5 Great Free Camp Sites On The Murray River

The Murray River stretches right from the cool alpine areas of Kosciusko National Park, to the hot flood plains of the Murray River National Park just 180km from Adelaide. At 2508 kilometres in length, it gets the title of Australia’s longest river, and the worlds third longest navigable river, with only the Amazon and the Nile rivers ahead of it. 

• The Murray River forms the border between NSW and Victoria and stretches from the Great Dividing range on the east to Goolwa in SA
• Discover the regions rich history, cruise the river on a historic paddle steamer, fish for a legendary Murray Cod, Taste some of the regions world class wine and food, learn about Aboriginal culture and how the river supported them for thousands of years.
• How knowing the best places to camp can make all the difference to your holiday. There’s a camp site along the Murray that is just what your family is looking for.

Burrowye VIC

Location: Free Camp Vic 163, 6586 Murray River Rd, Burrowye VIC 3709
Price: FREE
Accessibility: Accessible by 2WD. Short distance off the road
Amenities:

• No toilets or showers
• No internet or phone
• No power
• Campers need to be self-sufficient

Beautiful camp site, perfect spot for the kids to swim. Lots of tress for shade. 

You will need to be completely self sufficient as there are no toilets, showers, power or water, except for what’s in the river.

This camp site is above lake Hume, so the river is crystal clear. 

Suitable activities are swimming, fishing, beach games. 

Tom Groggin Campground NSW

Location: Tom Groggin campground, between Khancoban and Thredbo
https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/tom-groggin-campground/map
Price: FREE (there is a $6 booking fee. A booking is required)
Accessibility: 2WD

All 2WD vehicles need to carry snow chains in winter, between June and October long weekends, on:

• Kosciuszko Road (to Perisher)
• Guthega Road
• Alpine Way between Thredbo and Tom Groggin

Snow chains are recommended for all vehicles driving in the park, including 4WD and AWD, in the event of extreme weather. Read our snow driving in Kosciuszko tips.

Alpine Way is steep, narrow and winding between Khancoban and Thredbo. Watch out for minor rock falls, especially after rain.

Amenities:

• Non-flushing toilets
• BBQ Facilities

Tom Groggin campground, between Khancoban and Thredbo, is an ideal base to enjoy fishing, bushwaking, mountain biking, and 4WDing in southern Kosciuszko National Park.

You will need to bring drinking water and firewood

Quicks Beach Campground

Location:
Quicks Beach is in the Cottadidda precinct of Murray Valley National Park.

If you’re travelling from the south, travel to Cobram and then Barooga:

• Cross the bridge over the Murray River, and travel 2.5km along Vermont Street
• Turn right into Hughes Street and then right onto Quicks Road
• Follow the track towards the river bank, it’s about 300m to the campground

To get there from the north, travel to Barooga town centre:

• Turn left into Hughes Street about 2.5km before the bridge
• Turn right onto Quicks Road and into the park
• Follow the track towards the river bank it’s about 300m to the campground
• https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/-/media/npws/maps/pdfs/camping-and-accommodation/campgrounds/quicks-beach-campground/quicks-beach-campground-map.pdf

Price: FREE (there is a $6 booking fee. A booking is required)
Accessibility: 2WD
Amenities:

• Toilets
• You will need to bring drinking water

With the Murray River at your front door, and the magnificent river red gums in your backyard, Quicks Beach campground is only 3.5km from the centre of Barooga. There are plenty of sites for caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes and tents, so how ever you travel, you’re bound to find a bush camp that suits you in Murray Valley National Park.

Take your fishing gear and your swimmers – the river is perfect for dropping in a line and the grassy campground rolls down to a sandy beach where the kids can build a sandcastle or two. It’s also a good spot for some paddling.

Sonnemans Beach

Location: Sonnemans Beach, Murray River (Near Tocumwal)
Price: FREE
Accessibility: 2WD Can be sandy so 4×4 could be an advantage
Amenities: You will need to be completely self contained.

Bring drinking water.

This is the perfect place to bring the family for some beach fun, skiing or fishing. It can be busy during Christmas an Easter so be prepared to have neighbours.

Clarke Lagoon Wildlife Reserve

Location: Clarke Lagoon Wildlife Reserve, 11038 Murray River Rd, Tintaldra VIC 3708
Price: FREE
Accessibility: 2WD
Amenities: No toilets. Campers need to be fully self contained 

Clarke’s Lagoon Wildlife Reserve runs along a section of the Murray River and provides a number of areas which have been developed to help visitors enjoy river-based activities and leisurely camping. 

This wildlife reserve offers shady sites within a peaceful riverside setting. It is a popular destination over holiday periods. Easy access to the river for swimming, fishing and canoeing. 

Sites suitable for caravans and tents. 

Mobile phone service available to selected networks. Dogs are not permitted in the reserve. 

Directions: This reserve is 6km north of Tintaldra, off Murray River Road. Signpost at entry gate.

Ready to plan your next FREE camping trip?

There’s nothing like planning a camping holiday and if you can find that perfect camp site that is totally free, then you’ll have some money left over to go equipped with the ultimate caravan and some holiday toys. Remember, though, when planning on holidaying in a free campsite, there’s some things you’ll need to remember to plan for.

1. Take enough drinking water for the time you’ll be away, or be prepared to boil river water
2. Ensure your chemical toilet will handle the number of people using it, or make sure you can empty it in a dump point part way through your holiday. 
3. Be prepared to not have phone reception, or have to drive a bit to get a signal
4. Have a good first-aid kit on hand, and know how to use it. Make sure you have a snake bit bandage in it. It’s unlikely you’ll need it, but it could save a life.
5. If you’re staying in a national park, then you won’t be allowed to collect fire wood and will need to bring your own. Similarly if there are fire bans in place then open fires are not allowed. Having a gas cooktop in these instances is always a bonus.