From riverside bush camps to alpine escapes and family-friendly caravan parks, here’s where to pitch a tent or park the van for the best camping near Canberra and its surrounds.
Canberra is a hugely popular domestic travel destination. Many people know the capital for its city delights, but its bush getaways are some of its best kept secrets. Explore the Bush Capital and discover the best camping near Canberra. This includes free camping, dog-friendly reserves, iconic waterfalls and incredible spots to sleep under the stars just a few hours away by car.
1. Cotter Campground, Casuarina Sands
Best campsite for spontaneous campers
If you’re after a weekend escape within easy reach of Canberra, grab a swag and head for Cotter Campground. Just 20 minutes from the city, you’ll find the serene banks of the Cotter River — home to some of the best camping near Canberra. It’s kitted out with hot showers, flushing toilets and potable water — the works. Travellers can enjoy a stress-free camping experience thanks to Cotter’s no-booking policy. Simply rock up and pay the camping fee (cash) to the ranger or via the honesty box. Then you’re free to make the most of the fishing, swimming and canoeing on offer. The Brindabella Ranges are also just a short, scenic drive away.
2. Namadgi National Park
Best camping near Canberra for families
Namadgi National Park sits at the heart of the Bush Capital, offering fishing, horse riding, mountain biking and hiking trails galore. Naturally, great outdoor adventures mean excellent camping near Canberra. A classic creekside spot, Orroral Campground is a favourite with families. It offers traditional tent sites and good facilities, with children under 15 staying free (it’s $8 per person for everyone else). There’s easy access to the impressive Granite Tors — a walk well worth exploring — as well as the Orroral Valley Tracking Station. Once integral to the Apollo missions, the station has fallen into disrepair but remains a fascinating place for kids to explore while picking up a bit of history along the way. If you’re camping with a large group, check out Honeysuckle Campground. It’s equally well equipped and provides a separate area for organised groups, including campervans.
3. Micalong Creek Reserve, Wee Jasper
Best campsite for dogs
Wee Jasper lies just across the border in New South Wales, but at only a 90-minute drive from Canberra, we couldn’t leave it off the list. With overhanging willow trees, swimming holes, a tiny island accessible by bridge and a bubbling creek running through the reserve, it’s a campsite you won’t want to leave. The campground is dog-friendly, so furry friends on a lead are welcome. The reserve offers basic unpowered sites, along with flushing toilets and hot showers. For more adventurous campers, it’s also the starting point for several Micalong Creek walks, including the stunning cascades of Micalong Falls.
4. Jervis Bay National Park
Best beachside camping near Canberra
While we’ve been skirting the ACT–NSW border, Jervis Bay might seem like a stretch. But here’s a fun fact: when Canberra became the nation’s capital, it needed access to the sea — so New South Wales gifted it Jervis Bay Territory. Not a bad present. Jervis Bay is famous for its powder-white sand beaches, something you won’t find in landlocked Canberra any time soon.
5. Blue Waterholes Campground, Kosciuszko National Park
Best camping for swimming holes
The idyllic Blue Waterholes Campground is another three-hour drive from Canberra, sitting near where Namadgi National Park merges into Kosciuszko National Park on the ACT–NSW border. The site is backed by sweeping views of the limestone cliffs of Clarke Gorge, and campers can set up beside their vehicle with tents or trailers. A short walking track leads to the campground’s namesake: vivid turquoise pools that owe their brilliant blue colour to the high mineral content of the water. It’s a refreshing spot for a dip. In wet weather, a 4WD is required to access the campground.
6. Long Gully Campground, Morton National Park
Best free camping near Canberra
Venturing into New South Wales, Morton National Park is a popular wilderness escape around three hours from Canberra. Thundering waterfalls, gaping ravines and rugged bushland make it well worth the drive. Self-sufficient travellers can take advantage of the free camping at Long Gully. The campground consists of unmarked sites and basic facilities (drop toilets and picnic tables), so it’s very much a BYO experience. Set beside the Yadboro River at the foot of the towering Budawang Ranges, it’s a peaceful base for exploring the region. Keen hikers can tackle nearby Monolith Valley, widely considered the area’s crown jewel.
FAQs about camping near Canberra
Wondering what else to do in Canberra? Australia's capital is well worth a spot on your travel list. From world-class museums and galleries to a thriving food and wine scene, there are plenty of reasons why Canberra deserves a place on your itinerary. Plan your visit from start to finish with the comprehensive Canberra travel guide, and make sure you leave time to get outside, the best outdoor activities in Canberra might just be the highlight of your trip.
