Polblue
Barrington Tops National Park, New South Wales
NPWS Scone; 02 6540 2300
115 km NW Newcastle
Situated in the Barrington Tops NP, this camping ground – at 1450m above sea level – offers peaceful views of surrounding snow gums. For serious walkers, plenty of bush camps dot the park’s World Heritage-listed forests.
Geehi Flat
Kosciuszko National Park, New South Wales
NPWS Snowy Mountains (Khancoban); 02 6076 9373;
165 km SW Canberra
You’re spoilt for camping ground choices in Kosciuszko NP, including this grassy area at the site of the historic Geehi Hut – perfect for fishing the Swampy Plain River or exploring the State’s largest park.
Mt Kosciuszko summit walk, New South Wales.
Lawn Hill Gorge
Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park, Queensland
NPRSR; 13 74 68
165 km SW Burketown
Abutting the Queensland/NT border, the emerald waters of Lawn Hill Gorge form an inviting oasis in the outback. This grassed, 20-site camping ground is the ideal base for exploring the park’s ancient sandstone ranges.
Cosy Corner (North)
Bay of Fires Conservation Area, Tasmania
PWS St Helens; 03 6376 1550;
100 km NE Launceston
Nestled alongside a 13 km stretch of scenic coastline north of Binalong Bay in the State’s north-east, this camping ground offers two styles of stay: well-protected campsites among the trees, and – on the far side of the lagoon – an open, grassy area. Close by is a fairly easy three-day track through nearby Mt William NP to the north-east tip of the State. Along the way, spot mobs of eastern grey kangaroos and Tasmanian pademelons.
New Pelion Hut
Cradle Mountain–Lake St Clair National Park, Tasmania
Overland Track Bookings (PWS); 03 6233 6047
50 km NE Queenstown
The Overland Track is the jewel in Tassie’s walking crown and New Pelion Hut is arguably the best of the bushwalkers’ huts that dot the 65 km walk to Narcissus Bay.
Lucky Bay
Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia
DPAW Albany; 08 9842 4500;
50 km E Esperance
If secluded beachside camping is your idea of holiday heaven, Lucky Bay’s 3 km long, white-sand beach, inviting azure water and wending coastal bushwalks ticks all the boxes. Keep an eye out in the heath for pygmy possums, bandicoots, and grey kangaroos on the beach.
Homestead Creek
Mutawintji National Park, New South Wales
NPWS Broken Hill; 08 8080 3200
130 km NE Broken Hill
Nestled among the breathtaking gorges, caves and rocky cliffs of Mutawintji NP, Homestead Creek is on the road to the Mutawintji Historic Site’s dazzling rock art.
Chambers Pillar
Chambers Pillar Historical Reserve, Northern Territory
PWCNT; 08 8952 1013
130 km S Alice Springs
This basic camping ground is just 400 m from the 50 m tall sandstone formation for which the reserve is named. Set up camp between May and October and enjoy a ranger-hosted campfire talk.
Jabiru Swamp, Fraser Island
Great Sandy National Park, Queensland
NPRSR; 13 74 68
35 km E Hervey Bay
The world’s largest sand island is a camper’s paradise, but if you’re looking to escape the crowds you’ll find solitude at this walk-in camping ground near the start of the 90 km long Fraser Island Great Walk, which traverses the island’s east coast. All sites along the walk must be booked in advance.
Wineglass Bay bush camping ground
Freycinet National Park, Tasmania
PWS Freycinet; 03 6256 7000
110 km NE Hobart
Located in a stunning pocket of Freycinet NP, this basic walk-in campsite sits near craggy granite peaks, lichen-speckled boulders, sandy white beaches and inviting turquoise water – and is big on peace and quiet. For the Christmas holiday period, a ballot system operates throughout the park; entries close on 1 October.
Newhaven Sanctuary
Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC), Northern Territory
Newhaven Sanctuary; 08 8964 6000
300 km NW Alice Springs
Newhaven is a 262,000 ha wildlife reserve owned and operated by AWC in conjunction with Birdslife Australia. The sanctuary features two designated camping grounds with limited spots, so be sure to book. There are plenty of written guides on self-drive tours that are available for visitors.
A dolphin swims at Thistle Cove in Cape Le Grand National Park, Esperance, Western Australia.
Wonnangatta Valley
Alpine National Park, Victoria
Parks Victoria Information Centre; 13 19 63;
180 km NE Melbourne
In the heart of the Victorian Alps, the Wonnangatta Valley provides unlimited adventure for bushwalkers, ski-tourers, four-wheel drivers, fishermen and all those with a love for the Australian high country. The campsite, located beside the tranquil Wonnangatta River, is the ideal base for all these activities.
Camp Beadell
Gunbarrel Highway, Western Australia
Ngaanyatjarra Land Council; 08 8950 1711
690 km NE Kalgoorlie
Pitching your tent at Camp Beadell, alongside the 1420 km Gunbarrel Highway, is one of the best ways to take in central WA desert country. Do not undertake this trip lightly: register with the Ngaanyatjarra Land Council as well as police at Wiluna and Yulara when setting out and on arrival.
Sweetwater Pool
Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge) National Park, Northern Territory
Nitmiluk Centre; 08 8972 1886
Edith Falls kiosk; 08 8975 4852
30 km N Katherine
You’ll discover a superb spot beside Sweetwater Pool on the Jatbula Trail. Large slabs of sun-baked rock are a wonderful setting to make camp. The trail is best enjoyed over four nights.
Nodding blue lily, Warrumbungle National Park, New South Wales.
Camp Blackman
Warrumbungle National Park, New South Wales
Warrumbungle NP Visitors Centre; 02 6825 4364
115 km N Dubbo
The combination of excellent walking tracks, volcanic remnants and rocky cliffs make the Warrumbungles one of the most beautiful parks in the State. Camp Blackman is close to a number of short walks and cycling routes.
Lucky Bay, Cape Le Grand National Park, Esperance, Western Australia.
Devils Marbles
Devils Marbles Con. Reserve, Northern Territory
PWSNT Tennant Creek; 08 8962 4599
100 km S Tennant Creek
The aptly named Devils Marbles is a collection of gigantic rounded granite boulders, piled in heaps across a shallow valley. The bush camping area has access to a network of walking tracks that wind around the “marbles”.
Johanna Beach
Great Otway National Park, Victoria
Parks Victoria Information Centre; 13 19 63
90 km SW Geelong
Set about two-thirds of the way along the 91 km Great Ocean Walk – which skirts the lower Otway Range – Johanna is one of the most enticing surfing breaks in Victoria. The camping ground is nestled behind sandhills and is the ideal place to drift off to sleep while wild Southern Ocean waves crash ashore.
Smith Mill
Grampians National Park, Victoria
Brambuk National Park & Cultural Centre 03 5361 4000
125 km NW Ballarat
Accessible year-round, this popular spot – the site of a former timber mill – nestles among regal pines and native bush, and is within walking distance of MacKenzie Falls, the largest waterfall in The Grampians. Camp in spring, when the heath blooms with colourful herbs and shrubs, including the endemic Grampians gum and parrot-pea.
Forest situated alongside Great Alpine Road, Victoria.
Citrus worker Jack Alexander wets a line in Hattah-Kulkyne NP, near Colignan, in north-western Victoria.
Shingleback Lizard (Tiliqua rugosa), Mutawintji National Park, New South Wales.
Piccaninny Gorge
Purnululu National Park, Western Australia
Purnululu National Park; 08 9168 7300 (Office open Apr-Dec. Calls forwarded outside these times);
185 km S Kununurra
Self-sufficient hikers on the Piccaninny Gorge walk can choose their own campsites. The trek takes in the beehive- like domes of the World Heritage-listed Bungle Bungle Range, some of Australia’s most fascinating rock formations. It may be necessary to swim part of the walk after The Wet.
Kingfisher Flat
Mount Remarkable National Park, South Australia
Southern Flinders District Office 08 8634 7068
45 km N Port Pirie
Within easy reach of Adelaide, Mount Remarkable NP in the South Flinders Ranges is a great camping getaway. Kingfisher Flat bush campsite offers a secluded walk-in camping experience.
Gumhole
Diamantina National Park, Queensland
NPRSR; 13 74 68
160 km SE Boulia
Located in the heart of outback Queensland, Gumhole is a secluded camping ground shaded by coolibahs. The mighty Diamantina River, one of Queensland’s longest, cuts channels through the park’s gibber plains, dunes and red-capped ranges, and supports rare and threatened plant and animal life, including the greater bilby. It’s also a special place for the Maiawali and Karuwali Aboriginal people.
Fortescue Bay
Tasman National Park, Tasmania
Seven Mile Beach Office; 03 6214 8100
60 km SE Hobart
A secluded bay on the Tasman Peninsula, Fortescue and its campsite offer visitors dramatic cliff-edge coastal scenery and a multitude of bushwalks. Visit fascinating convict ruins nearby or fish and snorkel in the calm waters.
Frenchs Farm
Maria Island National Park, Tasmania
PWS Maria Island; 03 6257 1420
65 km NE Hobart
Historic ruins, sweeping bays, rugged cliffs and mountains and remarkable wildlife characterise Maria Island and you can enjoy it all using this peaceful camping ground as your base. The site is a three-hour walk from Darlington, from which the ferry arrives and departs, and the island itself – a 30-minute ferry ride from Triabunna – is a motor vehicle- and shop-free zone.
Hamersley Inlet
Fitzgerald River National Park, Western Australia
DPAW Albany; 08 9842 4500
190 km NE Albany
Camp in Fitzgerald River NP during spring when this World Biosphere Reserve is carpeted in an extraordinary range of flowering plants: more than 1800 species, as well as myriad lichens, mosses and fungi. You can also enjoy southern right whale-spotting throughout the winter months.
Mornington Sanctuary
Australian Wildlife Conservancy (AWC)
Mornington Sanctuary; 08 9191 7406 or 1800 631 946 (Australia only)
415 km E Broome
Australia’s largest non-government protected area, covering 320,668 ha, Mornington Sanctuary lies in the heart of the Central Kimberley bioregion. This grassy campsite is a peaceful spot to relax in tropical savannah surrounds.
Poverty Creek
Bribie Island Recreation Area, Queensland
NPRSR; 13 74 68
55 km N Brisbane
A 35 km long x 7 km wide sand island linked to the mainland by a bridge, Bribie Island is home to 350 species of bird including the striated pardalote, redbrowed firetail and the double-barred finch. Look for dolphins, dugong and turtles in the surrounding waters. Vehicle access permit required.
Acraman
Flinders Ranges National Park, South Australia
Wilpena Visitor Centre; 08 8648 0048
80 km NE Hawker
Nestled in the north-east of Flinders Ranges NP, this bush campsite is an ideal base for exploring the region’s rugged geological formations. It’s also a shady start and end point for challenging bushwalks and rock climbs to higher points, where dramatic views abound.
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