Adventurers Diary
10 Top Things to Do in Longreach
The Queensland Outback is an amazing place to visit and there are so many interesting and different things to do in Longreach Qld.
From the only stagecoach gallop in Queensland to walking out on the wing of a 747 jet aeroplane, while it is firmly on the ground of course!
We found that you definitely need at least 4 to 5 days to cover the many things to do in Longreach.
Longreach Accommodation includes free camping, low cost campgrounds and caravan parks depending on your needs and budget.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Must See & Do Things in Longreach
- Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre
- Qantas Founders Museum
- Outback Pioneers – Kinnon & Co Experiences
The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre
A visit to Longreach is not complete without visiting the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame & Outback Heritage Centre. The extremely popular Queensland Outback Museum has re-opened in April 2021 after a $15 million makeover.
It now features an interactive “choose your own” adventure experience. Check out more about the huge revamp here.
Choose from the Stockman’s Experience Tour which includes the Live Show, Entry to the Museum and all Galleries as well as the new Cinematic Experience or just the Museum & Gallery Entry only.
The Stockman’s Live Show runs Saturdays to Thursdays at 11am and 2pm.
Opening Hours for entry to the Museum and Galleries at the Stockman’s Hall of Fame are 8am – 4pm, 7 days a week.
Phone: 07 4658 2166
Address: Landsborough Highway, Longreach, Queensland
Qantas Founders Museum
Another one of the top attractions and ‘must see’ things to do in Longreach is the Qantas Founders Museum.
There are 5 Qantas Founders Museum Tours & Experiences available:
- Museum Entry
- Airpark Tour which includes Museum Entry
- 747 Wing Walk
- Platinum Package which includes Museum Entry, Airpark Tour with access to 707 Private Rooms, Wing Walk and a meal in the McGuiness’ Restaurant
- Luminescent Longreach – Light and Sound Show
The Museum is open from 9am – 4pm every day except Christmas Day.
Airport Tour times are 9.30am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm and 9.30am and 12.30pm during the months of November through to March.
Wing Walk Tour times are 11.00am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm. During the months of November to March, there are just the two tours each day at 11.00am and 2.00pm.
The 747 Wing Walk does not include entry into the Museum.
Luminescent Light Show – Click here for times as they vary in Summer and Winter
Since our visit, they have built a roof over the museum’s aeroplane enclosure to protect the iconic aircraft from the fierce Western Queensland sun.
As part of the $14.3 million project, they have also added the state of the art light and sound show.
Phone: 07 4658 3737
Address: 1 Sir Hudson Fysh Drive Longreach, Queensland
Outback Pioneers – Kinnon & Co Experiences
The Kinnon Family are true Outback Pioneers when it comes to fabulous outback experiences in Queensland.
We did two of their awesome tours and they are definitely among our favourite things to do in Longreach:
- Cobb & Co Stagecoach Experience
- Thomson River Cruise Experience
- Nogo Station Experience
They have a number of different accommodation options, The Station Store and The Welcome Home Restaurant and Booking Office where you can book not only your Outback Pioneers Experiences but other also the other attractions in Longreach.
Phone: 0
Read more: Our Favourite Experiences as we Travel Australia
Our List of 10 Top Things to Do in Longreach
1. Do the complete Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame – Stockman’s Experience Tour
The Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame is truly one of the top tourist attractions in Longreach.
We wanted to experience everything as we were not sure when we would get the chance to return so it was inevitable that we would do the complete package tour that was on offer.
We enjoyed the live show as well as entry into the amazing museum and galleries.
The Stockman’s Experience Tour includes:
- A Stockman’s Life -Live Show
- Entry to the Museum and all Galleries
- Audio and Video Guided Tour
- “Hugh” Bronze Sculpture Walk and Eternal Muster Wall
- Hugh Sawrey Art Gallery
- Story of the Australian Stockman – new Cinematic Experience
Cost of the tour is:
$68 for Adults
$61.50 for Concession Holders
$40 for Children 5 – 12 years (Children under 5 are free) and
$198 for a Family of 2 Adults and 2 Children.
2. Check out the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame Museum & Galleries
If you choose not to do the Stockman’s Experience Tour, it certainly is a must to check out the interactive museum and galleries of the fabulous Stockman’s Hall of Fame, especially now it has undergone a $15 million upgrade.
We thoroughly enjoyed wandering through the exhibits and displays when we visited. You do need to allow yourself a couple of hours to make your way around all of the exhibits and interactive displays.
Entry Fees for the museum and galleries (excluding the Live Show and Cinematic Experience) are:
$35 for Adults
$31.50 for Concession
$20 for Children 5 – 12 years (Children under 5 are free) or
$100 for a Family of 2 Adults and 2 Children.
The Museum & Galleries are open all year around excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day & ANZAC Day.
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3. Go Behind the Scenes of Qantas Jets on The Airpark Tour
If you have ever flown in a jet plane, you will find going behind the scenes and entering the different areas of the Qantas jets plus learning the secrets and history of these aircrafts fascinating.
We certainly did!
The Airpark tour which goes for approx 1.5 hours provides a walk through of the Boeing 747, Boeing 707 and Super Constellation and it also includes entry to the Qantas Founders Museum.
It’s only here in Longreach and one other place that you can have your photograph taken inside the engine of a 747!
Another one of those once in a lifetime opportunities that we were thrilled to have experienced.
There are only four 707’s left in existence. John Travola owns one and there are two parked side by side in the Airpark at the Qantas Founders Museum.
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4. Experience the thrill of the 747 Wing Walk
The 747 Wing Walk Tour takes you to exclusive places in the aircraft that are not included in the Airpark tour like the flight deck where you actually get to sit in the Pilot’s seat!
We took the opportunity to do the exclusive 747 Wing Walk tour during our visit to Longreach as for us it was a once in a lifetime experience.
Not only do you have the thrill of walking out on the wing of a giant Boeing 747 (thankfully the plane is not in the air at the time but you are still harnessed lol), you also are taken through the restricted areas of the jet plane as well which is extremely interesting!
Plus, with the exclusive entry to the Flight Deck, it was great to have photos taken as you momentarily act the part of Pilots and Co-Pilots.
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5. Take an exhilarating ride on the Cobb & Co Stagecoach
Experience the only stagecoach gallop in Australia!
It is a once in a lifetime experience and one that is definitely not to be missed when visiting Longreach.
Not only do you ride in the restored Cobb & Co stagecoach through the main street of Longreach you also follow a stretch of the original Longreach – Windorah mail run where you get a gallop up along the old dirt track!
Also included in this amazing 4 hour tour is a traditional Aussie Morning Tea, a classic Australian movie in the retro cinema with canvas seats and the Harry Redford Old Time Tent Show, a tribute to the old time travelling shows.
Bookings are essential and run from 8.30am Mondays to Fridays.
Tour Season is from the end of March to the end of October.
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6. Enjoy a Thomson River Sunset Cruise and Stockman’s Campfire Dinner
Kinnon & Co, the true outback pioneers certainly know how to provide unique experiences for people holidaying in Longreach or for people like us who are travelling all around Australia wanting to see and experience everything our spectacular country has to offer.
The Starlight Cruise Experience is another exceptional thing to do in Longreach. Whilst aboard either the original paddlewheeler or Thomson Princess Riverboat you are served nibbles while Drinks are BYO.
A sensational sunset cruise along the majestic Thomson River is followed by a traditional stockman’s campfire dinner with some added fun and entertainment from the Kinnon Family and the awesome barefoot poet.
Following dinner and the entertainment you will also then be treated to The Starlight’s Spectacular Sound & Light Picture Show as well as billy tea and damper to finish off the night.
Coach pick up is included.
The Starlight cruise operates Monday to Saturday however during April, May, September and October the cruise runs on alternate days. Bookings are essential.
Tour season runs from the end of March to the end of October.
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7. Wander through the Longreach Powerhouse Museum
The Longreach Powerhouse and Historical Museum is Australia’s largest preserved rural generating facility. The Museum displays how electricity was generated, maintained and distributed throughout the shire.
The Power House was erected in Longreach and electricity was introduced to the town in 1921.
Also there are displays exhibiting the early history of Longreach, the1921 Swimming Baths and the Nogo Cottage which depicts family life in the west from 1935 to 1955.
A number of other displays of agriculture and road maintenance machinery along with a collection of commercial office equipment from 1908 – 1950 are also available.
Guided Tours of the Powerhouse Museum operate on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 10.15am to 11.30am.
Bookings are required and can be made at the Longreach Visitor Information Centre or by calling 07 4658 4150.
8. Check out the historic Longreach Railway Station
The Longreach Railway Station is the terminus for Queensland Rail’s ‘Spirit of the Outback’.
The Spirit of the Outback runs from Brisbane to Longreach and takes 26 hours to complete the journey of 1325kms. Brisbane one day, Longreach the next!
This historic old timber railway station built in 1916 still prominently stands on the Capricorn Highway today.
It is just over 2kms to the Qantas Founders Museum and 2.6 kms to the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame from the Longreach Railway Station.
9. Soak in the warm waters of the Ilfracombe Artesian Spa
Just 20 mins out of Longreach is the little town of Ilfracombe where you can soak in the hot mineral waters of an Artesian Spa.
The Ilfracombe Memorial Park is home to the local swimming pool and the artesian spa bath. You can alternate between the hot water of the artesian spa to the cold water of the 20metre pool.
Opening hours are from 3.30pm – 6.30pm Monday to Saturday plus 9am – 12noon and 3.30pm – 6.30pm on Sundays.
10. Explore the Ilfracombe Machinery Mile & Heritage Museum
As you drive into Ilfracombe from Longreach you can’t miss the Great Machinery Mile!
There is literally a mile of old machinery including tractors, dozers, excavators, graders, light trucks and a tank.
The open air Ilfracombe Machinery Mile & Heritage Museum is free to wander through and there is a donation box if you would like to donate to keep the museum operating.
Almost everything on display has been collected within 100 miles of Ilfracombe, some items are extremely rare.
The 1917 Ruston Proctor Tractor is one of only three of this model left in the world.
A Steam Devil Excavator which was made in 1880 is also on display and it is the only remaining one of its kind.
5 Essentials – Outside RV Accessories
- To plug your RV with standard 15amp in to standard residential 10amp power source you will need a converter. We love our waterproof Ampfibian and after over 4 years it’s still perfect.
- Most people carry a Generator for back up power. 4wd Supacentre has a good low cost and popular generator while the Yamaha 2000w is a robust yet quiet excellent performer.
- A 20m 15amp Power Lead will ensure you reach your power source in Caravan Parks and Campgrounds.
- You will want a good blue Drinking Water Hose. Your typical green garden hose is not suitable for drinking from.
- A 4 way tap handle will help you find water whenever you need it
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Things to know about Longreach
How far is Longreach from Brisbane?
By road, the distance from Brisbane to Longreach is just under 1179 kms therefore it takes around 13 hours 6 minutes to drive between the two.
What is Longreach known for?
Longreach is known as the heart of outback Queensland.
Longreach is also known for being the home of the renowned Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame.
This fabulous centre was built to showcase the history and heritage of outback Australia. It also pays tribute to the pioneers of Australia and the Australian Stockmen who showed great bravery and courage.
Millions of people have visited the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame since it’s opening.
Since our visit, the museum and galleries have just undergone a massive redevelopment and the new look centre with new entry, cafe, interactive welcome wall, revitalised billabong, refurbished cinema screen and production along with new interative exhibits are now all open from April 2021.
When did the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame open?
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the Australian Stockman’s Hall of Fame on 29th April, 1988.
When did the Qantas Founders Museum open?
In June 1996, the $1.3m Stage 1 the Governor General of Australia opened the Qantas Founders Museum in the now National Heritage Listed Qantas Hangar at Longreach.
Stage 2 which included four galleries, the main exhibition hall and the restaurant opened in March 2002.
Most recently in 2020, the Airpark Roof has been constructed to protect the iconic aircraft from the extreme heat of the Queensland sun and a state of the art Light & Sound Show has also been installed, both part of the latest $14.3 million project.
How did Longreach get its name?
The town of Longreach was given its name because of the long reach of the Thomson River which flows close to town.
Longreach is the largest town in Central Queensland.
Why is Longreach temperature so hot?
The Tropic of Capricorn runs directly through the centre of Longreach. Longreach is just one of 13 places in Australia in which the Tropic of Capricorn passes through.
Check out the unique marker which points to the Torrid Zone to the north and the Temperature Zone to the south.
Longreach is in the Top 20 hottest towns in Queensland across an entire year and is the 5th hottest Queensland town in February.
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Check out these other intesting blogs:
Where to Stay in Longreach
Longreach Camping
Apex Riverside Park
Located just 5kms from town, the Apex Riverside Park is an extremely affordable base for all of the awesome things to do in Longreach.
This is where we stayed for 4 nights during our time in Longreach.
Cost is $5 per vehicle per night or $27 per week. Simply pay at the Visitor Information Centre or place money in the honesty box on site.
It is a very basic camping area however it has a covered BBQ area as well as male and female toilets. There are hot showers available at the CWA building in QANTAS Park.
Potable water is available in town from the Caravan Day Parking area in Kite Street.
The maximum stay was 4 nights at the time of our stay which allowed us time for all of the things to do in Longreach and nearby Ilfracombe.
Address: Lot 206 Landsborough Hwy, Longreach
Read more: Apex Riverside Park, Longreach
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Longreach Free Camping
Longreach Waterhole Camping Area
Approx 30 kms north of Longreach on the road heading to Winton is the Longreach Waterhole Camping Area right alongside the Darr River and it’s free.
There are no facilities except for bins at the entrance.
It is accessible and suitable for all types of camping including tents, caravans, motorhomes and campers in dry conditions.
You can also have a fire plus there is reasonably good Telstra coverage.
Read more: Longreach Waterhole, Longreach
Caravan Parks in Longreach Qld and nearby Ilfracombe
Longreach Caravan Park
The Longreach Caravan Park is located just 1.5 km from the very heart of town so it is within walking distance.
It is a small older caravan park. They have powered and unpowered sites with plenty of mature trees providing part shade as well as cabins. Amenities are a little outdated but are clean.
Phone: 07 4658 1770
Address: 176-180 Ibis St, Longreach, Queenland
Longreach Tourist Park
The Longreach Tourist Park is located just a 2 minute drive from town and 2 mins from the Qantas Founders Museum.
The Park offers large sites for caravaning and camping and also self-contained accommodation.
This includes double bedroon airconditioned villas, self-contained cabins as well as four ‘Ringers Quarters’ style share rooms with a share bathroom for budget travellers.
They have an on-site restaurant, two swimming pools, three large amenities blocks and four laundries so you won’t have to queue to do your washing.
Plus, there are a number of free BBQ areas and a fully-equipped camp kitchen.
Phone: 07 4658 1781 or 07 4658 2667
Address: 12 Thrush Rd, Longreach, Queensland
Infracombe Caravan Park
The Ilfracombe Caravan Park is just over 27 kms from Longreach and is an affordable place to stay but still handy enough to see and do things in Longreach.
They offer Powered & Unpowered Caravan and Camping Sites suitable for those travelling in Motorhomes, Caravans and Campers.
There is also Villas, Airconditioned Ensuite Cabins and even Pet Friendly Cabins.
Ilfracombe Caravan Park is pet friendly and is located right next door to the Wellshot Hotel.
Phone: 07 4658 1510
Address: 10 Main Ave (Landsborough Highway) Ilfracombe, Queensland
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Other great free and low cost camping grounds to stay in Outback Queensland:
Pin – 10 Top Things to do in Longreach
Have you ticked off any of the above awesome things to do in Longreach? Let us know about your experience in Longreach.
Safe travels
Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave
We are Adele & Kevin, an Aussie couple from Brisbane in Queensland Australia who have embraced our adventurous spirit and ventured out to explore the world around us. We had spent so much time overseas we decided it was time to see our own truly amazing country and we needed to take some time to see everything it has to offer.
Our Aim is to inspire others to travel and help design the greatest adventure they can experience.
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Photography and Socials
Our camera equipment we use for all our photos and videos are:
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Lenses
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Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/2XlOZ0I – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – https://ebay.to/2TWt0vA – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.
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Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.
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Adventurers Diary
Camping NSW North Coast
There’s so many amazing places to go Camping in NSW North Coast along the Coastline between Sydney and Brisbane.
We love this stretch of Australia’s Coastline with so many stunning beaches, great waves, good fishing and fantastic places to go camping.
Much of the Camping in NSW along the Coastline is National Park which are wonderful places to enjoy the amazing wildlife in the area.
Table of Contents
Great Camping Sites in the NSW North Coast region:
Free Camping NSW North Coast
There are very few free camping opportunities between Brisbane and Sydney on NSW North Coast.
Here are four that we know of but you may be aware of more and also enjoyed an overnight free camping stay at.
Branxton Park
Location:
Branxton, Hunter Valley region, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Branxton Park – 795.6kms
Sydney to Branxton Park – 180.4kms
What facilities are available:
Camping is permitted in Self-contained vehicles only and you must have a toilet, waste water collection along with washing and cooking facilities on board.
There are toilets available at the Branxton Park Free Camp as it is the old sports grounds. It is within easy walking distance to the local IGA.
Both Potable and non-drinking water, rubbish bins and picnic tables are also available.
Type of Sites:
No designated sites and the camping area is all unpowered.
How much does it cost?
Cost to stay is Free!
How to book?
No booking is required as it is a Free Camping facility
Maximum Stay:
72 hours in any 14 day period
Is it Pet Friendly?
Yes however dogs must be on a lead
Dump Point:
Yes
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility?
Accessible to Motorhomes, Caravans and Big Rigs as long as vehicle is self-contained. Tent camping and camping in non self-contained vehicles is not permitted.
Mobile Phone Service:
Good Telstra and Vodafone coverage
Contact Details:
Phone: N/A
Address: John Rose Avenue, Branxton New South Wales
Website: N/A
Things to do in the Branxton region:
Hunter Valley Wine Region
Big Kookaburra, Kurri Kurri
Big Ugg Boots, Thornton
Read more: Branxton Park
Kew Driver Reviver Rest Area
Location:
iKew Visitor Information Centre, Kew, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to iKew Visitor Information Centre – 559.5kms
Sydney to iKew Visitor Information Centre- 354.1kms
What facilities are available:
Camping overnight is permitted at the iKew Visitor Information Centre for a donation. They also operate a Driver Reviver Community Program during each school holidays.
There are toilets available at the iKew Visitor Information Centre as well as drinking water, rubbish bins, picnic tables and kids playground.
Type of Sites:
Limited number of spots in the car park and all unpowered.
How much does it cost?
Cost to stay by donation! Donation Box is located near the toilets
How to book?
No booking is required as it is a Community Initiative
Maximum Stay:
Overnight stay only
Is it Pet Friendly?
Yes
Dump Point:
Yes
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility?
Accessible to Motorhomes, Caravans and Campervans. No tent camping is permitted.
Mobile Phone Service:
Good Telstra and Vodafone coverage
Contact Details:
Phone: 02 6559 4400
Address: 133 Nancy Bird Walton Drive, Kew, New South Wales
Website:
Things to do in the Kew region:
The Big Axe
Queens Lake
Laurieton
Read more: Big Things of Australia
Truckers Memorial Rest Area
Location:
Grafton, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Truckers Memorial Rest Area – 313.0kms
Sydney to Truckers Memorial Rest Area – 608.4kms
What facilities are available:
Camping is permitted in Self-contained vehicles only.
There are no facilities available at the Truckers Memorial Free Camp in South Grafton. It is close to Macdonalds and Bunnings. There is also a fuel station and boat ramp nearby.
Type of Sites:
No designated sites and the camping area is all unpowered.
How much does it cost?
Cost to stay is Free!
How to book?
No booking is required as it is a Free Camping facility
Maximum Stay:
Overnight stay only
Is it Pet Friendly?
Yes
Dump Point:
No
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility?
Accessible to Motorhomes, Caravans as long as vehicle is self-contained. No tent camping or camping in non self-contained vehicles is permitted.
Mobile Phone Service:
Good Telstra coverage
Contact Details:
Phone: N/A
Address: Spring Street/Big River Way, Grafton, New South Wales
Website: N/A
Things to do in the Grafton region:
Clarence Gorge
Jacaranda Festival
Read more: Everything you need to know to go Free Camping
Macksville Overnight Parking Area
Location:
Macksville, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Macksville – 439.9kms
Sydney to Macksville – 473.5kms
What facilities are available?
Camping overnight is permitted in Self-contained vehicles only and you must have a toilet, sleeping and cooking facilities located within the vehicle and all waste water able to be collected and disposed of at a lawful location.
Toilets are available at the Macksville Overnight Parking Area as well as non-drinking water. Please take your rubbish with you.
There are picnic tables and a boat ramp is nearby.
Type of Sites:
4 parking bays only and the area is all unpowered. Vehicles must only be parked in marked bays.
How much does it cost?
Cost to stay is Free!
How to book?
No booking is required as it is a Free Camping facility
Maximum Stay:
1 night only
Is it Pet Friendly?
Yes but must be restrained
Dump Point:
No – Dump Point is available at the Nambucca Tourist Information Centre and Nambucca Highway Service Centre
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility?
Accessible to Motorhomes and Campervans under 6metres only and as long as vehicle is self-contained. No tent camping or camping in non self-contained vehicles is permitted.
Mobile Phone Service:
Good Telstra coverage as well as other mobile providers
Contact Details:
Phone: N/A
Address: Western end of River Street, Macksville, New South Wales
Website: N/A
Things to do in the Macksville region:
Valley of the Mist
Mary Boulton’s Pioneer Cottage and Museum
Nambucca Foreshaw Walk
Read more: Our Best Free Camps in Australia
NSW North Coast Camping in Showgrounds and Sporting grounds
A number of showgrounds and sporting clubs along the NSW North Coast offer low-cost camping.
We have personally stayed at many showgrounds and sporting grounds and found them a great place to stay and explore the region.
Tuncurry Sporties
Location:
Tuncurry, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Tuncurry – 632.6kms
Sydney to Tuncurry – 305.7kms
What facilities are available:
The Sporties Tuncurry RV Friendly overnight reserve is for Self-Contained RV with their own internal toilet and shower on board. Tents are not allowed.
Drinking water and bins are available however there are no other facilities in the camping area.
Type of Sites:
The Sporties Tuncurry RV Friendly overnight reserve is for Self-Contained RV with their own internal toilet and shower on board. Tents are not allowed.
No designated sites and camping area is all unpowered
How much does it cost?
$5 per person per night
How to book?
Please pay at Sporties Tuncurry Reception or to the Duty Manager located in the club
Maximum Stay:
48hrs
Is it Pet Friendly?
Yes but must be on a leash
Dump Point:
Yes – it is located on the other side of the sporting grounds
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
Yes but not after 8pm
Accessibility?
Accessible to Motorhomes, Caravans and Big Rigs as long as vehicle is self-contained
Mobile Phone Service:
We had excellent Telstra and Vodafone coverage
Contact Details:
Phone: 02 6554 9270
Address: 66 Beach Street, Tuncurry New South Wales
Website:
Things to do in the Tuncurry region:
Forster
Seal Rocks
Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse & Blowhole
Read more: Sporties Tuncurry
Wauchope Showground
Location:
Wauchope, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Wauchope Showground – 544.4kms
Sydney to Wauchope Showground – 376.2kms
What facilities are available:
Basic facilities include drinking water, toilets and hot showers as well as bins. Toilets and showers are coded.
Water fill-up if not staying at the Wauchope Showground is $5.
Type of Sites:
16 Powered sites. Camping is not available during the Wauchope Show
How much does it cost?
Power & Water – $20 per night for 2 Adults and $5 per additional person
How to book?
You must book in advance with the On-site Caretaker by calling 0475 111 074
Maximum Stay:
No maximum listed
Is it Pet Friendly?
Yes
Dump Point:
Yes
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility?
Accessible to all size vehicles and tent camping is allowed
Mobile Phone Service:
We had good coverage with Telstra as well as Vodafone
Contact Details:
Phone: 0475 111 074
Address: 93A High Street, Wauchope New South Wales
Website:
Things to do in the Wauchope region:
Wauchope Country Club
Port Macquarie Koala Hospital
Billabong Zoo
Read more: Wauchope Showgrounds
Maclean Showground
Location:
Beside the Clarence River, Maclean, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Maclean Showground – 272.2kms
Sydney to Maclean Showground – 641.4kms
What facilities are available:
Maclean Showground offers camping only for Self-Contained Vehicles with facilities same as in a home – living area, kitchen, sleeping area, toilet and shower.
Camping facilities at the Maclean Showground are limited. There are toilets but no showers. Drinking water and bins are available and it is just an 800 metre walk into town.
Type of Sites:
Maximum of 10 designated sites, some along the river bank with the remainder around the main showground ring
How much does it cost?
$10 per night for 2 people
How to book?
No bookings – it is a first in first served basis
Maximum Stay:
72hrs
Is it Pet Friendly?
Yes – must be on a leash
Dump Point:
Yes
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility?
Accessible to Motorhomes, Caravans and Big Rigs as long as vehicle is self-contained. No camping in tents, campervans or camper trailers is allowed.
Mobile Phone Service:
We had good Telstra, Vodafone and Optus service during our stay
Contact Details:
Phone: 0487 101 151
Address: 12 Cameron Street, Maclean New South Wales
Website:
Things to do in the Maclean region:
Clarence River
Maclean Lookout
Check out the power poles painted with the Scottish Tartans
Read more: Maclean Showgrounds
Nambucca Bowls Club
Location:
Nambucca Heads, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Nambucca Bowls Club – 431.6kms
Sydney to Nambucca Bowls Club – 487.4kms
What facilities are available:
Camping is limited to Self-Contained vehicles with their own toilet, shower, fresh and grey water tanks, fridge and own power by way of solar or generator.
No washing, drying or cooking outdoors is permitted and no alcohol is allowed to be consumed on the camping grounds.
There are no facilities provided in the camping area alongside the Nambucca Bowls Club
Type of Sites:
6 – all unpowered
How much does it cost?
Free and only available to Nambucca Bowls Club Members. Cost of once-off membership is $5
How to book?
Telephone the Club on 02 6568 6132 or pop into the bar upon arrival
Maximum Stay:
24hrs
Is it Pet Friendly?
No
Dump Point:
Yes
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
Yes – between 8.30am – 9pm
Accessibility?
Accessible for Club Members with Self-Contained Motorhomes and Caravans only
Mobile Phone Service:
We had good Telstra and Vodafone coverage during our overnight stay
Contact Details:
Phone: 02 6558 6132
Address: 12-18 Nelson St, Nambucca Heads, New South Wales
Website:
Things to do in the region:
The V-Wall – check out the painted rocks along breakwater
Captain Cook Lookout
Read more: Nambucca Bowls Club
Coffs Leagues Club
Location:
Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Coffs Leagues Club – 388.7kms
Sydney to Coffs Leagues Club – 523.8kms
What facilities are available:
Camping facilities at the Coffs Leagues Club include toilets, showers, camp kitchen, bins and drinking water is also available.
Type of Sites:
A small number of Powered and Unpowered sites are available.
How much does it cost?
Powered Site – $25 per night for 2 people
Unpowered Site – $20 per night for 2 people
How to book?
Bookings are essential. Office hours: Monday to Friday 8am – 2pm and 10am – 12noon on Saturday and Sunday
Maximum Stay:
7 days
Is it Pet Friendly?
Yes
Dump Point:
No
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
Unknown
Accessibility?
Accessible for Motorhomes, Caravans, Camper trailers and tent camping
Mobile Phone Service:
Telstra and other mobile network coverage available
Contact Details:
Phone: 0412 722 942
Address: 1 Stadium Drive, Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
Facebook:
Things to do in the region:
The Big Banana Fun Park
Coffs Harbour Muttonbird Island
Forest Sky Pier
Dolphin Marine Conservation Park
Read more: Our Best Low Cost Campgrounds in Australia
Great Low-Cost Camping grounds in NSW North Coast
We love the beach and are always searching out great low cost camping grounds alongside the beach or somewhere with river or lake views.
All of these great NSW North Coast camping grounds are located beside the ocean or alongside a creek or river.
These campsites not only provide an awesome place to stay but you also have the added advantage of a stunning beach close by and possibly an opportunity for fishing.
Ingenia Holidays, Lake Macquarie
Location:
Lake Macquarie, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Ingenia Holidays Lake Macquarie – 812.4kms
Sydney to Ingenia Holidays Lake Macquarie – 115.4kms
What facilities are available:
The Ingenia Holiday Park, Lake Macquarie has great facilities including a camp kitchen, communal BBQs, laundry, swimming pool, kids playground and jumping cushion.
Type of Sites:
Grassy Powered sites, Waterfront Powered sites with lake views and Tent Camping sites
How much does it cost?
Waterfront Powered Site – Midweek From $32/Weekend From $45
Powered Site back from the Water – Midweek From $28/ Weekend from $40
Early Bird 20% off – when you book 28 days or more in advance
Mid Week 30% off – when you book 2 or more nights between Sunday and Thursday
Seniors 10% off – standard rate
Value Seeker – Stay 4 pay 3
How to book?
Book on-line or call 02 4359 1033
Maximum Stay:
N/A
Is it Pet Friendly?
Yes – Seasonal and at the Park Manager’s discretion
Dump Point:
Yes
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility?
All RVs and tent camping
Mobile Phone Service:
We had good Telstra and Vodafone coverage
Contact Details:
Phone: 02 4359 1033
Address: Monterey Avenue, Mannering Park, New South Wales
Website:
Things to do in the region:
Lake Macquarie boating, fishing or kayaking
Lake Macquarie Cruise
Caves Beach
Catherine Hill Bay Beach
Read more: Ingenia Holiday Parks Lake Macquarie
Diamond Head Campground
Location:
Crowdy Bay National Park, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Diamond Head Campground – 569.7kms
Sydney to Diamond Head Campground – 350.5km
What facilities are available:
Facilities at the Diamond Head Campground include flushing toilets, cold showers, beach showers, sheltered areas with picnic tables and BBQs.
No water is available so you need to bring along your own. Firewood and Ice can be purchased from the on-site office.
Type of Sites:
75 grassed campsites – all are unpowered and some are shaded
How much does it cost?
$12 per Adult per night plus Park Entry Fee of $8 per vehicle per day. Note – if you are visiting a number of NSW National Parks it is worthwhile purchasing an Annual Pass
How to book?
Book on-line or call 1300 072 757
Maximum Stay:
21 days
Is it Pet Friendly?
No – as it is in Crowdy Bay National Park
Dump Point:
Yes
Are you allowed to have a fire?
Yes – fires are permitted in on-the-ground braziers only. Brazier Hire and firewood is available from the office.
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility?
Accessible for motorhomes, caravans, campervans, camper trailers and tents
Mobile Phone Service:
We had both Telstra and Vodafone coverage during our stay
Contact Details:
Phone: 1300 072 757 or 13000 PARKS
Address: 763 Diamond Head Road, Diamond Head, New South Wales
Website:
Things to do in the Crowdy Bay National Park region:
North Brother Mountain Lookout, Laurieton
Diamond Head Loop Walk
Check out the amazing Split Rock
Read more: Diamond Head Campground
Trial Bay Gaol Campground
Location:
South West Rocks, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Trial Bay Gaol Campground – 489.0kms
Sydney to Trial Bay Gaol Campground – 458.4kms
What facilities are available:
Camping facilities at the Trial Bay Gaol Campground include 3 amenities blocks with toilets and showers accessed with a Pin-code, camp kitchen, barbecues and laundry facilities.
There are picnic tables, a boat ramp and the Trial Bay Kiosk Restaurant is a short walk from the campground.
Drinking water and bins are also available throughout the campground.
Type of Sites:
Powered and Unpowered Sites, some with direct ocean views
How much does it cost?
General Unpowered Site – From $34.85 per night
Bay View Unpowered Site – From $45.10 per night
General Powered Site – From $45.10 per night
In addition, Park Entry Fee of $8 per vehicle per day also applies. Note – if you are visiting a number of NSW National Parks it is worthwhile purchasing an Annual Pass.
How to book?
Book on-line or call 1300 072 757
Maximum Stay:
21 days
Is it Pet Friendly?
No – as it is in the Arakoon National Park
Dump Point:
Yes
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility?
Accessible for motorhomes, caravans, big rigs, campervans, camper trailers and tents
Mobile Phone Service:
We had great Telstra and Vodafone coverage during our stay
Contact Details:
Phone: 1300 072 757 or 13000 PARKS
Address: 2 Cardwell Street, South West Rocks, New South Wales
Website:
Things to do in the South West Rocks region:
Trial Bay Gaol Tour
Mermaid Pools
Smoky Cape Lighthouse
South West Rocks Country Club
Read more: Trial Bay Gaol, South West Rocks
Smoky Cape Campground
Location:
South West Rocks, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Smoky Cape Campground – 487.5kms
Sydney to Smoky Cape Campground – 457.0kms
What facilities are available:
Basic facilities are available at the Smoky Cape Campground including non-flush toilets, bins and picnic tables.
There is no water available so you will need to bring along a supply of water and drinking water.
Type of Sites:
20 campsites, all are unpowered and most are shaded
How much does it cost?
$12.30 per night for 2 people
In addition, Park Entry Fee of $8 per vehicle per day also applies. Note – if you are visiting a number of NSW National Parks it is worthwhile purchasing an Annual Pass.
How to book?
Book on-line or call Trial Bay Gaol Visitor Centre on 02 6566 6168
Maximum Stay:
21 days
Is it Pet Friendly?
No – as it is in the Hat Head National Park
Dump Point:
No – however there is a Dump Point at the Trial Bay Gaol Campground nearby
Are you allowed to have a fire?
Yes – only in an above-the-ground firepit or brazier
Are Generators permitted?
Unknown
Accessibility?
Accessible to Caravans, Motorhomes, Camper Trailers and tent camping is permitted.
Mobile Phone Service:
There is no phone service in the Camping Area however there is some on the beach
Contact Details:
Phone: 02 6566 6168 or 1300 072 757
Address: 73 Trial Bay Gaol Road, Arakoon, New South Wales
Website:
Things to do in the South West Rocks region:
Smoky Cape Lighthouse
Trial Bay Gaol
Mermaid Pools
South West Rocks Country Club
Read more: Smoky Cape Campground
Gumma Reserve
Location:
Gumma via Macksville, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Gumma Reserve – 446.2kms
Sydney to Gumma Reserve – 479.8kms
What facilities are available:
Basic facilities include an amenities block with flushing toilets, cold showers, drinking water and bins. There is drinking water, picnic tables and BBQ facilities.
The road to the campground is now sealed and there is a boat ramp.
Type of Sites:
Limited campsites are available. There must be 6 metres between caravans and 3 metres between tents. No camping within 10 metres of the creek bank.
How much does it cost?
$25 for Families up to 4 people all year round
$20 for 2 people off season and $25 in peak season (NSW School Holidays – Apr, Sep/Oct & Dec/Jan)
$15 for 1 person and $20 in peak season
$8 for each additional person
Camping fees are to be paid by EFTPOS and collected by Council Caretaker anytime between 9am – 4pm daily
How to book?
Bookings are not taken. Availability can be checked prior to arrival by calling the Council Caretaker between 8am and 12 noon daily on 0429 366 456
Maximum Stay:
50 days in any one financial year
Is it Pet Friendly?
Yes – dogs must be on a leash at all times. Maximum 2 dogs
Dump Point:
Yes
Are you allowed to have a fire?
Yes – only when there are no bans are in place. BYO Firewood as it cannot be collected from the park or surrounding areas
Are Generators permitted?
Unknown
Accessibility?
Accessible for Motorhomes, Caravans, Camper trailers, Big Rigs and tent camping is permitted
Mobile Phone Service:
Limited mobile phone coverage is available
Contact Details:
Phone: 02 6568 2555
Address: Boultons Crossing Road, Gumma via Macksville, New South Wales
Website:
Things to do in the Macksville region:
Scotts Head
Collect oysters from Nambucca River
Reflections Red Rock Caravan Park
Location:
Red Rock, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Reflections Red Rock Caravan Park – 355.2kms
Sydney to Reflections Red Rock Caravan Park – 570.0kms
What facilities are available:
Reflections Red Rock has several amenities blocks, a camp kitchen, barbecue facilities, a number of laundry blocks, an on-site Cafe/Kiosk and a Boat Ramp.
Water is available from rain water tanks. Water from site taps is bore water and not suitable for drinking therefore we suggest you bring your own drinking water.
Type of Sites:
Powered and Unpowered sites
Cabins and Glamping Beach Tents are also available
How much does it cost?
Powered Site – From $42 per night for 2 people
Unpowered Site – From $33 per night
How to book?
Book on-line or call Reflections Holiday Parks, Red Rock on 02 6649 2730
Maximum Stay:
N/A
Is it Pet Friendly?
Yes – only during Off Peak Season and on selected sites only
Dump Point:
Yes
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
Unknown
Accessibility?
Accessible for Motorhomes, Caravans, Camper trailers, Big Rigs and tent camping is allowed
Mobile Phone Service:
We had good Telstra and Vodafone coverage during our stay
Contact Details:
Phone: 02 6649 2730
Address: 1 Lawson Street, Red Rock, New South Wales
Website:
Things to do in the Red Rock region:
Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre
Coffs Harbour Butterfly House
Carobana Confectionery Factory
Read more: Reflections Holiday Parks Red Rock
Illaroo North Campground
Location:
Yuraygir National Park, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Illaroo North Campground – 334.6kms
Sydney to Illaroo North Campground – 631.5kms
What facilities are available:
Facilities at the Illaroo North Campground include toilets, picnic tables, barbecues and bins.
There are also drinking water taps at each end of the park.
Type of Sites:
60 unpowered campsites in total for Illaroo North and South Campgrounds
How much does it cost?
Tent/Trailer/Campervan/Small Caravan Site – From $24.60
Motorhome/Caravan Hardened Surface Premium Site – From $34.85
Group Tent/Trailer/Campervan/Small Caravan Site (suitable for 3 set-ups) – From $73.80
In addition, Park Entry Fee of $8 per vehicle per day also applies. Note – if you are visiting a number of NSW National Parks it is worthwhile purchasing an Annual Pass.
How to book?
Sites must be pre-booked. Book online or call National Parks Contact Centre on 1300 072 757
Maximum Stay:
21 days
Is it Pet Friendly?
No – as it is in the Yuraygir National Park
Dump Point:
No
Are you allowed to have a fire?
Yes – only when there are no fire bans in place
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility?
Accessible for Motorhomes, Caravans, Campervans, Camper trailers and tent camping is allowed. Access road to the campground is unsealed and can become boggy in wet weather.
Mobile Phone Service:
We had no Telstra or Vodafone coverage during our stay but there is Optus
Contact Details:
Phone: 1300 072 757 or 13000 PARKS
Address: Illaroo Road, Minnie Water, New South Wales
Website:
Things to do in the Minnie Water region:
Angophora Grove Walk
Shoalhaven Zoo and Adventure World
Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk
Read more: Illaroo North Campground
Sandon River Campground
Location:
Yuraygir National Park, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Sandon River Campground – 301.7kms
Sydney to Sandon River Campground – 671.8kms
What facilities are available:
Sandon River facilities include non-flushing toilets, shelters with lights, picnic tables and electric barbecues.
Tank water is available for general washing and your own camp showers, but not suitable for drinking. Bring along your own drinking water.
Rubbish and recycling bins are available at the entry to the campground and there is a boat ramp.
Type of Sites:
29 Unpowered sites. Campsites are not suitable for large caravans or motorhomes over 7.5m.
How much does it cost?
$24.60 for 2 people
In addition, Park Entry Fee of $8 per vehicle per day also applies. Note – if you are visiting a number of NSW National Parks it is worthwhile purchasing an Annual Pass.
How to book?
Book on-line or call the Grafton Office on 02 6641 1500
Maximum Stay:
21 days and a 2 night minimum stay applies during NSW and Qld School hols and on NSW Long Weekends
Is it Pet Friendly?
No – as it is in the Yuraygir National Park
Dump Point:
No
Are you allowed to have a fire?
Yes – only in the designated wood barbecues or in your own off-ground fire brazier. Collection of firewood from the park is prohibited so BYO firewood.
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility?
Accessible for Motorhomes, Caravans, Camper trailers and tent camping is allowed. Unsealed gravel access road can become boggy in wet weather and water flows over the little bridge in heavy rainfall.
Mobile Phone Service:
Limited mobile reception. There is a coin-operated Public Phone located at the access ramp of the main toilet building.
Contact Details:
Phone: 02 6641 1500
Address: Sandon River Road, Yuraygir National Park, New South Wales
Website:
Things to do in the Sandon River region:
Brooms Head
Yamba River Markets
Yamba Ocean Pool
Woody Head Campground
Location:
Bundjalung National Park, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Woody Head Campground – 270.0kms
Sydney to Woody Head Campground – 669.3kms
What facilities are available:
Facilities at the Woody Head Campground include toilets, cold showers or hot showers are $1 for 4 minutes, picnic tables and barbecue facilities.
Free Gas/electric barbecues and wood barbecues with wood supplied.
There is drinking water available and a boat ramp.
Type of Sites:
94 sites – all sites are unpowered
How much does it cost?
$34.85 per night for 2 people
In addition, Park Entry Fee of $8 per vehicle per day also applies. Note – if you are visiting a number of NSW National Parks it is worthwhile purchasing an Annual Pass.
How to book?
Book on-line or call 1300 072 757
Maximum Stay:
21 days
Is it Pet Friendly?
No – as it is in the Bundjalung National Park
Dump Point:
Yes
Are you allowed to have a fire?
Yes – only in wood barbecues provided or your own small off-the-ground braziers but it must have a solid base able to catch all ash and coals, be 300mm off-ground and under 300mm diameter in size
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility?
Accessible for Motorhomes, Caravans, Camper trailers and tent camping is allowed.
Mobile Phone Service:
We had good reception with both Telstra and Vodafone during our stay. A Telstra Public Phone is also available near the Woody Head Office.
Contact Details:
Phone: 02 6646 6134 or 1300 072 757
Address: 92 Woody Head Road, Woody Head, New South Wales
Website:
Things to do in the Illuka region:
Illuka/Yamba Ferry
Illuka Rainforest Walking Track
Illuka Museum
Read more: Woody Head Campground
Black Rocks Campground
Location:
Bundjalung National Park, New South Wales
Distance from Brisbane & Sydney:
Brisbane to Black Rocks Campground – 245.4kms
Sydney to Black Rocks Campground – 711.2kms
What facilities are available:
Black Rocks Campground has non-flush toilets however there are no showers, water or rubbish bins available.
You will need to bring your own water supply and drinking water and take your rubbish with you.
Picnic Tables and free gas/electric and wood barbecues are available throughout the campground.
Type of Sites:
50 Unpowered sites. There is a clothes line, picnic table and fire ring at each of the private individual campsites
How much does it cost?
$24.60 for 2 people
$147.60 for 27m x 20m Group Tent site – Max 30 people
In addition, Park Entry Fee of $8 per vehicle per day also applies. Note – if you are visiting a number of NSW National Parks it is worthwhile purchasing an Annual Pass.
How to book?
Book on-line or call 1300 072 757
Maximum Stay:
21 days
Is it Pet Friendly?
No – as it is in the Bundjalung National Park
Dump Point:
Yes
Are you allowed to have a fire?
Yes – in the fire ring provided as long as there are no fire bans at the time. BYO firewood as it cannot be collected from within the park
Are Generators permitted?
Unknown
Accessibility?
Accessible for Motorhomes, Caravans, Camper Trailers and Campervans. Camping in tents is also permitted.
Mobile Phone Service:
Limited Telstra phone reception and Vodafone reception is sporadic
Contact Details:
Phone: 02 9585 6831 or 1300 072 757
Address: The Gap Road, Bundjalung National Park, New South Wales
Website:
Things to do in the Black Rocks region:
Jeruselum Creek
Evans Head
Read more: Black Rocks Campground
Best time to go camping between Brisbane and Sydney
We found the best time to do a camping trip of the NSW North Coast between Brisbane and Sydney was in the warmer months of the year.
Wanting to escape the heat of Brisbane, we travelled south down along the NSW North Coast in search of cooler temperatures in November and December returning for Christmas before doing a trip of the NSW South Coast in February – April.
Things to take with you when exploring Brisbane to Sydney
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Snorkel Gear
- Speargun
- Wetsuit
- Hema Maps
- Water Bottle
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Torch
- Hiking Shoes
- Swimmers and Towel
- First Aid Kit
- Cooling Towel
- Insect Repellent
Check out these other great blogs on camping:
Pin – Camping NSW North Coast
Have you stayed at any of these great camping sites on the NSW North Coast? Tell us if you have stayed at any other awesome NSW North Coast camping grounds, showgrounds, free camps or caravan parks.
Safe travels
Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave
We are Adele & Kevin, an Aussie couple from Brisbane in Queensland Australia who have embraced our adventurous spirit and ventured out to explore the world around us. We had spent so much time overseas we decided it was time to see our own truly amazing country and we needed to take some time to see everything it has to offer.
Our Aim is to inspire others to travel and help design the greatest adventure they can experience.
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Photography and Socials
Our camera equipment we use for all our photos and videos are:
Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – http://ebay.us/9vMXEH – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps.
Samsung s21 Phone – https://ebay.us/QAdwva – this looks an insane camera within a phone. We have friends and our son who own one and it seems quite extraordinary with their camera quality. If you’re after a new phone this is what I’d be looking at.
Canon 800d – https://ebay.us/Q0UV1z – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.
Nikon Coolpix p1000 – https://ebay.to/37cORUV – We have the Nikon P900 and this is the new model. The zoom lens is unbelievable and so awesome when travelling and you want to capture photos from a distance.
Lenses
Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/3nx5pyG This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.us/br9MeO – This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/33xYeht – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – http://ebay.us/zWvfuI – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.
Our Go Pro 9 Hero Black – https://ebay.us/6CQOVC – is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.
Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.
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Adventurers Diary
12 Ways to Stay Awake when Driving on Long Trips
If you are looking to roadtrip Australia, you will want to find ways to stay awake when driving on long trips.
It’s been 6 years now since we packed up, sold off and gave away all our belongings and left our home to Travel Australia.
Every moment has been amazing and we wouldn’t change a thing.
We have been all of the way around the Country including Tasmania and in the meantime we have racked up plenty of kilometres along the way.
The East Coast is fairly easy with most days consisting of short drives to reach your destination but the Northern Territory and Western Australia are often longer days with big stretches before reaching your next camp site.
These days can be exhausting.
Fatigue when driving can happen anytime, not just on long drives.
For me I notice I get tired more when I’m driving long straight boring roads. This can happen regardless of how long I’ve been driving that day.
Driving when tired as we all know is a very common cause of traffic accidents and we need to ensure we do everything possible to prepare for long road trips and take the right precautions should we feel tired.
Table of Contents
Our 12 Ways to Stay Awake when Driving Long Trips
Here are some ideas and tips to ensure you stay awake when driving on long trips and arrive at your destination safely.
1. Sleep
Getting good sleep at night is paramount to handling days on the road driving the highways on our adventures.
Did you know, when you are fatigued even without falling asleep our brain can have short “microsleeps”, which are short periods of sleep.
Microsleeps can last from a fraction of a second up to 10 full seconds.
It’s important to recognise the signs of driving tired. These include:
- Yawning
- Blinking more often
- Stiffness, cramps, aches and pains. Sore shoulders or neck areas.
- Losses of concentration and daydreaming
- Drifting across lanes or onto the edge of the road
- Eyes become sore or lose focus
Take regular breaks and share the driving if you can.
If you feel tired then stop, refresh and have something healthy to eat and drink. Try not to have too much sugar which will give you a quick hit of energy but will likely leave you feeling fatigued soon after.
2. Meals
On days where you are driving consider what you eat and it’s possible effects on how it may make you feel.
It’s a well known fact that speakers at conferences and seminars who talk after lunch are getting the graveyard shift. It’s the hardest session to keep the audience awake and alert.
What you eat at meal times can have a big influence on your fatigue factor.
Fresh foods, fruits and drinking water is ideal and limiting Pasta, Rice and other high in Carbs meals as well as Sugar and Trans fats will all assist you to keep alert and stay safe when driving long trips.
Making your own meals when on the road rather then stopping at a Fast Food outlet or Highway Truck Stop will likely help reduce tiredness as you drive.
3. Alcohol
It goes without saying that we should never drink alcohol whilst driving or straight after consuming too much.
However, what about the night before?
A night of heavy drinking can take your body 18 hours to get back to zero blood alcohol concentration level.
Alcohol effects us all very differently based on:
- our weight
- our age
- if we are male or female
- the metabolism of our individual bodies
- type of alcohol we are drinking
- food we have consumed and when we ate
- stress levels
We all understand the consequences of driving over the limit however what about the effect drinking the night before has on our ability to remain focused and vigilant the next day despite being under the alcohol limit.
A study has shown that even a moderate level of alcohol intake, even below what is legally drunk, along with a bad night sleep produced greater drowsiness and more attention deficit than normal.
Taking it easy the night before a road trip the next morning might be the safe option.
4. Stop & Revive
We know that once we get tired we should pull over to take a rest but what should we do while we are stopped.
If you simply pull over and sit in your drivers seat for a short period you will find you will return back to your original state of drowsiness fairly quickly.
Here are some ideas on what to do while you pull over and take some time out from driving.
- Exercise whilst you are stopped. Do lots of stretches that cover all of your bodies muscles. Walk around and increase your blood flow, oxygen and heart rate.
- Drink water. Our bodies naturally lose fluids each day and re-hydrating is essential. If we become low on fluids we will become tired and weak. Always drink plenty of water whenever driving and taking a rest stop.
- Now is the right time to take a toilet break.
- I”m not sure about you but whenever we hit the highway Adele falls asleep in the passengers seat very quickly. This leaves me with my music and my thoughts. When we arrive at a rest stop I find it important to talk. This helps stimulate my brain and gets my mind functioning and alert at peak levels once again. This is also a good time to make a phone call to family or friends as well as chat with your partner and kids.
There’s lots of Rest Areas all around our country’s highways, make sure to utilise them whenever necessary to ensure you stay awake when driving long trips.
5. Put your left foot in put you’re your left foot out and shake it all about
While you are driving keep stretching and moving wherever you can. Stretch your shoulders, neck and arms however possible.
Apply pressure by stretching them over your head or pushing up and down on solid parts of the inside of your car.
Stretch and move your left leg about and set your cruise control to allow you to do the same with your right leg.
Exerting your tendons and ligaments will help the flow of blood and oxygen and keep your body awake.
6. Music
It’s the first thing I do when I drive. Find some great music that I love and turn it up as loud as Adele will let me. Which isn’t very loud lol.
Great music and singing as you drive is both great for staying awake when driving on long trips but a lot of fun too.
In this article I listed some of my favourite Driving songs I like to play and sign to while I’m driving.
Read more: My 15 Favourite Driving Songs as I Travel
7. Audio Books
These are a great way to keep focused while driving.
You can find all sort of audio books to suit your interests.
From funny and humurous to educational or just great stories, you will find an audio book to suit you.
An Audio Book is book you would normally purchase and read but through audio books you listen while someone reads the book to you.
You can download Audio Books through your Google Play or Apple Books app or you can sign up to places such as Audible which is owned by Amazon.
This is another great way to keep energised and stay awake while driving long trips.
8. Use your UHF
A UHF is an excellent bit of equipment to have when travelling Australia by road.
It’s an essential safety tool and a great method to be aware of changing conditions and monitor roadworks.
A UHF is also a great way to be in contact with truck drivers, other road users or friends you may have in convoy.
Read more: Why Trucks Pass You When You’re doing the Speed Limit
9. Play games
As kids I still vividly remember our camping trips and holidays when we were all in the car playing eye spy or counting specific cars we could see.
No doubt this was done to entertain us 4 boys and keep our minds occupied and stop us from getting bored but it’s also a great opportunity from drivers to stay awake.
In Queensland the Government has even recognised this and installed road signs on the highways with questions and answers designed to keep us alert.
Personally I think those signs should be able to be rotated and each month a new question and answer can be changed over but it’s still a great idea.
We play similar games at times when we are driving just between us.
Now that we drive separate vehicles we will come up with a letter and we both have to name places we have travelled to starting with that letter.
We use our UHF to give our answers.
As we remember places it also reminds us of stories and funny things we chat about that happened during our stay there.
Have some fun playing your own quizzes and games to stay awake on your long road trips and find how it helps break up the monotony of driving.
10. Fresh Air
Every half hour to an hour I like to wind down my window and allow fresh air in to the vehicle.
The air inside gets stale and it can’t hurt to release the carbon dioxide we’ve been breathing out over time.
Most of the time when I’m driving below 80kmh I prefer my window down to the air conditioning anyway.
In the country it’s great to enjoy the wind in your face and the smells of the countryside.
Wind down your window and let some fresh air in. Depending on your vehicle size and how many of you are in the car as to how often.
I often do this as we slow down to drive through small towns along the way.
11. Sit Correctly
It’s a simple thing but I’ve noticed that occasionally when my arms, shoulders or back get sore that my seating position could improve.
Either I’m stretching too far to reach the steering wheel or I’m not quite sitting straight.
Make sure your seat is in the correct position to ensure maximum comfort for you and the correct position to sustain longer periods in the drivers seat.
Over stretching to reach the steering wheel can cause aches and pain in your arms, shoulders and back which can ultimately add to fatigue and making it harder to stay awake when driving long trips.
This might be just a very minor tweak of your seat or your sitting position that can make a big difference on your comfort while driving.
12. Early Morning Driving
Neither Adele or I are naturally morning people and it’s usually mid morning before we hit the road.
To be honest, we often struggle to get out of Caravan Parks before the designated time of 10am on leaving day. It’s one of the extra reasons we love Free camping.
On our recent trip back up to the Northern Territory and North Queensland though we found it great to be up early and on the road around 7.30am, especially on the days we knew we had some bigger kms to travel.
It’s so much cooler and the sun beating in through the side window wasn’t nearly as harsh.
There was less traffic and we could choose to get an extra few kms in and closer to our destination or arrive earlier at a roadside rest stop and get a good position.
The most important thing is to arrive safely.
Make sure you manage your fatigue factor and arrive safely where you are going.
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Summary
These are just some of the many ways to stay awake when driving long trips or driving in general. None of which cost anything to apply but may hopefully help to save your life and lives of others.
- Get good sleep before driving
- Eat well before driving
- Do not drink excessively before driving
- Stop regularly on long trips
- Stretch often
- Listen to Music or Audio Books
- Utilise your UHF
- Breath in fresh air
- Ensure you sit correctly
- Drive early in the morning where possible
Other blogs you may find interesting:
Pin – Ways to stay awake when driving long trips
Do you have any other tips for ways to stay awake when driving on long trips while you are travelling?
Let us know in the comments below.
Safe travels
Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave
We are Adele & Kevin, an Aussie couple from Brisbane in Queensland Australia who have embraced our adventurous spirit and ventured out to explore the world around us. We had spent so much time overseas we decided it was time to see our own truly amazing country and we needed to take some time to see everything it has to offer.
Our Aim is to inspire others to travel and help design the greatest adventure they can experience.
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Photography and Socials
Our camera equipment we use for all our photos and videos are:
Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – http://ebay.us/9vMXEH – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps.
Samsung s21 Phone – https://ebay.us/QAdwva – this looks an insane camera within a phone. We have friends and our son who own one and it seems quite extraordinary with their camera quality. If you’re after a new phone this is what I’d be looking at.
Canon 800d – https://ebay.us/Q0UV1z – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.
Nikon Coolpix p1000 – https://ebay.to/37cORUV – We have the Nikon P900 and this is the new model. The zoom lens is unbelievable and so awesome when travelling and you want to capture photos from a distance.
Lenses
Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/3nx5pyG This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.us/br9MeO – This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/33xYeht – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – http://ebay.us/zWvfuI – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.
Our Go Pro 9 Hero Black – https://ebay.us/6CQOVC – is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.
Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.
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Adventurers Diary
Exmouth Campsites in the Cape Range National Park
Dotted all along the Western Australian coast within the shire of Exmouth are a number of campsites in the Cape Range National Park just south of Exmouth itself.
Exmouth is located on the North West Cape of Western Australia and is the gateway to the magnificent Ningaloo Marine Park.
It’s 1250kms north from Perth between Carnarvon and Karratha and is a drive of approximately 13 hours from Western Australia’s capital city.
The Ningaloo Reef is 260kms long and is located close to the coastline and in some areas it is easy to swim and snorkel amongst the coral and enormous array of marine life.
Migrating humpback whales, Whale sharks, Dugong, Dolphins, Manta Rays, Turtles, beautiful coral and colourful fish are all common residents of the stunning Ningaloo Reef Marine Park.
This is an extraordinary part of Australia’s coastline and there’s some amazing camping areas where you can stay overlooking the reef and enjoy some of the best snorkelling in our country.
In total, there are 11 great campsites within just 100kms of Exmouth all of which have beach access within a short stroll of the campground.
Table of Contents
Exmouth Campsites – Fees and Park Passes
Besides booking the camping fees to stay at these great Exmouth campsites through the Department of Parks and Wildlife, you will also need to purchase a Western Australia Parks Pass to enter the Cape Range National Park.
Types of Park Passes
Park Passes are available as follows:
- Holiday Pass – 5 day, 14 day and 1 month: from $25
- Annual Local Parks Pass (Western Australian local residents and ratepayers only): $25
- Annual All Parks Pass: $120
- Concession All Parks Pass: $75
- Goldstar Subscription Annual All Parks Pass (Annual All Parks Pass & Subscription to Landscope Magazine: $150
Purchase e-passes from the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions website
Passes must then be printed and displayed on your vehicle at all times.
11 Great Exmouth Campsites
Here is a list of the 11 great Exmouth Campsites along with details of the camping facilities at each of these beachside camping grounds south of Exmouth.
Mesa Campsite
How far is this campsite from Exmouth?
49.8kms
Location:
Northern end of Cape Range National Park, Western Australia
What Facilities are available?
The Mesa Campground is a beachside campground overlooking the small bay and offers some shade.
It is the most northern of the campsites from Exmouth and the beach is just a 100m stroll away.
Pit toilets are available. Bins and picnic tables are also available. Bring along your own drinking water and general water supply.
Camping in tents and swags is allowed and it is accessible to Caravans, Camper Trailers, Motorhomes and Big Rigs.
Telstra reception is available.
Campground hosts manage the Mesa Campsite from April to the end of November.
Number of Sites:
23 Unpowered – hard surfaced sites
How much does it cost?
Adults – $11 per night
Concession Holders- $7 per night
Children aged 5 – 16 – $3 per night
How to book?
Book prior to arrival via the DPAW website
Maximum Stay:
28 nights and 14 nights if any one night falls within the WA School Holiday period
Is it Pet Friendly?
No, Mesa Campground is not pet friendly as it is in National Park
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
Yes – between the hours of 8am – 9pm
Accessibility:
Unsealed access but suitable for 2WD
Contact Details:
Phone: 08 9949 2808
Address: Cape Range National Park, via Murat Road, Learmonth-Minilya Road and Yardie Creek Road
Website:
Mesa Campground Activities:
Swimming
Fishing
Snorkelling
Canoeing & Kayaking
Read more: 47 Caravan Motorhome RV & Camping Accessories
Neds Campsite
How far is this campsite from Exmouth?
49.8kms
Location:
Northern end of Cape Range National Park, Western Australia
What Facilities are available?
The Neds Campground is a beachside campground overlooking the small bay and offers some shade. Beach is just a 100m stroll away.
Non-flush toilets and picnic tables are available. Bring along your own drinking water and general water supply.
Camping in tents and swags is allowed and Neds is only suitable for Camper Trailers and Rooftoppers.
Telstra reception is available.
Number of Sites:
9 Unpowered sites
How much does it cost?
Adults – $11 per night
Concession Holders- $7 per night
Children aged 5 – 16 – $3 per night
How to book?
Book prior to arrival via the DPAW website
Maximum Stay:
28 nights and 14 nights if any one night falls within the WA School Holiday period
Is it Pet Friendly?
No, Neds Campground and Day Use Area is not pet friendly as it is in National Park
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility:
Suitable for 2WD vehicles
Contact Details:
Phone: 08 9949 2808
Address: Cape Range National Park, via Murat Road and Yardie Creek Road
Website:
Neds Campground Activities:
Swimming
Fishing
Snorkelling
Bushwalking
Read More: Travelling Australia with our dog MACKS
Tulki Beach Campsite
How far is this campsite from Exmouth?
58.4kms
Location:
Northern end of Cape Range National Park, Western Australia
What Facilities are available?
The Tulki Beach Campsite is the closest campground to the stunning Turquoise Bay.
The campground is located near the mouth of a dry creek system and just a 200m stroll to the beach from all sites.
Pit toilets are available. Bins and picnic tables are also available. Bring along your own drinking water and general water supply.
Camping in tents and swags is allowed and it is accessible to Caravans, Camper Trailers, Motorhomes and Big Rigs. Note – the hard surface makes it difficult to drive pegs.
Mobile phone reception is not available.
Camp hosts are on site at the campground.
Number of Sites:
11 Unpowered sites – compacted surface
How much does it cost?
Adults – $11 per night
Concession Holders- $7 per night
Children aged 5 – 16 – $3 per night
How to book?
Book prior to arrival via the DPAW website
Maximum Stay:
28 nights and 14 nights if any one night falls within the WA School Holiday period
Is it Pet Friendly?
No, Tulki Beach Campground is not pet friendly as it is in National Park
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
Yes – between the hours of 8am – 9pm
Accessibility:
Suitable for 2WD and larger vehicles – unsealed roads within campground
Contact Details:
Phone: 08 9949 2808
Address: Cape Range National Park, Western Australia via Murat Road & Yardie Creek Road
Website:
Tulki Beach Campground Activities:
Swimming
Snorkelling
Canoeing & Kayaking
Turquoise Bay is one of our: Best Beaches in Australia 1-10
North Mandu Campsite
How far is this campsite from Exmouth?
65.9kms
Location:
Cape Range National Park, Western Australia
What Facilities are available?
The Mandu North Campground is a small campground tucked behind the sand dunes providing partial protection against any strong winds. It is only 50metres to the beach from the campsites.
Non-flush Pit toilets are the only facilities available. Bring along your own drinking water and general water supply.
Camping in tents and swags is allowed and it is accessible to Caravans, Camper Trailers and Motorhomes. Surface is hard so driving pegs may be difficult.
There is no mobile phone reception available.
Number of Sites:
5 Unpowered sites
How much does it cost?
Adults – $11 per night
Concession Holders- $7 per night
Children aged 5 – 16 – $3 per night
How to book?
Book prior to arrival via the DPAW website
Maximum Stay:
28 nights and 14 nights if any one night falls within the WA School Holiday period
Is it Pet Friendly?
No, North Mandu Campground is not pet friendly as it is in National Park
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility:
2WD accessible
Contact Details:
Phone: 08 9949 2808
Address: Cape Range National Park, via Murat Road, Learmonth-Minilya Road and Yardie Creek Road
Website:
Mandu North Campground Activities:
Swimming
Bushwalking
Snorkelling
Canoeing & Kayaking
North Kurrajong Campsite
How far is this campsite from Exmouth?
70.7kms
Location:
Cape Range National Park, Western Australia
What Facilities are available?
Adjacent to the North Kurrajong Campground is a beautiful sandy beach and only a short walk from each campsite of the campground which is nestled behind the sand dunes.
You can take in the excellent coastal views from the viewing platform made from recycled plastic.
A modern toilet block with 3 cubicles is available as well as a sheltered picnic area including 4 tables. Bring along your own drinking water and general water supply.
Camping in tents and swags is allowed and it is accessible to Caravans, Camper Trailers and Motorhomes. Surface is hard so driving pegs may be difficult.
There is no mobile phone reception available. Milyering Centre has phone reception.
Camp hosts on site at the campground.
Number of Sites:
10 Unpowererd campsites
How much does it cost?
Adults – $11 per night
Concession Holders- $7 per night
Children aged 5 – 16 – $3 per night
How to book?
Book prior to arrival via the DPAW website
Maximum Stay:
28 nights and 14 nights if any one night falls within the WA School Holiday period
Is it Pet Friendly?
No, North Kurrajong Campground is not pet friendly as it is in National Park
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility:
2WD accessible
Contact Details:
Phone: 08 9949 2808
Address: Cape Range National Park, via Murat Road and Yardie Creek Road
Website:
North Kurrajong Campground Activities:
Swimming
Fishing
Snorkelling
Canoeing & Kayaking
Read more: Best Mobile Network in Australia for travellers
Kurrajong Campsite
How far is this campsite from Exmouth?
70.7kms
Location:
Cape Range National Park, Western Australia
What Facilities are available?
Nestled behind the sand dunes the Kurrajong Campground is a only a 150 metre walk to the beach from all campsites.
The Ningaloo Reef is directly out from the campsite and provides great snorkelling.
Non-flush toilets as well as picnic tables are available. Bring along your own drinking water and general water supply.
Camping in tents and swags is allowed and it is accessible to Caravans, Camper Trailers and Motorhomes. Surface is hard so driving pegs may be difficult.
There is no mobile phone reception available. Milyering Discovery Centre has phone reception.
Camp hosts on site at the campground.
Number of Sites:
26 Unpowered campsites
How much does it cost?
Adults – $11 per night
Concession Holders- $7 per night
Children aged 5 – 16 – $3 per night
How to book?
Book prior to arrival via the DPAW website
Maximum Stay:
28 nights and 14 nights if any one night falls within the WA School Holiday period
Is it Pet Friendly?
No, Kurrajong Campground is not pet friendly as it is in National Park
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility:
2WD accessible– unsealed road within campground
Contact Details:
Phone: 08 9949 2808
Address: Cape Range National Park, via Murat Road and Yardie Creek Road
Website:
Kurrajong Campground Activities:
Swimming
Fishing
Snorkelling
5 Essentials – Camera Equipment
The Mavic Pro 2 will provide you with everything you will need for all of your aerial footage
Our Go Pro 9 Hero Black – https://ebay.us/6CQOVC – is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.nd some general use.
We both love our Samsung Phones. Most of our photos are simply from our Samsung Phones. Now there’s the new Samsung s21 out and we have friends and our son who have one and they look insane for photography. If you’re looking for a new phone for your road trip I’d be going for this.
The distances you can shoot with the Camera – Nikon P1000 are simply amazing. It has an incredible optical and digital zoom!
We use our HP Sphere 360 Laptop with 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor for our everyday use and for editing our photos
Osprey Bay Campsite
How far is this campsite from Exmouth?
78.6kms
Location:
Cape Range National Park, Western Australia
What Facilities are available?
Osprey Campground is the largest campsites in the Cape Range National Park south of Exmouth.
It’s just a short walk from the Osprey Campground and day use area to the sandy beach.
Enjoy a walk along the trail that leads to Sandy Bay and look out for echidnas, kangaroos and any birds of prey flying overhead.
Shore based fishing is permitted in the special purpose zone adjacent to the Osprey Bay Sanctuary Zone. Visit the Fisheries website or download a copy of the Ningaloo Coast World Heritage Map.
Non-flush toilets and picnic tables are available in the day use area. Bring along your own drinking water and general water supply.
Camping in tents and swags is allowed and it is accessible to Caravans, Camper Trailers and Motorhomes. Surface is hard so driving pegs may be difficult.
There is no mobile phone reception. Milyering Discovery Centre has phone reception.
Volunteer Camp hosts are at the campground.
Number of Sites:
46 Unpowered campsites
How much does it cost?
Adults – $11 per night
Concession Holders- $7 per night
Children aged 5 – 16 – $3 per night
How to book?
Book prior to arrival via the DPAW website
Maximum Stay:
28 nights and 14 nights if any one night falls within the WA School Holiday period
Is it Pet Friendly?
No, Osprey Campground is not pet friendly as it is in National Park
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
Yes – 8am – 9pm in specific sites only
Accessibility:
Accessible for 2WD and large vehicles
Contact Details:
Phone: 08 9949 2808
Address: Cape Range National Park, via Murat Road and Yardie Creek Road
Website:
Osprey Campground Activities:
Swimming
Fishing
Snorkelling
Kayaking
Read about more campgrounds: Our Best Low Cost Campgrounds in Australia
Bungarra Campsite
How far is this campsite from Exmouth?
79.1kms
Location:
Cape Range National Park, Western Australia
What Facilities are available?
Bungarra Campground is one of the small campsites out of Exmouth in the Cape Range National Park making it a peaceful place to stay.
It’s just a short walk from the Campground to the beach where you can enjoy swimming, snorkelling and canoeing.
Non-flush toilets are the only facilities at this campground. Bring along your own drinking water and general water supply.
Camping in tents and swags is allowed and it is accessible to Caravans, Camper Trailers and Motorhomes. Surface is hard so driving pegs may be difficult.
There is no mobile phone reception available. Milyering Discovery Centre has phone reception.
Number of Sites:
5 Unpowered campsites
How much does it cost?
Adults – $11 per night
Concession Holders- $7 per night
Children aged 5 – 16 – $3 per night
How to book?
Book prior to arrival via the DPAW website
Maximum Stay:
28 nights and 14 nights if any one night falls within the WA School Holiday period
Is it Pet Friendly?
No, Bungarra Campground is not pet friendly as it is in National Park
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
No
Accessibility:
Accessible – unsealed roads within in campground
Contact Details:
Phone: 08 9949 2808
Address: Cape Range National Park, via Murat Road and Yardie Creek Road
Website:
Bungarra Campground Activities:
Swimming
Snorkelling
Canoeing
Yardie Creek Campsite
How far is this campsite from Exmouth?
87.5kms
Location:
Southern end of Cape Range National Park, Western Australia
What Facilities are available?
The Yardie Creek Campground is a reasonably small campground near the spectacular Yardie Creek Gorge. All campsites are within 80 metres of the beach.
It’s just a short walk to picnic area and walking trails as well as the departure point for cruises at Yardie Creek.
Non-flush toilets are the only facilities at this campground. Bring along your own drinking water and general water supply.
Camping in tents and swags is allowed and it is accessible to Caravans, Camper Trailers and Motorhomes.
There is Telstra phone reception available. A Dump Point is located nearby off Yardie Creek Road.
Number of Sites:
10 Unpowered campsites
How much does it cost?
Adults – $11 per night
Concession Holders- $7 per night
Children aged 5 – 16 – $3 per night
How to book?
Book prior to arrival via the DPAW website
Maximum Stay:
28 nights and 14 nights if any one night falls within the WA School Holiday period
Is it Pet Friendly?
No, Yardie Creek Campground is not pet friendly as it is in National Park
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
Yes – between 8am – 9pm
Accessibility:
2WD accessible – unsealed roads within in campground
Contact Details:
Phone: 08 9949 2808
Address: Cape Range National Park, via Murat Road and Yardie Creek Road
Website:
Yardie Creek Campground Activities:
Swimming
Snorkelling
Canoeing & Kayaking
Bushwalking
Read more: 17 Handy Items for Families Travelling with Kids
One K Campsite
How far is this campsite from Exmouth?
89.1kms
Location:
Southern end of Cape Range National Park, Western Australia and one of the Exmouth campsites furthest south
What Facilities are available?
The One K Campground requires crossing the tidal Yardie Creek.
Crossing the soft shifting sand is not always possible so therefore access is not guaranteed and is at your own risk.
Check tide predictions and only attempt crossing is you have the appropriate experience and equipment.
Non-flush toilets are the only facilities at this campground. Bring along your own drinking water and general water supply.
Camping in tents and swags is allowed and it is accessible to Off-road Caravans and Camper Trailers.
Campsites at One K are in high demand from Easter through to October.
There is Telstra phone reception available. A Dump Point is located nearby off Yardie Creek Road.
Number of Sites:
7 Unpowered campsites
How much does it cost?
Adults – $11 per night
Concession Holders- $7 per night
Children aged 5 – 16 – $3 per night
How to book?
Book prior to arrival via the DPAW website
Maximum Stay:
28 nights and 14 nights if any one night falls within the WA School Holiday period
Is it Pet Friendly?
No, One K Campground is not pet friendly as it is in National Park
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
Yes – between 8am – 9pm
Accessibility:
Only accessible by 4WD
Contact Details:
Phone: 08 9949 2808
Address: Cape Range National Park, via Murat Road and Yardie Creek Road
Website:
One K Campground Activities:
Swimming
Snorkelling
Canoeing & Kayaking
Bushwalking
Boat Harbour Campsite
How far is this campsite from Exmouth?
90.5kms
Location:
Southern end of Cape Range National Park, Western Australia and the furthest south of the Exmouth campsites.
What Facilities are available?
The Boat Harbour Campground is just 3kms south of Yardie Creek. When accessing from the north it will be necessary to cross the tidal Yardie Creek.
Crossing the soft shifting sand is not always possible and you do so at your own risk.
Check tide predictions and only attempt crossing if you have the appropriate experience and equipment.
Non-flush toilets are available. Bring along your own drinking water and general water supply.
Camping in tents and swags is allowed. Only suitable for Off-road Caravans and Camper Trailers.
Boat Harbour Campground is adjacent to a Recreational Zone of the Ningaloo Marine Park, which allows the launching of small boats. It is the furthest south of the Exmouth Campsites.
There is no Telstra phone reception. A Dump Point is located nearby off Yardie Creek Road.
Number of Sites:
5 Unpowered campsites
How much does it cost?
Adults – $11 per night
Concession Holders- $7 per night
Children aged 5 – 16 – $3 per night
How to book?
Book prior to arrival via the DPAW website
Maximum Stay:
28 nights and 14 nights if any one night falls within the WA School Holiday period
Is it Pet Friendly?
No, Boat Harbour Campground is not pet friendly as it is in National Park
Are you allowed to have a fire?
No
Are Generators permitted?
Yes – between 8am – 9pm
Accessibility:
Only accessible by 4WD
Contact Details:
Phone: 08 9949 2808
Address: Cape Range National Park, Minilya-Exmouth Road via Ningaloo Road and Ningaloo-Yardie Creek Road
Website:
Boat Harbour Campground Activities:
Swimming
Snorkelling
Canoeing & Kayaking
Diving
Fishing
Read more: 49 Amazing Things to do in Western Australia
Exmouth Weather
The weather in and around Exmouth is generally warm and can be quite windy. A great time to visit Exmouth is during the months of May to September with August being the best month of the year.
The coastline from Broome down to Exmouth is the region most prone to cyclones in Australia. Cyclone season runs from 1 November through to 30 April.
July is usually the coolest month with temperatures averaging 24 degrees C. As expected the hottest months are Jan and February with the average temperatures around 37 degrees C.
Read about: Always take the weather, the weather with you
Great Tours around Exmouth and Ningaloo Reef
There are some once in a lifetime tours that you can do out of Exmouth in the amazing Ningaloo Reef region.
Swim with Humpback Whales
One of our most memorable tours to date as we travel Australia has been swimming with Humpback Whales out of Exmouth.
Ocean Eco Adventures have a Gyrocopter above spotting the suitable whales while you are ready to jump off the back of the boat where you can have a humpback whale swim underneath or near you which is such an amazing experience.
Whale Shark Swim
During the months of March to July you can swim with Whale Sharks out of Exmouth in WA.
The 8hr tour includes the amazing in-water experience with the whale sharks and snorkeling the Ningaloo Reef along with lunch and morning and afternoon tea.
Book your: Whale Shark Swim and Catamaran Cruise here>
Muiron Islands Dive Tour
Spend the day exploring and diving the Muiron Islands just a few nautical miles out from Exmouth. This World Heritage area are famous for their colourful soft corals.
An unbelievable aquatic experience where you will be diving among potato cod, turtles, sharks and thousands of fish.
Book your: Muiron Islands Dive Tour here>
Outer Reef or Island Snorkel Tour
Enjoy discovering great snorkelling sites at coral reefs only accessible by boat. Snorkel among beautiful coral gardens and swim alongside turtles and mantarays.
Suitable for all levels of snorkelling experience. Tours operate from March through to December and include complimentary snorkel hire, a pre-packed lunch and refreshments.
Book your: Outer Reef or Island Snorkel Tour here>
Things to take with you when exploring the Exmouth Campsites region:
- Camera
- Snorkel gear
- Wet Suit
- Kayak
- Binoculars
- Hema Maps
- Water Bottle
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Torch
- Hiking Shoes
- Swimmers and Towel
- First Aid Kit
- Cooling Towel
- Insect Repellent
Read more: Winning the War against Midges or Sand Flies
Pin – Exmouth Campsites
Have you stayed in any of these campsites near Exmouth?
Tell us in the comments which of the Exmouth campsites you stayed in and how you rate it!
Safe travels
Kev & Adele
Indefinite Leave
We are Adele & Kevin, an Aussie couple from Brisbane in Queensland Australia who have embraced our adventurous spirit and ventured out to explore the world around us. We had spent so much time overseas we decided it was time to see our own truly amazing country and we needed to take some time to see everything it has to offer.
Our Aim is to inspire others to travel and help design the greatest adventure they can experience.
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Photography and Socials
Our camera equipment we use for all our photos and videos are:
Samsung Note 10 Plus Phone – http://ebay.us/9vMXEH – Most of our photos are simply from our phones. The Samsung phone cameras are pretty insane. Our phones have 512gb storage in ours but the 256gb in this one is heaps.
Samsung s21 Phone – https://ebay.us/QAdwva – this looks an insane camera within a phone. We have friends and our son who own one and it seems quite extraordinary with their camera quality. If you’re after a new phone this is what I’d be looking at.
Canon 800d – https://ebay.us/Q0UV1z – the latest DSLR Canon 24mp camera, buy here to save.
Nikon Coolpix p1000 – https://ebay.to/37cORUV – We have the Nikon P900 and this is the new model. The zoom lens is unbelievable and so awesome when travelling and you want to capture photos from a distance.
Lenses
Canon 50mm lens – https://ebay.to/3nx5pyG This is the lens I use the least, ideal for still, close up shots.
Canon 24-105mm lens – https://ebay.us/br9MeO – This is my all round, everyday use, zoom lens. Amazing quality, great price.
Canon 70-300mm lens – https://ebay.to/33xYeht – I use this one a lot for long range shots.
Sigma 10-20mm lens – http://ebay.us/zWvfuI – My wide angle lens for all my inside photos & video plus lots more, love this lens.
Our Go Pro 9 Hero Black – https://ebay.us/6CQOVC – is an awesome piece of equipment. I use this for all underwater, action video and some general use. Buy here brand new and great value.
Mavic Pro Platinum Drone – https://ebay.to/2ARPxTo This is an absolute ripper of a drone. The Fly More Combo will provide you with everything you will need. I use this for all my aerial footage and this price is well below other retail stores.
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Coledale Camping Reserve, Coledale NSW
Black Rocks Campground, Bundjalung National Park, NSW
Illaroo Campground, Yuraygir National Park, NSW
