancient Aboriginal rock art, crocodile-filled billabongs, and thundering waterfalls. The Gunlom plunge pool campground, with its infinity-pool views across the escarpment, is one of Australia's most spectacular camping spots.
Bay of Fires, TAS
Camp alongside Tasmania's striking east coast, where brilliant orange lichen-covered granite boulders meet pristine white sand and turquoise water. The Bay of Fires is regularly rated among the world's best beaches and offers both free bush camping and guided luxury walking camps.
National Park Camping
Australia's national parks offer some of the country's most spectacular camping. In New South Wales, the Royal National Park south of Sydney has coastal campgrounds perched above secluded beaches. In Queensland, Fraser Island (K'gari) offers beach camping on the world's largest sand island, where dingoes roam free and freshwater lakes glow an ethereal blue. Western Australia's Cape Range National Park has campgrounds right on Ningaloo Reef, where you can snorkel from your tent. Tasmania's Maria Island — a car-free national park — offers camping among historic convict ruins with wombats wandering through the campground at dusk.
Glamping & Luxury Camping
For those who prefer comfort in the bush, Australia's glamping scene has exploded. Longitude 131° near Uluru offers luxury tented pavilions with views of the sacred rock from bed. Paperbark Camp in Jervis Bay, NSW, combines luxury safari tents with a treetop restaurant in a bushland setting. The Ikara Safari Camp in South Australia's Flinders Ranges provides luxury tents beneath ancient river gums in a landscape of dramatic gorges and Aboriginal rock art. In Victoria, the Great Ocean Ecolodge offers eco-luxury accommodation on the Great Ocean Road with koala spotting and guided nature walks.
Free Camping & Tips
Free camping (known as bush camping or freedom camping) is available in many parts of Australia, particularly in the outback and regional areas. Apps like WikiCamps Australia list thousands of free and low-cost camping spots across the country. Always practice Leave No Trace principles: carry out all rubbish, use designated fire rings where fires are permitted, and be aware of fire bans during summer. In crocodile country (northern Australia above the Tropic of Capricorn), never camp near water's edge and heed all warning signs. A campfire under the stars with billy tea is one of the most authentic Australian experiences you can have.