Cheap thrills: five of the best free campsites between Sydney and Melbourne
Reconnecting with the great outdoors and experiencing Australia’s gorgeous south-east doesn’t need to come with a high price tag.
With many campgrounds dotted between Sydney and Melbourne, including a variety of NRMA Parks and Resorts on the South Coast for those seeking more creature comforts, travellers are spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding where to drive their pegs in.
For campers willing to explore to find a free camp site, here are five sites, each providing a unique climate and experience.
Long Gully campground, Budawang
Nestled between NSW’s south coast and the nation’s capital is Long Gully campground in the Budawang region.
Perfect for bare-bones campers, the site offers little by way of amenities – just pit toilets and a few picnic tables – but is rich with bush tracks, swimming spots and scenery alongside the Yadboro River.
Arduous hiking trails and prolific natural fauna mean this site is not for the faint of heart.
Bonnie Vale campground, Royal National Park
Located inside the Royal National Park near Bundeena, Bonnie Vale campground offers a comfortable waterside spot for camping families.
Fishing, barbecues and kayaking are on the cards, with flushing toilets, hot showers and drinking water all available for visitors.
On weekdays during school holidays, NSW National Parks offers guided activities to give parents some time to unwind.
Bittangabee campground, Green Cape
Bittangabee campground sits in Green Cape, on the coastline near the NSW-Victoria border.
Steeped in coastal cliffs, the site offers spectacular views of the ocean and its beach.
Suitable for larger motorhomes and camper trailers, the campground is perfect for both sitting back and admiring the view, or getting active with swimming, snorkelling and diving.
Cooinbil Hut campground, Long Plain
Adding altitude and adventure to the mix, Coonibil Hut campground overlooks Long Plain, a large treeless area near the Murrimbidgee River in the high-country plains of Kosciuszko National Park.
The area boasts mountain bike and horse-riding trails nearby, as well as facilities to accommodate horses and floats. Those wanting a slower pace can fish in one of the many streams.
Local heritage sites are in abundance, giving visitors an insight into what pastoral life of the early 1900s looked like in some of Australia’s most unforgiving terrain.
Humes Crossing campground, Blowering
Large expanses along the eastern shores of the Blowering Dam make Humes Crossing campground a great spot for larger families and groups.
The fishing is good, with cod and redfin inhabiting the dam. Nearby are the Yarrangobilly Caves, which you can explore unguided or with a tour guide. Surrounding the caves are walking tracks and even thermal baths.
Picnic tables and barbecue facilities mean large groups can BYO food.
