Hema Maps' favourite Easter camping spots around Australia

It’s fair to say that the Hema Maps team are camping experts, with each member spending a fair portion of the year out exploring Australia and checking out new sites and revisiting old favourites, whether it’s for business or pleasure.

And with the Easter season approaching, and a year of adventures to plan after that, we thought it was high time to check in with the team and get some insider recommendations to help you plan the ultimate camping getaway. Explore beautiful national parks, pristine beachside camps and areas rich with history and adventure.

James Price Point (Walmadan), Broome, WA

Rob Boegheim — Chief Explorer

Not surprisingly, the serene stretch of coastline north of Broome is called Goolarabooloo — the coast where the sun goes down. It’s a fitting name given the litany of open beaches, headlands and beachside bush campsites that frame this daily spectacle of colour as the tropical sun melts into the Indian Ocean. White-bellied sea eagles (boongginy) cruise majestically along the shoreline, while offshore, extensive seagrass beds feed dugong and green turtles, and countless humpback whales come here to calve in season (June to November).

The camping here is very special, and every site has an ocean view. The best sites are atop the red pindan cliffs with their unlimited views and drive-through access, but most campers will need to find a flat spot along the kilometres of open beach frontage at the base of the cliffs (there’s easy access via the track just north of the point). There are no facilities, so you’ll need to be self-sufficient, but the amazing views and lack of charge are a fair trade!

The rocky point is a great place to just wander, fish, paint or even write poetry as one day in this timeless paradise blends effortlessly into the next. Just keep a watch for cyclones at this time of year.

The campsite is an hour north of Broome, and access is via the Manari Road which turns off the main Cape Leveque Road, 14km north of the Great Northern Highway. The road cuts deep into the pindan red sand and is often corrugated but unlikely to cause any issues for offroad caravans and trailers.

Booloumba Creek, Conondale National Park, Qld

Will Hayward — Sales Representative, Qld

Located just over two hours north of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, Conondale National Park is a great spot to explore year-round, with several camping areas on offer.

Winding through the Conondale National Park, Booloumba Creek has a range of campsites and waterholes to enjoy. Booloumba Creek 1 camping area is accessed by 4WD only and has had recent upgrades to the amenities, including the addition of three multi-use sites suitable for camper trailers, offroad caravans and tents. It offers a quiet escape while being immersed in the surrounding natural beauty.

For those who like to stretch their legs, the Conondale Range Great Walk offers half-day walks through to a four-day 56km loop that covers the national park. 

The closest town for supplies is Kenilworth, a short drive away (20 minutes). The town bakery is known to be quite popular on weekends and you can even attempt the 1kg donut or 1kg sausage roll challenges!

The best time of year to visit (and camp) is in the summer months, as it can be cold in the winter.

Find out more about camping in Conondale National Park here.

Mount Nellinda Campsite, Cooranbong, NSW

Mark Wells — Sales Representative, NSW/ACT

Mount Nellinda Campsite is one of those rare gem camping areas because although it is located conveniently close to Sydney and Newcastle (just off the M1 motorway linking the two cities), it still has a lovely remote and isolated feel about it.

There’s a large open field camping area if you want more space, but if you head just past this there’s a rough track that can be negotiated by 2WD vehicles in dry weather that leads to the more remote camping areas.

Once you’re all set up, you would be forgiven for thinking you were miles from anywhere — such is the remote feel to the area.

There are some basic facilities available including access to potable and drinking water and a drop toilet.

Be sure to book your site online before you go, and always check with the host about campfires first. 

For the outdoor enthusiasts, the Mount Nellinda property also borders the Watagans National Park, which offers great hiking and biking tracks with fantastic lookouts. The Macbeans Firetrail for 4WDs also starts at the end of the property, with plenty of other 4WD options close by.

Overall, it’s an amazing camping area that’s a stone’s throw from some of the busiest cities in Australia but with a wild, rugged off-the-beaten-track feel to it.

Chambers Gorge camping area, Wertaloona, SA

Justin Gill — National Retail Sales Manager

Located in the northern section of the Flinders Ranges, the Chambers Gorge camping area offers explorers not much in the way of creature comforts, but it more than makes up for it with incredible sunset-framed rock cliff faces that diffuse the light in a way that can only be experienced.

A short walk from the camp into Chambers Gorge (Marlawadinha inbiri) takes you on a journey through the Aboriginal engraving site created by the Adnyamathanha people long ago.

The camping site itself is rocky with low shrubbery, so pitching a tent may be difficult. The journey in is dusty but not difficult for a 4WD vehicle.

Old Police Station Waterhole, Davenport Ranges, NT

Rob Boegheim — Chief Explorer

Hidden a few hours east of Tennant Creek in the heart of the NT, among the ancient sandstone formations of the Davenport Ranges is the tranquil oasis of Old Police Station Waterhole.

Dozens of trailer-friendly, lush grassy campsites line this eucalypt-lined waterhole. It’s honestly one of my favourite outback campsites where I’m content to stay for days, to sit and watch the plethora of nesting birds, wander along the riverbank, explore the old ruins from early mining and pastoral enterprises, or head off on an epic adventure down the Frew River 4WD Track.

Facilities include a drop toilet, firepits and picnic tables. You’ll need to bring your own firewood, water and supplies. The park is very remote so preferably travel with another vehicle, carry satellite communications and check the weather and road conditions before you go. 

The nearest resupply is an hour away at Epenarra Station and Store with a solid range of frozen goods, supplies and fuel as well as Telstra mobile coverage.

Jacksons Crossing Camping Area, Snowy River National Park, Vic

Justin Gill — National Retail Sales Manager

This is certainly a campground for the adventurous four-wheel driver. There are two access points, one via Jacksons Crossing Track, with a challenging river crossing and a steep, slippery and often muddy drive in. This route also involves private property access, so make sure you ask for permission before entering. Alternatively, head via the easier drive using Varneys Track.

But once you get across the Snowy River, this really is the iconic Victorian High Country camping experience. There’s a large flat grassed area to camp on beside the river — on a balmy day, set up a chair in the water, drop a line, drink a beverage of your choosing and enjoy.

Being within the national park, ‘the Crossing’ is not pet-friendly. But that doesn’t mean you’ll be alone. You’ll hear wild dogs at night and wake up to wallabies munching grass, not to mention the wild horses and occasional deer.

This is my idea of camping: set up the base camp and spend the days exploring the endless number of tracks nearby or go for a walk. Keep an eye out for the secret history of the High Country from drovers and miners past. Huts and mine shafts abound!

There are several towns ringing the national park, so you won’t have trouble stocking up on supplies before you settle down to experience the area’s remote beauty.

Further information and Snowy River National Park condition updates can be found here.

K’gari (Fraser Island), Qld

Rob Boegheim — Chief Explorer

Like most, I go camping for the simple luxury of having my own space, with a great outlook, under a big blue sky. That’s often a challenge at Easter time, but never on K’gari (Fraser Island).

With visitor numbers well managed and more than 30 beach camping zones stretched along 75 Mile Beach, K’gari is the paradise pick of Queensland’s best Easter camping. There’s a site to suit your taste with some spots closer to facilities at Eurong, Happy Valley, Cathedral Beach and Orchid Beach, some near freshwater creeks, and others in behind the foredunes or up close to the coloured sands.

My favourites are the more remote beach camping zones between Cathedral Beach and Indian Head. We had a great campsite there last Easter (2023), with ocean views and sea breezes our constant companions and fishing and beach volleyball just a few steps away. And a beautiful soulful sunrise on Easter Sunday morning.

What’s more, the next campers were more than 500m away in either direction. Ah the sweet serenity!

As there are no facilities, you’ll need to bring plenty of water, shade and preferably a Porta Potti. Water containers can be refilled from most villages for a small fee. And always remember to be dingo safe.

Be sure to book your vehicle and camping permits online before you go through the Queensland DES website.

For more info check out the new K’gari (Fraser Island) and the Brisbane Islands Atlas & Guide from Hema Maps.

Lake Mackintosh camping area, Tas

Justin Gill — National Retail Sales Manager

Located close to the small town of Tullah in Tasmania’s northwest (2.5 hours west of Launceston), this camping area is definitely one for the bucket list.

Take the short 2WD-accessible route off the Murchison Highway, over Mackintosh Dam, and you’ll find this small inlet overlooking one of Tasmania’s Great Lakes — Lake Mackintosh.

Now, I’m not a natural-born Taswegian, but Tassie is certainly Australia’s best road trip. Highlands, lowlands, beaches, snow and rainforest can all be found in this compact state that really punches above its weight for quality campsites. If you haven’t camped around the Great Lakes, do it!

On a calm day, Mackintosh Lake is so still it’s like a deep blue polished concrete floor. The campsite itself, well, let’s just say get in early and secure your spot. Enjoying a sunrise over the lake is something not to be missed.

There are no facilities available, so all campers will need to be self-sufficient.

If you’ve got a boat handy, bring it along as there is a boat ramp close by and plenty others located around the lake. Or if you like keeping your feet on the ground, explore the number of bushwalks in the area, including the hike to the summit of Mount Farrell which has stunning panoramic views of the area.

Adventure awaits

Now that we’ve had these expert recommendations, it’s time to start planning your Easter camping trip. And perhaps the next holiday or two after that as well!

For more inspiration, check out Hema Maps’ Where to Camp Guide, which includes comprehensive site listings across all states and territories in Australia, points of interest and accurate maps to make trip planning easy.

Next steps

At Hema Maps, we strive to provide the most comprehensive and accurate maps and guides for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore Australia's natural wonders.

Did you find this information useful? If so, please share it with your fellow explorers. Whether it's by sms, social media, or email, your friends and fellow adventurers will appreciate the valuable tips and insights we've shared.