Camping around Darwin

Gunn Point is a free camping favourite of Darwin locals and has recently undergone some road upgrades to make it easier to get there. From March 2021, camping on Murrumujuk Beach is no longer permitted, with the best camping now 10m back from the cliff edge to protect them from coastal erosion. Camper trailers and caravans are not permitted on the beach or the cliff edge.

There are no facilities at Gunn Point so you must be completely self-contained. This includes taking care of all your rubbish, human waste and making sure you have enough drinking water.

You can drive on Murrumujuk Beach but it’s for registered vehicles only and at your own risk. Be considerate of other beach users and local wildlife at all times.

Just a short drive away is the Saltwater Arm and Leaders Creek boat ramps if you fancy dropping in a line. As tempting as the water is, swimming isn’t recommended due to the presence of crocodiles and stingers.

Wagait Beach is a 90-minute drive from Darwin or a 20-minute ferry ride from Cullen Bay. Basic beachfront camping spots are available in limited numbers at the Beachfront Beauty starting at $10. The site welcomes camping of all types from swags through to campervans and includes a communal kitchen, shower, laundry, swimming pool and a boat ramp. It’s best to book early as spots go fast.

Nearby is Cox Country Club where you can get a good meal and often enjoy bands and other entertainment. If you fancy fishing and don’t have a boat, the Mandorah Jetty is well set-up for fishing at all tide levels.

If you’d like something more upmarket than camping, there are plenty of Airbnb properties available for rent nearby.

Crab Claw Resort is a family friendly resort offering 19 shaded and semi-shaded powered camp sites just 75m from the water edge. Power is limited to 6 amps to run your fridge and air conditioning.

Sites cost $40 per night and facilities on-site include an amenities block and laundry as well as a restaurant, boat ramp and swimming pool.

There’s plenty to do at Crab Claw including bushwalking, fishing, bird watching or just relaxing. There’s also cabin accommodation available with views of the water for that extra bit of comfort.

Leader’s Creek Fishing Base is a great spot to launch your boat to access a lot of the Top End’s best fishing spots for tropical sports fish and mud crabs. Less than an hour’s drive from Darwin city on a sealed road, and with a 24 hour access boat ramp and secure car park, this is an ideal spot for fishing.

Powered and unpowered sites are available from $20 per person per night and includes access to shared bathroom amenities and a fire pit. The campsite is also pet friendly and accepts some types of generators.

Located inside the Mary River National Park, Shady Camp can offer both freshwater and saltwater fishing just a few minutes from the campsite. The campsite is accessed by a 4WD track and is only open seasonally due to the high volumes of water in the Wet season.

Camping is available to accommodates swags and tents through to camper trailers with 4WD capacity. Camping is $3.30 per night and gives you access to toilets, picnic tables, fire pits and a boat ramp. There are no generators permitted at this campsite.

The campground is within a national park so pets are not permitted and if you want to camp outside of the designated campground or bushwalk overnight, you’ll need a permit.

Also located inside the Mary River National Park is Couzens Lookout, a more secluded camping spot next to the Mary River which is one of the best spots to launch your boat and hunt for the illustrious barramundi.

Accessible by 4WD only, a basic campground awaits with toilets, picnic tables, fire pit and boat ramp. There’s a small camping fee of $3.30 per night and permits are required if you’re staying out of the designated campsite or bushwalking overnight. Generators and pets are not allowed here.

The best part about this campsite is the spectacular sunset from the lookout, a short walk away from the campsite.

Just a 90-minute drive from Darwin is Dundee Beach where some of the Territory’s best fishing and camping awaits you.

The holiday park offers a range of powered sites that sleep 6 people for the one fee of $42 per night – or $30 for an unpowered site. The park can accommodate every type of camping from swags and tents, right through to buses, and generators are allowed between 8am and 10pm.

A shared amenities block, BBQs, fire pits, pool and beachside bar await you with access to the boat ramp available by car at most tides making it great for all types of fishos. Fresh water is available only at the powered sites so make sure you have your supplies sorted.

While all children are welcome in the campgrounds of the Top End, choosing the right one can be tricky. A designated campground with amenities is likely going to be easier for you and your family unless you’re seasoned campers who can be self-sufficient.

If this is your first time camping with children, why not try a caravan or holiday park first to see how you go? These parks often have playgrounds, swimming pools or other on-site activities to keep the little ones occupied while still having a great camping experience.

There’s nothing worse than getting sunburnt when you’re on a relaxing camping trip. Even on cloudy days, it’s important that you protect yourself and your family from the sun. Follow the Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, Slide mantra:

• Slip on a shirt
• Slop on sunscreen
• Slap on a hat
• Seek shade
• Slide on some sunglasses.

To avoid insect bites, bring an insect repellent for both yourself and your campsite. There are plenty of options available including insect spray, mozzie coils, citronella scented candles or a thermacell. Wear light-coloured clothing if you can as dark colours are more attractive to mosquitoes.

Even in the cooler months, it can still be really hot here in the Top End. It’s essential that you carry more water than you need especially for the younger family members who might feel the heat more than you do.

The general rule is half a litre of water per hour per person in moderate temperatures.

As much as the rivers and waterholes of the Top End campsites look tempting after a hot day, it’s essential that you follow the directions on all signs posted near waterways. Crocodiles are able to move from unseen in the water onto land at lightning speed so obey the signs and stay Crocwise.

Almost three hours’ drive from Darwin near the regional town of Katherine, Umbrawarra Gorge National Park is off the beaten track but well worth the drive. The road is accessible by car during the Dry season but isn’t recommended for caravans due to the road corrugations, dips and creek crossings.

Camping is available at the designated campsite for $3.30 per person per night which give you access to a composting toilet, BBQs, picnic area, fire pits and a range of 4WD tracks. No generators or pets are permitted.

From the campsite, you can take an easy walk along the creek into the red cliffs and sandstone overhangs of the gorge and swim where it’s signposted as safe to do so.

Located on the Cobourg Peninsula, a 10 hour drive along an unsealed road suitable for 4WDs only, Garig Gunak Barlu National Park is home to stunning white beaches and rare wildlife you won’t see closer to town.

Camping fees are charge per vehicle at $232.10 which will cover 5 adults for up to 7 nights. If you want to extend your stay, additional fees apply. At the campsite, you have access to a toilet, limited bore water, fire pit, boat ramp, showers and a ranger station. All food, water and fuel must be brought with you as there is nowhere to buy these supplies nearby.

From the campground you can go bushwalking, birdwatching, fishing or boating and there’s a good chance you’ll see dugong or one of the six species of marine turtles.

The road is open seasonally and isn’t suitable for caravans, and off-road trailers are taken at your own risk. Roads can be closed for ceremonial reasons with limited notice.

Bookings are recommended, especially during school holidays, and permits are required.

Two-and-a-half hours’ drive from Darwin is the Channel Point Coast Reserve. Well known for its excellent fishing, this a great place for self-sufficient campers with experience in 4WDs and unsealed roads.

A basic campground is available with toilets, picnic tables, boat ramp and fire pits at a cost of $6.60 per night. Generators are permitted.

The campground is limited to 50 people (or 10 vehicles) so bookings are essential and you’ll need to arrange a permit at the same time.

Make use of the bins provided at your campsite. If there are none, take the rubbish with you and find a roadside stop or shelter with bins provided.

Fires are not permitted to be lit in any National Park and each campground has specific rules about the lighting of fires. Fires should only be lit during the winter months and must be contained within designated areas.

Firewood must not be collected from inside National Parks unless it’s signed as a designated area. Firewood can be purchased from hardware stores or camping supply stores across Darwin. Bringing firewood into a national park from other sources is a potential biosecurity hazard.

Pets are not allowed in national parks. Exemptions are available for guide dogs, hearing dogs and assistance dogs kept on a leash of no more than 3m long.

Each campground has its own rules about pets staying on their site so it’s best to check with them first. If you’re camping in a pet friendly campground but heading into a national park for the day, you can negotiate with a fellow camper to swap dog-minding duties. Dogs should not be left in campgrounds on their own.

If you’re driving, make sure you understand the challenges of driving in remote locations and check our road safety page for more information.