Best camping sites for beginners

Keen to give camping a try but not sure where to pitch a tent? These five camp sites around Australia are perfect if you’re new to camping.

A large canvas tent on a wooden verandah at sunset, surrounded by gum trees.

Camping is one of the most affordable and fun ways to enjoy a holiday – and have fun in nature, too. If you’re new to the world of camping and ever-so-eager to give it a go, rest assured you’re in safe hands right here.

Once you're gotten the basics from our Guide to camping for beginners, now the question is, where will you start your adventure? From popular holiday parks to easy-to-access campsites around Australia, here are five of the best first-time-camping sites.

1. The Basin, Sydney, New South Wales

Accessible by a short ferry ride from Palm Beach and located in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, The Basin is one of Sydney’s most popular camp sites. While amenities are basic and all food must be brought in, the 400-head site is well-loved for its picturesque location, often shared with cockatoos, swamp wallabies and lace monitors. Go for a dip in the placid lagoon, splash about on the beach facing Pittwater, or hike up the fire trail to see a series of Indigenous rock carvings.

A pier with extends out from a small sandy beach and forested shore into a blue-green lagoon.

The Basin, Ku-Ring-Gai National Park (Photo credit: Andrew Gregory; Destination NSW)

2. Treasure Island Holiday Park, Gold Coast, Queensland

Keen to try out camping, but eager for full facilities to amenities? Then book ahead to stay at NRMA Treasure Island Holiday Park, located on the sunny Gold Coast. Boasting powered and unpowered sites, as well as “glamping'' accommodation in safari tents (complete with queen-sized beds, a kitchenette and air conditioning), Treasure Island sets the standard for the inclusive holiday park camping experience. On site you’ll find a licensed bistro, go-karting, minigolf, e-bike hire, water slides and kids club as well as the Bear Grylls Survival Academy, exclusive to NRMA Parks and Resorts.

3. Wye River Foreshore, Great Ocean Road, Victoria

Unzip your tent and step right onto the beach at the Wye River campground, located on the iconic Great Ocean Road. One of Victoria’s most popular camping areas, there are 60 powered and four unpowered sites available, with access to a patrolled beach during summer, a general store nearby if you’ve forgotten any food essentials and a local pub within walking distance if you’d prefer to eat out. Spend your holiday surfing and fishing, or head out bushwalking in the Otways, then see off the day with a spot of sunset beach horse riding at Apollo Bay.

Rocks leading to a rounded, sandy beach with green hills rising around it dotted with houses.

Wye River (Photo credit: Visit Victoria)

4. Cockatoo Island Waterfront Campground, Sydney, New South Wales

Offering a no-fuss urban camping experience in a UNESCO World Heritage listed site, Cockatoo Island on Sydney Harbour is the ideal introduction to camping. Accessible by NRMA My Fast Ferry, this camp site offers first-timers deluxe waterfront tents with elevated beds, linens, an Esky and toiletries. Two cafes offer breakfast and lunch options, while barbecue packs can be pre-ordered for dinner. For a step back in time, campers can take the World War II Shipyard tour and explore old convict buildings and underground tunnels. then roast marshmallows by the communal fire pits.

A couple and two girls jump and play on grass in the sun, near a tent set up on the water's edge.

Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour (Photo credit: Destination NSW)

5. Woodhouse Activity Centre, Adelaide Hills, South Australia

Woodhouse Activity Centre has long been a local favourite for its obstacle course, labyrinth, and tube slides, but is also a great place to set up camp. Three car-accessible “base camps” are set up across the 54-hectare property on the outskirts of Adelaide, each with basic amenities and large fire pits which are lit outside of fire-ban season. Open weekends, public holidays and weekdays, the camping grounds also offer hiking trails to explore, a bouldering site, and disc golf should you be feeling particularly competitive.

Disclaimer: Camp sites are not listed in order of preference.

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