Best Pet-Friendly Free Camps!
Words and Photography by Trina Morris
The sense of freedom experienced when that umbilical cord is disconnected from caravan park utilities is second to none! The space, peace, and pace of life is so enjoyable, freedom camping can become totally addictive.
If we revel in the rewards of freedom touring, there is every reason our treasured furry companions do, too. We know our dog expresses happier behaviours when we settle in a natural environment, compared to the restrictive, urbanised setting of a caravan park.
To celebrate the value of travelling with a pet, we want to share our top 15 pet-friendly freedom camps!
TASMANIA
Stanley
This quaint historic towns’ original free camp areas at Godfreys Beach and Stanley wharf are still being used by some nomads, despite the installation of an ‘official’ freedom camp at the Stanley Recreation Grounds. All three offer fantastic views of the Nut, with bountiful fishing and great beachside settings, where dogs can romp and paddle.
Info: pets welcome, scenic, fees apply, phone reception, shade, big rigs, fish, swim, paddle
Gordon Foreshore
This scenic freedom camp sits beside the d’Entrecasteau Channel, 50 km south of Hobart. Tall trees and spacious grassy areas provide good camp choices, and there’s plenty of room for your furry companions to extend themselves in play while you soak up the seaside vista, or tour the lovely villages on the region.
Info: pets welcome, disabled toilets, scenic, shade, picnic table, fees apply, big rigs, dump point, phone reception, paddle, swim, fish, boating
VICTORIA
Pigs Point Reserve
Situated beside the swiftly flowing Mitta Mitta River south of Tallangatta; Pigs Point offers good facilities and flat, grassy sites. Your dogs can swim to their hearts’ content while you glide beside them in a kayak. Catch a trout for dinner or watch the visiting pelicans catch theirs.
Info: pets welcome, toilets, scenic, shade, picnic table, fire place, BBQ, big rigs, paddle, swim, fish
Johanna Beach
Johanna Beach campground is located in the Otway National Park on the Great Ocean Road, yet it is pet-friendly! A scramble over the sand dunes delivers you and your hound to a fabulous beach, where you can walk together for miles. It’s a fantastic base for exploring the Otways, as long as Rover doesn’t mind staying home to look after your camp for the day.
Info: pets welcome, toilets, water, fees apply, phone reception, swim, fish
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Pildappa Rock
Spectacular Pildappa Rock, 16 km north of Minnipa on the Eyre Hwy, is one of our top five doggie camping destinations. It easily rivals WA’s Wave Rock – the views from the top are stunning, and Drummer loves sniffing around the many Gnamma Holes. A free BBQ is provided, so please pop a donation in the box as requested.
Info: pets welcome, toilets, scenic, shade, BBQ, picnic table, water, fire place, big rigs
Tickera North
This serene camp on the NW coast of SA’s Yorke Peninsula, 5 km north of Tickera, presents Rover with endless beach activities. The easy dirt road access deters many visitors, so exclusive use can often be enjoyed outside peak season.
Info: pets welcome, toilets, scenic, big rigs, swim, paddle, fish
Hogwash Bend
Located between Waikerie and Morgan, massive River Red Gums provide shade and character along this sweeping bend of the magnificent Murray River. Your pooch can accompany you on long riverside walks, or paddle in the river amongst resident pelicans. You can enjoy birdwatching, launch the tinnie, or just kick back and check out the impressive house boats that occasionally cruise by.
Info: pets welcome, scenic, shade, fire place, paddle craft, swim, fish, boating, big rigs
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Albert Tognolini Rest Area
This free camp is perfectly placed to enable an exploration of the magnificent Karijini National Park, provided Rover is happy to be left home alone. It also has scenery to die for. Most notably, views of the inland Pilbara’s rugged ranges and spectacular Munjina Gorge. Sunsets here are a special treat and best viewed during Rover’s evening walk along the lovely ridgeline trails.
Info: pets welcome, scenic, picnic table, fire place, big rig
Spring Creek
Since a visit to Purnululu National Park is on everyone’s bucket list, this great free camp is the perfect place to stay when travelling with a pet. Tall trees shade the lower section, so Rover can be left to guard camp while you visit the park, and his reward is a cool dip in the creek on your return. For such a remote free camp, the facilities are brilliant, including toilets, rubbish bins, internet reception and a dump point!
Info: pets welcome, toilets, shade, fire place, BBQ, picnic tables, dump point, phone reception, big rigs
NORTHERN TERRITORY
Saddle Creek
Situated seventy kilometres east of the WA/NT border on the Savannah Way, this free camp boasts first class sunset scenery. We met many dog lovers as we circled our chairs to watch late golden glows settle on Desmonds Passage, a rugged range at the back of the campground. Two- and four-legged campers chatted together late into the night in this isolated and very peaceful place.
Info: pets welcome, disabled toilets, scenic, shade, BBQ, picnic tables, fire place, big rigs
Karlu Karlu
The spiritual nature of this special campground provides an awe-inspiring experience, and if your furry companions do not stray beyond the fenced parking area, they are welcome. Rover can chat to the resident dingos while you climb amongst the boulders. Find a place to sit for a while at sunset, and reflect on why Karlu Karlu’s First Nation custodians have treasured this sacred place for thousands of generations.
Info: pets welcome, toilets, scenic, picnic tables, fire place, picnic tables, fees apply, big rigs
QUEENSLAND
Inskip Point
Pet friendly beachside camping in south east Queensland is hard to find, so lovely Inskip Point enchants two- and four-legged travellers alike. Camp beneath casuarinas with the sound of breakers crashing nearby, and make the most of the warm water. Take your pooch for an early morning run along the northern reaches of Rainbow Beach, with Fraser Island just a short paddle across the channel.
Info: pets welcome, disabled toilets, scenic, big rigs, swim, paddle, fish
Sharp Park
On both sides of the Coomera River’s upper reaches, 4 km south of Canungra, extensive grounds are laid out for fabulous family freedom camping. The further you camp from the facilities, the more room you’ll have, so there are plenty of choices to make. Kick a ball, throw a Frisbee and explore the rocky riverbed with your lucky nomadic pooch. The low fees are justified for such a beautiful parkland environment and excellent facilities.
Info: pets welcome, disabled toilets, water, BBQ, picnic table, shade, fireplaces, phone reception, big rigs
NEW SOUTH WALES
Carcoar Dam
This is a unique place to stay: it’s huge, with fantastic facilities, and it’s absolutely free! The views across the water to green hills crowned with majestic wind turbines are lovely, and your cabin-fevered canine will love the acres of grass to burn off some energy.
Info: pets welcome, showers, water, toilets, scenic, shade, BBQ, picnic table, phone reception, big rigs, swim, paddle, fish
Mays Bend, Bourke
This is a ripper of a pet-friendly free camp! Mays Bend is a very spacious area on the banks of the Darling River just outside Bourke, complete with beautiful River Red gums, pelicans, and genuine serenity. There’s an extensive network of trails to take Rover for a run along the river, so a bicycle and a fishing rod are essential pieces of equipment for this free camp.
Info: pets welcome, shade, scenic, phone reception, fireplaces, big rigs, swim, paddle, fish, cycling
