Free Camping Canberra

Canberra is famous for its abundance of museums and art galleries, making it a dream destination for any culture lover. But there’s also a lesser-known aspect of Canberra that hikers and camping enthusiasts keep closely guarded – the number of free camping spots you can find here.

Whether you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life or you simply love immersing yourself in natural beauty, Canberra offers a diverse range of free camping opportunities for anyone looking for a budget-friendly option.

Let’s take a look at the best free camping Canberra has to offer, below!

Free Canberra Camping Spots

1. Warri Camping Reserve
2. Hughie Edwards VC Rest Stop
3. Coree Campground
4. Anderson VC Rest Area
5. Brooks Hill Rest Area & Reserve
6. Jeir Creek Rest Point
7. Gunning Showground
8. Sawyers Ridge
9. Long Gully Campground

Before we start, it’s important to note that some of these free camping spots are only suitable for campervans to stay in. Contact the team of experts at Travellers Autobarn today to find out more about campervan hire, and we’ll help get you on the road to your camping adventure.

Warri Camping Reserve

Larbert, Canberra

Located along the Shoalhaven River, Warri Camping Reserve is set around 100m away from the highway, offering a peaceful place to spend the night without having to worry about road noise disturbing the experience.

Suitable for camper trailers, campervans, and RVS, you’ll find basic facilities here, including toilets, picnic tables, and BBQ areas. You’re also welcome to use the fixed fire pits, but you must bring your own firewood.

Thanks to its riverside setting, this is also a great camping spot if you’re looking to cool down with a swim on a hot day. You’re also allowed to fish here, and the entire site is dog friendly.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilets
• Fire Pits
• BBQ Facilities
• Picnic Tables

Hughie Edwards VC Rest Stop

Majura, Canberra

A short 20-minute drive from Canberra city centre, Hughie Edwards VC Rest Stop isn’t so much a campsite as it is a convenient place to spend the night close to the highway. Naturally, it’s free to stay here, too, so it’s ideal for budget-conscious campers.

There are very basic facilities here, including a drop toilet and rubbish bins, but that’s about it. With this in mind, you should only pull up here if you’re in a self contained vehicle and confident with self-sufficient camping. It does, however, offer easy access through an asphalt-sealed road, and dogs are permitted as long as they are kept on a leash.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Drop Toilet
• Picnic Bench
• Rubbish Bins

Coree Campground

Brindabella National Park, Canberra

An ideal free camping spot for nature lovers, Coree Campground is located directly within Brindabella National Park, which is around an hour’s drive from Canberra city centre.

Suitable for camper trailers and campervans, you’ll find yourself spending the night in an open Eucalypt forest and close to a lake, which is ideal for birdwatching and spotting native wildlife.

In terms of facilities, you’ll find picnic tables and toilets, but there aren’t any hot showers, and you’ll need to bring your own drinking water. However, if you really want to get back to nature and get that wild camping experience, Coree Campground is definitely a site to consider.

Unlike many camping sites, you can book to camp here, so it’s also a good choice if you’re concerned about availability elsewhere. You should also note that while it is technically free to camp here, a $6 booking fee applies, which is still pretty affordable compared to paid camping.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilets
• Picnic Tables

Anderson VC Rest Area

Uriarra, Canberra

Just 35 minutes from Canberra, Anderson VC Rest Area is a drive-through free camping site that is suitable for both self contained and non-self contained vehicles. There is a toilet block here, as well as a few picnic tables and rubbish bins, but that’s the extent of the facilities.

Don’t let these basic amenities put you off staying here, though. Anderson VC Rest Area is located very close to Lake George, offering incredible views, swimming opportunities, and a place to enjoy fishing. It’s also a quiet, idyllic place for anyone looking to escape the noise of the highway and get back to nature.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilet Block
• Picnic Tables
• Rubbish Bins

Brooks Hill Rest Area & Reserve

Bungendore, Canberra

Brooks Hill Rest Area & Reserve is suitable for campervans, camper trailers, and RVs, and offers a peaceful place to spend the night around 35 minutes away from Canberra city centre.

The riverside location offers some beautiful views to sit back and relax in, as well as the opportunity to dip in and cool off or to spend an afternoon fishing. There are also some lovely walking trails to explore here, and as it’s dog friendly, it’s a great camping spot if you’re hitting the road with your canine companion.

One thing to note with Brooks Hill Rest Area, however, is that it is a very small camping area. There isn’t a booking system in place either, so if you want to stay here, you’ll need to arrive early to grab a space.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilets
• Picnic Benches

Jeir Creek Rest Point

Jeir, Canberra

While tent camping isn’t permitted at Jeir Creek Rest Point, it is suitable for a campervan, RV, or big rigs. It’s also really easy to access and can be found just off the Barton Highway, but because it has very few facilities, we only recommend staying here if you’re in a self contained vehicle.

This rest area is quite basic all-round, actually. The surroundings are picturesque, but you won’t find any fishing opportunities or swimming holes to enjoy, nor are there any nearby walking trails. What this free site does offer, however, is a safe space to spend the night under the stars as you exploreCanberra or make your way along the road to your next destination.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• No Amenities – Self Contained Vehicles Only

Gunning Showground

Gunning, Canberra

For those looking for a community-spirited camping experience, Gunning Showground is an excellent place to stay, and it is suitable for campervans and tent camping alike.

The aforementioned community spirit here comes from the multiple spaces and designated fire pits that are ideal for meeting new people, as well as the site’s close location to Gunning town centre, which often hosts events celebrating the town’s history and heritage.

There are some great facilities at Gunning Showground, including toilets, hot showers, electricity, and drinking water. This makes it ideal for campers who aren’t 100% confident with self-sufficiency, as well as anyone who wants some creature comforts for a night or two.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Toilets
• Hot Showers
• Picnic Tables
• Electricity
• Drinking Water

Sawyers Ridge

Braidwood, Canberra

A little farther away from the city centre then some other free camping spots in Canberra, Sawyers Ridge is an 80km drive that offers the opportunity to camp surrounded by scenic countryside and wildlife. Here, you’ll find excellent opportunities for nature walks, birdwatching, and animal spotting, and it’s also an amazing place for stargazing.

Camper trailers and campervans are welcome here, although as there are no amenities it’s best to stay here in a self contained vehicle. You are allowed to build a fire, but you need to bring your own firewood and leave everything exactly as you found it when you leave.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• No Amenities – Self Contained Vehicles Only

Long Gully Campground

Yadboro, Canberra

You’ll find seven designated spaces for camper trailers and campervans at Long Gully Campground, and tent camping is also allowed. However, as with Coree Campground, your space is free, but a $6 booking fee applies. While this may not be ideal for anyone looking to spend absolutely no money at all, what this does do is guarantee you a space here, taking away the stress of chancing it elsewhere.

Offering basic facilities, including drop toilets and picnic tables, Long Gully Campground is situated alongside a river, making it perfect for keen fishermen and people looking to cool down with a swim on a hot day. There are loads of walking trails to explore here, too, which also offer the opportunity for wildlife spotting and birdwatching.

FEATURED AMENITIES

• Drop Toilets
• Picnic Tables

Each of the above camping sites isn’t only free – they offer the perfect opportunity to discover Canberra in a whole new way, enjoying the world of adventure and serenity that lies just beyond the city centre. Whether you want to relax by a river or trek through bushland, there’s a free camping site to suit every taste.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is the very best way of exploring Canberra beyond the usual boundaries is by hiring a campervan. Talk to the expert team at Travellers Autobarn today, and we’ll find a campervan that perfectly suits your needs, no matter if you’re an experienced solo camper or you’re taking your family on their first camping adventure.

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.