The low-key campsite offering million-dollar views for $7.50
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As the cost of living continues to stress everyone out, there's one thing that Aussies don't want to give up - going on holidays.
However, we are looking for more budget-friendly alternatives that allow us to take a break without blowing through all our savings.
Enter: camping.
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Camping offers a great low-cost holiday. Reflections Holidays
Australians took more than 15 million camping trips last year, and nature-based holidays continue to surge as families embrace the low-cost life.
"It's one of the few holidays where families genuinely spend quality time together - exploring, swimming, cooking and relaxing outdoors," Heatley Gilmore, CEO of Camps Australia Wide, one of Australia's most trusted camping guides, tells 9Travel.
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Plus, unlike most other holidays, you can bring your pet: two-thirds of the campgrounds listed on the CAMPS app are pet-friendly.
Camping is a great way to see some of the most beautiful parts of Australia without dropping hundreds on accommodation costs.
Camp on the famous Whitehaven Beach. Tourism and Events Queensland
For example, did you know that you can camp on Whitehaven Beach in the Whitsundays? Instead of forking out thousands for a chopper and a room in a resort, you can snag a campsite for $7.50.
However, if you're more of a plane-and-hotel kinda traveller, the thought of a camping trip can be daunting.
Here are some tips to help make it easier.
First off, don't start out by being too ambitious. Heatley says that your best bet is sticking close to home for your first camping trip.
Heatley and his wife have camped all across the country. Supplied
"It means you can arrive early, set up before dark and avoid long, tiring drives," he says.
And instead of choosing some remote spot, go for something with amenities. "Showgrounds are a great entry point for families - affordable, spacious and with helpful facilities," Heatley adds.
Also, don't get sucked into the idea that you need a ton of high-tech gear to camp.
"You don't need a mountain of gear - just a place to sleep, a way to cook, and transport to get you there. Keep it basic and build up over time."
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You don't need all the fancy gear to go camping. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Heatley also recommends sticking to the back roads, where there's more to discover. Use an app like CAMPS to find camping spots along your route.
"Camping isn't just caravan parks. There are incredible national parks, showgrounds, state forests, free camps and private campgrounds across the country - many of them fantastic value for families," he says.
"Just keep in mind: the closer you are to the beach or the city, the more expensive it tends to be."
Backyard camping is a great test-run. Getty
Best tips for first-time campers:
- Do a test run in your backyard or a local campground.
- Keep meals simple: pre-prepped and one-pot dinners go a long way.
- Organise your gear: tubs are handy if you are in a tent, so setting up and packing down is stress-free.
- Invest in sleep: a decent mat, bed or stretcher can be the difference between loving camping and hating it.
- Embrace the slow pace: camping isn't about rushing - it's about unwinding.
- And most importantly, pick a destination that suits your style. A quiet showground might feel more relaxing for new campers than a busy beachside park.
