9 Stunning Aussie Road Trips That Won’t Break the Bank
These road trips pack a punch without draining your wallet on camping fees. From outback highways to coastal escapes, here are 9 Aussie adventures you can do on a tight budget.
Plus free or super cheap camping spots to help you stretch those dollars further.
1. Perth → Kalbarri (Coral Coast Drive)
The drive: Cruise north from Perth along WA’s coast, with stops at the Pinnacles, Geraldton, Pink Lake and Kalbarri’s epic coastal cliffs.
Budget camping pick: Galena Bridge South Rest Area – free camping with toilets, picnic tables and fire pits, right by the Murchison River. Other good free stops include Nerren Nerren Rest Area and Eurardy Rest Area.
Read more: 5 Day Perth To Kalbarri Road Trip (With Free Map)
2. Nullarbor Crossing (SA → WA)
The drive: 1200+ km of iconic outback road — where straight roads stretch forever, and you can camp under the stars in true remote silence.
Budget camping pick: Loads of free roadside rest stops along the Eyre Highway. Most allow overnight camping with basic toilets (or none) – just bring water and supplies. Our go-tos: 10 Mile Rocks, Moodini Bluff, and Woorlba Rest Area.
Read More: 18 Things To DO on The Nullarbor Crossing
3. Sydney → Brisbane (The Legendary Pacific Coast)
The drive: From Sydney to Brissy via national parks, surf towns, and beachy stopovers like Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour.
Budget camping pick: NSW State Forests like Myall River Camp or Wang Wauk Rest Area offer free stays. QLD has council-run beachside rest areas — just check signage for rules.
4. Darwin → Litchfield → Katherine
The drive: NT’s tropical Top End delivers waterfalls, hot springs, and classic outback drives — all within a few hours of Darwin.
Budget camping pick: Wangi Falls and Buley Rockhole have cheap NT Parks camps. For free: Robin Falls or Daly River Crossing campsites.
Read More: Darwin to Broome Road Trip (14-day Itinerary + 4WD vs 2WD routes)
5. Perth → Esperance (South West)
The drive: Cross the wheatbelt to some of Australia’s most unreal beaches – Esperance, Lucky Bay and Cape Le Grand.
Budget camping pick: Peak Charles (free, inland), Quagi Beach (low-cost), or Condingup Community Campground for a cheap base east of Esperance.
Read More: Perth to Esperance: Perfect Itinerary + FREE Map
6. Tasmania Loop
The drive: A full lap of Tassie via the East Coast, West Coast and central highlands — waterfalls, forests, beaches, wildlife, you name it.
Budget camping pick: Bay of Fires free beach camps, Friendly Beaches (East), and Cockle Creek (far south) are top picks. Tassie’s national parks also offer cheap campsites if you’ve got a Parks Pass.
7. Adelaide → Flinders Ranges
The drive: Rugged cliffs, red dirt gorges, and sweeping outback views await just north of Adelaide — especially around Wilpena Pound.
Budget camping pick: Cradock Hotel offers free camping out the back if you grab a drink. Also check Hookina Ruins and Parachilna Gorge for free bush spots.
Read More: 7-Day Flinders Ranges Itinerary + FREE Map Included
8. Eyre Peninsula Coastal Loop (SA)
The drive: If you’re already heading west from Adelaide, loop around the Eyre Peninsula — seafood, surf beaches and quiet camps galore.
Budget camping pick: Lucky Bay and Point Brown have great low-cost beach camps. For free: Port Parham or Cowell Foreshore (check council websites for rules).
9. Brisbane → Carnarvon Gorge
The drive: Leave the coast behind and head inland to Queensland’s hidden gem — a rainforest gorge carved into sandstone cliffs.
Budget camping pick: Carnarvon Gorge Wilderness Lodge has affordable sites. Free bush camps can be found en route at Arcadia Valley and Rolleston.
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