If you’re into outdoor adventures, Australia is definitely a place for you!
You’ll get to experience swimming, snorkelling or kayaking to its crystal clear waters and or hiking and camping to its picturesque mountains and national parks. The only issue is that it can be very expensive. Fortunately, free camping is allowed in Australia, so having a tight budget doesn’t have to stop you from exploring the great outdoors.
Free camping or freedom camping is extremely popular in Australia. There are hundreds of fantastic places for free camping that allows you to explore the beauty of nature for free. For those who haven’t experienced free camping and was planning to do it, there are things you should know about free camping in Australia before heading out to your destination.
Things you should know about free camping in Australia:
1.Can you have free camping in Australia anywhere you want?
Free camping in Australia, doesn’t mean that you can camp anywhere and do whatever you want. There are designated camping areas across the country that are either free or very inexpensive. Camping in a restricted area can cost you a big amount of money if you are fined.
2.Is free camping safe?
A lot of people think that free camping is not a safe venture, simply because they haven’t tried it yet. Free camping is generally safe as camping in a paid camping site if you are well prepared for whatever may come. You also have the opportunity to meet people along the way who can share their travel experiences with you.
3.How to find free and budget-friendly camping sites in Australia?
Finding free or budget-friendly camping sites in Australia is made easy by just clicking on different free camping apps where you can find the best free camping sites and or the most affordable camping sites in Australia.
Related: Guide To Camping In Australia
4.What kind of facilities do free and budget campsites have?
Facilities in free and budget campsites are very limited. So having a campervan that has everything you need on it is really an advantage. Facilities at budget campsites may vary, some have flush toilets, hot showers and shady campsites while others don’t have non-flushable toilets and hot showers.
Having a generator in your campervan will be really helpful so you can compensate for all the missing amenities on the campsite. Check out the options for camping generators here.
5.Is camping allowed in national parks in Australia?
Australia has some of the most beautiful national parks in the world. Most parks allow camping but on designated spots only. Most camping sites in national parks are affordable, but prices will depend on what facilities they have, the season you are travelling and the park’s location.
6.Leave no trace
Camping is not just about adventure, relaxation and enjoyment, it’s also about giving value to nature by being a responsible camper.
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimise campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of your hosts and other visitors
Camping in Australia doesn’t need to be that expensive for you to experience the stunning beauty of nature with your family and friends. Whether you’re in an expensive, budget or free camping site, what matters most is the lifetime memory you will have.