Nothing compares to the sense of freedom that comes with camping. It can be a sheer delight to load up the car with tents, sleeping bags, fold-up chairs, and an esky or two in quest of some serenity to counter-balance the stress of modern life.
Australia has a variety of environments to suit every type of camper, making it a truly unique place to pitch a tent. Whether you want to pitch your tent in the middle of a remote forest, at the base of an incredible mountain range, along the shores of a tranquil lake, or close enough to hear the waves crashing at night.
From distant areas in lonely national reserves (where you can BYO everything and really rough it) to the plush surrounds of vacation parks (think: flushing toilets, hot showers, and grills… maybe even some glamping!) there’s something for everyone. To Get an exciting offer and discount on camping gear click here to get the best deals in Australia
We’ve put together a list of some of most beautiful camping spots in Victoria and New South Wales.
BURBIE CAMP, WARRUMBUNGLE NATIONAL PARK
Burbie Camp offers the best of both worlds: it is remote while still being easily accessible. In all seasons, the carpark in this portion of the Warrumbungle National Park is 2WD-friendly. The place is only accessible by foot, but it’s only three kilometers up the Burbie Canyon Track, a gentle hike that makes it accessible to individuals who might not otherwise attempt such an excursion.
The site is a rural campground with minimal amenities, save for a faucet that runs untreated spring water and a place to build a wood-fired BBQ. That is, nevertheless, the allure. This is where you disconnect from the contemporary world and instead search for wallabies on the ground, wedge-tailed eagles in the sky, and sleep under a blanket of stars.
GENTLEMAN’S HALT CAMPGROUND, HAWKESBURY
To get to this bush camp on the Hawkesbury River, just north of Sydney, you’ll have to trek 10 kilometres through the tough wilderness. However, if you do so, you will most likely find yourself alone with a stunning view of the lake.
Gentleman’s Halt has limited amenities, including a few picnic tables, BBQ grills, and compost toilets, which are thought to have been used by Governor Phillip during his investigation of the area in 1789. On the 10km trip up the Canoelands Ridge trail, all water, firewood, and other supplies must be carried in. The focus of a visit here is on viewing native species, visiting surrounding trails, or taking a dip in the river.
WOPERANA CAMPGROUND, MURRAY VALLEY
Near Deniliquin in south-western NSW, the Murray Valley National Park contains several rural campsites that are ideal for individuals seeking solitude (and a place to fish). The Woperana Campground is one of the best, a free and primitive site that is only accessible in dry weather, and even then, a 4WD is recommended.
The campground is situated between the great Murray and a smaller tributary known as Native Dog Creek, making it an ideal spot for anyone interested in canoeing or kayaking, as well as fishing. Aside from that, your only task here is to relax and enjoy the peace.
EMU LAKE CAMPGROUND, KINCHEGA NATIONAL PARK
This is a fantastic site to spot an emu or two, as the name implies. Alternatively, 500. Emu Lake Campground in Kinchega National Park, near Broken Hill, is true Outback, a dusty yet utterly delightful spot. There are a few amenities here, such as picnic tables, BBQ pits, and drop toilets, but the main draw is the sensation of seclusion, stillness, and complete silence.
From here, you may tour Kinchega Park, visit the local Kinchega Woolshed, watch for native birdlife (including those emus), and toast the beautiful sunset with a G&T or, depending on your desire, just some water at the end of each day.
GANGUDDY-DUNNS SWAMP CAMPGROUND, WOLLEMI NP
To be honest, any campground that includes the phrase “swamp” doesn’t seem too appealing. But bear with us for a moment. The Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp Campground is a modest, rustic site on the Cudgegong River, which is far from marshy. This location is part of the Wollemi National Park, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the river is ideal for fishing, canoeing, and swimming.
It takes around four hours to drive from Sydney to this natural beauty, which is accessible to 2WD cars and has picnic tables, BBQ grills, and drop toilets, albeit all drinking water and food must be brought in. Once you’ve arrived, set up camp among the scribbly gums and jagged rock formations, keep an eye out for wallabies on the ground, platypus in the river, and greater gliders in the sky – and relax.
SEALERS COVE, WILSON’S PROMONTORY NATIONAL PARK
This is the place to take your kids if you want to introduce them to the joys of hike-in camping. Sealers Cove, on the eastern side of Wilson’s Promontory, is a stunning beach and harbour with golden sands and crystal blue seas. Because there is no automotive access, people seeking to pitch a tent must hike roughly 10 kilometres from the Telegraph Saddle trailhead. The hike is fortunately pretty straightforward, with no difficult high sections and plenty of different landscape – ideal for family groups.
The privilege of pitching a tent in the leafy woodland at Sealers and having unrestricted access to that wonderful bay, shielded from the prevailing winds, is also worth the walk. There are a few amenities on-site, such as drop toilets and picnic tables, but you must bring your own drinking water and food. Permits must also be obtained.
BARMAH LAKES CAMPGROUND, BARMAH NATIONAL PARK
When you’re driving to Barmah Lakes Campground, on the banks of the Murray River, about a three-hour journey north of Melbourne, strap the canoe to the roof. The main draw here is the waterway, which is ideal for canoeing, fishing, and swimming, as well as the lake itself.
The campground itself is a simple affair, situated among tall River Red Gums on the river’s side. There’s adequate road access (4WDs recommended), but there aren’t many amenities once you get there: just a drop toilet and a few places to put up a grill. All food and water must be brought in. The isolation, the separation from contemporary life, the possibility to observe enormous flocks of waterbirds, witness emus in the wild, cast a line into fish, or simply put your feet up are all draws.
