Don’t let the cooler weather put you off exploring the great outdoors – here, travelers reveal the best campsites to visit during winter. Here, find the crème de la crème of winter campsites around Australia. Now you just need to decide if you’d rather wake up in the desert, next to thermal pools, or deep within a national park.
Beachcomber Holiday Park, NSW
Beachcomber Holiday Park is next to Eurobodalla National Park, putting you in the heart of Potato Point. This stunning coastline has uncrowded beaches, estuaries, and ancient headlands – all accessible from the holiday park. Most sites can accommodate up to 6 guests, and there are also some family suites that can accommodate 10 people. Most sites don’t have power, that’s when you need a portable power bank, our HandE-1000 has enough power to run your lights, TV, radio, battery charger, and small refrigerator.
From Squared-x family’s review: Beachcomber is right by the beach in a stunning setting. Close by to a lovely little town, the days are perfect for exploring, surfing and mountain biking while marshmallow melting and [sitting by the] campfire are the perfect activities in the evening before getting snuggly under the stars.
Bullara Station, WA
Bullara Station is an expansive outback sheep and cattle station located within driving distance of the turquoise waters of Ningaloo. Come winter you’ll find wildflowers blooming and diverse birdlife to admire. There are also pet lambs, kangaroos, and cows to keep the kids amused. Join a 4WD tour to learn about local geography, bush tucker, and how to identify animal tracks. This bush camping oasis offers a choice of powered and non-powered sites (no generators). There are communal fire pits, showers, toilets, and a camp kitchen available to use.
From Squared-x family’s review: This authentic outback station experience is nestled in the heart of Ningaloo. Wake up to an array of animals including sheep, horses, and cows roaming the campground and head to the local coast to find some amazing swimming spots. Communal campfires are available in the evening for a perfect way to wind down and swap stories with fellow travelers.
Rollingstone Beachfront Resort, Qld
If you like your winter holidays on the warmer side heading up north is a no-brainer. Rollingstone Beachfront Resort is just over 50 minutes drive north of Townsville – and with more than 300 days of sunshine a year it more than ticks the warmer weather box. This 32-acre tropical playground boasts a beachfront location and everything you need for an upscale camping holiday. First off, it’s every kid’s paradise; there’s a jumping pillow, bike track, activity room, basketball hoop, and playground. Secondly, sleeping in a tent places you right next to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the area. There are sites right on the sand, or beside the barramundi-filled lake. Drop a line and put your feet up. You’re in Queensland, after all.
From Squared-x family’s review: Rollingstone is the perfect location to choose your own adventure and is ideal for beachfront camping, meaning you can just set up camp, drop a line in the ocean and relax. The resort is equipped with a pool, BMX track, jumping pillow, and specially designed ponds for recreational fishing. With plenty of beautiful walks surrounding the resort, this location is perfect for an action-packed winter vacation.
Tjuwaliyn (Douglas) Hot Springs Park, NT
Flanked by majestic paperbark trees, twisting pandanus, and soft sandy beaches, nothing says ‘escape to the tropics’ more than this oasis of thermal pools located 200 kilometers south of Darwin. Rest your weary bones in the spot where the hot springs water meets the cool of the river, and watch bandicoots, quolls, and flying foxes while fish nibble at your toes. The unpowered campsites have your basic necessities covered: find a pit toilet, shower, fire pit, barbeques, picnic tables, and drinking water. May to September is considered the best time to go, so you won’t miss a moment of the dazzling winter beauty. Be sure to check for campsite closures beforehand.
Wunglebung Campground, Qld
If camping along the coast of Queensland doesn’t draw you in, then this remote 1600-acre working cattle farm will. Set on the upper Rocky River near Tenterfield NSW, Wunglebung is bordered by the magnificent Rocky River and Bicentennial National Trail. This is a bush retreat in every sense of the word. There is space dedicated to tents, vans, and motorhomes. In the surrounding area, there are tracks to follow and beautiful valley trails to drive and explore. Spend your day bushwalking, swimming, kayaking, mountain biking, and lots of big sky stargazing at night. Just note there is no mobile or internet service available, so prepare yourself for an off-the-grid experience.
From Squared-x family’s review： Wunglebung is a true bush retreat, teeming with serenity. This dog-friendly location offers bushwalking, kayaking, and mountain biking perfect for those looking for adventure during the day. After a busy day, Wunglebung is transformed by the night sky and offers some amazing stargazing.
Barmah Lakes Campground, Vic
If you enjoy feeling like the only person in the world this secluded campsite on the banks of the Murray River and Barmah Lake is about as off-grid as it gets in these parts. Pitch a tent on one of the two circuit loops with 22 semi-designated and dispersed campsites. There is a boat ramp nearby, making this an ideal spot for canoeing, fishing, and the like. There are also several marked hikes around the lake and Indigenous cultural sites.
Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, SA
Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park is located on the south-western tip of the Yorke Peninsula, approximately 300 kilometers by road from Adelaide via Port Wakefield, Ardrossan, Minlaton, and Warooka. The spot is a favorite among campers, fishers, swimmers, and bushwalkers. Come winter, it transforms into a fresh green landscape, with wild seas and large surf. Visit one of the surrounding lighthouses, or learn about the tumultuous maritime history of South Australia at the shipwreck of Ethel. Explore historic Inneston – an abandoned township surrounded by bushland. Then retreat to your campsite to catch some of the best coastal views in South Australia.
From Squared-x family’s review： A favorite for camping, this national park has an abundance of activities for road-trippers to enjoy. Explore the park by bushwalking on trails from 30 minutes to four hours. Head down to the beach for some surfing and finish the day with a warming campfire.
Freycinet National Park, Tas
Freycinet National Park is home to some of Tasmania’s most incredible camping spots, which may explain why you need to enter a ballot system to camp during peak times (Easter and Christmas). This makes winter a great time to venture south without the crowds and enjoy the sleepy sand dunes. Wake up to breathtaking views, and explore the beautiful bays by day (Honeymoon Bay, Sleepy Bay, and Wineglass Bay) – with panoramic views of wondrous Wineglass Bay the main drawcard for visitors.