Camping and National Parks

Australia has more than 600 national parks covering around 4 percent of the country, plus thousands of state parks, conservation reserves and regional council camping areas. Camping is one of the most popular ways to see the country, but the rules vary between states and between parks, so it helps to understand the basics before you go.

Each state or territory manages its own national parks. There is no single national booking system. NSW is managed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Victoria by Parks Victoria, Queensland by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, and so on. Every state has its own website, booking platform and fee schedule. Always check the specific park's page before you go, because conditions and fees change.

Park entry fees vary widely. Some parks are free. Others charge a daily vehicle fee of around 8 to 20 dollars per car. High-demand parks like Kakadu, Uluru-Kata Tjuta and Cradle Mountain charge a per-person entry fee of 20 to 40 dollars, with discounts for multi-day passes. A few states offer annual passes that cover all state-managed parks for around 80 to 200 dollars per year, which can be worth it if you are on a longer trip.

Camping bookings are almost always required in advance for national park campgrounds, especially in school holidays and popular parks. Some parks have self-registration (put your fee in an envelope at the registration station) but the trend is towards online booking. Camping fees typically run from 10 dollars per site per night in basic bush camps up to 40 or 50 dollars for sites with facilities. Unpowered sites are the norm.

Facilities vary enormously. At the high end, parks like Cradle Mountain, Wilsons Promontory and Lake St Clair have large serviced campgrounds with flush toilets, hot showers, powered sites, kiosks and visitor centres. At the other extreme, remote parks like Purnululu (Bungle Bungle Range) and the Flinders Ranges have basic bush camping with pit toilets and no drinking water. Always check in advance, and bring enough water for drinking, cooking and washing if you are going to a remote park.

Open fires are heavily restricted. Many parks allow fires only in designated fire pits, and fires are completely banned during total fire ban days in summer. Check with the ranger on arrival, and assume fires are not allowed unless you see an official pit and a current sign saying otherwise. Gas cookers are almost always permitted.

Free camping and private campgrounds fill in the gaps. Thousands of free or low-cost camping sites exist outside the national park system, managed by local councils, roadhouse owners, and the state highways departments. Websites and apps like WikiCamps Australia and Campermate maintain current listings, and are the standard way Australian road-trippers plan their stops.

Caravan parks and holiday parks are the commercial camping option, common in every town. They offer powered and unpowered sites, cabins, amenities blocks, laundries, pools and camp kitchens. Prices run from 30 to 60 dollars per night for two adults on an unpowered site, up to 200 dollars for a cabin in peak season. Big4 Holiday Parks and Discovery Holiday Parks are the two largest chains with consistent standards.

Dingoes, crocodiles and other wildlife. Food storage is critical in many parks. On K'gari (Fraser Island) and in other dingo-populated areas, all food must be stored in hard-sided vehicles or provided food lockers. In croc country (anywhere in the tropical north), never camp within 50 metres of a waterway and never clean fish at the water's edge. Sand flies and mosquitoes are worth planning around in the tropics.

Booking recommendations. School holidays sell out. Book 3 to 6 months ahead for the Easter and September school breaks, and up to 12 months ahead for the Christmas period in the most popular parks. Outside school holidays, most parks have space available at short notice.