Best Summer Camping Spots In Australia

Oceanfront views don’t have to cost as much as your mortgage repayment.

Have you considered camping in your own backyard this summer? Be it a remote and rugged bush camp or a glampsite that leans toward luxe, it’s time to plot a course to some of the best campgrounds across the country.

NSW | TAS | SA | NT | WA | QLD | VIC

NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort, Sapphire Coast, NSW

Commanding clifftop views over the Pacific Ocean isn’t the only surprising feature at this NRMA resort on NSW’s Sapphire Coast . Those who live for hot summer days with their toes in the sand and sea salt on their skin won’t be disappointed: the resort is flanked by two quiet golden beaches, and there are plenty more shores to explore just a short drive away (Bar Beach is a beautiful little lick of silica).

The more actively inclined camper won’t go without either: there’s a glut of well-maintained facilities onsite, from a swimming pool complex to a sand volleyball court and a tennis court, plus a camp kitchen, barbecue areas, picnic tables and even a wood-fired pizza oven, firewood supplied. Pets and kids are both welcomed here, too, the latter catered to with a playground, giant bouncing pillow, go-karts and kids’ club. Find the kitsch seaside town of Merimbula only two kilometres away.

NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort — Expect breathtaking views over the Pacific Ocean from your campsite.

The Neck Reserve Camping Area, Bruny Island, Tas

An isthmus of chalky white sand bordered by shrubs and tall grasses and lashed by the Tasman Sea, The Neck is Tassie at its most endearingly elemental. On the north side stands the timber staircase that leads you to the iconic, panoramic lookout, while on the south side, a campground lies hidden in plain sight.

Sheltered behind sand dunes and amid a grove of lofty eucalyptus trees, this unpowered Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service site is only 20 metres from the beach. Take a twilight stroll along the windswept shoreline for big gulps of salty sea air and a chance to spot little penguins coming home to roost. You’ll doze off to the sounds of the ocean, and wake up to golden light streaming through the trees. Arrive early if you want to secure a spot at this popular (and unbookable) site.

The Neck Reserve Camping Area, Bruny Island, TAS — Views from the iconic, panoramic lookout on Bruny Island near The Neck Reserve Camping Area. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Lime Bay State Reserve campground, Tasman Peninsula, Tas

Lime Bay offers a slightly unconventional take on a summer camping trip. Located beyond a worn path, and featuring a side serve of Tasmania’s dark history, this campground on the Tasman Peninsula campsite suits those who crave more than palm trees, sundowners and beaches. Sure, you can still wander barefoot on pristine white sand and marvel at grand blue skies; in fact, this little corner of Tasmania is well-known as prime boating, kayaking and snorkelling territory thanks to its sheltered bay location and fetching turquoise waters. But the bigger draw here is arguably the local history: explore the bleak legacy of Tassie’s former penal colonies at the World Heritage-listed Coal Mines Historic Site and the Port Arthur Historic Site. Coal Mines is only a 10-minute drive, or one-hour walk away, while Port Arthur is less than a 40-minute drive away by car.

Bellwether Wines, Coonawarra, SA

Owner Sue has clearly pondered every last detail at small-scale outfit Bellwether , coming up with an experience that is light years away from cookie-cutter camping. A bucolic farm-cum-boutique-winery on South Australia’s Limestone Coast, you’ll feel at home, and at peace, when you pitch your tent among the lush grass and ancient gum trees on one of the six sites here.

Whether camping or glamping, all guests get a private hour of wine tasting in the old stone shearing shed – now the winery’s cellar door – which dates back to 1868. The rustic camp kitchen has everything you might need, all set around a long timber dining table. Pluck fresh herbs and produce from the kitchen garden for dinner, and crack a few of the truly ‘farm fresh’ eggs for breakfast. As Coonawarra’s deliciously cool summer nights draw in, plant yourself around one of the three communal fire pits with a bottle of the house cab sav before soaking in the site’s clawfoot bathtub.

Glamp under the stars at Bellwether Wines on the Limestone Coast.

Leliyn (Edith Falls), Nitmiluk National Park, NT

In the heart of Jawoyn country, amid the ochre sandstone carved by wind and water over millennia, lies a serene waterhole that has captured the heart of many a camper. Leliyn, also known as Edith Falls, promises respite from the pulls of modern life. Here, just a short walk from the campground, you’ll find tiered natural pools linked by a waterfall that emerge from behind the trees and scrub like a mirage. Escape the Top End’s tropical heat with a dip in the cool waters of the plunge pool. Bask by the water’s edge, under the shade of a paperbark tree with a good book. Or take one of the walking trails to the handful of other, less frequented, pools.

The campsite itself offers every basic amenity you could need – gas barbecues, picnic tables, hot showers, and a kiosk dishing up homemade fare that earns rave reviews, particularly for its burgers and pies. There are also water fountains dotted around the grassy flat.

Leliyn (Edith Falls), Nitmiluk National Park, NT — Swim in the serene waterhole of Leliyn (Edith Falls) in Nitmiluk National Park. (Image: Tourism NT/Mitch Cox)

Dirk Hartog Island, Coral Coast, WA

Load up the four-wheel drive and set the GPS for Dirk Hartog Island when only the wildest, most remote escape will do. Located in the Shark Bay World Heritage Area, this arid, scrub-draped, isle moulded by sand dunes is paradise for adventurous campers. Just one family, the Wardles, lives permanently on Dirk Hartog. Here, there are no powered campsites, phone reception is extremely limited and only eight vehicles are allowed on the island at any one time.

The rugged terrain and surrounding neon blue waters harbour all kinds of wild creatures – skittish sharks, bottlenose dolphins, humpback whales, dugongs, sea eagles, ospreys, and even the largest loggerhead turtle breeding colony in Australia. Snorkel alongside cuttlefish and manta rays; splash around in rockpools; pull up a pew next to the island’s explosive blowhole; and soak in the glassy, warm waters on the island’s east. We also recommend laying out the picnic blanket for sunset atop 200-metre-high limestone cliffs that overlook the Indian Ocean. Watching the daylight fade here at Steep Point, the westernmost point in all of mainland Australia, is quite the spectacle.

There are three different homestead campgrounds available at DHI, all of which feature hot showers and fresh drinking water; two of these can be booked for exclusive use with private camp kitchens. More intrepid or budget-conscious campers can opt for one of the island’s nine basic national park campsites .

Dirk Hartog Island, Coral Coast, WA — Dirk Hartog Island on Coral Coast is a paradise for adventurous campers. (Image: Will Wardle)

Discovery Parks — Broome, WA

Seize prime real estate on a beautiful beach off Roebuck Bay with a stay at Discovery Parks — Broome . With turquoise blue vistas, and cabins positioned in just the right spots to gaze adoringly at them, it’s stellar Broome accommodation without the hefty price tag. Plus, they’re the only holiday park in the area to rest right next to the beach, so bragging rights are validated. Expect powered sites right off the water as well as refurbished cabins, while amenities include a swimming pool, kiosk, laundry facilities and a boat ramp.

Smalleys Beach, Cape Hillsborough National Park, Qld

There’s a secret little pocket on Queensland’s Hibiscus Coast where verdant lowland rainforest abuts a sweeping arc of sand. Spend your summer holidays at Smalleys Beach campground and you don’t have to choose between the beach and the bush – both are on your tent’s doorstep. And with just 11 spacious, sun-dappled camping spots on offer, some with beach views, tranquility is in abundant supply, too.

Smalleys Beach campground in Cape Hillsborough National Park. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland/Brooke-Miles)

Rise before the sun and you’ll not only witness the gentle morning light paint the horizon: this stretch of coastline is known as a popular dawn hangout spot for wallabies and kangaroos, which come to feast on seaweed and mangrove seed pods. After a camp breakfast, explore the ridge-top lookouts, mangrove forests and boardwalks frequented by birds and butterflies within the Cape Hillsborough National Park.

Spot the wildlife on the beach in Cape Hillsborough National Park. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Book online in advance to reserve your pitch.

Mt Barney Lodge, Scenic Rim, Qld

The Sunshine State might be best known for its beaches, but delve into the verdant hinterland that hides behind Brisbane and the Gold Coast and you’ll question why you didn’t visit sooner. Come summer, the rarefied air of Mount Barney National Park offers welcome relief from the sticky heat of the city and the state’s crowded beaches. Skirting the park’s entrance is Mt Barney Lodge , a 12-hectare property that fronts onto a creek and boasts a screensaver-worthy shot of the eponymous mountain as its backdrop.

Gorge on the great outdoors with rock climbing, abseiling, hikes, mountain expeditions, navigation courses and more at your disposal. Or spend a lazy day driving through neighbouring towns and villages replete with quaint cafes and country pubs, old-school dairies and boutique breweries and wineries. Lodge staff have an encyclopedic knowledge of local bushwalks and can pinpoint hidden nearby swimming holes and creeks that are perfect for a cooling dip or scenic picnic. This rural retreat takes sustainability seriously, too, from pressing guests to bring reusable water bottles to placing compost bins in every building, using energy-saving light bulbs and plenty more beyond.

Camp at Mt Barney Lodge on a 12-hectare property with mountain views. (Image: IG@jonesysjourneys)

Cowes Foreshore Tourist Park, Phillip Island, Vic

Finding a campsite that doesn’t feel like a tourist bubble cut off from civilisation can prove surprisingly tricky; step forward Cowes Foreshore Tourist Park. Not only does the campsite occupy a plum beachfront setting and all the mod cons you could ask for, but the township of Cowes is just a 10-minute walk away. Mosey into town for a tasting paddle at modern and minimalist Ocean Reach Brewing , or a flute of local sparkling at the cosy Grenache Wine Bar without worrying about designated drivers. You can also stroll into town along the beach without worrying about where to park when the daytrippers descend.

Long popular as a school holiday getaway for families, a trip to Phillip Island will inspire a spot of nostalgia for many Victorians. Roll up and embrace the small-town seaside vibe – eat fish and chips on the sand and chase it up with ice cream; go crabbing off the Cowes Jetty; take a bracing jet boat trip out around the island. There’s still something a little bit whimsical about this island escape.

Wind through fern tunnels, stop for a wine in a tram bar, or chase giant murals across the wheatbelt. These drives and rides prove Victoria’s best stories are found off the straight and narrow.

There’s something unmistakably Australian about a road trip: car packed, playlist on, landscapes shifting. Travelling down the highway toward Healesville, in Victoria’s Yarra Valley , the mountains rise, flanking me on both sides. I feel its embrace, a silent invitation to explore what lies beyond.

Moss-covered embankments rise on either side, and towering mountain ash trees form a green tunnel overhead. Road signs warn of wombats and cyclists but with giant ferns lining the roadside, the landscape feels prehistoric, as if a dinosaur might suddenly emerge. This, the Black Spur , is one of my favourite road trips.

The Black Spur

Location: Yarra Ranges
Duration: 30 kilometres / 30 minutes

The Black Spur is short compared to other Victorian road trips, just 30 kilometres, stretching from Healesville to Narbethong. But what it lacks in distance, it makes up for in scenery. Just outside Healesville, Maroondah Dam offers bushwalks and scenic views. However, if pressed for time, Selover’s Lookout is an easy roadside stop offering uninterrupted views of the dam.

In Narbethong, close to the Marysville’s snowfield, is the Black Spur Inn , a charming double-storey brick hotel that’s been welcoming travellers since 1863. Here, diners cosy up by the roaring fire or gaze through the floor-to-ceiling windows, imagining horse-drawn coaches carrying hopeful gold seekers to the eastern goldfields.

Victoria’s Silo Art Trail

Location: Various towns across the Wimmera Mallee region
Duration: More than 200 kilometres / 4–5 hours but best over a minimum of three days

What began as a way to draw travellers back into town bypassed by highways – places such as Nullawil, Sea Lake and Patchewollock – has grown into a celebrated outdoor art movement. The Silo Art Trail now includes 23 silos, each transformed with large-scale mural portraits sharing local stories, celebrating community heroes, Indigenous history, farming life, or regional identity.

The Nullawil silo, for example, is a portrait of a local farmer in a chequered flannelette shirt alongside his loyal kelpie, painted by artist Sam Bates (AKA Smug). And the silos at Albacutya in the Grampians, painted by artist Kitt Bennett, depict her joyful memories of growing up in the countryside. Many of the murals sit right in the heart of small towns, such as Rochester and St Arnaud , making them perfect spots to pause for a country pub meal or something sweet from a local bakery.

Metung to Mallacoota

Location: Gippsland
Duration: Approximately 220 kilometres / 4 hours

The Gippsland Lakes are a much-loved holiday spot in Victoria, but road-tripping further east reveals much more. Begin in Metung and time your visit with the monthly farmers’ market, or simply linger over lunch on the lawn of the Metung Hotel. Twenty minutes away is Lakes Entrance , where you can watch the fishing boats return with their catch.

Lakes Entrance. (Image: Visit Victoria/Iluminaire Pictures)

Continue to Marlo, where the Snowy River spills into the sea, and Cape Conran for its many beaches and walks. If needing to stretch your legs, Croajingolong National Park is home to the historic Point Hicks Lighthouse and the Wilderness Coast Walk. Birdwatching and rainforest trails near Bemm River are worth a pit stop before arriving in Mallacoota, where the forest meets the sea.

Great Ocean Road

Location: South-west Victoria, from Torquay to Allansford
Duration: Approximately 250 kilometres / 4–5 hours but best over a minimum of three days

Victoria’s most famous road trip delivers it all: world-class surf breaks, rainforest walks, clifftop lookouts and wildlife encounters. The journey begins in Torquay, the state’s surf capital, then hugs the coast past Anglesea and Lorne to Apollo Bay, before curving inland through the lush rainforest of the Otways. Stop at Cape Otway Lightstation or take to the treetops at Otway Fly.

Between Cape Otway and Port Campbell lies the most photographed stretch – seven of the Twelve Apostles still standing, alongside the golden cliffs of Loch Ard Gorge. Further west, Warrnambool is a winter whale-watching hotspot, before the road winds to Port Fairy, a charming fishing village of whalers’ cottages, walking trails and offshore seal colonies further along the coast.

Bellarine Taste Trail

Terindah Estate. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

Location: Bellarine Peninsula
Duration: Approximately 80 kilometres / 2–3 hours

The Bellarine Taste Trail is a feast for the senses, winding through coastal towns, past boutique wineries and artisan producers. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure style trail – simply grab a map and build your own delicious journey.

You might wander historic, seafront Queenscliff, sip wine in a converted tram bar at Terindah Estate , sample a locally distilled whisky at The Whiskery in Drydale or pick up a jar of honey at Wattle Grove in Wallington. Seafood lovers can head to Portarlington, famous for its mussels. Eat them fresh at local restaurants or head out on the water with Portarlington Mussel Tours.

O’Keefe Rail Trail – Bendigo to Heathcote

Pink Cliffs Reserve in Heathcote can be seen on the O’Keefe Rail Trail. (Image: Visit Victoria/Emily Godfrey)

Location: Central Victoria
Duration: Approximately 50 kilometres / 4 hours cycling

Travellers first journeyed between Heathcote and Bendigo in 1888, when the railway line was built to link the towns. Trains stopped running in 1956, but today the route has a new life as the O’Keefe Rail Trail . The path is mostly level for easy riding, and along the way you’ll cycle past bushland, waterways and reserves. There are plenty of places to picnic, birdwatch, and if you’re lucky, spot a platypus.

The trail is well supported with water stations, bike repair points, shelters, and signage. Axedale makes a great halfway stop, with the pretty Campaspe River Reserve for a rest and local cafes for refuelling. Begin in Heathcote, known for its wineries and cafes, or in Bendigo, which is easily reached by train from Melbourne/Naarm. Shorter sections, such as Heathcote to Axedale, are also popular.

Goldfields Track – Ballarat to Bendigo

Location: Central Victoria
Duration: Approximately 210 kilometres / 2–3 days cycling

The Goldfields Track traces a route once so rich in gold it made Melbourne one of the wealthiest cities in the world. Starting at Mt Buninyong, south of Ballarat, the trail leads mountain cyclists and walkers north through Creswick, Daylesford and Castlemaine before finishing in Bendigo. Along the way, you’ll encounter granite outcrops, eucalypt forests, rolling farmland and remnants of the region’s mining past.

As it passes through the lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung and Wadawurrung people, the track shares gold rush history and Indigenous stories brought to life by interpretive signs. Walk or ride the full trail or choose from one of its three distinct sections. With cosy stays, cafes and pubs, it’s easy to mix wilderness with comfort.

The best summer camping spots around Australia