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.

Traipse Jurassic cliffs and wander secluded beaches on Australia’s most enchanting walks.

Australia’s landscapes are made for hiking. Take the Red Centre, dusted in shifting sands and dotted with miraculous geological formations. Or our rainforests, left behind as the sole souvenir from continents that no longer exist. Down south, mottled night skies hang above crashing seas and unwavering cliffs. It makes sense, then, that hiking holidays are rising in popularity. No wi fi, no traffic. Just you and the path less travelled on the Great Walks of Australia in remote and iconic destinations.

What are the Great Walks of Australia?

If nature is your happy place, you’ve likely heard of the Great Walks of Australia, part of Tourism Australia’s Signature Experiences program since 2013 – a curated collection of 15 all-inclusive, eco-luxury journeys showcasing the country’s most spectacular landscapes with expert guides and incredible meals. GWOA launching in 2013 as

From exploring the peaks of a World Heritage listed island, to journeying through the heart of Australia, and the gentle pull of the majestic Murray – there’s a walking holiday to suit walkers of all experience levels (and interests).

Joining a Great Walks of Australia hike means the pressure is off with all meals, guides and eco-luxury accommodation included.

Where can you hike?

1. Scenic Rim Trail, Queensland

great walks of australia tour group on Scenic Rim Trail, Queensland — Enjoy incredible food along the way.

Around 23 million years ago, volcanoes spewed magma across Queensland’s Scenic Rim . Now, what’s left of the fiery landscape takes the form of the UNESCO-listed Gondwana rainforest.

The Scenic Rim Trail is a four-day guided hike that takes you through the ancient rainforest. You’ll venture out into breathtaking viewpoints across the Main Range National Park. Enjoy a packed lunch, listen out for the duplicitous calls of the lyrebird and enjoy the silence.

You’ll spend your nights in boutique eco-cabins and incredible hospitality.

2. Murray River Walk, South Australia

great walks of australia tour group on — Walk through vibrant wildflower fields.

Murray River Walk pairs easy hiking with blissful evenings cruising the Murray River. Over four days and nights, you’ll follow kangaroo trails through red dirt dusted with vivid patches of wildflowers.

Each day ends on a solar-powered, custom-built houseboat. Watch towering, red sandstone cliffs float by from the top deck spa. Then, it’s three-course meals sourced from local produce and served alongside the region’s best wines.

The entire region you’ll be traversing is within the Riverland Ramsar site. Watch as spoonbills forage for food in the tranquil wetlands, emus parade through the wildflowers, and regent parrots flit above.

3. Maria Island Walk, Tasmania

wombat along the Maria Island Walk tasmania — Spot adorable locals.

Your Maria Island walk begins with a private boat transfer to an untouched, white sand beach. Barefoot in the sand, you’ll quickly realise – aside from your guide and group – you’re completely alone. Spot countless wombats and hear the distant calls of Tasmanian Devils as you spend four days leisurely traversing the island.

Nights are split between private, comfortable wilderness camps and queen-size beds in a historic cottage from the island’s convict history. Meals are built around fresh-caught seafood and served with East Coast Tasmanian wine.

4. Seven Peaks Walk, New South Wales

hiker on Seven Peaks Walks on Lord Howe Island — Explore the incredible Lord Howe Island. (Image: Luke Hanson)

Lord Howe Island feels like another world. With its patchwork blue coral lagoons and magma-honed peaks, it’s easy to forget you’re in New South Wales.

This walk has the highest level of elevation in the Great Walks of Australia’s collection. It’s because of this that you’ll witness nature like never before. UNESCO-listed volcanic peaks and coral reefs that grew out of solidified lava will become your daily norm.

Along the way, step onto beaches that lie undisturbed for weeks at a time. Then, snorkel the southernmost reef in the Pacific Ocean.

5. Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa Signature Walk, Northern Territory

This five-day, fully guided, premium hiking experience inside Uluṟu-Kata Tjuṯa National Park was developed in partnership with Aṉangu Traditional Owners. Begin your walk dwarfed by the shade of Kata Tjuṯa’s towering dome formations. Following remote desert trails through the red sands, crest dunes and traverse mulga woodlands as you draw closer to the monolithic walls of Uluṟu.

Each night, dine under the lamp light of the Milky Way in the warm desert air and sleep in new flagship, environmentally sensitive private camps and lodge. This is the first time that travellers have ever been allowed to spend the night inside the national park.

6. The Twelve Apostles Signature Walk, Victoria

great walks of australia tour group on The Twelve Apostles Signature Walk, Victoria — See the Twelve Apostles in a new way. (Image: Ken Luke)

The Great Ocean Road’s rugged splendour is best experienced on this signature four-day, 44-kilometre guided walk . You’ll follow the rugged limestone stacks of the shipwreck coastline: wild, crashing waves, curious wildlife, and two national parks.

Finish each day at your luxurious lodge, where you’ll sit with your feet soaking and a glass of wine in hand. You’ll have a single lodge to call home on this walk, meaning you’ll only need to set out with a day pack.

7. Three Capes Signature Walk, Tasmania

On Tasmania’s Three Capes Signature Walk , you’ll feel like you’re walking along the edge of the world. From your boat landing on a remote beach, climb slowly upward for spectacular views and wildlife encounters with pods of dolphins, fur seals and echidnas. Spend days walking Jurassic dolerite cliffs with the wild Southern Ocean as your only constant.

Stay in architecturally designed eco-lodges nestled at the very edge of the world. Think floor-to-ceiling windows, a plunge pool and even an on-site spa to tend to ailments from the hike.

Discover more Great Walks of Australia and start planning your next adventure at greatwalksofaustralia.com.au.

The best summer camping spots around Australia