The 8 best free campgrounds in Australia

This beautiful open flat stretch of grass is a perfect place to set up camp for all its neighbouring attractions. The campsite itself is situated on the banks of Kangaroo River, in the Kangaroo Valley Region, and is complete with quaint little picnic areas. This spot even has the luxury of toilets. Explore the river and Lake Yarrunga where you can fish, kayak and swim. While seeing kangaroos and wallabies is almost a guarantee at any Australian campground, Bendeela is especially known for visits from regular wombat residents. It's recommended that you pre-book this popular site and there is a small booking fee online.

Despite its tropical location, this creek is a surprisingly cool refuge from Queensland’s muggy heat. The boulders lining the waterway have been smoothed over by water flowing from the nearby Mount Bartle Frere making for awesome spots to lie out and soak up the sun, reptile-style. A 1.3km walk downstream from the picnic area will lead you to the Devil’s Pool, which was named after a dreamtime story from the Yidinji people involving two lovers, adultery, an escape and a whole lot of tears (spoiler: they flowed into the gushing waters you see today).

Thredbo is synonymous in Australia as the place-to-be come snow season but the more hardcore opt for camping at Thredbo Diggings down by Thredbo River rather than the village’s cosy chalets. Be warned that this location is chilly all year round, but especially in the winter months of July and August when the lake freezes over and snow peppers the campground. The lake is prime for catching wild trout, and the ground is only a 15 minute drive to the slopes. While the campground is free, you will need to purchase a National Park pass, and if you’re booking online in advance, small booking fees apply.

Venture to the southernmost point of Australia accessible by car where the only thing separating you from Antarctica is the Southern Ocean. While its location way down south does mean Cockle Creek and its surrounds in Recherche Bay are a little chilly, the beach is certainly still to be admired and is swimmable in the summer months (prepare for it to be more on the refreshing side). You can also snorkel, explore the bay and bushwalk the many tracks snaking through the bushland. The campground is free, but make sure you’ve got a pass to the Southwest National Park.

This Victorian National Park is home to an abundance of free campgrounds, all of which will give you a front row seat to the area’s bountiful flora and fauna. Birdwatch over 200 species of feathered friends and stay on the lookout for emus, koalas and, of course, kangaroos. The park sits on the land of the native Yorta Yorta people and is carefully preserved so be sure to leave nothing but footprints. Barmah Lakes campground and picnic area is perched right on the edge of the waterway belonging to Australia’s largest river, the expansive Murray River.

This scenic little spot near Albany is the perfect landing pad for exploring the regions bluer than blue coastlines. Due to its beauty, and tiny secluded location, it could so happen that the place is totally at capacity by the time you arrive but fear not, because there are multiple campgrounds speckled along the Albany coastal reserves. The area is popular for swimming and the vistas are unreal. East Bay campground backs on to the beach’s sand dunes making it only a couple of paces from your bed to the water, while nearby Cosy Corner West is set up with picnic facilities.

If your great Australian road trip has brought you to Uluru in the heart of the land Down Under, this pit stop will be a great (and scenic) break from your travels. Many have actually mistaken Mount Conner for Uluru, and while it stands a couple of metres shorter than the famed Australian monolith, the views are still pretty unreal. The rest area is a small detour off from Lasseter Highway and is situated on a cattle farm. The private property charges for their powered sites and cabins, but unpowered sites are free.

This gorgeous keyhole lookout is just one feature of the beautiful rocky outcrops lining the Eyre Peninsula. Once you’ve descended from the carpark and watched a sunset or two peak its rays through the tunnel, you can turn the corner and peruse the many rockpools. While you’re taking a dip or exploring marine life, keep an eye peeled for the dolphins and seals that regularly grace the bay.