Free Camping Byron Bay

Renowned for its mix of golden beaches, remote areas, and vibrant community, Byron Bay offers an idyllic place to escape to on your next road trip. But to really make the most of this magnificent area, the best way to explore is by taking a camping trip.

Camping doesn’t have to be expensive, either, and with a little research and planning, you can find some awesome places to spend the night without worrying about costs. We’ve done some of the hard work for you here by collecting together a list of the best free camping spots close to Byron Bay.

What are you waiting for? Let’s hit the road and start exploring!

Free Byron Bay Camping Spots

1. Woodburn South Rest Area
2. Lord William Rest Stop
3. New Italy Rest Area
4. Sleepy Hollow Rest Area
5. Sunnycrest Lane Rest Area
6. Tyagarah Rest Area
7. Hugh Muntz Park
8. Yelgun Rest Area

While each of the camping sites listed above is completely free to stay at, some are quite remote, and the best way of accessing them is by hiring a campervan. Talk to the expert team at Travellers Autobarn, and we’ll match you with the best campervan, whether you’re travelling solo or with your family.

It is also important to note that there are no free camping spots directly within Byron Bay itself. As such, we’ve chosen spots that are as close as possible.

Woodburn South Rest Area

Woodburn, New South Wales

Located just off the Eastern side of the Pacific Highway, Woodburn South Rest Area is nestled within thick bushland, offering a perfect mix of easy accessibility and natural surroundings. However, the amenities are pretty basic here, so you’ll need to be confident with self-sufficient camping to stay here.

Camper trailers and campervans are welcome to spend the night here, but tent camping is not permitted. This site is dog friendly, though, so if you’ve got your canine companion with you, it’s a great place for both of you to stretch your legs.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilets

Lord William Rest Stop

Wiangaree, New South Wales

Another free camping spot located along the Pacific Highway, Lord William Rest Stop offers plenty of spaces for campervans, RVs, and camper trailers to spend the night. There are also toilets and shaded picnic tables to use here, but it’s still best to stay here in a self contained vehicle if you need other facilities.

This rest stop is surrounded by lush greenery and towering eucalyptus trees, giving you plenty of opportunities to explore by foot or bike, or, if you prefer, simply to lay back and relax as you bathe in the sounds of nature.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilets
• Picnic Tables

New Italy Rest Area

New Italy, New South Wales

A perfect place for anyone travelling with a family to spend the night for free, New Italy Rest Area has plenty of open spaces that are ideal for stretching your legs and playing games. It’s also dog friendly, making it a good place to give your pooch a good run around after a day on the road.

While most vehicles are welcome to camp here, it is best to stay here if you have a self contained campervan as there are basic facilities, limited to toilets and fire pits. You’re also asked to leave this site exactly as you found it, so make sure you take any rubbish with you when you leave.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilets
• Fire Pits

Sleepy Hollow Rest Area

Sleepy Hollow, New South Wales

Sleepy Hollow Rest Area (don’t be put off by the horror movie name!) is another great place to camp for free if you’re travelling with your family, as you’ll find some excellent facilities, including a children’s playground and toilets.

There is plenty of room for campervans to pull up for the night here, and there are separate areas designated for different types of vehicles, so you won’t have to feel awkward pulling up next to a resting trucker for the night.

Dogs are also welcome at Sleepy Hollow Rest Area, although you should note that the area is quite exposed, and shady spots are quite limited. There is, however, access to a few short walking trails and the entire site is wheelchair accessible.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilets
• Children’s Playground
• Picnic Tables

Sunnycrest Lane Rest Area

Brunswick Heads, New South Wales

One of the closest free camping spots in Byron Bay, Sunnycrest Lane Rest Area is just 12km away from the town centre. It’s also very easy to access, and everything is signposted to take you straight here, making it a good option if you’re not 100% confident with off-track camping.

Being so close to town, you’ll have easy access to some beautiful beaches that you can find by following dedicated walking trails. Also, despite its location, light pollution isn’t too much of an issue here, and it’s a great place to spend the night stargazing.

However, before you head to Sunnycrest Lane, it’s important to note that there are no facilities here. As such, you’ll need to be in a self contained vehicle.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• No Amenities – Self Contained Vehicles Only

Tyagarah Rest Area

Tyagarah, New South Wales

Tyagarah Rest Area is one of the biggest rest areas near Byron Bay, with plenty of room for campervans, camper trailers, and big rigs to pull up for the night. It’s also dog friendly, but you do need to keep your pet on a leash at all times.

Easily accessed via the Pacific Highway and with an asphalt-sealed surface, this is also a good place to stay if you’d rather avoid hard-to-find, bumpy sites. This site is also wheelchair-friendly, although the amenities are limited to a toilet block, picnic tables, and rubbish bins.

In terms of your surroundings, there isn’t much on offer. You’ll find no walking trails or fishing spots, but don’t let this put you off if you’re looking for a simple place to rest overnight because that’s exactly what it offers.

Hugh Muntz Park

Beenleigh, New South Wales

While not the closest free camping site to Byron Bay (132km away), Hugh Muntz Park remains one of the most popular spots with campers looking for an excellent place to spend the night without opening their wallets. It’s also an ideal stopover if you’re travelling from Byron Bay to Gold Coast or Brisbane.

Here, you’ll find plenty of room for self contained vehicles, and you’re able to stay here for up to three nights in a calendar month. There are also some excellent facilities here, including toilets, BBQ facilities, and a dump point. You’ll have access to some beautiful walking trails, too, so it’s ideal if you want to go and explore the great outdoors.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilets
• BBQ Facilities
• Dump Point

Yelgun Rest Area

Yelgun, Byron Bay

Located about 25km from Byron Bay town centre, Yelgun Rest Area is a great place to pull up and spend the night in your campervan. It’s also one of the best free camping spots if you’re looking for amenities, and has a toilet block, BBQ facilities, and a playground – ideal for kids with some excess energy to burn at the end of the day!

Another great thing about this spot is that it’s close to South Golden Beach, so it’s a great option if you’ve been surfing or sunbathing all day and need somewhere nearby to rest your head. Likewise, if you’re planning to head to the beach the next day, it’s in a prime position to get an early start.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilet Block
• BBQ Facilities
• Playground

Whether you’re drawn to the beach or you want to explore the numerous walking trails on offer around Byron Bay, there’s a way to enjoy all there is to offer without having to worry about accommodation options. However, as we explained earlier, the fact that there are no free camping spots directly within Byron Bay does mean that you’ll need to think about how you’re going to camp for free and travel back and forth to the town centre.

Without a doubt, the best way of doing this is by hiring a campervan. Not only will you have a form of transport, but you’ll have a safe space to spend the night once you’re done exploring for the day. To find the best campervan for your needs, contact the expert team at Travellers Autobarn today, and we’ll get you on the road and out exploring Byron Bay sooner than you think!

DISCLAIMER: Any prices displayed are correct at the time of publishing. We highly recommend contacting any campsite or caravan parks prior to booking to confirm prices.