Our 21 Best Free or Low Cost Campgrounds in Australia
Accommodation when travelling around Australia comes in many forms. Caravan Parks, Showgrounds, Campgrounds, Station Stays, Pubs and Free camps are all options for somewhere to stay overnight and depending on many circumstances our needs will vary.
For those set up and comfortable with Free and Low Cost camping when travelling we have put together our favourite places so far to stay in Australia.
In the heat of the Top End we would usually opt for powered options however the bottom half of Oz opened up many places to stay that don’t have to cost much at all.
We will continue to update this list as we keep finding more places to add. They will always be available in full at our YouTube Channel at www.youtube/c/indefiniteleave.
# Nov 2017 update.
With the recent closure of our previous Number 1 campground “Uluru by Sunrise” we have updated this list. We have also introduced 2 new campgrounds, Sandstone Park at #4 and Lara Wetlands at #12 and increased it from our Best 20 to 21. Hope you enjoy our list.
Mount Gambier Showgrounds, SA
21. Mt Gambier Showgrounds
Location: Mt Gambier, South Australia
About: The Mt Gambier Showgrounds are located on the edge of the city and provides good grassed sites and full amenities. It is also walking distance to the Sinkhole.
$20 deposit for Key to amenities block.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/62hMyhl7Kik
Cost: $22 powered, $15 unpowered, $3 extra adult
Max nights stay: No limit
Toilets: Yes
Showers: Yes
Potable water: Yes
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: Yes, cost $5 if not staying at the showgrounds
Powered sites: Yes
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: Yes
Spring Bay Hotel, Triabunna Tasmania
20. Spring Bay Hotel
Location:Triabunna, east coast of Tasmania
About: Basic pub campground, grassed area, pay at the bar as you arrive.
Also a free camp opposite on the corner.
There’s a very popular fish and chips van next to the hotel, the pub restaurant is good by all reports and Triabunna is the gateway to Maria Island.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/EnCiZdQRJR4
Cost: $2 donation per night
Max nights stay: 7 days
Toilets: No
Showers: No
Potable water: No
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: No, but one is located within a few minutes drive
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: Yes
Hobart from atop Mount Wellington
19. Hobart Showgrounds
Location: Hobart, Tasmania
About:Approx 15 minutes drive from the city of Hobart, there are various sites, some grassed and other on stones. Can get very busy in peak times. Call to book during peak season.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/R57UdGEyx7E
Cost: $25 powered site or $21 for CMCA members, $20 unpowered
Max nights stay: No lmit
Toilets: Yes
Showers: Yes, $1 for 5 minutes
Potable water: Yes
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: Yes
Powered sites: Yes
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: Yes, we were close to Bunnings and were able to tap into their free wifi although it was slow
Telstra coverage: Yes
Chapman River at Ante Chamber Bay campgrounds, Kangaroo Island SA
18. Ante Chamber Bay Campgrounds
Location: Kangaroo Island, South Australia
About: A beautiful river front campground. Access is by a dirt road which was reasonable condition when we were there.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Bie7jawDYQ8
Cost: $15 per night
Max nights stay: No limit
Toilets: Yes
Showers: No
Potable water: No
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: No
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: Yes, only just
Gordon Recreation Reserve, Tasmania
17. Gordon Recreational Reserve
Location: Three Hut Point, Gordon Tasmania
About: Whilst we didn’t stay here it looked such a perfect location we did stop to take a look around. This would make a great place to stop for a few nights.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/s-Gve_xCeqM
Cost: $5 per night honest box
Max nights stay: No limit
Toilets: Yes
Showers: No
Potable water: No
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: Yes
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: Yes
Amazing 1770, Qld
16. Workmans Campground
Location: Agnes Water near 1770 in Queensland.
About: We didn’t stop here but did take a look around and it’s a good campground close to the beach and town of Agnes Water.
Cost: $9 per person per night
Max nights stay: No limit
Toilets: Yes
Showers: Yes, cold outdoor shower
Potable water: Yes
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: No
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: Yes
Banka Banka Station, NT
15. Banka Banka Station
Location: North of the Three Ways in Northern Territory
About: Great overnight stay as you head north from the Three Ways to Darwin. There’s Donkeys and Camels, a unique bar, fire pit which the owner fires up each night. Yarns are told, marshmallows burnt and in the morning a stunning sunrise to the East.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/OhefDO88gUw
Cost: $20 per night for 2 adults unpowered
Max nights stay: No limit
Toilets: Yes
Showers: Yes
Potable water: Yes
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: Yes
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: No
Cliff Head Campground, WA
14. Cliff Head Campground
Location: South of Geraldton, Western Australia
About:There is 3 campgrounds, Cliff Head North, Cliff Head South, we chose the middle one which is simply Cliff Head as it is larger and accommodated both us and our friends we were travelling with. Cliff Head North looks amazing.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/71WRACdqIxg
Cost: Free
Max nights stay: 72 hours
Toilets: Yes
Showers: No
Potable water: No
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: No
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: Yes
View to the Stanley Nut from our camp site, Tasmania
13. Stanley Tasmania
Location: At Stanley in the North West of Tasmania
About: Located at the entrance to the Golf Course and looking out over the ocean, this is a fabulous campground in a beautiful location.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Dl8Et13vhyk
Cost: $8 per night
Max nights stay: 7 nights
Toilets: No
Showers: No
Potable water: Yes
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: No but there is one very close by.
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: Yes
Lara Wetlands, Qld
12. Lara Wetlands, Patrick Qld
Location: Lara Wetlands is a cattle station approx 30kms south of Barcaldine and 80kms north of Blackall in Queensland.
About: Lara Wetlands is a beautiful, relaxing waterhole on a cattle station just 30kms south of Barcaldine in Qld.
It has many features including a hot artesian spa, kayaks for use on the wetland and fire pits on each site. Lara Wetlands is where you go to relax and do very little except read a book and chill with an amazing scenery and spectacular sunrise and sunset each day.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/bhNfCONeaj0
Cost: $10 per person per night
Max nights stay: No limit
Toilets: Yes
Showers: Yes
Potable water: Yes
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: Yes
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: No phone coverage
Whalebone Campground
11. Whalebone Campground Shark Bay, Western Australia
Location: 15 kms south of Denham
About: I loved our time here at Whalebone Campground. A 24 hour stay, they allowed us to extend for a second night but not beyond. We were able to leave for a short time and then come back for another 48 hours. Caught Squire at night from the beach.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/cNslqZE9q_w
Cost: $15 per night
Max nights stay: 2 nights
Toilets: No
Showers: No
Potable water: No, there is a water station in Denham
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: No, there is one on left hand side as you arrive at Denham
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: Yes but very limited
Cassowary Coast Campground, Mission Beach
10. Cassowary Coast Regional Council Campground Mission Beach
Location: Mission Beach, North Queensland
About: Located directly beside the beach, Powered and unpowered sites, old amenities. Al about location.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/am1lfMRd-xw
Cost: $21 per night unpowered, $25 powered, $3 for extra adult
Max nights stay: No limit
Toilets: Yes
Showers: Yes
Potable water: Yes
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: No
Powered sites: Yes
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: Yes
Portland Harbour, Vic
9. Henty Park Campground
Location: Portland Victoria
About: Loved our time in Portland and this great relaxing campground helped us enjoy our stay. Completely free and offering great facilities. Level grassed sites, friendly ranger and located at the Cable Tram station.
Since we stayed it has reduced from 72 hour stay to 48 hours. This Free campground is under much pressure from the local Caravan Parks and we need to ensure we respect it, keep it clean and tidy and it wouldn’t hurt to do as we did and notify the Council of what you spent in town during your stay.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/e5llKV3Dykg
Cost: Free
Max nights stay: 48 hours
Toilets: Yes
Showers: No
Potable water: Yes
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: Yes
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: Yes
8. Bay of Fires Tasmania
Location:North-East coast of Tasmania
About:Very popular campground in a beautiful beachside setting. St Helens is 20-30 mins away with dump point, water, groceries, fuel, gas etc.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/5fYV4IuSmLc
Cost: Free
Max nights stay: No limit
Toilets: Yes
Showers: No
Potable water: No
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: No
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: Yes but only in certain spots.
Barn Hill Station
7. Barn Hill Station
Location: approx. 1 hour drive south of Broome, Western Australia
About: Fabulous Campground on a Cattle Station with 200 sites. 10kms of dirt road to access but easily done even in our Motorhome. They even have a lawn bowls green. It has a very rustic charm, the stars shine bright at night and they make 8 loaves of bread, home made sausage rolls and lamingtons each day for purchase. It is very busy in peak times of June and July.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/XO1ujTjFv4E
Cost: $25 unpowered for 2 adults or $32 powered
Max nights stay: Nil
Toilets: Yes
Showers: Yes
Potable water: Yes
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: Yes
Powered sites: Yes but power can be limited source, comes from solar
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: Yes
Beach at Osprey
6. Osprey Campground
Location: Cape Range National Park, near Exmouth Western Australia
About: We weren’t able to stay here as we had our dog with us but we took a look around and the location is incredible. Very clean and tidy.
Cost: $10 per adult per night
Max nights stay: No limit
Toilets: Yes
Showers: No
Potable water: No, water available at info centre a few kms away
Pet Friendly: No
Dump point: No, one is just a few kms up the road at info centre
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: N0
Happy Hour at Quobba, WA
5. Quobba Campground
Location: approx. 50kms north of Carnarvon, Western Australia
About: Located around the corner from the Carnarvon Blowholes, the campground offers some of Australia’s best snorkeling. The coral is amazing and there’s lots of fish of many species, Turtles, Rays and Reef Sharks. We also enjoyed fresh oysters directly from the rocks at low tide.
The campground is right on the beach, some with views and others protected by the dunes.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/x4a0vYJm7Ak
Cost: $11 per person per night, kids under 16 free
Max nights stay: No limit
Toilets: Yes
Showers: No
Potable water: No
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: Yes
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: No
Sandstone Park Campground, Carnarvon Gorge Qld
4. Sandstone Park, Carnarvon Gorge Qld
Location: Carnarvon Gorge is located in the Carnarvon National Park approx. 600kms north west of Brisbane and 200kms south of Emerald.
About: This is a new campground which only opened in 2017 and fast became extremely popular with the travelling public. It’s astounding 360 degree views are incredible. The facilities are fantastic and the sites are big. There’s plenty of access to firewood and did I mention the incredible views!!
Do yourself an enormous favour and make sure you visit Sandstone Park at Carnarvon Gorge
Watch this video of Kevin with Olivia, the owner of Sandstone Park Campground, as they trek their way up Boolimba Bluff. – https://youtu.be/wRVMIbOSL8w
YouTube: https://youtu.be/DTmneeEwmpQ
Cost: $20 per night
Max nights stay: No Limit
Toilets: Yes
Showers: No
Potable water: No
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: Yes
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: No phone coverage. Some Wifi available at Info centre café.
Sandy Cape overlooking the campground
3. Sandy Cape Campground
Location: 10 kms north of Jurien Bay, Western Australia
About:This place is Fun, Fun, Fun. Grab a sand board and race down the dunes. Fishing, swimming, boating, so much fun to be had. There are BBQ’s available and the sky at night lights up with the stars.
While we were there a great coffee can was available making Burgers, Hot Dogs, Coffees, shakes and more.
Watch the hilarious footage of Adele sand boarding here – https://youtu.be/BcilkWaEAsU
YouTube: https://youtu.be/Qru0AUdjCNs
Cost: $15 per night
Max nights stay: No Limit
Toilets: Yes
Showers: No
Potable water: No
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: Yes
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: No, unless you climb up onto the dunes.
Lucky Bay Campground, just amazing!!
2. Lucky Bay Campground
Location: Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia
About: Located in the incredible Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance on the south coast of Western Australia, this is a very special place where the kangaroos come into your site or meet you on the beach to say hello. The views are scintillating and the experience is not to be missed.
Our Tip, select site number 12.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/ELFgZgdLMls
Cost: $10 per Adult per night, children over 6 are $2.20. Seniors $6.60 per night
Max nights stay: No limit
Toilets: Yes
Showers: Yes
Potable water: Yes
Pet Friendly: No
Dump point: No
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: No
Telstra coverage: No
Rapid Bay Campground
1.Rapid Bay Campground
Location: 1.5 hours south of Adelaide
About: As Darryl Kernigan’s bumbling Lawyer once said, “it’s the vibe” and Rapid Bay gives great vibes.
This is a fantastic campground, so peaceful, so stunning and a great place to relax, swim, snorkel and go fishing. It gets very busy at peak times.
The original Jetty here was destroyed in a storm and a new Jetty costing $3.8m was recently built to replace it.
Divers come from afar to dive here looking for a rare Sea Dragon, only found in these waters.
YouTube: https://youtu.be/O9wgn_NeahQ
Cost: $7 per person per night
Max nights stay: Nil
Toilets: Yes
Showers: No
Potable water: Yes, sign says it’s not but it’s trucked in from Adelaide
Pet Friendly: Yes
Dump point: No. Yankalilla is 24kms away and has dump point, fuel, groceries, gas etc.
Powered sites: No
Unpowered sites: Yes
Free Wifi: N0
Telstra coverage: Yes
We know we haven’t seen them all, tell us about your favourite Free or Low Coast campground?
Thanks
Kevin & Adele
Indefinite Leave
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