The best waterfront Free Camping

[Stone Stomper]

Lake Bonney SA is a great one
And Tiparra Rocks SA

[Pingu]

Lake Bonney SA is a great one
And Tiparra Rocks SA

Looks good 

[Pingu]

Bump

[Pingu]

Hi Guys
we are thinking of going to Meredith Park camp ground at Lake Colac in vic for Australia day weekend and were wondering if anyone had been there and what they thought of it. Other wise we will let you know when we come back.

[Bird]

I'd say any *DECENT* camping spot that's free on the water would be packed like 20 sardine cans on any form of anything resembling a long weekend.

[Kit_e_kat9]

Keep in mind that sometimes the Bay Of Fires has been extinguished.   

Kit_e

[Pingu]

Well, we went to Meredith Park campground on the north shore of lake Colac and it was soooooo windy we moved to Dandos Campground in the Great Otway National Park (38 33 16 S) (143 37 05 E) near the town of Forrest on the Apollo Bay/Colac road 12 k up a dirt rd. Lovely spot, little bit crowded, but it was a long weekend. The only facilities there were pit toilets, fire pits and picnic tables. There is a creek that runs along the back its not suitable for fishing or kyacking but great for a dip or swim.

[Firedogg]

^^^I got all excited thinking I've gotta check this place out.... I thought this was a Vic thread...
Looks like a little slice of Paradise... you're a lucky camper Firedogg!!!!

Thanks knoath.  It is a beautiful area around the Bay of Fires.

And if the ocean isn't your cup of tea, then some quiet lakeside camping might be more your pace.

This is Lake Gairdner, Moina, Tas.  Closer to Cradle Mountain than anywhere else.
Plenty of room, quiet, and perfect for canoeing/kayaking or fishing.


Lake Gairdner Free Camping - Moina (7) by Firedogg123, on Flickr


Lake Gairdner Free Camping - Moina (11) by Firedogg123, on Flickr


Lake Gairdner Free Camping - Moina (20) by Firedogg123, on Flickr


Lake Gairdner Free Camping - Moina (19) by Firedogg123, on Flickr


Lake Gairdner Free Camping - Moina (18) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

(Click through for bigger pics)

[SteveandViv]

Coongie Lakes. Had to get over a good size sand hill for this spot. We stayed there a week or so.

[Firedogg]

Great photo SteveandViv.  Must be a beautiful place.


Here's a couple of snaps from Swan Point, Gravelly Beach on the banks of the Tamar River, just north of Launceston (Tasmania again).
Looks like a few others know about this spot too.


Swan Point - Gravelly Beach - Tamar River (7) by Firedogg123, on Flickr


Swan Point - Gravelly Beach - Tamar River ( by Firedogg123, on Flickr


Swan Point - Gravelly Beach - Tamar River (6) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

And looking south down the Tamar river (towards Launceston) from the shore

Swan Point - Gravelly Beach - Tamar River (3) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

[Firedogg]

Dago Point, Lake Sorell, Interlaken, Central Highlands, Tassie

Normally this lake is a mecca for fisherman, but for the last 5 years it has been closed to boats and anglers due to the Carp infestation.  We stayed a week here over Christmas and only saw about 3 other people the whole time.  A nice relaxing spot.


Dago Point, Lake Sorell, Interlaken (1) by Firedogg123, on Flickr


Dago Point, Lake Sorell, Interlaken (2) by Firedogg123, on Flickr


Dago Point, Lake Sorell, Interlaken (3) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Great for photography, day and night.


Dago Point, Lake Sorell, Interlaken (4) by Firedogg123, on Flickr


Dago Point, Lake Sorell, Interlaken (5) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

[Firedogg]

Forgot to mention that there is no TV, radio, phone, or internet at Interlaken.  Great if you want to get the kids away from technology.

[Lloyd65]

Hi
O'Tools Flat up near Aberfeldy on the river, long drop no phone service can get busy
Cheers Lloyd

[austastar]

Hi,


Dorset River  Tas

[deepop]

Little Desert near Dimboola, Vic on the Wimmera River.

NB - not ideal with little kids that can't swim.

[bobnrob]

Yadboro on the NSW Sth Coast - west of Ulladulla

Can't actually camp on the water, but maximum walking distance would be 1.5min   
SF, so allowed fire and pet(s), byo wood and drinking water. Single long drop, and crowded during the silly periods.
Great for swimmer's, and little one's are safe to have a splash around in sections to. Kayaks and canoeing also 

Another vote for Joanna beach in Vic

[Rumpig]

Dago Point, Lake Sorell, Interlaken, Central Highlands, Tassie

Normally this lake is a mecca for fisherman, but for the last 5 years it has been closed to boats and anglers due to the Carp infestation.  We stayed a week here over Christmas and only saw about 3 other people the whole time.  A nice relaxing spot.


Dago Point, Lake Sorell, Interlaken (1) by Firedogg123, on Flickr


Dago Point, Lake Sorell, Interlaken (2) by Firedogg123, on Flickr


Dago Point, Lake Sorell, Interlaken (3) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Great for photography, day and night.


Dago Point, Lake Sorell, Interlaken (4) by Firedogg123, on Flickr


Dago Point, Lake Sorell, Interlaken (5) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

your pics of Lake Sorell are very different to our visit there a few weeks ago whilst on holidays...with the wind that was blowing their were waves breaking onto the shore. Strange campground, the place looks like an abandoned  campground, you can tell it was popular once upon a time. We camped elsewhere with better protection due to the strong wind blowing

[xcvator]

Grannies Flat, 7 klms from Jamieson off the Jamieson/Licola Road. Last time I was in there, there was a 20 foot caravan  .
Long drop dunny, fires allowed (byo wood tho ) dogs ok, good swimming/paddling/kayaking/fly fishing/4wding
Don't go on a long w/e 
Sorry no pics

[Firedogg]

your pics of Lake Sorell are very different to our visit there a few weeks ago whilst on holidays...with the wind that was blowing their were waves breaking onto the shore. Strange campground, the place looks like an abandoned  campground, you can tell it was popular once upon a time. We camped elsewhere with better protection due to the strong wind blowing

I think we were lucky with the weather.  Almost no wind during most days (1 day it was slightly windy causing very small waves to break on the shore) and dead still of a night (as my photos show).  At least there are some camp spots somewhat protected from the wind.  Yes, it looks like it would be packed to the rafters during the holidays if the lake was open.  The good toilet/shower block is boarded up, but at least the long drop is still usable.  Most of the campsites are numbered so we guessed that at one time they (caretakers?) could take bookings and be properly allocated.

Forgot to mention there is plenty of fresh water; we counted at least 3 large rainwater tanks.

I'm looking forward to going back there, weather dependant.

[cruiser 91]

Salt Creek SA

[Firedogg]

Another nice lake-side free camp that's out-of-the-way is Lake Leake, about 30kms inland from the East Coast.  The "tide is out a bit" at the moment but thats good for us campers.  The water is about 100 metres from the high tide line, and the locals reckon it's going down even further.  We had a rather dry winter, and the midlands didn't get very much rain at all.  This lake is man-made and is the water supply for Campbell Town.
We would be happy to camp on the shore, maybe along the beach a bit.  There were a few grassed areas that looked suitable. Plenty of firewood.  Warning, the "beach" is very rocky.

Lake Leake Free Camp (2) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Lake Leake Free Camp (3) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Lake Leake Free Camp (4) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Lake Leake Free Camp (5) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

And a panorama covering 200 degrees field of view

Lake Leake Panorama (2048 x 658) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Good phone and internet reception.  Probably no TV or radio.

[fishfinder]

Shelly Beach near Torbay WA - not a real well known spot but great during whale watching or salmon season

[rags]

Blowering Dam NSW on the Bago State Forest side [dogs allowed] .On the opposite side shoreline is the national  parks

[Firedogg]

Bagot Point, Dolphin Sands
Called Bagot Point Coastal Reserve and is administered by the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment.
The tree tunnel over the access track has been cut right back and a couple of the large rocks blocking access to the camping area have been moved.  Information sign says camping is not encouraged, but there were a few tents and camper trailers there when we visited last weekend.  Reasonably nice place to stay.  20km back into Swansea. Oh, and the long drop toilet is gone.  You're on your own here.  River mouth is safe for the little kids when the tide isn't running.  Great for fishing.
Good phone, internet, radio, TV.

Bagot Point - Dolphin Sands (29) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Bagot Point - Dolphin Sands (3) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Bagot Point - Dolphin Sands (27) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Bagot Point - Dolphin Sands (26) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Bagot Point - Dolphin Sands (25) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Bagot Point - Dolphin Sands (23) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Bagot Point - Dolphin Sands (22) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Bagot Point - Dolphin Sands (4) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Bagot Point - Dolphin Sands (10) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

[Firedogg]

Swan River, Dolphin Sands
I forgot about this one.  Only 7km's north of Swansea, this is normally a quiet riverside campsite with jetty and boat ramp.  You can either camp on the edge of the bitumen carpark, or on the higher grassed area.

Swan River (1) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Swan River (2) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Swan River (3) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Swan River (4) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Swan River (5) by Firedogg123, on Flickr

Swan River (6) by Firedogg123, on Flickr