Nakie's Guide to Wild Camping in Australia

There’s this very unique magic that only hits you when you’re standing in the middle of nowhere, miles past the last bar of phone reception, listening to the absolute silence of the Aussie  bush.

There’s no packed campgrounds, no neighbours blasting Bon Jovi until 11pm at night and no paying $50 to park on a rectangle of dying grass next to a gravel driveway.

It’s just you, a sky full of stars, and maybe a tiny bit of anxiety that something with too many legs might be crawling up your leg while you sleep. 

Welcome to wild camping (or as the bushwalking purists call it, dispersed camping or bush camping). It’s the art of pitching a tent (or hanging a hammock) nowhere near an established campsite, taking everything you need on your back, and leaving the spot looking like you were never even there.

Australia is built for wild camping. We’ve got millions of hectares of national parks, state forests, and coastline that feel entirely untouched. But before you throw your hammock into a backpack and drive off into the sunset, there are a few unwritten rules and essential bits of gear you need to know about first. 

Related read: Hammock Camping vs Tent Camping 

First Off: Is Wild Camping Legal, or Are You Going to Get Fined?

The short answer is: It depends entirely on where you’re setting up camp. 

In Australia, land falls into a few distinct buckets, and each one has its own vibe when it comes to rolling out a swag:

• State Forests: This is the absolute jackpot for wild camping. Generally speaking, in most Australian State Forests (like those across NSW, Victoria, and Queensland), you can camp for free, anywhere you like, unless a sign specifically tells you not to. You can pitch up next to a creek, build a fire (fire bans permitting, obviously), and stay for a few days without paying a cent.

• National Parks: This is where things get stricter. National Parks are managed heavily to protect native wildlife and habitats. In many iconic National Parks, you’re strictly required to use designated, booked campsites. However, in larger, more remote wilderness zones (think the Blue Mountains, the High Country, or Western Tasmania), "remote area camping" or bush camping is allowed as long as you're a set distance off the main walking tracks and water sources. Always check the state park website before setting off.

• Crown Land & Nature Reserves: Hit or miss. Crown land rules vary wildly by state, and Nature Reserves are usually strict zero-camping zones meant for conservation.

• Private Property: Absolute no-go unless you’ve got explicit permission from the station owner or farmer.

The golden rule? Do a five-minute search on the local park service app before you lose reception. If in doubt, stick to State Forests – they’re usually far more relaxed (and infinitely dog-friendly).

The Unspoken Rules of Wild Camping 

Wild camping comes with a total lack of facilities. That means no long-drop toilets, no council bins, and no timber provided for your campfire. You are the sole custodian of your little patch of soil for the night. To keep these places wild and free, you need to live by the Leave No Trace ethos. 

1. The Bathroom Situation

Let's talk about poo, because pretending it doesn't happen is how beautiful wilderness spots get ruined by "bush toilet paper flowers."

If there’s no toilet, you dig a hole. Get a lightweight trowel, walk at least 100 meters away from any water sources, tracks, and campsites, and dig a cat-hole about 15–20 cm deep. Do your business, cover it completely with soil, and pack out your used toilet paper in a sealed zip-lock bag. Do not bury your paper (dingoes and currawongs will dig them back up).

2. Pack Out What You Pack In 

If you packed it in, you pack it out. That includes apple cores, banana peels, and eggshells. Yes, they are organic, but they take months to decompose in dry Australian soils and they attract feral pests like foxes and pigs to wild areas.

3. Keep Fire under Control

A campfire is the heart of any good night in the bush, but an escaped fire is a nightmare. Only collect dead, fallen wood and never chop branches off living trees (it looks terrible and burns like smoke bombs anyway). Keep your fires small, use existing fire rings if you find them, and drown your fire with water, not dirt, until the ashes are cold to the touch before you go to sleep or leave camp.

The Best Camping Gear for Wild Camping

Whether you’re throwing everything into a backpack for an overnight hike or tossing gear into the back of your 4WD for a quick weekend escape, the rule stays the same: gear should simplify your trip, not complicate it.

When you’re setting up away from established campgrounds, heavy, single-use items just end up cluttering your space (or crushing your back on the walk in). You want compact, durable gear that handles multiple jobs easily:

• Hammock: If you're camping on rocky ground, steep slopes, or damp riverbanks, ditching the ground tent makes life infinitely easier. A hammock skips the hassle of hunting for flat dirt or wrestling with tent poles in the dark. Weighing just 600g and packing down to about the size of a water bottle, it’s light enough for hike-in trips, but equally easy to keep stashed under your car seat for spontaneous roadside naps. Plus, staying off the ground keeps you clear of damp mud and crawling critters.

• Cooler Can & Coffee Cup: You don't need a tote full of different mugs and koozies. The Nakie Cooler Can & Coffee cup works as a leakproof cup for your morning brew, then pops open to become a thermal cooler sleeve that keeps a 375ml can or bottle icy cold by the fire later. 

• Sand-Free Towel: Thick cotton bath towels are a nightmare outdoors because they stay damp, pick up dirt and prickles, and take forever to dry. Made from recycled plastic bottles, sand-free beach towels shed sand and dirt with a quick shake, absorb water fast, and dry in a fraction of the time. They pack down into a compact pouch, taking up minimal room whether you're loading a backpack or stuffing a glovebox.

Related read: Best Camping Gear Checklist for When You Want to Travel Light

Wild Camping Safety 101

Australia has a reputation for being a giant death-trap, which is mostly exaggerated for tourists. However, the bush can bite if you are careless, so a little preparation goes a long way.

Water is Life

Never assume a stream marked on a map actually has water in it. Australian creeks are notoriously unreliable. Always carry more water than you think you need (at least 3–4 liters per person per day), and if you are harvesting from natural rivers, use a reliable water filter or boil it for a full minute to kill off bacteria and giardia.

Snakes and Spiders

Snakes don't want to bite you; they just want you to step away so they can keep sunbathing. Give them space. Wear sturdy boots and long trousers when walking through long grass, and always carry a dedicated snake bite bandage (the heavy-duty elastic compression kind) at the top of your pack where you can reach it in two seconds flat.

Tell Someone Where You’re Going

Before you step out of mobile range, send your itinerary to a mate or family member. Tell them:

1. Exactly where you are parking/walking.

2. What time you plan to be back in reception.

3. At what point they should call emergency services if they haven't heard from you.

If you're going super remote, renting or buying a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or satellite messenger is worth every single cent.

3 Legendary Wild Camping Regions to Try First

Here are three iconic Aussie spots where you can get a taste of real wild camping:

1. The Victorian High Country (VIC)

Endless ridge tracks, mountain huts, and cool Alpine air. State forests like those around Dargo, Mansfield, and the Howqua River offer incredible 4WD and hike-in spots right on the riverbank where you can sleep under ancient eucalyptus trees.

2. The Blue Mountains Wilderness (NSW)

Just a short hop from Sydney, vast swathes of the Wollemi and Kanangra-Boyd wilderness offer deep gorges, sandstone cliffs, and remote river flats. Pack light, hike down into the valleys, and pitch your camp away from the tourist lookouts.

3. The Stirling Range & South Coast (WA)

Rugged coastal bluffs meeting pristine white sand and turquoise water. While the National Parks have strict zones, surrounding reserves and coastal tracks down south near Albany and Esperance offer some of the most isolated camp spots in the world.

Ready to Hit the Bush? 

Heading out off the grid should be relaxing, and not spent fighting with heavy, over-complicated gear. Whether you're hiking into a secluded spot or pulling off the track for an easy weekend in the 4WD, having simple, reliable camping gear makes all the difference.

Every piece of Nakie gear is made from recycled materials, backed by a lifetime warranty, and designed to make sleeping under the stars as effortless as it gets. Plus, we plant four trees for every single item you buy.

Check out our full range to gear up for your next wild camping escape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is wild camping free in Australia?

In most State Forests and designated crown land reserves, yes! You can camp completely free of charge. However, some National Parks require small camping fees or vehicle entry permits, even for primitive bush sites, so always check the relevant state park website beforehand.

How do I stay warm sleeping in a hammock during winter?

Hammocks can get chilly if the wind blows underneath you (known as "cold butt syndrome"). To stay warm, slide an insulated sleeping mat inside your hammock or use a puffy blanket, and wear thermal base layers. 

Can I bring my dog wild camping?

Yes, but generally only in State Forests, not National Parks. National Parks strictly prohibit dogs to protect native wildlife. Always keep your dog under control, watch out for 1080 poison baits (which are frequently laid in wild areas to control feral pests), and pack out their waste just like your own.

Do I need a 4WD to go wild camping?

Not at all! While a 4WD opens up remote tracks, some of the absolute best wild camp spots are only accessible on foot. You can park a standard 2WD vehicle at a trailhead or state forest boundary and hike 20 to 30 minutes in to find complete solitude.