Desert camping in Australia

If you love camping adventures—or road trips with a camper trailer or caravan—you’ll love every part of Australia.

96% (1612 reviews)
96% (1612 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Australia

Under $50

Star Hosts in Australia

12 top desert campgrounds in Australia

98%
(95)

Wave Rock Short Stay

11 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Bremer Bay, WA
The Silos is located 2 km from the Hyden town site and 2 km from Wave Rock. Both locations are easily accessible by car or by using the walking/cycling trail. To access the walking trail please head back to Aylmore Road, turn right and when you reach the intersection cross the highway to meet the walking/cycling trail. Left will take you to town and right to Wave Rock. Please be mindful that our property neighbours a working sheep and cropping farm. Wave Rock is a granite cliff 15 metres high and 110 metres long. It’s rounded-like shape has been caused by weathering and water erosion which has undercut the base and left a rounded overhang. Water from the springs running down the rock during wetter months dissolves minerals adding to the colouring of the wave. In 1960, crystals from Hyden Rock were dated at being 2700 million years old, which are amongst the oldest in Australia. A 15 minute drive north of Wave Rock you will see a “giant” lurching out of the bushland. This massive granite rock formation is known as the Humps – grab your hat, sun screen and water bottle and explore! Be sure to visit Mulka's Cave. The name “Mulka” comes from an Aboriginal Legend associated with the cave. As you enter the cave (take a few moments for your eyes to adjust) and look at the walls and note the many hand stencils believed to representing adults and children. Close to Lake Magic, a large local salt lake, Denis Collins constructed a 20m round, 6m deep swimming pool-like gypsum pond whose buoyancy and therapeutic properties are greater than those of the Dead Sea.
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from 
AU$27.50
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(989)

Coober Pedy Views

13 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents2 acres · Coober Pedy, SA
Coober Pedy Views is located on the fringe of Coober Pedy and offers a unique outback camping experience for guests who are more adventurous and prefer privacy and a secure location. New Driveway is completed.... In 2019 I was sitting in my Alfresco Area feeling that the beauty offered in front of my property should be shared to people I thought might appreciate a different aspect to Coober. Since that time I have probably had 600+ guests enjoy what Coober Pedy Views has to offer. Whilst it remains a rustic type setting, with campers needing to be SELF SUFFICIENT (NO PUBLIC AMMENITIES AVAILABLE) I can offer Power (subject to availability) to 6/8 sites. Digging anywhere on the property is forbidden, there are no Opals on CPVs evident when the 3 large garages were dug. Digging softens the ground making it dangerous for avalanches on the embankments and walls especially after rain that creates washouts as you can see on the front embankments and the ugliness makes me sad to see. Our Public Noodling Area is the only place in Coober safe to dig freely. Bookings can be made via Hipcamp.com and more information via WikiCamp.com
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from 
AU$10
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
98%
(203)

Catninga Camps & Accommodation

18 sites · RVs, Tents7000 acres · Woolundunga, SA
Set with a back drop of deep gorges and high mountain ranges & looking towards pristine waters of Spencer Gulf, 'Catninga' is the perfect choice to give you a taste of the Flinders Ranges. We have stunning bush camping options, 'on site caravan' or our B&B (view separate listings to book these). Many hiking trails and nature walks. Farm animals to see and feed (please ask hosts before approaching any farm animals). Bush Camping Private bush campsites located on the banks of the River Red Gum studded creek. Stunning scenery and beautiful sunsets. Enjoy our billion star camping accommodation. Private long drop toilet available at each campsite. Many hiking trails and nature walks. Farm animals to see and feed (please ask hosts before approaching any farm animals).
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from 
AU$12.50
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(80)

Swag Inn

4 sites · RVs, Tents6 acres · Ross, NT
Our backyard campsite is only 9 km from the centre of Alice Springs. Its located in a rural/urban setting. Alice Springs is as famous for the personality of its locals and contemporary and traditional art as the natural wonders, including the stunning Larapinta Trail and the MacDonnell Ranges, which surround it. The Swag Inn camping spot has access to an outdoor shower and toilet and laundry sink. Enjoy the view of the ranges and the amazing stars in the desert night sky from your campsite. Listen to the bird calls and enjoy the peace. Campers are welcome to enjoy the BBQ Firepit and firewood, within local restrictions. Around town, there are numerous sites of historical significance to the region’s settler history, including the Old Telegraph Station Reserve, which marks the town’s important role as the mid-point of the 19th-century telegraph line running from Adelaide to Darwin. There are great places to eat and drink, with great views.
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AU$45
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
90%
(5)

Old brotherony

20 sites · Tents10000 acres · Lake Cargelligo, NSW
Old Brotherony is currently operating as a carbon neutral cattle operation. Which is located in Central West NSW, over looking 13 miles of beautiful Lachlan River as well as winding Creeks running throughout the property. The property is one of the few remaining picturesque redgum forest habitats being the ideal place to come and sit, relax and take in the natural sounds of nature and view the large range of wild life such as kangaroos, emus, variety of birds and so many more. We have plenty of private locations within the property to go camping, fishing, swimming, kayaking (bring your own), bird watching and the list goes on. At Booberoi Weir built in 1901, which is one of the camp sites on the property, is a private secluded sandy beach. Campsites are for self sufficient campers only, who bring their own facilities and leave no trace. We ask that any pets are at all times supervised and do not disturb the farm animals or the wildlife. Camp fires are allowed (fire restrictions permitting) Fallen wood can be collected around the property but can bring your own if preferred.
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AU$50
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(9)

Broken Hill Tourist Park

125 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents10 acres · Broken Hill, NSW
Broken Hill Tourist Park is centrally located so you can experience everything our stunning outback region has to offer. We're close to all the main attractions including our much photographed 'Living Desert Scuptures' and we're handy to the city centre - 3 kms from the city's Tourist Information Centre and 1.5 kms from Centro Westside Plaza shopping centre. At Broken Hill Tourist Park we offer a range of accommodation to suit your holiday style and budget from luxurious cabins to powered caravan and camping sites, including private ensuite sites and drive-through sites for extra convenience. As our guest you can cool off in our inground swimming pool and the whole family can enjoy a delicious meal cooked to perfection on our undercover BBQ. Plus we offer Free Wireless Internet access throughout the park. (Check with Reception for details). And yes! We are Pet Friendly so you can bring your furry loved ones with you on your holiday and travels. Your dog can stay with you on any caravan or camping site any time of the year. Come and experience Broken Hill like a local and stay with us at Broken Hill Tourist Park. We look forward to welcoming you.
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from 
AU$37
 / night
* Before taxes and fees

Available this weekend

Dog-friendly getaways

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Value Prop
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Desert camping in Australia guide

Overview

Australia is a wild-at-heart continent, and camping is a part of its DNA thanks to Aussies who love camping holidays. It isn't hard to find a good caravan park or camping area—from five-star glamping at Uluru and family-friendly coastal holiday parks to rustic campsites at cattle stations and bush camping in national parks. Pitch your tent near the dunes and be lulled asleep by the sound of the surf, or wake up to bird calls and frog song in the rainforest. Take in the views from a country peak, or head out into the wilderness on an Outback road trip. And the best thing about camping in Australia? There's always perfect camping weather somewhere, no matter the time of year.

Where to go

New South Wales

New South Wales has a bit of everything that makes Australia such a great place to camp. Hipcampers can choose from snow-covered mountains, beaches, rainforest, and Outback plains—you can always find a good camping spot in NSW.

Queensland

Australia’s favourite place to escape the cold, the white-sand beaches north and south of Brisbane in southeast Queensland are warm enough to swim in all year-round. It may be too wet in summer to camp comfortably in the rainforest of Cairns, the Tropical North, and along the Great Barrier Reef, but winter is the best time to swim in the sea. The Outback, too, is at its best in the cooler months.

South Australia

A wild, dramatic, and mostly deserted coastline, South Australia’s rugged outback ranges and fantastic wine are just a few reasons to pitch a tent or park your caravan here. It may not always be swimming weather (the ocean waters are cold), but the beach camping here is some of the best in Australia.

Tasmania

Any time's a good time to visit Tasmania, a place that will delight intrepid Hipcampers with its wild and remote national parks and camping sites. You'll need a warm sleeping bag and good wet weather gear, as it can snow on the peaks near Hobart even in summer. But don't let a little dampness put you off, because it rains here all the time, which is why the World Heritage wilderness areas are so beautifully lush.

Victoria

Just down the road a bit from Melbourne, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road is a bucket-list road trip that lives up to the hype, with some of the best coastal camping areas around. Hiking and camping in the Grampians is good year-round, although the snow-covered high country peaks and the east coast national parks are best saved for the warmer months.

Western Australia

Western Australia is huge, so don’t expect to see it all in a couple of weeks. Let the weather be your guide and explore the coastal national parks, forests, wineries, and beaches south of Perth during the hot, dry summer, then head north to Broome and the Kimberley for a 4WD camping adventure in winter, when it rarely rains.

Northern Territory

When the wintertime chills hit the south, the Northern Territory is the place to be, especially if you’re fond of campervan road trips. The deserts of the Red Centre offer warm, fly-free days and cold nights ideal for gathering around the campfire. Kakadu National Park and the Top End are hot and dry—perfect for swimming.

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