The Most Beautiful Camping Spots In Australia’s National Parks
The weather has fined up, the holidays aren’t too far off and camping season is in full swing. If ever there was a time to go bush and get to exploring our national parks, it’s now.
[related_articles]41789,39740[/related_articles]Pack up your duffle bags, tent and some good company, and use your Christmas holidays to discover some of Australia’s most beautiful camping spots.
Just remember that a lot of campgrounds have limited capacity and require pre-booking since Covid, so don’t forget to plan ahead!
Dales Gorge Campground, Karijini National Park, WA
Just over 100km from Tom Price and within walking distance of WA’s second highest peak, Mount Bruce, the Dales Gorge campground is the perfect spot to pitch your tent and explore Karijini National Park. Karijini is red, rocky and covered in scrub, but it’s also home to some picture-perfect, swimmable gorges, waterholes and pools, and Dales Gorge campground just so happens to be smack bang in the middle of them all.
[related_articles]49992,45882[/related_articles]For the most breathtaking views and a secluded swim, head down to Fern Pool or Joffre Gorge. Don’t forget to pack some hiking boots or sneakers, as some of the trails can get a bit wild.
Dawsons Spring Campground, Mt Kaputar National Park, NSW
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Shaped by volcanic activity some 20 million years ago, the Mt Kaputar National Park is a sprawling expanse of mountains, semi-arid woodland and eucalypt forest.
One of the most notable natural attractions in the park is Sawn Rocks, a 40m basalt rock cliff face that resembles organ pipes. While it looks like something fancy that an architect thought up, the shape of the rock is naturally occurring.
[related_articles]48337,54460[/related_articles]The Dawsons Spring campground is located on the side of Mt Kaputar, just past the summit. If you take the short walk from the campsite up to the top of the mountain, the viewing platform looks out across a good portion of the state of NSW. Waking up early to catch the sunrise is highly recommended as it’s supposedly the best time for landscape photos.
Some areas of this park were affected by the bushfires in early 2020, but the campground is open and the Park says “you’ll notice some changes to the landscape, as well as signs of recovery”.
Noah Beach Camping Area, Daintree National Park, QLD
The Noah Beach camping area on Cape Tribulation is beachside camping at its best. Just 50m walk from the shoreline, this shady little spot is wedged between two World Heritage-listed sights – the Great Barrier Reef and the Wet Tropics Area. With the Daintree rainforest-clad mountains on one side, and sandy white beaches on the other, this is one Instagrammable part of Australia.
[related_articles]29141[/related_articles]Go for a snorkel around the cove, or explore the thick, lush rainforest to see all sorts of fun plant and animal species. Just remember, salt water crocodiles are local to the area, so stay safe when you are wandering through the creek.
Memory Cove, Lincoln National Park, SA
Sitting on one of the most picturesque coast lines in South Australia, the Memory Cove campground is a secluded white sand beach, cradled between densely vegetated capes. It’s tranquility at its finest.
Sea lions and dolphins frequent the bay; and with some 123 species of bird in the area, it’s a veritable paradise for avid birdwatchers. Only 15 vehicles are permitted to the area each day, so if you plan on visiting, make sure you get there early to gain access.
[related_articles]55358[/related_articles]And don’t try to drive the tracks in anything other than a 4WD – you may run into a little bit of trouble.
Ayers Rock Campground, NT
Camping in the sacred sites of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is strictly prohibited; but if you were planning on visiting the park, you can set up camp at Ayers Rock Campground, which is just a 10-minute drive from Uluru. As it shares land with Ayers Rock Resort, there are plenty of facilities for a comfortable stay – pool, camp kitchen and self-service laundry included.
[related_articles]55494[/related_articles]Make it a priority to get to the Uluru or Kata Tjuta viewing platforms at either dawn or dusk, as the colours are more vibrant during those hours. You can also complete the 9.4km walk around the base of Uluru or take a guided tour of Kata Tjuta.
Deep Creek, Mt William National Park, TAS
If you have ever wanted to see a wombat in the wild, this is the spot to do it!
North-east of Launceston, Deep Creek campground is home to an abundance of wildlife. At dusk, it’s common to spot wombats, forester kangaroos and even wallabies out and about.
Native flora also flourishes here, with plenty of wildflowers to spot along your walks. During the day, you can head off on a bushwalk, or spend some time diving, fishing or just relaxing on the stunning white sand beaches.
[related_articles]40983,50375[/related_articles]FYI: The iconic Bay of Fires conservation area is just a 1one-hour drive south of the camp site, too.
Shoreline Drive, Ninety Mile Beach Marine National Park, VIC
Shoreline Drive on Ninety Mile Beach is a stretch of beach along the Victorian coast, dotted with 19 small camp sites. A popular summer spot, the long, clear beaches are free of any rocks or headlands, meaning there is an interrupted view of the beach as far as the eye can see.
[related_articles]55358[/related_articles]Although it’s considered one of the most natural and untouched beaches in the world, there is still plenty to do here; jump in the water for a surf, sit on the shore for a spot of dolphin watching, or take a sunset stroll along the water’s edge.
(Lead image: Mitchell Cox / Tourism NT)
