The short answer: dogs and other domestic pets are not allowed in national parks in any Australian state or territory. The long answer is slightly more nuanced, with a handful of exceptions that are worth knowing about. Here’s the full breakdown by state, so you can plan your Big Lap accordingly. Why Are Pets Banned? […]

A station stay is one of the most uniquely Australian experiences on the Big Lap. You camp on a working cattle or sheep station, often covering hundreds of thousands of acres, with nothing but red dirt, spinifex, big skies, and the distant sound of livestock for company. The appeal isn’t the facilities (though some are […]

Private campgrounds sit in the space between free bush camps and commercial caravan parks. Owned and operated by individuals or companies on private land, they range from a farmer’s paddock with a long-drop toilet to beautifully maintained bush camps with hot showers, fire pits, and manicured sites. The growth of platforms like Hipcamp and Youcamp […]

Council reserve campgrounds are one of Australia’s best-kept camping secrets. Run by local councils across the country, these range from basic town ovals with a toilet block to genuinely excellent camping areas with shelters, barbecues, dump points, and riverside or bushland settings. Many are free or gold coin donation, and they’re often located in small […]

The Northern Territory’s parks are bucket-list destinations: Kakadu, Litchfield, Uluru-Kata Tjuta, Kings Canyon, Nitmiluk (Katherine Gorge), and the West MacDonnell Ranges. The dry season (May-September) is the only practical time to visit most NT parks, and demand during this window is high. The NT system is split between Territory-managed parks and Commonwealth-managed parks (Kakadu and […]

Western Australia has some of the most spectacular national park camping in the country. From the Kimberley’s ancient gorges to the turquoise waters of Ningaloo, the tall timber forests of the south-west, and the wildflower-carpeted Kalbarri hinterland, WA’s parks cover an astonishing range of landscapes. The state’s park system is managed by the Department of […]

South Australia’s parks range from the ancient Flinders Ranges to the rugged Kangaroo Island coastline, the Murray River wetlands, the Coorong’s vast lagoon system, and the remote deserts of the north. The state’s park system is managed by the Department for Environment and Water through the National Parks and Wildlife Service SA. Camping is affordable […]

Tasmania’s national parks are world-class. Cradle Mountain, Freycinet, the Tarkine, the Overland Track, and the Southwest Wilderness represent some of the most pristine natural environments left on Earth. Tasmania is a summer destination for Big Lappers (December-March), and demand for park campgrounds during this window is intense. Planning and booking ahead is essential. Booking System […]

Victoria packs a remarkable amount of natural diversity into Australia’s smallest mainland state. The Great Ocean Road, the Grampians, Wilsons Promontory, the High Country, the Murray River, and the Gippsland Lakes all offer national park camping within a few hours of Melbourne. Parks Victoria manages the system and has been progressively moving campgrounds to online […]