Overview
Clear, starry skies, legal, open fires, cosy, feather-stuffed sleeping bags and an excuse to cuddle up to your dog all night long — winter camping definitely has its advantages. Beyond the magical, glittering nights, there are also lovely, crisp days for adventuring without fear of raging bushfires, nasty sunburn and mad summer crowds. From Brisbane down to Sydney and continuing on to Melbourne, a surprising number of spots cater to winter campers with all kinds of warming activities, from free, hot showers to wine tasting tours. We've scouted out the best ones to suit your needs. So, it's time to finally accept summer is over, and head out of the city to try one of these beauties.
BEST FOR FIRES: TAMBORINE MOUNTAIN CAMPING PARK, QLD
This idyllic spot lies an hour's drive south of Brisbane, nestled in Tamborine Mountain's northern valley, in the Gold Coast hinterland. Every site has its own fire pit, where you're legally permitted to create a roaring blaze. Plus, there are free hot showers. In between toasting marshmallows and telling ghost stories, explore the local area. Just next door is Thunderbird Park, where you can go horseback riding and conquer Tree Top, a high ropes course with more than 100 challenges. Further afield, you'll find art galleries, cafes and glow worm caves.
Flickr/Kevin Rheese.
BEST FOR WINE TASTING: WINE COUNTRY TOURIST PARK, HUNTER VALLEY, NSW
One surefire way to get warm on a frosty evening is with a bottle of fine wine or two. Go camping in the Hunter Valley's Wine Country Tourist Park, and you'll have ample drops at your doorstep. In fact, there's no caravan park closer to the region's vineyards and cellar doors, plus Potters Brewery is just a stumble away. Plus, facilities are pretty schmick: you get barbecues, a camp kitchen, a laundry, plenty of power and your pets are welcomed with open arms — there's even a run dedicated to doggos. Should you chicken out and yearn for four solid walls, you can even upgrade to a caravan or cabin.
BEST FOR DOGS: WARBURTON HOLIDAY PARK, YARRA VALLEY, VIC
Gather all your dogs and all your mates, because there are acres and acres of dreamy grounds to explore at Warburton Holiday Park, just a 90 minutes' drive east of Melbourne. One and a half kilometres from Warburton, the park sits on the banks of the Yarra River, where you can fish for trout and go platypus spotting. What's more, the Yarra Valley's wineries are just a hop, skip and a jump away, as are loads of trails for biking and walking, including the Ada Rainforest Walk, which visits one of Victoria's oldest trees. The park's facilities include legal fireplaces, power, barbecues, a laundry and picnic tables.
BEST FOR HIKING: MOUNT SAMARIA, VIC
Generate some heat by hiking around Mount Samaria State Park. Found 130 kilometres northeast of Melbourne, this beautiful area gives you an extraordinary range of scenery, from tranquil eucalypt forests and granite boulders to stunning views of the Victorian Alps and tumbling waterfalls. There's a bunch of campsites and fires are permitted. So pick a spot to pitch, and make sure to take on the Mount Samaria Summit Walk, which carries you to a height of 953 metres. The hike can be done as a 4.8-kilometre trek from Spring Creek Sawmill campsite or as a steep, 2.5-kilometre circuit from Mount Samaria Road. Take note: although fires are allowed, facilities are unpowered, rustic and mostly beyond mobile reception, so be a good scout and turn up prepared.
BEST FOR FISHING: WEE JASPER RESERVES, NSW
If your idea of a perfect winter's day involves hanging out by a rushing creek, waiting for a bite, then popping your fresh catch on a crackling fire and cooking up a feast, take your tent to Reflections Wee Jasper – Campground, between Canberra and Gundagai, about four hours' drive southwest of Sydney. Here, you'll find several camping areas with the best fishing around at Billy Grace and Swinging Bridge, plus the prettiest picnicking at Micalong Reserve. Similarly to Mount Samaria, facilities are minimal and there's no power.