Best Free Overnight Campsites On Australia's East Coast 2025

With an array of free campsites and rest areas available, the East Coast of Australia 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, and most free campsites are only for short term stays. 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. 

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

Best Free Overnight Campsites On Australia's East Coast 2025

Australia is one of the best countries in the world for camping. The wilderness is abundant and the local culture emphasises outdoor adventures, making camping a popular pastime Down Under. While there are hundreds of incredible campsites on Australia's East Coast, most of them have a nightly fee. For the budget travellers out there, you may want to prioritise free campsites in Australia. This can help you save money during your road trip. 

Here are some of the best free campsites on Australia's East Coast!

Queensland Free Campsites

Greenpatch Reserve - Gordonvale, QLD

• Amenities: toilets, hot showers and drinking water
• Notes: check if this spot is open as it is sometimes subject to flooding.

About 30 minutes south of Cairns you can camp for free amidst the Tropical North Queensland beauty! With a maximum stay of 72 hours, you can relax on a budget and make use of the excellent amenities including fresh drinking water and hot showers. 

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! 

Mackay is a small Queensland town about 2 hours south of Airlie Beach (the Gateway to the Whitsunday Islands). The bustling local pub, Hotel Eton, offers free campsites for patrons who want to enjoy some hearty food before camping out. Powered campsites are also available for an extra cost!

Proserpine free RV 48 hr park - Proserpine, QLD

• Amenities: free toilets, cold showers across the road, drinking water.
• Notes: self-contained vehicles are preferred, however, there is a toilet across the road.

Another free place to camp near Airlie Beach is in Proserpine. The relaxed, rural town is about 30 minutes away from downtown Airlie and is home to a free RV campground. No bookings are required, but spaces are limited so you may want to arrive early to snag a spot. 

Petrie Park Campground - Tiaro, QLD 

• Amenities: free toilets, lovely lake and picnic benches.
• Notes: no showers or water points. 

Nestled on the banks of the Mary River, this free RV site is located in a convenient spot off the Bruce Highway on the Fraser Coast. The maximum stay is 20 hours, but during your stay you can kick back in the shade of the Eucalyptus forest and possibly even spot koalas in the trees!

New South Wales Free Campsites

Braemer Park - Rappville, NSW

• Amenities: free toilets and some shade.
• Notes: no showers, no water points, near the road.

Located in Ellangowan State Forest of northern New South Wales, Braemer Park is a free campsite that is handy for travellers heading to or from Byron Bay and Lennox Head. If there is no fire ban in place at the time, you can bring your own firewood or gas BBQ to have a camp cookout under the trees. 

Mobong Creek - Cascade, NSW

• Amenities: free rainforest camping, with toilets and waterfall swimming.
• Notes: no water taps or showers. 

This is one of the most gorgeous free campsites in NSW! About an hour inland from Coffs Harbour, you can find this little oasis in Wild Cattle Creek State Forest. The campsite has basic amenities, including a footbridge that leads to an emerald swimming hole and walking tracks. 

The Pines Campground - Martinsville, NSW 

• Amenities: toilets, fire pits, picnic tables, a creek nearby and national park walks around.
• Notes: no water taps or showers. 

For a shady, secluded stay in nature, check out the Pines Campground in Olney State Forest. The campground is pet-friendly and campfires are permitted. You can reach this serene spot in about 1.5 hours from Newcastle or 2 hours from Sydney. 

Blackheath Glen Reserve - 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.

For a budget-friendly Blue Mountains stay, pull into Blackheath Glen Reserve. This cosy camp area is just 10 minutes away from downtown Blackheath, the starting point for some amazing Blue Mountains hikes, waterfalls, and lookouts. 

Red Gum Campground - Batemans Bay, NSW

• Amenities: toilets, fire pits and bay water nearby.
• Notes: no water taps or showers, booking is required.

About 3 hours south of Sydney you'll find yourself on the beautiful NSW South Coast. Red Gum Campground is a very small and basic campsite that is best suited for campervans and RVs. But if you can score a spot, you can enjoy a lovely free stay right next to the Clyde River. 

Victoria Free Campsites

Cann River Rainforest Caravan Park - Cann River, VIC

• Amenities: water, toilets and showers, picnic tables.

For road-trippers traveling between Sydney and Melbourne, Cann River Rainforest Caravan Park is the perfect place to stay. It's right off the Princes Highway are offers a huge selection of free campsites where you can stay for up to 36 hours. There is a also a nearby creek and lots of shade!

Waterwheel Beach Tavern - Lake Tyers, VIC

• Amenities: awesome pub stay, free toilets, hot showers, power, laundry facilities ($4 a load).
• Notes: free for the first night but paid after that, call the pub before arrival and buy a meal and beer while you stay.

Australia loves its free campsites at a local pub! This campsite at Waterwheel Beach Tavern is right on the beach, just steps away from the lovely Lake Tyers. There are great local vibes and a heartwarming atmosphere, as well as great amenities. 

Lake Elizabeth Campground - Great Otway National Park, VIC

• Amenities: unpowered, walk-in campsites for tents only, non flush toilets, picnic tables, dogs are allowed on leads. 
• Notes: free to camp but you must reserve your place online.

Just inland from the Great Ocean Road lies the lush forests of Great Otway National Park. You can stay here for free at Lake Elizabeth Campground and spend your days bushwalking, canoeing on the lake, birdwatching, and more. 

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!