Top five winter camping spots

First up, you might find an area that’s warmer and even if it’s not, with fewer crowds there are the pleasures of isolation, of lonely rambles, and singing around a roaring campfire and not being grumbled at by tune deaf fellow campers. And if it’s frosty outside you can snuggle deeper into your swag/sleeping bag/tent – and stay toasty warm. Here are a few of our favourite places to check out when the temperature plummets.

Most Melbournians shivering through another cold winter will be surprised to know they can escape the city and enjoy some outback camping without even leaving Victoria. The Murray-Sunset National Park between Ouyen and Mildura is a peaceful, mainly empty 670,000 hectare sweep of sand, Mallee scrub and a few surprises, such as the pink lakes. Pitch a tent at gorgeous locations such as the Shearers Quarters or Mount Crozier, stoke up a big fire and watch the sun set while dinner cooks.

While technically part of the Pineapple State, this hauntingly beautiful desert gorge is actually closer to Darwin than Brisbane. Well, if you call a 1700km drive from the NT capital “close”. The campground nearest the gorge in the Boodjamulla National Park is pretty basic (there’s flushing dunnies though, and cold showers) but if you can kayak and swim in 30 degree heat between rugged red cliffs while your workmates are shivering over a sandwich back home, what’s not to love?

This picturesque area on the southwest tip of the Yorke Peninsula kind of hangs out into the Great Australian Bight so it might get a bit breezy in winter. Then again, if you’re thinking of uninterrupted walks through the sand dunes and trails of the Innes National Park, exploring the abandoned village of Inneston, trekking out to the lighthouse or fishing off a beautiful beach, it’s hard to beat. Chances are the Cable Bay Campground won’t be busy in winter either.

If you’re passing through the Pilbara region about 1400km north of Perth you’ll definitely want to visit the huge Karijini National Park, with its rugged yet spectacular cliffs and gorges. The campground at Dales Gorge is probably the best, mainly for its proximity to swimming holes such as Circular Pool and Fortescue Falls, with its quietly flowing river and simply spectacular scenery. And even in winter the water temperatures are pretty warm.

The Crowdy Bay National Park seems far from the NSW north coast’s usual tourist bustle. Instead of Big Bananas, think of a ruggedly beautiful coastline south of Port Macquarie with walks along the beach, a wander through the rainforest or fishing off the rocks. The Diamond Head campground (it gets its name from the sun glinting off sparkling rocks) is right next to the beach, it has plenty of amenities and you won’t have to share the shower block too much now the summer season has finished.

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