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CAMPING & ROAD TRIPS: BEYOND THE BITUMEN

Camping is easily the best way to explore Australia.

I’ve never seen more wildlife than when we’ve gone camping. There is something fundamentally different about hearing the bush come alive at night from inside a tent rather than through a hotel window.

Most of our trips focus on getting away from the crowds. If a site has plenty of birdlife, a few nearby hiking tracks, and enough space to actually breathe, we’re interested.

We keep things simple so we can spend more time exploring and less time faffing about with gear.

ROAD TRIPS & CAMPING STYLE AT A GLANCE

Accommodation: National parks, state forests and remote station stays—and hopefully peace & quiet
Setup: 4WD touring, a tent—ground or rooftop—and a 25-year-old fridge that is still alive
Philosophy: Minimalist, low-impact and focused on physical and mental wellbeing
Road Trips: Routes and loops connecting Australia’s stunning national parks, from remote to regional areas
Gear: No fluff—only simple, durable equipment with an eye on sustainability
✨ Why we do it: To enjoy the solitude and marvel at the natural creation

OUR PREFERRED SPOTS

If you’re looking for resort-style caravan parks with jumping pillows and paved sites, you’re in the wrong place. We generally avoid them unless we’re desperate for a shower or passing through a town where it’s the only option.

We prefer the simplicity of national parks, state forests, station stays or private Hipcamp properties. We look for places where nature is the main attraction, not the amenities.

EXPLORE BY REGION

Browse the regional hubs below for detailed notes on road conditions, facilities, sights to explore and the best time to visit.

All articles about Camping on Queensland and Beyond

QUEENSLAND CAMPING

Iconic red dirt, lush national parks and station stays. Comprehensive guides and “5-tent” spots across the state.

NSW CAMPING

Serene riverbanks, northern NSW escapes and remote bush camps. Practical logistics for national parks in regional NSW.

NT CAMPING

Vast desert horizons, ancient gorges and remote camps. Road trip guides and practical logistics for the NT.

ROAD TRIP INSPIRATION

Sunrise over the red volcanic rock shelves, white sand and calm ocean waters at Macassan Beach in East Arnhem Land.

EAST ARNHEM LAND ROAD TRIP (NT)

Coastal camping, ancient Yolngu culture and tropical bush. A true rugged 4WD adventure in the remote Top End.

A unique natural sandstone arch formation framed by tall eucalyptus trees at Mount Moffatt, a remote section of Carnarvon National Park.

SANDSTONE BELT
ROAD TRIP (QLD)

Towering sandstone cliffs and rugged gorges. Options for scenic road trips through Queensland’s dramatic central highlands.

Elevated view of Trephina Gorge Nature Park in the East MacDonnell Ranges, showing a sandy, tree-lined creek bed winding through a valley flanked by rugged red rock cliffs under a cloudy sky, taken from the Panorama Walk.

EAST MACS
ROAD TRIP (NT)

Ancient red valleys, desert gaps and gold rush history. A compact 4WD loop showcasing the raw beauty of Central Australia.

POPULAR POSTS

A twilight view from the edge of Border Ranges National Park, looking over dark forested ridges and rolling green farmland under a purple sky with a thin band of pink-lit clouds on the horizon.

17 CAMPING SPOTS IN SOUTHEAST QLD

Lush rainforests, beach spots and elevated plateaus: 17 national parks in southeast Qld and northern NSW great for camping.

A white 4WD with a rooftop tent set up on the edge of a rugged, limestone cliff overlooking the turquoise ocean at Cape Keraudren in Western Australia.

OUR (SIMPLE) REMOTE COMMS SETUP

A review of our remote comms setup after more than eight months on the road: What worked and what was unnecessary.

A white 4WD and a blue tent set up at a remote, sandy campsite along a lagoon. A camp chair and a fuel stove on a small table are positioned in front of the tent under the shade of leaning eucalyptus trees. The ground is rich, red Australian soil, and the calm water of the river reflects a clear blue sky in the background.

LEAVE NO TRACE: A PRACTICAL GUIDE

The foundational principles for exploring the bush responsibly to ensure these natural places stay protected for the future.

HOW WE RATE CAMPSITES

Camping reviews often focus on the quality of the showers. Ours don’t—well, not exclusively.

Since we prefer remote national parks and station stays, we rate spots based on the location, the peace and quiet and the “would we ever come back?” factor.

Toilets are the only exception. Whether it’s a composting drop toilet or a bush toilet, I need it to be reasonably clean.

We rate all our camping experiences on a scale of 1 to 5—entirely subjective. Obviously. 🙂

1 TENT: RUN AWAY

It’s so awful that words fail me. Run away fast or at least leave as soon as the sun’s up.

3 TENTS: QUITE NICE

Don’t want to stay forever but it’s quite lovely for a few days and a good base for exploring the area.

5 TENTS: MOVING IN

Just perfect. Isolated, beautiful and exactly why we go camping in the first place.

More Adventures: From remote national park stays to multi-day hiking tracks, find more inspiration on the Outdoor Adventures page.