Best Free Overnight Campsites on the East Coast 2024

Save money, make memories and have the road trip of a lifetime at these awesome free campsites on the East Coast!

With an array of free campsites and rest areas available, the East Coast is a superb choice for your next road trip in a campervan, caravan or 4WD. So, buckle up and blast your favourite tunes as we show you our favourite free overnight stays across Australia’s East Coast. 

Please note that this information is subject to change. Before arriving at your camp, always check up-to-date information! We recommend downloading the WikiCamps app to find more free campsites, and to check any recent updates, closures or changes to these spots.

• Greenpatch Reserve - Cairns, QLD

Amenities: toilets, hot showers and drinking water

Notes: check if this spot is open as it is sometimes subject to flooding.

• Hotel Eton - Mackay, QLD

Amenities: free pub stay, hot showers and toilets, live music Friday and Saturday

Notes: call the pub before arrival and buy food and drinks during your stay! 

• Proserpine free RV 48 hr park - Proserpine, QLD

Amenities: free toilets, cold showers across the road, drinking water, 30 minutes out of Airlie Beach.

Notes: self-contained vehicles are preferred, however, there is a toilet across the road.

• Petrie Park Campground - Tiaro, QLD 

Amenities: free toilets, lovely lake and picnic benches.

Notes: no showers or water points. 

• Carters Ridge RV Camp - Cooroy, QLD

Amenities: free toilets, great trees and shade.

Notes: no showers or water points. 

• Braemer Park - Rappville, NSW

Amenities: free toilets and some shade.

Notes: no showers, no water points, near the road.

• Mobong Creek - Cascade, NSW

Amenities: free rainforest camping, with toilets and waterfall swimming.

Notes: no water taps or showers. 

• The Pines Campground in Olney State Forest - Martinsville, NSW 

Amenities: toilets, fire pits, picnic tables, a creek nearby and national park walks around.

Notes: no water taps or showers. 

• Blackheath Glen Resvere - Blue Mountains, NSW

Amenities: free drive-in campsite, pit toilets, rubbish bins, picnic tables, fire pits.

Notes: no water taps, road is quite narrow, winding, and steep so it's not ideal for large motorhomes.

• Red Gum Campground - Batemans Bay, NSW

Amenities: toilets, fire pits and bay water nearby.

Notes: no water taps or showers, booking is required.

• Cann River Rainforest Caravan Park - Cann River, VIC

Amenities: water, toilets and showers, just off the Princes Highway, spacious and shady free camping next to a running creek. 

• Waterwheel Beach Tavern - Lake Tyers, VIC

Amenities: awesome pub stay, free toilets, hot showers, power, laundry facilities ($4 a load), right on the beach and the lovely lake Tyers, great local vibes.

Notes: free for the first night but paid after that, call the pub before arrival and buy a meal and beer while you stay.

Don't forget to share your favourite campsites with us on Instagram! Tag as at @eastcoasttours to spread that roadtrippin' love!

For more campervan tips, tricks and spots, check out our handy guides to van living Australia. 

Need help finding your way along the flourishing East Coast? Chat to our local travel lovers to answer any questions, big or small!