Lets be honest… we all love to travel but one of the biggest expenses is always accommodation.

So while travelling, I try to find Free Camps….places we can stay for no cost, in our tent.

The following is a list of places we have stayed sorted into States and in Alphabetical order … this list will continue to grow as we discover more awesome places to camp at for FREE!.

For more information on free camping check out my blog post: Free Accommodation!!

New South Wales:

Bendeela Recreational Area:

I have stayed here 3 times so far, its definitely worth returning to over and over again. The campground is so close to Kangaroo Valley and Fitzroy Falls and their cafes, hiking trails and chilled vibes and is right on the Kangaroo river. The river is the main draw card for canoeing and kayaking enthusiastic’s but even if you aren’t into water activities its still a great place to relax. The kids loved the freedom of being able to ride over the campground and found some dirt hills to jump. I loved watching the wombats come ambling out every evening in search for food.

Details:

• Access is along Bendeela road, a right hand turn just before the Hampton Bridge when heading from Bowral.
• Fresh drinking water.
• Flush toilets, No showers.
• No fires allowed.
• Limited phone reception.
• Large camping area which has a few sections, some which are only opened during holiday periods.
• No bookings, first in basis.
• Website… click here. 

Blackheath Glen Reserve:

After travelling and camping in the Blue Mountains for years I finally “found” a free campsite. Not far from Blackheath this campsite offers an awesome base close to the Blue Mountains attractions. Get in early, like before 4pm for to guarantee a spot before the backpackers roll on in!

Details:

• 540 Megalong rd Megalong Valley, New South Wales.
• No fresh water, bring your own
• Pit toilets, no showers
• Open fires are allowed unless there is a fire ban, bring your own firewood.
• No phone reception.
• No bookings in first in basis
• Room for campervans, off road caravans and tents.
• There is a time limit on stays: check signage for more info.

Casuarina Camping Area:

Another great free campground up at the Watagans Mountains is the Casuarina Camp Ground. Plenty of space for tents, campers and caravans and large groups this campground really is a great place to get back to nature. The kids found some tracks nearby to explore on their bikes and plenty of trees to hang the hammock! It can get busy… we last went on a long weekend… but there still was room to find a spot to pitch the tent and spread out a bit.

Details:

• Entry is in the Onley state park as part of the Watagans range. Access is via Martinsville road Corranbong, then turning left onto Watagan road into the State forest and follow signs.
• No fresh water so bring your own and plenty of it!
• Pit toilets and No showers.
• Open fires are allowed unless there is a fire ban, bring your own wood or collect in the surrounding bush.
• No phone reception.
• No bookings, first in basis.
• Dogs are allowed!!
• Website… click here. 

Gap Creek Campground:

Situated in the Watagans National Park, the Gap Creek campground is a fairly small camping are close to the Gap Creek falls. You can take a walk along the trail to view the impressive 40 metre water fall, explore the forest or just hang out around the campfire chilling out. Access is easy and if there is no room at the campsite there is another 1 km down the road called Bangalow.

Details:

• Access is from Freemans Drive, Cooranbong turn into Mount Faulk road to enter the park. Turn left into Bangalow rd and approximately 4.8km from the turn off you will find the campsite.
• Although this campsite is in a National Park, no entry fees are payable.
• No fresh water, bring your own
• Pit toilets, no showers
• Open fires are allowed unless there is a fire ban, bring your own firewood.
• No phone reception.
• Watch out for leeches!!! bring plenty of salt!
• No bookings, first in basis.
• Website… click here. 

Island Bend Campground Guthega / Perisher:

I have been wanting to check out this campground ever since hearing about it from some guys during ski season. This campground is huge, the National Parks Website says it caters for 30 sites but it can take so many more then that. There is a few different areas to set up camp, some accessible via 2wd and some only accessible with a 4wd. It was quiet popular when we turned up on the Easter long weekend, but we easily found a space that wasn’t right on top of another family! The kids loved the fact that they could ride their bikes around easily and I liked the fact that we were close to the beginning of the Kosciuszko Summit track ( Beginning at Charlotte Pass ) and many other alpine hikes.

Details:

• Location is in the Kosciuszko National Park so fees do apply, or an annual pass.
• Access to campground is off Guthega road and is sign posted.
• No fresh water so bring your own and plenty of it!
• Pit toilets and No showers.
• Open fires are allowed unless there is a fire ban.
• No phone reception.
• During snow season 2wd will need chains to access the area. (we carried them because they had snow the week before…. but we didn’t need them!)
• No bookings, first in basis.
• Website… click here 

Ladies Well: 

Ladies Well is an amazing swimming hole situated in the Chichester State Forest (Allyn river), and surrounding this area is quiet a few spots to camp. Access to the sites is easy and entry to the forest is free. We camp past Ladies Well on a flat space that is generally not as popular as the camping spot right near the water hole, but it does have access to the river. Perfect spot for uninterrupted views of the stars and cooling off on a hot day.

Details:

• Access off Allyn River forest road, Upper Allyn.
• No fresh water so bring your own and plenty of it!
• Pit toilets and No showers.
• Open fires are allowed unless there is a fire ban, bring your own wood.
• No phone reception.
• No bookings, first in basis.
• Dogs are allowed!!
• Take care around the water, test depths before jumping in and keep an eye on children.
• Website…. click here 

Newnes Camping Area:

This campground had been on my list to visit for years! I heard that it was pretty spectacular and had some amazing places to explore including a glow worm tunnel and bush walks for all levels.  It was cold when we visited (June) and I can imagine it would get pretty hot during summer… thankfully there is a stream to cool of in. Plenty of camping is available and if you have a four wheel drive there is even more space across the other side of the stream. Call into the Old Pub ( just before entrance to campground) to have a chat to the owner and he will give you all the info you need. Be warned it gets very busy so get there early to secure your spot.

Details:

• The campground is situated in the Wollemi National Park and is about 45mins from Lithgow and 3 hours from Sydney. Follow directions on the National Parks website or stop into the Lithgow info centre.
• No fresh water so bring your own and plenty of it!
• Pit toilets and No showers.
• Open fires are allowed unless there is a fire ban, bring your own wood.
• No phone reception.
• No bookings, first in basis.
• Website… click here. 

Pines camping area:

The Pines camping area, found in the Olney State Forest (The Watagans) is an amazing spot to explore the surrounding area which includes large slash pine trees. There are three walking trails close by that the kids loved to explore, and a creek which provided hours of play time. Access is easy and entry into the State Forest is free. Be warned it can become quiet popular so get there early on long weekends ect to get a spot.

Details:

• Access is via Martinsville road Corranbong, then turning left onto Watagan road into the State forest. Follow signs, going past the turn off to the Pines picnic area and the campground will be on the right.
• No fresh water so bring your own and plenty of it!
• Pit toilets and No showers.
• Open fires are allowed unless there is a fire ban, bring your own wood.
• No phone reception.
• No bookings, first in basis.
• Dogs are allowed!!
• Website… click here. 

Yarrangobilly Village Campground:

Situated not far past the famous Yarrangobilly Caves, lies this awesome little free camp. Its right near a river, a historic cottage and has a mountain that is a great spot to view the sunset if you want to tackle the climb. The only downfall is that it is quiet close to the main road, but to be honest that didn’t disturb us at all during the night. The kids loved exploring the river, even trying to catch fish with a stick and string while I loved watching the wild horses graze across on the other side. A great spot to stay while travelling along the Snowy Mountain Highway and close to the Yarrangobilly caves and thermal pools.

Details:

• Access is just of the Snowy Mountains highway, Yarrangobilly.
• No fresh water so bring your own and plenty of it!
• Pit toilets and No showers.
• Open fires are allowed unless there is a fire ban.
• No phone reception.
• Apparently can get snow sometimes in Winter.
• Be cautious around the wild horses, they come into the campground during the night so don’t leave food lying around.
• No bookings, first in basis.
• Website… click here. 

Do you go Free Camping in Australia?

Do you have a favourite?

Please check back here for more upcoming reviews!

Safe Travels

Kerrie

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