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Camping on a Budget in Australia

main range

Without a doubt, Australia is one of the most famous places that a traveler would want to go to. It is the sixth largest country in the world and it offers a one-of-a-kind experience to its locals and foreign tourists. Aside to that, this country offers real natural beauty, amazing beaches, and many fantastic things you will surely love.

Read here how to buy the best Australia sim card for touristAustralia eSim Holafly vs Airalo and best Australia eSim

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One cool thing to do in Australia is camping. From time to time, we have to breathe some fresh air and enjoy nature. Camping is the best way to experience that. Whether you do it alone or with a few friends and family, you will surely have fun camping in Australia.

But because of its vast area and relatively small population, prices here are high. It is one of the most expensive places to travel to. In this blog post, we will share some tips on how you could save money on your next camping trip in Australia and some places where you will enjoy camping with friends and family!

WHERE TO STAY IN AUSTRALIA

A lot of budget option is available for accommodation in Sydney. Where you can sleep in a dorm room or a room from $25 USD while you can stay in a budget hotel for as low as $60-80 USD.

There are so many to choose from depending on what type and how luxurious you want your stay to be starting from $150 USD. You can also try AirBnB in Australia with prices starting from $30 USD.

Book your accommodations in Australia through Agoda or Booking

BOOK YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE

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Tips for Camping on a Budget

1. Check the weather before camping.

Australia is one of the best places you can go to for camping because of its perfect weather; however, rains and cold weather may come unexpectedly.

It’s best to search for the weather first so that you’ll be prepared with the right gear and clothes you’ll wear. This will help you avoid buying extra things while camping.

2. Travel slowly.

When Rachel and I travel, we do it slowly. We don’t want to be in a hurry exploring a place we’re in because it just doesn’t make sense when you travel in a hurry. Breathe and relax. Experience how locals live their lives and learn to appreciate their culture. In this way, you’ll also be able to save money like what I did on my Thailand trip.

The same thing goes for camping, especially when you camp to different sites. You will love the experience more plus you might also get the chance to meet local people and make friends!

3. Use a campervan.

If you have the budget, try to purchase a second-hand campervan or rent one. Gumtree has a wide variety of campervans and caravans to offer. Every van listed has their own specifications and mostly negotiable prices. Just make sure to choose the most suitable one for your trip and don’t forget to consider your budget, too.

Purchasing or renting a van not only saves you money because you will be able to sleep in campsites. It also lets you to have the freedom to go to places you want, as well as getting to not easily accessible places.

4. Buy food from markets and supermarkets or cook your own food.

Yup! This tip is one of the things you should remember when camping. Supermarkets and markets offer cheaper food and ingredients than convenience stores and the like.

Cooking your own food and not relying on restaurants will save you a big amount of money! Just don’t forget to bring a portable stove, camping gas or use a traditional campfire to cook.

Click here to read some advice on how I spent only 400 Euros on my 5-month bicycle trip in Europe.

5. Plan your itinerary in advance.

Planning is the key to every hassle-free trip. In choosing the best places to go and what activities you shouldn’t miss in Australia. List them down and plan when exactly you will go to these places and/or events.

Don’t forget to download an app for GPS tracking and map to avoid getting lost. This will save you time and of course, money for fuel.

Having an itinerary will surely save you time and money so it’s best to have one for your every camping trip.

Click here to book your accommodation with Booking.com!

6. Camp with friend and/or relatives.

If you prefer to camp or travel alone, you might regret it if you are camping on a budget in Australia. Camping with family and friends will not just help you with costs (for food, drinks, fuel, accommodation, etc.), but will also make your trip remarkable. You and your friends can also find a collection of genuine army boots online as they are excellent for roughing it out during camping.

Keep in mind that great places make the trip worthwhile, but a great companion will make it something to remember.

Campsites to visit

Here are the top campsites in Australia that we highly recommend:

Sawpit Camping Area

sawpit

(Photo by Paul Smedley)

​Located in Mount Clay Forest, this has large sites perfect for campervans. It’s one of the best camping sites because of its peaceful bush setting and access to ocean views.

You also have access to clean drop toilets and firewood here, plus you might spot some koalas in the area. Almost forgot to mention that camping here is free.

Karijini National Park

karijini

(Photo by Tourism Western Australia)​​

This is Western Australia’s second largest park. It has a close access to gorges that will make your stay worthwhile. A wide array of wild animals and flowers can be found here.

Booderee National Park

boderee

(Photo by Jonas Rattel)

This is located in Jervis Bay and has three camping sites. White sand beaches are easily accessible here and if you are lucky, you may spot humpback and southern right whales migrating to Queensland waters. It usually happens in June or July. You may also spot these whales during their return journey from September to November.

Lake Eyre National Park

Camping on a budget

(Photo by Murray Fredericks and Marcus O’Brien)

Lake Eyre National Park is Australia’s lowest point to camp, located 12 meters below sea level. It is recommended that you camp here during colder months. Keep in mind that you can access this park by a four-wheel vehicle only.

Main Range, Kosciuszko National Park

main range

(Photo by @happyexplorers_au) 

Kosciuszko National Park is New South Wales’ largest national park. In Main Range is where you’ll see the best views because it encompasses Mt Kosciuszko, Australia’s highest peak. Get ready to see the best views of your lives!

However, there are no facilities here. Be well-prepared before going here to camp.

Ormiston Gorge, West MacDonnell National Park

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(Photo by Linda Fairbairn)

If you love stargazing, then you must camp at Ormiston Gorge in Central Australia. This area has the clearest night skies in Australia so looking up to watch the stars is the best here.

Don’t forget to make a wish when you see a shooting star, ha! 🙂

Occasionally, treat yourselves to a magical escape from city life. Enjoy and relax with your friends outdoors by camping in Australia, where there are numerous camping sites to choose from.

Are you ready to plan your next camping trip? Tell us your thoughts!

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