Desert and dog-friendly camping in Australia

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

95% (1480 reviews)
95% (1480 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Australia

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Under $50

12 top desert and dog-friendly campgrounds in Australia

98%
(90)

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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AU$27.50
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(987)

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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AU$10
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
97%
(198)

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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AU$12.50
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
97%
(399)

Beltana Flinders Historic Town

8 sites · RVs, Tents4 acres · Beltana, SA
Located at the end of a bitumen road in the town of Beltana, the campsites are adjacent to the local hall. There are showers, toilets, a free BBQ in the community park , mobile phone coverage and potable water available We are the closest campground to the new Nilpena Ediacara National Park. Beltana is a State Heritage listed town in Adnyamathanha country. Beltana is important as it is the home of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, was influential in the establishment of the Overland Telegraph and was important is the states early settlement. Beltana has survived in spite of the challenges and has an excellent walking trail detailing this history for visitors. There is capacity to have a fire in a communal fire pit, but please bring your own wood. Dogs on leashes welcome. This campsite offers a safe and comfortable place for campers who are travelling through on their holiday and need somewhere to stop overnight, but two nights is recommended to give you a chance to visit this historic town. The town is significant is South Australian history and there is interpretative signage that provides the visitor with an informative trail. Whilst with us visit the new Nilpena Ediacara National Park. We have the closest camping facilities.
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AU$25
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
100%
(7)

Cheela Plains Station Stay

28 sites · RVs, Tents500000 acres · Nanutarra, WA
Cheela Plains Station is a family-owned and managed working cattle station nestled in the semi-arid, pastoral rangelands of the Pilbara in northern Western Australia. Our station stay is a welcome stop for travelers on the Nanutarra-Munjina Road between the World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef and Karijini National Park. On a station the size of Cheela Plains there are plenty of amazing locations to explore. Our self-guided walks and trails make for adventure-filled days. Stay a little longer and explore them all. We have Telstra and Optus signal, hot showers, coin-operated washing machines, a communal fire pit and camp kitchen with a fridge, stove and sink. Children 6yrs to 15years half price and 0 to 5yrs are FOC. If electing to stay at the station stay campground for two or more nights, you have the option of a complimentary Gorge Safari Self Drive 4X4, which is a true taste of the outback off the beaten track. The Red Plains Café is open daily from 7:30am till 2:30pm, serving barista coffee, cake, snacks and lunch.
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AU$21
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
93%
(164)

Meralda Station Cobar

22 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents400 acres · Cobar, NSW
Meralda is a family owned property, we are nestled in the outback town of Cobar. We are offering seasonal paddock eco camping stays on our gorgeous little property only minutes from the Cobar town centre. If you after a secluded, peaceful outback setting where you can immerse yourself into bush nature, Then our place is for you. We have allocated a nice open space for you to choose your site; set up under the shade of a majestic gum or in the open paddock by our dam. Unwind and cosy up around our campfire and enjoy our magnificent sunsets and as the evening turns into night and the breathtaking star show begins. With no artificial light, stargazing at our property is simply incredible. You can also see native wildlife kangaroos, emus and echidnas among some of the native wildlife that can be spotted here. If you’re a bird-watcher, you’ll love the vast array of galahs, major mitchell's, parrots and wrens nestled in the trees. On our little property we farm sheep and goats. There are always strays, and dropped off orphans that become our little babies. We offer a complimentary petting tour for families who want to get up close with our station friendly animals. Lots of fun can be had in the dam -Swimming is permitted and water sport activities on request or BYO Kayak. We recommend extending your stay at least two nights at the station and taking the time to explore Cobar; a unique town, rich in mining heritage and natural attractions. Visitors will be amazed by open-cut mines, Aboriginal rock art, museums and colonial buildings and new sound chapel. If your into bike riding or long walks we have a bitumen walking/bike track that goes into town not far from our station entry. If you want to duck into the local club to have dinner, or a few drinks there's a courtesy bus to Golf Club Available that will collect you from our front gate. Add on extras to make your stay more memorable with tours, hampers, animal feeding, holistic treatments and if any farm work is happening your welcome to watch or join in.
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AU$35
 / night
* Before taxes and fees

Dog-friendly getaways

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

Desert and dog-friendly 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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Hipcamp acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.