Here are some places we have found that will hit the sweet spot for every member of the family
Archer River Roadhouse
Campground, Qld
This is a great spot to camp. There is no power, but the amenities are clean and the owner at this caravan park is very friendly and helpful. Archer River Roadhouse is located 200km south of Weipa on the banks of the picturesque, yes, you guessed it… Archer River, and it is the last stop before the turn off towards the tip of Cape York.
This spot is renowned for their massive Angus burgers so make sure you are extremely hungry when you order it!
With welcoming staff and a great lagoon at the back of the roadhouse, it’s an ideal spot for a bit of bird and wildlife watching. You’re likely to see some spotted-whistling ducks and perhaps even the local resident crocodile!
The Archer River Roadhouse is only open from May to December, so plan your visit accordingly.
Narrawong Holiday Park, Vic
What a lovely location this is. Don’t be put off by the fact that not much has changed in the past 30 years, because if you are looking for a getaway from the chaos of your day-to-day life, then this is the spot to head to. Set up camp on the large grassy sites under the Norfolk Island pines and as the shadows lengthen you can watch the koalas saunter through the park. The tidal river almost surrounds the park with a floating walkway across to a beautiful beach that looks over to Portland. This park allows fire braziers even in the peak season, so you can have a campfire every night. Kids will spend their time up the trees or in the river right at your campsite. The amenities are clean, showers are hot, views are spectacular; it’s a wonderful park!
Reflections Holiday Park
Burrinjuck Waters, NSW
This lovely spot is so worth the drive in. With various sites on the campground to set up camp, the best one is the unpowered Carrolls Creek area with beautiful views; it’s a boater’s paradise! This is the perfect spot to swap your phone for your fishing rod, get the boat out and teach the kids to water-ski, dust off the walking shoes or simply spend the time relaxing at your campsite.
If you are not set up on the water’s edge and you are kayaking or canoeing, it is a hefty walk to the beach area, so we highly recommend using a trolley or your car. But it’s well worth the effort once you are at the lake.
With clean, hot coin-operated showers at 20 cents for 5 minutes, spotless toilets and fire drums that can be placed on your camp site, it is a little piece of paradise. Set on 75 hectares, a 40-minute drive from Yass and less than two hours from Canberra, it’s the ideal escape for nature lovers.
Glenrowan Tourist & Caravan Park, Vic
Glenrowan is a small off-the-beaten-path park with management living on site.
While it is not an ultra-modern site, it is neat and clean, with drive through sites and a swimming pool for those hot and dusty days. Peaceful bush surrounds and wildlife make it very relaxing and quiet and the perfect base for a week to explore the area. Set on 35 acres of bushland in the foothills of the Warby Ranges, the local kangaroos are frequent visitors to the park. The park has bicycles to hire so just bring your helmet and travel on the bikeways to town, and while you are here don’t forget to visit the lovely Winton Wetlands.
Lake Albert Caravan Park, SA
This is a great site that’s in an even better location. Top that with great managers and for $33 per night, it’s hard to beat. For bird watchers, this place is amazing – you can watch the pelicans paddle around in Lake Albert like synchronised swimmers. To make the most of the sunset views of the lake, you’ll want to try and get a lakefront site. With a cheese museum with restaurant and cafe just opposite the park, a playground for the kids and swimming in the lake, plus you can hire kayaks and pedal boats, there is so much to do here you might need more than a few days at this campsite. The park is situated at the gateway to the famous Coorong Wetlands and is only a short drive away to The Bend Motorsport Park in Tailem Bend and the south east wine-growing regions.
Willie Retreat, NSW
Whether you camp on your
own down by the Macquarie
River or in the campsite next to the Shearer’s Quarters, Willie Retreat is unequalled in uniqueness. Myra and Phillip Tolhurst are the owners of Willie Retreat and thanks to them,
many travellers use this as a special base to explore the Macquarie Marshes.
There are plenty of peaceful camping spots, with some having power and water. The facilities are basic and were originally for shearers, but the whole environment is so compelling that it just feels great. Best access to Willie Retreat is from the Carinda Road, onto Gibson Way. The Macquarie Marshes are an extensive wetland system covering an area of 220,000 hectares in north western New South Wales, representing one of the largest semi-permanent wetlands in south eastern Australia. Definitely worth a visit!
