Spending a few days or longer in the great Australian outdoors camping can be a wonderful adventure, or it can be a living nightmare. My aim with this post, Beginners Guide to Camping in Australia is to show you that camping in Australia is a great way to discover Australia. Whether you plan on having a romantic weekend away, backpacking with a friend or having a family camping trip getaway I will cover everything you need to know to make your first camping trip (of many) a successful and happy one. So if you don’t want to look like a novice camper, but one who knows what they are doing, read on.

In this post I will provide you with some of my best tips that I have discovered during my camping experiences. I was once a newbie to camping and over the years have improved and refined my camping adventures. 

Whether you are wanting to get away on weekend breaks or camp your way around Australia on a big lap, this post is written to help you on your way. It will discuss the best time of year to go, how to choose a campsite, tips for camping in Australia, what to bring on your adventure and even some quick camping meals. So let’s get your camping in Australia holiday started.

Reasons to go Camping in Australia

There are many reasons to go camping in Australia so, where will I start? I’ll start with the obvious positives reasons to go camping.

Pros of Camping

1. Camping in Australia is cheaper and often free compared to other accommodation options. Although your set up costs of equipment can cost a lot initially, in the long run your camping equipment can be used over and over again. This, of course, saves you some serious dollars on accommodation.
2. Camping in Australia like car camping also means you can get close to some incredible nature. You can set up in a bush setting, beside a river, next to a beach or even a piece of land in a city. Then just watch out for the local wildlife – koalas in trees, dingos on beaches, snakes on the ground, mozzies in the air and other humans.
3. Another positive is that you can meet other campers. These campers may become friends and can recommend other hidden gem campsites as your camping in Australia adventure continues.
4. Camping also provides you with freedom. Freedom to simply pick up your stuff and move on when you want to.

Cons of Camping

There are some negatives to camping. 

1. Inclement weather can ruin your plans.
2. Forgetting to pack a useful piece of travel gear can ruin your camping trip. 
3. Unwanted visitors, both human and other local animals that sometimes have ruined my camping trips. Particularly those darn mozzies!

Best Time To Go Camping in Australia

Camping in the snow is great fun – as long as you have the right gear!

Some might say, any time is a good time to go camping in Australia because if you have the right gear, it doesn’t matter. I suggest the biggest factors influencing you when to go camping are the weather, the seasons and school and public holidays.

Pick Your Season

People, mostly those from overseas, don’t realise that Australia does actually get cold, particularly in the southern states. So if you reading this and are coming from overseas please remember that seasons are flipped compared to Europe and the USA. Spring is September to November, Summer is December to February, Autumn is March to May and winter is June to August.

Another thing to remember is that Australia is an enormous country. It’s nearly the same size as all of Europe, and just like Europe, there is different weather in different parts of the country at different times. If you look at a map you will note that the Tropic of Capricorn runs along the top of Australia. This means the northern parts of the country – the top of WA, NT and Queensland have two main seasons – wet and dry. So during the summer months these areas can have a hot and tropical climate with possible cyclones and lots of rain. While during the winter months these areas can have dry and warm climate ideal for camping.

In the southern parts of Australia there is no tropical wet season but summers are often dry and hot. While in the winter months the weather is cold with snow falling in the high country. You have to be a hardened camper to enjoy camping in the snow, but many do! No offence intended.

To recap, before you decide on going camping somewhere in Australia I would think about what season you are in and check the weather! Being wet and cold, can be a miserable experience – though sitting round a campfire with a hot drink can be fun! And sweating it out each night in heat can also be unpleasant.

School and Public Holidays

Camping in Australia is not only popular with visiting tourists but is massively popular with us locals too. In fact, sometimes during peak seasons such as school and public holidays, Easter and Christmas, to stay at some campsites during these times will require you to enter a ballot. So if there is a particular place you are wanting to stay I suggest you check if there are any limitations that may affect your camping visit. And book ahead to avoid any disappointment. Sometimes camping grounds may have special deals during these busy times which you could take advantage of.

Choosing Your Campsite

Entertainment for the kids is a must for some campers

Once you have decided you are going camping you need to decide where you want to go to pitch your tent or van. So how do you choose a campsite in Australia? Well, consider the following:

• Who are you camping with? Just yourself, a friend or your family? 
• Do you want to be remote, off-grid or with other campers?
• Does the campsite need to be dog-friendly?
• Do you require entertainment on site such as jumping castles, a pool and an entertainment zone for the kids?
• How are you cooking? Will you be needing access to a BBQ? And a fire pit?
• Would you like a shop on site so you can purchase additional or forgotten food items?
• What about toilets and showers? Are you happy to dig in the dirt and not shower for your entire stay?
• Do you need power?
• And the biggest decision is the location. Would you like your campsite to be near the coast, in walking distance to a pub or restaurant or would you prefer it to be in a remote destination or major town / city.

How to Find and Book Your Campsite in Australia

You can feel overwhelmed when planning your camping trip. If you have been camping a long time you may have special spots you like to go to. If not, there are a number of ways to help you find a campsite in Australia. 

1. You will often see signposts along the road pointing you in the direction of a camping ground but you don’t always know what you will get on your arrival. But if you have been travelling all day and see one of the signs you often just follow it so you can set up and relax. If you don’t mind stumbling upon camping grounds in Australia this way, then by all means find them that way. I have found many this way myself. However, I now use camping apps, local recommendations, Facebook groups and books.
2. Camping Apps are a great way of finding a campsite. I am finding Campermate and Wiki Camps both great camping apps to use in Australia. Both are similar to use and include the information I need to find a campsite. Like they show me what campsites are nearby as well as a review of the site, what facilities it has and the cost. I can filter the campsites based on price so I can choose a campsite that suits my budget and my plans. And what I really like is that when using a camping app I know the information is the latest available as the apps are regularly updated compared to say a printed book.
3. Asking the locals is another great option to find and book your campsite in Australia. Usually locals know the best places to go camping in their area. I have found locals more than happy to offer hidden gems and secret spots. Don’t be afraid to start a conversation with a local such as in the local supermarket because you just might discover a great camping spot.
4. Facebook groups are a great way to find a camping spot. I have received many camping tips and recommendations for great camping spots. If you are on Facebook do a search of camping groups and join the ones that suit you.
5. Books are also a great source of information on camping and campsites. However, sometimes they are not as up-to-date as an app or the information you can get from a Facebook group. They can also be a little bulky to carry around. Some books may have an ebook version available which you could access from your device.

The Cost to Camp in Australia

Although there are many places for free camping in Australia you will still need to pay for many campsites. From the Apps I mentioned you can filter them by cost to find one that suits your budget. Generally I found the cost of a campsite can vary and is dependent on where the campsite is, the facilities it offers and whether it is privately owned. The cost can range for tent camping anywhere from $25 to about $50 per night and more if towing a caravan. Pretty good deal compared to other accommodation options.

Some ways to make your stay cheaper is to see if campsites have deals like, stay 5 nights and pay for 4. I would also book directly with the campsite rather than a third party so you aren’t charged any extra fees. You could also join loyalty programs with some of the chain campsites and receive discounts when you stay at their campgrounds. And if you really want to save avoid booking your campsite for peak times.

Free Camping in Australia – The Pros and Cons

Free camping in Australia is an option that many campers choose mainly because it is such a financial bonus. Most I have spoken to say, if there is no sign saying you cannot camp there, then it means you can! So if you see a spot by a beach, in town like a carpark, if it has no signs saying you cannot camp there, well, you should presume you can.

I discovered that many free camping sites are mostly in out of the way areas in national parks and you need to be self-contained. By that I mean you need to take everything with you like water, food and a toilet as it is rare to find a free camp site with toilets and a hot shower. If you don’t mind not showering for your stay and digging a hole to go to the toilet then by all means use free camping. I also found because they are located in out of the way places there is often less people but more wildlife.

On saying this, there are fabulous free camping spots around. One I recently stayed at was in xxxxx. It had toilets I could, but not showers and it was in walking distance to a pub and a great cafe.

TIP:  If you plan on using free campsites you may be required to provide a self-contained certificate to prove to authorities that you have the appropriate things to be self-contained. If you don’t and a ranger shows up, you can be fined.

Australian National Parks Campsites

The National Parks in Australia offer some great camping sites. Despite them being free you are required to book first. This is because you may encounter gates with a coded lock and you only get access when you book your stay. As well a free camping the National Parks in Australia also offer some very cheap camping, usually around $8. You can mostly pay on-line but some work on an honesty system where you put money into an honesty box. This money goes to keeping free camping in National Parks free and available. So, please be honest and leave some money in the honesty box so future travellers can enjoy free camping.

Each Australian State has its own booking system to book a National Park campsite stay. Here are the links:

• New South Wales
• Victoria
• South Australia
• Western Australia
• Northern Territory
• Queensland
• Tasmania
• Capital Territory

What to Take Camping in Australia – Essential and Not-so Essential Equipment

Packing for a camping trip is different to packing for a two week trip in a hotel resort. When else do you take your own bed and the kitchen sink! Over my years of camping I have worked out some essentials to take with me. Now these are just my suggestions. As you begin your camping adventures you will discover your own essential and not-so essential equipment to take. Before I get into my Camping Packing Checklist some places where to purchase camping equipment in Australia include specialist stores like RV BCF (Boating, Camping, Fishing), Camping World and Kathmandu to name a few. Then you have the big department stores like Big Wand K-Mart. And there are also on-line stores like Amazon and the places you can buy second-hand camping gear like Gumtree and ebay.

Much of the camping equipment I take camping are collapsable to save on space. Read my post on collapsable camping gear here and my essential and not so essential camping item check list.

My Camping Packing Checklist

Tent Essentials: Tent (with pegs and mallet) – though I have been getting into car camping and have bought an SUV tent.

Bedding Essentials: (Air Pump), sleeping bag, bedding.

Useful Items: Torch, Light (Solar) Camping Chairs, Picnic Rug, Dustpan and Brush, Folding Table, Clothes line and pegs.

Camp Kitchen Utensils: Gas Cooker with Gas Bottle, Matches/Lighter, Saucepan, Frypan, Kettle, Sharp Knife, Scissors, Chopping Board, Tongs, Spatula, Baking Tray.

Food Cupboard: Tea, Coffee (I love my coffee so have a small coffee maker), Milk, Oil for Cooking, Butter/Spread, Salt & Pepper, Sauces.

Utensils & Helpful Kitchen items: Crockery, Cutlery (I find sporks excellent while camping), Cups, Thermo Mug, Baking Tray, Reuable Water Bottle, Bottle Opener, Can Opener, Water Container, Esky and Ice Packs, Foil, Paper Towel, Tupperware and Ziplock Bags.

Kitchen Clean Up: Washing Up Bowl, Washing Up Liquid, Sponges, Tea Towels, Rubbish Bags.

Toiletries: Personal Toiletries, Bug Spray, Sunscreen, First Aid Kit, Toilet Paper.

Miscellaneous Items: Pack of Cards and other games, Football, Bike, Swiss Army Knife

Electrical items for power: Solar Powerbank.

What to Wear on your Australian Camping Trip

What you will wear during your camping trip in Australia will be dependent on the weather at the time and the location you will be camping in. If you are camping by a beach during summer months you will be wearing lighter clothes than if you decide to go camping in the middle of winter.

Layering is a really great way to deal with temperature changes. You will need different clothes for summer camping compared to winter camping. I suggest thermals or a t-shirt, an overshirt, a jumper or fleece, then a waterproof jacket. Top this off with a hat or a beanie. And don’t forget your feet. A good pair of walking shoes or appropriate shoes for your trip. So if you are going to be camping by a beach, then a pair of thongs will come in handy.

What to Eat and How to Cook while Camping in Australia

What you will be eating and how you cook your food will be dependent on your food tastes and what cooking equipment you will have available to you while camping. If your camp site will have BBQ facilities you may utilise this to have plenty of BBQ meals. If you will be relying on your little camp stove, then your meals may be one pot wonders.

So start with packing a box of basic staples and condiments like cooking oil, salt, pepper, tea, coffee, sugar, sauce and whatever you like to have on hand. Then you need to think about meals. How long are you camping for? Take enough food, bread, milk, butter, meat, salads and other ingredients required to make your chosen meals. You could freeze a number of these foods which will keep them fresher longer and also help to keep other foods cool in your esky.

Don’t forget that you’ll need a container for your water. It needs to be big enough to hold all your water but small enough to pour from. Many campsites have drinking water available, so check before you go.

My Top Camping Tips and Hacks for Your First Camping Trip

1. Have a Practice Run. Yes, practice putting up your tent and setting up your campsite as this will help you look like a pro. If you happen to arrive at your campsite in the dark – it will help!
2. Book a campsite ahead. Booking a campsite in advance can help you get a better spot with more amenities than if you arrive late, and without a booking. Booking in advance also means you won’t miss out during busy periods.
3. Stay close to home. For your first ever camping trip, stay at a campsite within an hour or so drive from your home. While driving there you will have less time to worry whether everything will go to plan and if you forget something, it won’t be too far to turn back and get the item.
4. Keep it short. Treat your first camping trip as a trial run, so keep it short. Just a couple of days or a weekend should suffice for you to get a better feel for camping. 
5. Invest in the essentials. To enjoy camping you will need to invest in some essentials that include: Your tent, sleeping gear, clothing, lighting, cooking gear and food. Not having these can really make or break your camping trips. I love all my collapsable gear.
6. Become familiar with your gear. This goes hand in hand with my first tip – have a practice run. Not only have a practice run of putting up your tent, but practice cooking with your cooking equipment and sleeping in your sleeping gear. Doing these things will help you not stumble and bumble your way through your trip. 
7. Know the campground rules. All campgrounds have rules and regulations to keep campers safe and the wildlife and environment protected. Read up on these before your arrive so you don’t take your dog if he/she isn’t allowed at the camping ground
8. Pack the right clothing. When packing, check the expected weather conditions. I like to wear layers so I can add them if it is cold and take them off if it is hot.  
9. Pre-plan your meals. Consider how many meals you will be camping for and take the appropriate amount of food to cover the meals. Prepping meals can go a long way to making cooking time more efficient. So cut up those vegetables and have them in a container so you can easily heat them up. 
10. Take plenty of drinking water. Take plenty of fresh drinking water with you. Don’t rely on water at your campsite as it may not be drinkable.
11. Arrive early to set up. One of the trickiest parts of camping is setting up your campsite. If it is your first time camping, it is advisable to arrive early so you can set up in the light of day.
12. When you leave – leave no trace. It goes without saying that you need to leave your campsite and surrounds without a trace. If you arrive at a campsite that has been left with rubbish around, you would not be impressed – so don’t do it. Take all your waste with you.
13. Take Toilet Paper. 
14. Consider your safety. Listen to warnings such as fire warnings and leave early or don’t go. Bushfires are all too common in Australia so avoid the bush when advised to. 
15. Have fun. On your first time camping you will have a lot to think about, but don’t get too overwhelmed. You have come camping to slow down, connect with nature and family so my biggest tip for your first camping trip is to have fun. And if things don’t go to plan, well, that’s camping! There is always the next camping trip.

Related: For some easy and yummy camping recipes please visit my website Travellers-Fare – Fast and Fabulous Meals for Travellers.

Are You Ready for Your First Camping Trip?

There you have it. My beginners guide to camping in Australia. As I originally said, spending a few days or longer in the great outdoors can be a wonderful adventure, or it can be a living nightmare. Often a good or bad camping experience comes down to not having any knowledge of what to expect. I hope my post has alleviated a lot of the negatives about camping in Australia and no matter whether you are a first-timer or experienced camper I hope your camping in Australia experiences are truly positive ones.