Australia’s best national park camping sites
Officially preserving an area of natural beauty as a national park was an American idea. The first, Yellowstone National Park, opened in 1872, but Australia adopted the concept with gusto, declaring the world’s second national park, the Royal in southern Sydney, just seven years later.
Today, Australia has more than 600 national parks covering in excess of 28 million hectares. No surprise, then, that Aussie campers have plenty of national park campgrounds to choose from no matter which state they’re in. You’re planning to go camping, but which are the best?
How you define ‘best’ will depend on what facilities you want, what sort of natural environment surrounds the campground, and the atmosphere its visitors generate.
Before we get into Australia’s best national park campgrounds, however, here’s a short checklist of things to research before you pack your tent and hit the road.
Environment
Is the campground an ‘open lawn’ campground or an ‘independent pocket’ campground? If you’re envisioning a night or two spent in the thick of the Aussie bush, arriving at an open lawn campground with half a dozen trees isn’t going to live up to expectations. It’s also worth finding out what natural wonders are nearby – a waterside campground might be great for surfing but offer little in the way of interesting hikes or natural marvels such as waterfalls.
Facilities
There’s roughing it and then there’s roughing it. Unlike those in holiday parks, the facilities provided at national park campgrounds can vary wildly.
Are there barbecues, fire pits, and picnic tables, and to what extent are those things are shared? Check on the availability of toilets, showers and fresh water. Are campfires permitted? Are you planning to go completely off grid, or will you need electricity? If you’re camping with your EV, are there chargers nearby?
Also, some sites allow you to drive your car or camper right in, while others are ‘walk-in’, which could mean lugging your gear some distance before pitching your tent.
Atmosphere
A loved-up couple seeking a romantic weekend generally won’t choose to stay somewhere that has kids running riot, and the same logic applies to campgrounds. Some attract families (especially during school holidays), while others are remote and isolated and more the preserve of grey nomads or those seeking peace and solitude in a natural setting. Online reviews are an excellent guide to a campsite’s probable atmosphere.
Booking
The first thing to know is that many national parks require a pass to enter and camp, so make sure you complete the necessary paperwork beforehand. Booking sites at national park campgrounds has been a point of contention in recent years, with ‘ghost bookings’ becoming a real issue post-COVID. In short, some campgrounds allow you to book a site ahead of time, while at others it’s a case of ‘first come, first served’. Check your intended campsite’s listing on the relevant state website to see if bookings are accepted and if there are availabilities on that date:
Okay, without further ado, here are our picks for the best national park camping sites in Australia.
NSW
Bristol Point, Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay
Ask ten camping enthusiasts their favourite national park site in NSW and it’s a fair bet half will pick Bristol Point. Located on former Navy land and now jointly managed with the Aboriginal Corporation, this federal national park has drive-in spots for vans and RVs, hot showers, and a basic camp kitchen. More importantly, it has beautiful white sand, calm water beaches, and Jervis Bay village is only a five-minute drive down the road.
Depot Beach Campground, Murramarang National Park, Depot Beach
Located on the next headland around from the NRMA’s Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort, the Depot Beach Campground is located close to the stunning Depot Beach. Nearby also is the Depot Beach rainforest walk, which squiggles through the dense littoral forest seen near the coast in this temperate region. There are 40 sites catering to everything from tents up to cars and caravans. On-site facilities include toilets, showers, picnic tables, barbecues and drinking water.
Delicate Campground, Gooalwah Regional Park, Crescent Head
If you’re seeking a back-to-basics campsite with a coastal theme, Delicate Campground midway between Port Macquarie and South West Rocks fits the bill. Some toilets, showers and picnic tables are provided but everything else is BYO. The sites are unmarked and anything from a tent to a caravan is welcome – as is the family dog, since this is a regional park managed by the NPWS (National Parks and Wildlife Service). Swimming, whale watching and surfing are the main attractions. It gets busy in the summer, so aim to visit in the warmer autumn and spring months.
Bonnie Vale, Royal National Park, Sydney
If you’re a Sydneysider looking to escape the urban hustle without the tedium of a long drive, Bonnie Vale Campground has you covered. Just around the point from the popular summer town of Bundeena (south of Cronulla), it boasts 79 campsites, all the desirable amenities, and is in close proximity to waterways for kayaking, fishing and swimming. A nearby walking track takes you through bush and across Bonnie Vale Bridge to the neighbouring suburb of Maianbar.
Polblue Campground, Barrington Tops National Park, Moonan Brook
While many of NSW’s favourite national park campgrounds are located near the coast, there’s certainly no shortage of amazing places to camp inland. If you’re not afraid to go remote, check out Polblue Campground near Gloucester. Set in sub-alpine woodland, it’s a spacious campsite with toilets, picnic tables and barbecues, but you’ll need to bring everything else including drinking water and food. Bushwalkers and 4WD enthusiasts are both catered for with tracks close by. Stay alert for wild horses (brumbies), which can be aggressive if approached.
Queensland
Carnarvon Gorge Camping Area, Carnarvon Gorge National Park, Carnarvon Park
A breezy eight-and-a-half-hour drive from Brisbane will get you to this camping area in rural Queensland, which sits in close proximity to the famous Carnarvon Gorge. The remote site is quite well equipped with flushing toilets, a pay phone, barbecues and picnic tables, but it is only open during Easter, and the winter and spring Queensland school holidays – so you’ll need to book a spot a long way in advance. If you can’t secure a site there, a number of other campsites, such as Big Bend, are scattered around the area.
Lawn Hill Gorge Camping Area, Boodjamulla National Park, Lawn Hill
If you want some concept of how large Queensland really is, set out for this oasis in its north-western outback. Lawn Hill has two separate camping areas, one for tents and one for trailers, and both are proximate to the eponymous gorge and surrounded by the semi-arid savannah that typifies this region. As you’d expect in such a remote spot facilities are extremely limited, so pack in food, water, gas cooking equipment, and anything else you expect to need. Aside from the gorge’s astonishing beauty, it is a haven for birdlife and other fauna.
Northern Territory
Wangi Campground, Litchfield National Park, Batchelor
Situated just 90 minutes from Darwin (practically next door in NT terms), Litchfield National Park covers 1500sq km and has campsites located near a selection of its natural wonders. Perhaps the most popular (with good reason) is Wangi Campground, which is located near the picturesque Wangi Falls. Visitors can swim in the waterhole, right up to the falls in fact, and the campground is accessible to all vehicles including caravans. On-site facilities include showers and toilets, plus the Wangi Falls Café is in easy walking distance and has all the mod-cons.
Merl Camping Ground, Kakadu National Park, Kakadu
The name ‘Kakadu’ is synonymous with the Northern Territory and Merl Camping Ground is one of three (the others being Karnamarr and Maguk) in reasonable proximity to the township of Jabiru and its aerodrome. Although campsites are ‘first come, first served’, the grounds are spacious so there should be no shortage of available spots. The shady surrounds provide the perfect base camp for bushwalking along the East Alligator River (and yes, there are ‘alligators’ in this area, so be croc-wise!) and taking in the Ubirr Aboriginal rock art or watching the sunset from this famous eyrie.
Western Australia
Le Grand Beach Campground, Cape Le Grand National Park, Lucky Bay
If ever a spot were aptly named, it’s Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park. With its aquamarine waters and fine white sand, it’s like a tropical beach transplanted on the southern coast of Western Australia. Le Grand Beach Campground, secreted behind the dunes, is tiny with just 15 sites, and as you’d expect they’re in high demand, so bookings are essential. There’s no drinking water on site, but flushable toilets, showers, gas barbecues, a sink and picnic tables are provided.
Honeymoon Pool Campground, Wellington National Park, Worsley
If you’re looking for a fly-drive camping option with loads of activities right outside your tent flap, consider Honeymoon Pool Campground. A 2.5-hour drive south of Perth, it’s perched next to the banks of the Collie River and only a short drive (or very long walk) from Wellington Reservoir. Bushwalks, kayaking, mountain biking and the mural-adorned reservoir’s lookout are just a few of the activities this region offers. Bushy and intimate, Honeymoon Pool Campground is and suitable only for tents; if you’re in something larger Potters Gorge Campground caters to caravans and even has a dump point.
South Australia
Stenhouse Bay Campground, Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, Inneston
Located at the tip of the peninsula that stretches out between St Vincent Gulf and Spencer Gulf west of Adelaide, Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park is dotted with campsites all along its rugged coastline. The best all-rounder is arguably Stenhouse Bay Campground, which has 27 campsites suitable for tents, camper trailers or caravans, plus some basic toilets and barbecue facilities. In walking distance is Little Emu Beach (which is indeed frequented by emus), and those who enjoy hiking will find plenty of trails leading to lookouts and other points of interest. Note: the ground here is hard, so if you’re pitching a tent or annexe, bring a mallet and good quality pegs.
Brachina East Campground, Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, Flinders Ranges
The arid and ancient landscapes of the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park provide a unique camping experience. This comparatively small park is blessed with numerous campsites and consensus seems to be Brachina East Campground is the best of them. Small creeks break up the rugged hilltops and sparse bushland, which combined offer an almost otherworldly feeling of isolation and serenity. This is also a tremendous spot for stargazing, so pack a telescope or at least a reclining camp chair. Make sure your car has decent ground clearance as the access roads are dirt. Amenities amount to a long-drop toilet and firepits – bring everything!
Victoria
Tidal River Campground, Wilsons Promontory National Park, Tidal River
If you don’t mind being in the thick of things, the Tidal River Campground offers a comfortable and affordable way to explore one of Victoria’s must-see regions. Wilsons Promontory National Park is part of the peninsula that forms the southernmost tip of the Australian mainland and Tidal River is pretty much the last semblance of civilisation as you head south. Tidal River Campground is the largest and best equipped of the camps in ‘The Prom’, with 484 sites and the abundant amenities you’d expect at a holiday park. Tidal River becomes extremely busy in summer, however, so try to visit outside peak season and be sure to book ahead.
Lake Catani Campground, Mount Buffalo National Park, Mount Buffalo
Temporarily closed at the time of writing due to unfortunate events at Porepunkah, the Lake Catani Campground has been a family favourite for years. Set against snow gum woodlands and cheek-by-jowl with its namesake lake, it’s surrounded by waterfalls and lookouts and is only a shortish drive away from the delightful alpine town of Bright. It has a variety of sites (some wheelchair accessible) and a central toilet and shower block, although this is closed during winter. Sites must be booked online in advance – definitely something worth doing once the campground opens up again.
Tasmania
Overnight walker camping, Freycinet National Park, Wineglass Bay
Wineglass Bay is a jewel of Tasmania‘s east coast and one of the best ways to see the bay and its surrounds is on foot. While there are more established campsites further north at Richardson and Friendly Beaches, Wineglass Bay, Hazards Beach and Cooks Beach have ‘overnight’ campsites designed for those exploring the sights on a multi-day hike. All three locations have composting toilets and there are some water sources along the way, but don’t expect any creature comforts – this is Tasmania’s unspoiled beauty at its wildest.
Bay of Fires campground, Bay of Fires Conservation Area, Mount William
Situated on Tasmania’s north-eastern corner, the Bay of Fires is a study in contrasts, with rust-coloured lichen-covered granite rocks lining the shores of the bay’s crystal-clear turquoise waters. Numerous campgrounds dot the Bay of Fires Conservation Area between Ansons Bay and Sloop Reef, although amenities vary from site to site and not all can accommodate caravans, so do some research before setting out.
ACT
Cotter Campground, Murrumbidgee River Corridor, Stromlo
Located close to the confluence of the Murrumbidgee and Cotter rivers, Cotter Campground caters to everything from a tent to a caravan, is wheelchair accessible, and has all the amenities you could need including electric and gas barbecues, fireplaces, picnic tables, hot showers, drinking water, flushing toilets and dishwashing facilities. A great spot for fishing and canoeing, walking tracks allow you to explore the rivers and nearby Cotter Dam, as well as encounter the abundant wildlife (including emus, kangaroos and even platypus). It’s hard to believe you’re on the edge of wilderness, yet Parliament House and Canberra is only a 25-minute drive away.
Honeysuckle Campground, Namadgi National Park, Tharwa
If you like a dash of history with your camping, Honeysuckle Campground in Namadgi National Park is the place to pitch your tent. Nearby are remnants of the Honeysuckle Creek Tracking Station which (like the famous dish out at Parkes in central NSW), aided in communication and transmission of TV images for the moon landing in 1969. Access is via the sealed Apollo Road and the campground itself is flat, so getting in and setting up is simple. While there are toilets, fireplaces, gas barbecues and some picnic tables, you’ll need to bring your own drinking water. Honeysuckle Campground is surrounded by bushwalking tracks and it’s an excellent spot for stargazing.
