Camping on a Budget in Australia – Our Top Tips for Affordable Adventures
Australia is full of jaw-dropping landscapes and wild camping opportunities, but it doesn’t have to cost the world. Whether you’re exploring with your kids, road tripping in a 4WD, or looking for a quiet off-grid escape, we’ve pulled together our favourite camping budget tips from the road.
Realise that Australia is made for campers and travellers! With amazing caravan parks, an enormous amount of free camp sites or overnight stays and public toilets and bbq’s everywhere.
We listed our top tips to keep your trip as affordable as possible below.
Where to find budget campsites in Australia
Australia has so many amazing camping spots, from beachside havens to bush hideaways, but not all of them are easy to find. Here’s where we start our search:
1. WikiCamps
This app is a must-have. It’s a treasure trove of user-reviewed campsites, free camps, public toilets, dump points, and even playgrounds. You will read a lot of budget camping tips from fellow travellers. We check it daily when we’re on the move.
» Check WikiCamps
2. Hipcamp
A platform that connects you with private landowners offering unique camping spots — farms, vineyards, bush blocks, and more. Often cheaper than caravan parks, and way more peaceful.
» Check HipCamp
3. Government Campgrounds
Most states in Australia have national park or state park campgrounds. They’re usually affordable (some even free) and set in stunning natural locations. The camp sites we enjoyed the most were all governmental campgrounds. They are usually in stunning location, not too big but with large spots, and always well maintained.
- Look up:
- NSW National Parks
- Parks Victoria
- QLD Parks & Forests
- Northern Territory Parks
- Parks in Western Australia
- Or just search “National Park Camping + [state]”
4. Google Maps
It’s surprisingly good for spotting hidden gems. Zoom in on green areas (national parks, forests), check reviews, and find those off-the-grid spots nobody talks about. We often found roadside rest areas via Google. These are spots where you can park/camp for max. 24 hours, and ideal if you have to cover a lot of
What to bring for budget camping
Saving money while camping means being self-sufficient and prepared. Obviously you want to bring your camping gear, which can be a tent, car, van or trailer, or all of the above. And don’t forget your sleeping gear and cooking utensils.
Besides the hardware, we made a list of road tripping essentials and here’s our go-to checklist for budget-friendly (and eco-friendly) camping:
- Food
Bring pantry staples, easy meals, and snacks for the kids. Cooking your own meals saves heaps! If we went camping off grid for more than four days, we always bought fresh produce for the first two/three days and then continued with the cans. - Drinks
Especially water. Bring lots of it. Many remote campsites don’t have water at all. We brought our Lifestraw bottles everywhere we went to be able to the drink water, which is usually not drinkable. Besides this we carried at least two 20L. containers with water that we refilled at gas stations. - Firewood
If fires are allowed, bring your own. Buying it onsite is usually more expensive (and not always possible). Be respectful to nature and don’t go collecting wood in the woods - Fairy lights
Solar fairy lights and rechargeable lanterns add magic to your camp. It makes every night so much more special. - Headlamps
For everyone. They’re hands-free and essential after sunset. - Biodegradable soap
Biodegradable soap for washing yourself, the dishes and everything else, especially when camping near rivers or lakes. - Biodegradable toothpaste
Because you’re spitting into nature. Be kind to it!
Getting around Australia on a budget
Australia is huge, and having your own transport is essential. Especially if you’re keen on remote campsites and national parks. Many travellers buy or rent campervans, but we went for something a bit different, and budget-friendly in the long run.
We travelled in a Toyota 4WD with a rooftop tent, which gave us the flexibility to go off-road and reach some of the most beautiful hidden spots. It also meant we didn’t need to book accommodation or carry bulky camping gear. The best part? We bought the car and rooftop tent at the start of our trip and sold it at the end for the same price, which made our transport costs incredibly low over the whole journey.
If you’re staying longer than a few weeks, buying and reselling a vehicle like this can be a smart, budget-conscious option. There are many Facebook marketplaces to buy/sell cars, and the transfer proces is pretty easy in Australia. We sold our car within three days after posting it online.
Another interesting idea we saw from another traveler was to rent a normal car and buy all the camping gear at shops like Anaconda or Kmart. Especially if you travel for a few weeks the money you save by not renting a campervan is much more than what all the camping gear will cost you.
Save on activities
When you travel and go camping on a budget, going on activities or adventures can be quite costly, especially when you travel as a family. We don’t say you shouldn’t go on excursions, but there are a few options that help save money.
Some excursions are once in a lifetime experience, those are definitely worth investing in. For the rest there’s not much needed to give the kids an unforgettable time. Exploring nature, enjoying family time and having fun at the beach is as memorable as any paid activity. Our tips for saving money on activities:
- Book far in advance. Especially when you book a tour it helps to book early. Very often the prices are lower then.
- Don’t over-do it. Some excursions are once in a lifetime experience, those are worth investing in. For the rest there’s not much needed to give the kids an unforgettable time. Explore nature, enjoy family time and have fun at the beach. These activities will create amazing memories too.
- Book local. Very often you can book tours and excursion locally. This is usually cheaper than via an international bookings platform
- Avoid high-season. If you can travel just outside the high-season you might find amazing deals. That’s a benefit of taking a gap year, you’re not bound to school holidays a.k.a. inflated prices period.
Stay safe while exploring
Remote camping is magical, but safety is everything, especially with kids. The following might not be budget camping tips, but in our eyes essential. Here’s what we always pack:
- First Aid Kit
A well-stocked kit is a non-negotiable. Add extras like antihistamines, electrolytes, and kids’ meds. - Starlink Mini (or satellite internet)
Great for keeping connected, especially if you’re working remotely or homeschooling on the road. This was a real game changer for us. Check our Youtube Video about the Starlink and our set-up - Garmin InReach
A satellite communicator that can send SOS signals or messages when you’re off-grid and in trouble. Especially a must-have when you go hiking. Besides the Garmin there are multiple other brands who provide this sort of product.
The Garmin and Starlink were items we didn’t bring at first, but we learned the hard way that these are essential. Check our Youtube video: Stuck in the outback with kids | Car crash Australia
Final Thoughts
Budget camping in Australia is not just doable, it’s an adventure in itself and so many people do it. With the right gear, apps, and mindset, you can discover some of the most beautiful parts of this country without spending a fortune.
Whether you’re watching stars from your tent or toasting marshmallows with your kids, these simple camping moments become the heart of your family gap year memories.
If you have any friendly camping budget tips? Drop them in the comments. We love hearing from other travel families!
Happy roadtripping with your kids!
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P.S. For more family travel inspiration read our other blogs or find us on Instagram, Youtube, TikTok or Facebook » @familylifeexplorers.
