A Backpacker's Guide to Camping in Australia

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Muriel Haynes
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1 A Backpacker's Guide to Camping in Australia

2 A Guide to Camping in Australia Are you thinking about hiring a campervan with a bunch of mates and As hitting the world s the open sixth road largest to explore country, the chances best this are country you re has wondering to offer? how This to has conquer to be one the of land the Down top things Under to on do your on every camping traveller s trip of bucket a lifetime. list. The If you ve beauty never of Australian done a road travel trip is in that Australia you ll never before see or all hired of it, a but campervan trying might then here just be is a your handy most guide epic that travel runs goal you yet! through To help everything you get started, you need to we ve know put about together road-trippin' the ultimate in Western guide Australia. on where We ve and when covered to go, detailed the equipment driving itineraries, you ll need, tips top for must-see spots for beach places and to stop outback and essential lovers and expert information tips from on driving locals in Down the know. Under. Here s what you ll find in the camping guide: 1. How to choose the right equipment for you 2. Best times of the year to camp 3. Australia s most breathtaking beach camping 4. Where to go Outback camping 5. Three top free camping spots best Australian camping tips

For example, if you love the comforts of home, a campervan with a sink, fridge, gas stove and bed off the ground has everything you need.

3 The first question you need to ask yourself is whether you want to camp in a tent or take a campervan on the road. No matter where you go, you ll find campgrounds suitable for both options so base your decision on your unique needs. For example, if you love the comforts of home, a campervan with a sink, fridge, gas stove and bed off the ground has everything you need. For the intrepid traveller, a tent gives you that true sense of life in the great outdoors. If you choose to take a tent, here s a checklist of the essentials you ll need: A good quality tent that s waterproof and easy to assemble, with a ground sheet or tarp. Sleeping gear, including self-inflating or inflatable mattresses, sleeping bags and pillows. An esky or camping fridge. If you intend to camp in remote locations, you ll need cooking gear including a camp stove, gas bottle, a billy (camping kettle), a saucepan, plates, cups, eating utensils and a bucket, sponge and detergent for washing up. Camping chairs and table. Torches, a gas lamp or solar-powered lights. First aid kit and personal toiletries, towels, clothes pegs and wet weather gear. When you want to check out Australia s top campgrounds with a little more comfort and a whole lot less setting up, consider buying or renting a car or campervan.

Station wagons Station wagons are the perfect option if you want the choice of taking a tent but prefer sleeping in a vehicle in the case of bad weather.

Cost: Rent a station wagon from Travellers Autobarn from $35 a day.

4 Station wagons Station wagons are the perfect option if you want the choice of taking a tent but prefer sleeping in a vehicle in the case of bad weather. They re cheap to run, you can pick one up from all over the country and they include your cooking gear and esky. As they ll seat two to five people, you ll keep petrol costs down too. Cost: Rent a station wagon from Travellers Autobarn from $35 a day. You ll get access to free campgrounds, discounts on caravan parks, 24/7 roadside assistance, unlimited kilometres and a toll-free service number. If you re looking at buying, costs range from about $ $6000. Campervans When you want to check out as much of Australia as you can on an extended camping trip, campervans offer life s little luxuries, including fridges, kitchen sinks, gas stoves and power plugins. From basic vans for backpackers to those suitable for families and groups, you ll have room to move with little to no setup. Cost: Hire a campervan from Travellers Autobarn from $35 to $85 per day, with access to free campgrounds, discounts on caravan parks, 24/7 roadside assistance and a toll free service number for peace of mind.

Australia is world-renowned for sunny days and clear, blue skies, but weather extremes can make or break a camping adventure. Here s a rundown of where to go to experience the best of the seasons.

5 Australia is world-renowned for sunny days and clear, blue skies, but weather extremes can make or break a camping adventure. Here s a rundown of where to go to experience the best of the seasons. Southern states Tasmania s untouched wilderness and Victoria s food and wine trails are top choices for campers. Australia s southern states see European-style seasons, with dramatic changes enhancing the landscape. Temperatures drop in winter however, sometimes to as low as -7 C in the Alpine region. The best time to camp is between October and April, with comfortable average temperatures between C. Subtropical states You can camp right on the sand or in the heart of the outback throughout Northern and Central New South Wales, South Australia, Southern Queensland and Southern Western Australia. Coastal regions offer the hot summer weather that s perfect for swimming and cool, though rarely freezing, winter days. Inland temperatures can be a little more extreme, however, it s possible to camp across the entire region year round.

6 Tropical states If you can t wait to explore the tropics, Northern Western Australia, the top of the Northern Territory and Northern Queensland offer daytime temps of about 25 C and 35 C all year. What you need to consider, however, are the wet and dry seasons. The wet season runs from November to March. Though places like Kakadu National Park are at their lush best, camping in many areas at this time is best left to experienced campers with 4WDs. Flooding often causes road closures and some campgrounds shut down for the season. Humidity is also at its highest and it s stinger season on North Queensland beaches, so cooling off without a stinger suit isn t a good idea. Head to the tropics between April and October in the dry season to make the most of the incredible scenery, with fantastic weather for quality time spent in the great outdoors. Central Australia Always wanted to see Australia s vast, inspiring Outback landscapes and iconic sites, like Uluru? The Red Centre, West MacDonnell Ranges, Simpson Desert, Flinders Ranges and Tennant Creek are best seen between April and October. This way, you ll avoid excessive heat in summer, when temperatures soar as high as 40 C.

Life doesn t get much better than camping by the ocean. With more than 10,000 beaches, there s plenty of spots to choose from. Here are some of the country s most breathtaking beachfront campgrounds.

Pick up your campervan and equipment in Melbourne, keeping in mind that you ll need your own cooking equipment and water supply.

7 Life doesn t get much better than camping by the ocean. With more than 10,000 beaches, there s plenty of spots to choose from. Here are some of the country s most breathtaking beachfront campgrounds. Johanna Beach. Victoria Nestled in the Otway National Park, the campground at Johanna Beach is the perfect base for exploring the famous Great Ocean Road. Pick up your campervan and equipment in Melbourne, keeping in mind that you ll need your own cooking equipment and water supply. Then, simply surf, hike, whale watch and relax with spectacular ocean views. Jervis Bay. New South Wales Jervis Bay is home to the Booderee National Park and the popular Green Patch camping area. Here, you ll snorkel in calm waters lapping powder-soft, white sand and spot wallabies, king parrots and rainbow lorikeets. Owned by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community, you ll find cultural programs for kids, plus bush tucker walks and campfire yarns. Jervis Bay is a threehour drive from Sydney, where you can hire your equipment.

8 Lucky Bay, Western Australia. When you re hiring your campervan in Perth, you re spoilt for choice with campgrounds in Western Australia. Swim in turquoise seas while kangaroos laze on the beach at Lucky Bay, near Esperance. The idyllic arc of sand stretches for five kilometres in the Cape Le Grand National Park. The caravan and campground here offers picnic areas, showers, toilets and barbeques. Noah Beach, Queensland. It s hard to believe you can camp both in the rainforest and on a beach fringing the Great Barrier Reef, but Noah Beach makes the dream come true. Depart from Cairns and head to Cape Tribulation in the stunning Daintree National Park. Bird watch, picnic on the beach, snorkel with abundant marine life and explore the world-heritage listed forest.

Solitude, serenity, millions of stars and vast landscapes of astounding beauty are just some of the reasons camping in Australia s Outback is a journey like no other.

Ayres Rock, Northern Territory Pick up your campervan and supplies in Darwin for a camping trip through the Northern Territory.

9 Solitude, serenity, millions of stars and vast landscapes of astounding beauty are just some of the reasons camping in Australia s Outback is a journey like no other. From places to spot rare wildlife, to remote cattle stations and striking natural landmarks, get ready for a unique insight into the country at these top spots. Ayres Rock, Northern Territory Pick up your campervan and supplies in Darwin for a camping trip through the Northern Territory. Ayres Rock Campground is located within Ayres Rock Resort so you ll sleep under the watchful eye of the incredible sandstone landmark. With facilities like a pool, barbeques, self-service laundries and an outdoor kitchen, you ll be well looked after in the Outback. Kilcowera Station, Queensland Parrots chatting in Coolabah trees, birdfilled wetlands and Red Kangaroos await at Kilcowera, a working cattle station 1200 kilometres west of Brisbane. It s open to campers from March to October with all the facilities you need for comfort. Try yabbying, canoe on the lagoon and swim in refreshing waterholes. Currawinya National Park is close by for daytrip explorations.

Mungo National Park, New South Wales. World Heritage Mungo National Park is home to the famous Mungo Lady and Mungo Man, some of the oldest modern human remains found outside Africa.

10 Mungo National Park, New South Wales. World Heritage Mungo National Park is home to the famous Mungo Lady and Mungo Man, some of the oldest modern human remains found outside Africa. Main Camp is the spot to base yourself, close to the Visitor Centre and Mungo Woolshed. To get there, drive to Mildura or Wentworth from Sydney. The Grampians, Victoria. Mighty sandstone mountains, roaring waterfalls, colourful wildflowers and abundant wildlife characterise the Grampians region. Just a threehour drive from the hustle and bustle of Melbourne, kangaroos, kookaburras and incredible mountain views keep you company at Grampians Paradise Camping and Caravan Parkland. Bungle Bungles, Western Australia. The Bungle Bungles are world-famous geological landmarks. The orange and black sandstone domes rise to about 300 metres in the Purnululu National Park, located in the Kimberly region. With a community fire pit and travellers from across the globe, the Bungle Bungle Caravan Park rests at the gateway to natural wonders, making it the ideal gathering point to explore this majestic area. Top three free camping spots There are thousands of opportunities for free camping in Australia, in the bush, by the sand and even throughout national parks. Here s a look at three top picks.

Free Camping Spots in Australia Lake Crosbie, Victoria. Lake Crosbie is one of the pink lakes, located in the Murray region in the Murray-Sunset National Park.

11 Free Camping Spots in Australia Lake Crosbie, Victoria. Lake Crosbie is one of the pink lakes, located in the Murray region in the Murray-Sunset National Park. The lake s algae secrete a red pigment, creating an ethereal pink hue across the water. When you watch the water early or late on a summer s day, you ll truly know what it is to see through rose coloured glasses! The main campground at Lake Crosbie is first in, first served, with nonflushable toilets, barbeques and picnic tables. You ll need to take your own water supply and your best walking boots for an array of scenic trails. Gap Creek, New South Wales. In a two hour drive from Sydney, you can set up camp in a wilderness, coloured with lyrebirds, red cedars and a tumbling waterfall. This is remote rainforest camping at its best, which you'll find at the Watagans National Park. Also, the Gap Creek campground nearby offers picnic tables, toilets, a carpark and barbeques. Saunders Beach, Queensland If your idea of camping is dropping a line in to catch a fish for lunch, swimming, and lazing on the sand, there are six kilometres of beach to explore in Townsville. Saunders Beach is a relaxing slice of paradise with a designated, free camp site, barbeques, a picnic area and public toilets. There s also a café and take away shop close by.

12 Top tips for camping in Australia Sleeping under the stars and breathing in the fresh air is as simple as it gets, and so is camping in Australia. However, with some top camping tips you ll ensure a safe, happy trip, while avoiding any mishaps. 1. Research campsites before you go to check what facilities are available. This will give you a better idea of what you have to take with you. 2. Check weather predictions and fire bans so you can prepare accordingly. 3. Let friends and family know where you ll be and your intended itinerary. 4. Stock up on food at supermarkets before you leave so you re not stuck having to buy more expensive beer and sausages in smaller stores. Always carry four to five litres of water per person, per day, especially in the Outback. Many remote campsites don t provide drinking water. 5. If you hire a campervan or car, carry out basic maintenance checks every 500km, including checking the tyre pressure and coolant levels. 6. Always arrive at campsites before nightfall, as lighting may be limited. 7. Choose a spot with flat ground for your tent and avoid camping under trees. 8. Store all your food securely. Australian wildlife are notorious for having a nibble on your food, plus you don t want to attract nocturnal animals to your camp. 9. Never pack your tent when it s wet as it could be damaged by mildew. Dry, sweep and air it before putting it away. 10. Duct tape fixes everything from broken tent poles to a crack in your camping chair. Don t forget to take a roll!

13 Whether you are a gap year backpacker, budget traveller, or tourist on the cheap, discover campervan hire Australia with Travellers Autobarn. Visit the website or contact the team for more information today!

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