Free camps near Canberra
the ACT · within 80 km · updated hourly
Short answer
As of 3 November 2026, Matey's map shows 21 free campsites within 80 km of Canberra: all from OpenStreetMap. 9 are tagged van friendly and 9 have toilets, and the closest is Gundaroo Park, about 31 km north-east of the town centre.
Free campsites from OpenStreetMap
Closest first. Distances are in a straight line from the centre of Canberra.
Gundaroo Park
31 km north-east
- Van friendly
- Tents OK
Lowells Flat Campground
35 km west
- Toilets
- Tents OK
McIntyres Campground
36 km west
- Tents OK
Pond Creek campsite
44 km south-west · run by Parks ACT
- Tents OK
- Walk-in only
Lowden Forest Park Camping Area
50 km south-east
- Van friendly
- Tents OK
Broken Cart Campground
53 km south-west · run by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Tents OK
- Walk-in only
Blue Waterholes campground
56 km south-west · run by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Toilets
- Tents OK
Warri Camping Reserve
56 km east
- Van friendly
- Toilets
- Tents OK
Magpie Flat campground
56 km south-west · run by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Toilets
- Tents OK
Cooleman Mountain Camp Site
57 km south-west
- Toilets
- Tents OK
Cooinbil Hut campground
62 km south-west · run by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
- Toilets
- Tents OK
Ghost Gully Camping Ground
67 km south-west
- Tents OK
Charleyong Crossing
69 km east
Long Plain Hut Camping Area
71 km south-west
- Tents OK
- Walk-in only
Long Plain Hut Camping Area (For Horses)
71 km south-west
- Tents OK
- Walk-in only
Araluen Creek
71 km south-east
- Van friendly
- Tents OK
Wyanbene Caves
76 km south-east
- Van friendly
- Tents OK
Oallen Crossing camp site
77 km east
- Van friendly
- Tents OK
The Pines Campground
79 km west
- Van friendly
- Toilets
- Tents OK
Jounama Creek Campground
79 km south-west
- Van friendly
- Toilets
- Tents OK
Log Bridge Creek Campground
79 km west
- Van friendly
- Toilets
- Tents OK
Van stops: dump points, water and showers
Dump points: 2 within 80 km
Water refills: 4 within 80 km
Showers: 6 within 80 km
Free camping etiquette
- Read the sign at the entrance: stay limits, fires and dogs are set by the council or park manager.
- Use the toilets, or a proper dump point for your van toilet. Never empty it in a drain or the bush.
- Take all rubbish with you, and arrive before dark so you can see where you are parking.
Common questions
Where can I empty my van toilet near Canberra?
OpenStreetMap lists 2 dump points within 80 km of Canberra. The closest is a dump point, about 57 km north of the town centre.
Can I sleep in my van anywhere around Canberra?
No. Councils and park managers decide where you can camp, and many towns ban sleeping in vehicles on streets and beach car parks. Stay at a signed free camp or a caravan park, read the signs for stay limits, and take your rubbish with you.
How up to date is this list?
The page refreshes every hour from Matey's map data. The free camps and van services come from OpenStreetMap, which volunteers edit, so a site can close or start charging. Check the signs when you arrive.
Free camp and van service data © OpenStreetMap contributors, available under the Open Database Licence (ODbL). Backpacker spots are shared by Matey members.
Free camps near other towns
See them on the map
Free camps, dump points, water and backpacker spots around Canberra, on one map. Free to join, no fees.
Open the camping map