New to the idea of camping holidays? Recently purchased your first 4WD vehicle? Believe or not, camping can be glamorous.
Camping has long been considered ‘roughing it.’ But what if I told you that a camping trip could actually be a luxurious escape, with its own comfort zone designed by you? A budget-friendly alternative to a traditional hotel stay that lets you soak in the natural wonders of the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort? Imagine enjoying quality time savouring gourmet foods, enjoying fine wines and exploring stunning landscapes, all without the cost or stress of securing a pricey hotel room.
Reconsidering camping as a holiday alternative
A few weeks back, I had a cosy country motel booked for a weekend getaway. After months of anticipation, we packed the car and hit the road, only to get a last-minute message letting us know they’d double-booked our room. The owner/manager told us that they had oversold six rooms. Given that there were only six rooms in total at the property, this beggared belief. Just like that, our reservation was cancelled, leaving us stranded with no backup plan. In that moment, it hit me; there had to be a simpler way to escape. There had to be a better way, which didn’t cost too much money. Something affordable, flexible and comfortable, regardless of the time of year.
Then, the Melbourne Cup long weekend rolled around, and I found myself scrolling through accommodation sites again. Prices had spiked, the best spots were fully booked and the idea of planning and booking weeks in advance just to secure a getaway felt exhausting. Could camping be a good alternative? With a little thought, I realised it could be a comfortable, convenient option and a luxurious one at that.
The view from the infinite pool over Lake Argyle (Credit: Allison Watt)
Luxury camping — yes, it’s a thing!
You don’t need to be a survival expert to enjoy camping. With a little bit of planning and creativity, you can transform your camping experience — whether it’s a big trip or a short stay — into a luxurious retreat. Picture this: you hop in the car, drive out of the city for an hour or three and set up camp with everything you need packed in the boot. Yes, even some of the comforts you’d expect in a hotel. Here’s how you can turn camping into a mini-luxury break:
Food and drink on your terms
Instead of booking high-priced restaurant reservations, stock up on local wines and gourmet groceries from your favourite supermarket or even explore local markets. You can have the same quality meals you’d enjoy on a hotel stay, only now they’re your own meals by the campfire or cooked on a collapsible fire pit that doubles as your heat source on chilly evenings, or on a picnic blanket under the stars on a balmy night. Picture sipping a glass (or even a goblet!) of Pinot, relaxing in your camp chair while enjoying the charcuterie board on your picnic table which you brought along at a fraction of the price of what you would’ve had to pay in a restaurant. Even your cuppa can be enjoyed with a touch of luxury, brewed in a vintage-inspired enamel teapot.
Breathtaking views – sometimes for free
Parks Victoria recently announced free camping sites over the summer, meaning even more beautiful places to explore without the hassle of hotel costs and bookings. Camping at 131 of Parks Victoria’s paid campgrounds is free of charge between 1 December 2024 and 30 June 2025. From the Great Otway National Park to Wilsons Promontory National Park, there are countless locations that offer peaceful, pristine spots where you can camp for free or at very low cost. Plus, you get to wake up to unbeatable views. No room upgrade required. Bookings must be made with Parks Victoria. Note that other State and Territory Governments have not made the same announcement as the Victorian Government; fees apply to camp in most national parks in other jurisdictions.
Modern gear for ultimate comfort
With the right gear, you can have a cosy and warm camping set-up. Today’s camping essentials include luxuries such as down-topped inflatable pillows, portable air mattresses or padded stretchers, temperature-controlled sleeping bags or all-rounder sleeping bags rated to -12 degrees Celsius and battery-powered lanterns that make your stay as comfortable as any hotel. And if you’re still not ready to part with a real, comfortable bed, there’s the option to book an affordable ‘glamping’ (glamorous camping) tent or safari tent with all the comforts of a cosy cabin, or maybe invest in a luxury swag with an attached compartment to store your gear (accessible from inside the swag so you don’t need to venture out into the elements!), two access doors, a 70mm high-density foam mattress and protection from mozzies (and their other insect friends!).
The joy of spontaneity
Forget about booking weeks or months in advance or dealing with cancellations. Just pick a spot on the map, pack up the car and go! Many campgrounds close to great places of interest and within a relatively short drive from your home, don’t require bookings so you can be as spontaneous as you like. This kind of freedom is ideal for when you want to unplug and reset without overthinking the details.
Local flavours and hidden gems
Camping doesn’t have to mean you’re far from civilisation. Some of the most charming country towns are just a stone’s throw from campgrounds, offering renowned restaurants and pubs where you can splurge a little. Take a short drive into town to enjoy a hearty pub meal or a locally brewed beer, then head back to your campsite for a night under the stars. Or, perhaps better still, how about camping at (or in close proximity to) the pub?
Royal Hotel Grong Grong NSW (Credit: Allison Watt)
6. Affordable touches of luxury
Scented candles, Egyptian cotton towels, a hot water bottle, a battery-powered fan and a portable wireless speaker for relaxing music while you’re at camp, are luxurious touches that don’t take up a lot of space and don’t cost the earth.
7. Swap the hotel or resort swimming pool for nature’s swimming holes found in every Australian State and Territory. Camp and go for a swim or a shallow splash nearby at the likes of:
Queensland
- Lee’s Reserve, Dumaresq River, Goondiwindi (free camping)
- Cascades Pool, Kauyoo Pool and Bottlebrush Pool, Crows Nest National Park (must be booked and fees apply)
- Lake Broadwater and Wilga Bush Campground, Lake Broadwater Conservation Park (must be booked and fees apply)
New South Wales
- Mulligans Campground, Gibraltar Range National Park (must be booked and fees apply)
- Big River Campground, Goulburn River National Park (must be booked and fees apply)
- Little Mountain Campground, Karuah National Park (must be booked and fees apply)
Victoria
- Bealiba Reservoir Recreation Area, Bealiba (free camping)
- Green Hill Lake Campground, Ararat (free camping)
- Vaughan Springs Reserve, Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park (free camping)
Tasmania
- Mount Field Campground, Mount Field National Park (first-in basis; fees apply and are payable at the Visitor Information Centre)
- Myrtle Park Recreation Ground, Targa (must be booked and fees apply)
- Bethune Park Camping Ground, Lake Meadowbank (free camping)
South Australia
- Hettner Landing and Swamp Hen Reserve, Walker Flat (free camping)
- Deep Creek National Park (several campgrounds; all must be booked, and fees apply)
- Worlds End Gorge (Burra Creek) Campground (free camping)
Western Australia
- Honeymoon Pool Campground, Wellington National Park (must be booked and fees apply)
- Nanga Mill Campground, Lane Poole Reserve (must be booked and fees apply)
- Main Campground, Lake Leschenaultia (must be booked and fees apply)
Ellery Creek Big Hole NT (Credit: Robert Crack)
Northern Territory
- Wangi Falls Campground, Litchfield National Park (must be booked and fees apply)
- Maguk Campground, Kakadu National Park (first-in basis; fees apply and are payable to the onsite campground manager)
- Ellery Creek Big Hole Campground, Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park (must be booked and fees apply)
Australian Capital Territory
- Orroral Campground, Namadgi National Park (must be booked and fees apply)
- Woods Reserve Campground, Gibraltar Creek near Namadgi National Park (must be booked and fees apply)
Making your next break one to remember
Sunset over Lake Hume Tallangatta Vic (Credit: Allison Watt)
Camping might not have been on your holiday radar, but with so many ways to make it comfortable and enjoyable, it’s worth considering as a viable alternative to the usual hotel, motel or B&B experience. Whether you’re planning a last-minute escape or looking to get back to nature with a touch of luxury, camping could be the answer. No, you’re not likely to encounter the air conditioning and hot tubs of a luxury resort, nor will you be taking in views of cerulean seas from an overwater bungalow. But you are likely to enjoy natural beauty, fresh air, complete silence at night and the fine dining of well-planned camping meals and picnics. You can skip the high accommodation costs, avoid the endless reservation drama and gain the freedom to explore at your own pace.
Check out the Luxury Locations Around Australia article in our sister publication Caravan World, to learn about some of the locations where you can book a luxury camping experience.
So, next time you are looking for a mini break or even planning your next big road trip, maybe leave the hotels behind, load up the car with your favourite creature comforts and give camping a try. You just might discover that luxury doesn’t need to come with a hefty price tag — it’s waiting for you under the open sky.
