Australia So Much to See
A. There is no free camping in or close to Darwin. Commuting some distance for sightseeing becomes more costly that the caravan park fees. We do not like staying in crowded caravan parks or in large towns or cities, but there is often no option.
Although not low cost, but cheaper than the caravan parks is Robbie Robbins reserve (Polo Club grounds) just off the Stuart
Highway via Tivendale Road Berrimah. They are not allowed to advertise. They can only take caravans and motorhomes, as
by their licence they cannot take campervans, tents, rooftop tents, slideons, swags, sleeping in cars, backpacker vans, or caravan/campers
where the beds extend out the end with canvas. Prices are $35 per night powered sites and $25 unpowered. They are readily
filled to capacity in peak season. Site availability is reduced during events, and they are closed during the wet season.
Pets permitted with usual conditions of being kept on a lead and cleanliness.
What is there further away?
I have previously mentioned Hughes Airfield. However Hughes Airfield has been closed to the public and reserved for the exclusive use of the Northern Territory Volunteer Firefighters. WWII airfields make great unserviced bush campsites when they are open to the public.
To the north east along the coast, Shoal Bay, Leader Creek, Fright Point, and Gunn Point are more fishing camps than camps to commute from. These have some unsealed road, dry weather access. Campgrounds fill on long weekends and holidays. Be crocodile aware in these locations.
Shoal Bay is about 45 kilometres from Darwin, accessed by Taylor Road from Gunn Point Road, and is free. Access includes around twelve kilometres of unsealed road. Current status of camping uncertain.
Gunn Point is at the end of Gunn Point Road and approximately 80 kilometres from Darwin. Unsealed section four wheel drive recommended. Free unserviced camping by the beach. Room for caravans.
Leader Creek Fishing Camp is around 80 kilometres from Darwin with some dirt road access but suitable for all vehicles, but not free priced at $20 per person per night (2018). There are all levels of accommodation. Caravan sites unpowered with a few powered.
There was a very small parking bay opposite “Window on the Wetlands” along the Arnhem Highway but it was barely adequate for a cup of tea stop, not suitable for overnight.
We had planned to stop at Leaning Tree Lagoon on the Arnhem Highway for an overnight to enable us to get into Darwin early in the day to find a caravan park with space for our longer rig, but it is now a day areas only - no camping so had to move on.
We were lucky that in peak season we found somewhere suitable at a caravan park in Darwin at short notice late in the day, but the caravan park we chose is now closed.
Sorry there is no good news
answer to your question. We paid the price and stayed right in Darwin. For those with pets, most caravan parks in Darwin
do not allow pets.
You can see free camping options along the highways on your way to Darwin here:
Q10. Where can we camp along the Stuart
Highway between Alice Springs and Darwin?
Q12: Where can we camp between Mount Isa and Darwin?
Q29. Where can we camp between Katherine to Kununurra? Can we purchase fuel between these towns?
Updates
15 August 2016
Although not low cost, but cheaper than the caravan parks is Robbie Robbins reserve (Polo Club grounds) just off
the Stuart Highway via Tivendale Road Berrimah. They are not allowed to advertise. They can only take caravans and motorhomes,
as by their licence they cannot take campervans, tents, rooftop tents, slide-ons, swags, sleeping in cars, backpacker vans, or caravan/campers
where the beds extend out the end with canvas. Prices are $35 per night powered sites and $25 unpowered. They are readily
filled to capacity in peak season. Site availability is reduced during events, and they are closed during the wet season.
Pets permitted with usual conditions of being kept on a lead and cleanliness.