Essential Guide to Free Camping East Coast Australia
Exploring Australia’s East Coast in a campervan is a dream for many adventurers, and free camping makes the journey even more affordable! During our month-long trip, we discovered plenty of fantastic (and budget-friendly) places to stay. From beautiful beaches to scenic rest areas, this is our essential guide to free camping along the East Coast of Australia!
Tip: Download our Google Maps travel guide Australia to find all the locations mentioned below. It’ll save you heaps of time on planning!
Free and Budget-Friendly Camping Locations
Although we tried to camp for free as much as possible, we did not find free camp sites everywhere along the route. Hence, some camp sites are paid. Still, these are very budget friendly options!
NRMA Cairns holiday park
Facilities: Flush toilets, hot showers
Cost: €40,- per night
Reception: Good
Information: This is, compared to other sites, a rally well equipped camp sites. It’s also quite expensive, however we did not collect our car after the flight, so we had to choose a camp sites with a cabin. For that price, a really good deal in Australia!
Babinda Boulders Campground
Facilities: Flush toilets, cold showers
Cost: Free
Reception: None
Information: A serene spot near a river where you can dip your toes or enjoy the BBQ facilities.
Did you know? Babinda is often called the wettest town in Australia due to its high annual rainfall.
Saunders Beach Campground
Facilities: Flush toilets, cold outdoor showers
Cost: Free (reservation required)
Reception: Fair
Information: A beachfront location where we spotted wallabies hopping near our van!
Home Hill Rest Area
Facilities: Flush toilets, cold showers
Cost: Free
Reception: Good
Information: A convenient roadside stop for overnight stays.
Elliot River Park Rest Area
Facilities: Flush toilets
Cost: Free
Reception: Fair
Information: Ideal for a quick stay, especially if you need to bridge time before visiting the Whitsunday Islands.
Fun Fact: The Whitsunday Islands were named by Captain Cook in 1770 during his voyage on what he thought was Whit Sunday.
Bloomsbury Rest Area
Facilities: Flush toilets at gas station and a paid hot shower before closing time
Cost: Free
Reception: Fair
Information: It is simply a parking area, only suited for sleeping overnight
Benaraby Rest Area
Facilities: Flush toilets
Cost: Free
Reception: Fair
Information: A scenic riverside spot that’s surprisingly pleasant for a free roadside stop.
Six Mile Creek Rest Area
Facilities: Flush toilets
Cost: Free
Reception: Fair
Information: We saw homeless people for the first time here. Not a problem for us, but keep in mind you may encounter the homeless during your free camp site travel itinerary.
Beerwah Rest Area
Facilities: Flush toilets
Cost: Free
Reception: Fair
Information: It is simply a parking area, only suited for sleeping overnight. Expect some permanent residents.
Coochin Creek Camping Area
Facilities: Drop toilets
Cost: €10,- per night
Reception: None
Information: Camp site wasn’t really nice, especially toilets are dirty, especially if you keep in mind that it is a paid camp site. However, there aren’t any cheaper alternatives. Expect many mosquitos.
Nobby Beach Holiday Park
Facilities: Flush toilets, hot shower, cooking facilities, pool
Cost: €40,- per night
Reception: Good
Information: Quite expensive camp site, however we really needed a hot shower after quite a few days of free camp sites. Besides, there are not really free or cheap options in this region.
Mullumbimby Showground
Facilities: Flush toilets, hot shower
Cost: €20,- per night
Reception: Fair
Information: No good free options in the vicinity. Call the owner upfront at the day of arrival.
New Italy Rest Area
Facilities: Flush toilets
Cost: free, donation
Reception: Fair
Information: Only a parking area, but well maintained especially the toilets.
Coopernook Hotel
Facilities: Flush toilets
Cost: free
Reception: Fair
Information: Parking spot next to a hotel. You may have diner in the hotel.
Bulahdelah Golf Club
Facilities: Flush toilets, cold shower during opening hours
Cost: free
Reception: Fair
Information: Nice location at a golf club. There is a possibility to spot kangaroos. You can have a drink in the golf club if you arrive before closure.
Sheralee Caravan Park
Facilities: Flush toilets, hot shower, cooking facilities
Cost: €25,- per night
Reception: Good
Information: Paid camp site near Sydney. There are no free alternatives.
The Reed Reserve
Facilities: Drop toilets
Cost: Free
Reception: Fair
Information: Very nice location next to a lake. A lot of flies. Kangaroos in the area.
Hughie Edwards Rest Area
Facilities: Drop toilet
Cost: Free
Reception: Good
Information: Only a parking spot along the highway. Only for overnight stay, good location for visiting Canberra.
Ngarigo Campground
Facilities: Drop toilets
Cost: reservation fee + national park fee
Reception: Fair
Information: Camp site is “free”, but there are small reservation costs and the national park fee must be paid in this region. Beautiful location.
Did you know? Mount Kosciuszko, located in this national park, is Australia’s highest peak at 2,228 meters (7,310 feet).
Geehi Flats Campground
Facilities: Drop toilets
Cost: reservation fee + national park fee
Reception: None
Information: Camp site is “free”, but there are small reservation costs and the national park fee must be paid in this region. Beautiful location and many kangaroos in the area.
Lake Hume Rest Area
Facilities: Flush toilets
Cost: Free
Reception: Fair
Information: Nice location at a lake
Geelong Showground
Facilities: Flush toilets, hot shower
Cost: €15,- per night
Reception: Good
Information: Call the owner on the day of arrival upfront
Princetown Campground
Facilities: Flush toilets, hot shower, cooking facilities
Cost: €12,- per night
Reception: Fair
Information: Really nice location and perfect for spotting many kangaroos. They come even at your place everywhere on the camp site. Our number 1 camp site from our essential guide to free camping East Coast Australia!
Meredith Park Rest Area
Facilities: Flush toilets
Cost: Free
Reception: Fair
Information: Nice location at the lake, not much to do in the area
General Tips for Free Camping in Australia
With this essential guide to free camping East Coast Australia, your camping adventure is bound to be unforgettable. Don’t forget to check out our itinerary for the East Coast of Australia. And finally, keep in mind the following tips in general for an unforgettable camping experience.
Plan Ahead: Use apps like CamperMate or Wikicamps to locate free camping spots and check reviews.
Arrive Early: Free spots can fill up quickly, especially in popular areas.
Respect Local Rules: Some rest areas have limits on how long you can stay, and fines may apply if you overstay.
Pack Essentials: Many free camping spots lack running water or other amenities, so bring enough supplies.
Check current rules: Keep in mind that rules are constantly changing and that (unfortunately) free camping is becoming more and more rare in the country.
