Australia has some of the most extraordinary camping in the world — ancient desert landscapes, old-growth rainforest, coastal clifftops, and river gorges so remote that you can camp for days without seeing another person.
The country has over 500 national parks and thousands of designated camping areas across six states and two territories. The variety is staggering: from powered campsites with hot showers within an hour of a major city, to remote wilderness areas accessible only by 4WD and requiring a satellite phone. Wherever your comfort level sits, there's a campsite in Australia that's perfect for it.
The Best Camping Regions
Grampians, Victoria
The Grampians (Gariwerd) is one of Victoria's most beloved camping destinations — ancient sandstone ranges, waterfalls, wildflowers in spring, and kangaroos everywhere. Brambuk Campground has excellent facilities for first-timers, while Borough Huts and Jimmy Creek offer more remote experiences. The sunrise from Boroka Lookout with a campfire coffee in hand is one of Australia's great morning experiences. Read our full Grampians camping guide.
Kakadu & The Top End, Northern Territory
Kakadu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering nearly 20,000km² of wetlands, escarpments, and ancient Aboriginal rock art. Camping here — at Merl, Muirella Park, or one of the many remote sites — is a transformative experience. The dry season (May–October) is the only practical time to visit for most travellers. Watch for saltwater crocodiles near any water source; this is non-negotiable safety information, not an exaggeration.
Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia
Coral Bay and Exmouth are the gateways to Ningaloo Marine Park — one of the world's largest fringing coral reefs, where you can snorkel directly off the beach. Camping at Turquoise Bay or in the Cape Range National Park puts you metres from world-class snorkelling and swimming. Between March and July you can swim with whale sharks — the largest fish in the ocean — on guided tours operating out of Exmouth. Book months in advance.
Wilsons Promontory, Victoria
The southernmost point of mainland Australia, "the Prom" is a granite headland of extraordinary beauty — white sand beaches, tidal flats full of wading birds, and dense bush. Tidal River campground at the base is the main hub; a ballot system allocates peak-season sites. More experienced hikers can access remote bush campsites via multi-day walks. Wombats regularly wander through the campsite in the evening, entirely unbothered by human presence.
Photo Gallery
What to Bring
The basics of camping kit are the same everywhere, but Australia has some specific requirements worth knowing about:
- Shelter: A good quality tent with a rainfly rated for Australian conditions — afternoon storms can appear from nowhere. In the outback, a swag (a traditional Australian canvas sleeping roll) is practical and excellent.
- Sleeping: Even in summer, nights in the ranges and the outback get cold. A sleeping bag rated to 5°C is sensible year-round in elevated areas.
- Water: In remote areas, carry more water than you think you need. Many campgrounds don't have potable water. A quality filter (Sawyer, LifeStraw) or purification tablets are essential for any multi-day trip.
- Fire: A camp stove is more reliable than an open fire and is allowed when open fires are banned. Always check current fire restrictions before you go — Total Fire Ban days are common in summer and non-compliance is a serious offence.
- First aid: Australia is home to most of the world's most venomous snakes. A pressure immobilisation bandage and knowledge of how to use it should be in every camping kit.
- Navigation: Many remote areas have no phone coverage. Download offline maps (Avenza, Gaia GPS, Maps.me) before you leave. A PLB (personal locator beacon) is worth hiring or buying for any remote trip.
- Leave No Trace: Carry out all waste, leave campsites as you found them, stay on marked tracks, and maintain a 200m buffer from any water source when disposing of wastewater.
Booking
Most national park campsites in Australia require advance booking, particularly during school holidays and long weekends. Each state has its own parks booking system:
- Victoria: Parks Victoria online booking — book months ahead for peak sites.
- NSW: National Parks NSW booking system.
- Queensland: Queensland National Parks booking service.
- Western Australia: Parks and Wildlife Service WA online portal.
- South Australia: SA National Parks booking system.
- Northern Territory: NT Parks and Wildlife direct booking.