The Best Camping Destination In The World Is A One-Of-A-Kind Country With Unique Wildlife

Nature lovers, the news is officially out: The world's best destination for camping has been revealed. Alas, it's not America's national parks or the endless expanses in the Andes that topped the list, but rather the Land Down Under: Australia. Along with all of Australia's prime attractions to explore, the country itself earned the top spot for camping, due to a variety of factors, like the number of national parks and wildlife. 

The Alternative Camping Index was created by safari company Asilia Africa in 2023. Using a seed list of the world's countries, Asilia Africa measured eight separate criteria to determine the world's best camping destinations: diversity of wildlife, population density, outdoor recreation opportunities, and more. Australia received the highest score of 82.25 out of 100, thanks to its many acres of wild land, high number of national parks (685), and low population density.    

In addition, Australia's incredible scenic destinations to snap pictures definitely help, as do its unique wildlife and landscapes. There's nowhere like Australia, and the many endemic flora and fauna species, found nowhere else, prove it. This includes diversity of landscapes, too — where else can you camp on a beach near the Great Barrier Reef, one of the world's most iconic attractions, under the stars in the Outback, or in a eucalyptus forest? Australia's long tradition of camping also adds to the allure. In 2025, Aussies took approximately 17.3 million caravan and camping trips, according to Tourism Research Australia. This means that there's a huge variety of camping options, from caravans to tent spaces. Many of these camping options are also free or relatively inexpensive.

You've packed your camping essentials, and now, it's time to pick where to pitch that tent. With nearly 700 national parks in Oz, you're going to want to take advantage! On the coast of southwestern Australia is the stunning Cape Le Grand National Park. Located about an hour outside of Esperance (a two- to three-hour flight from Perth), arguably the best place to camp within the park is Lucky Bay Campground. At Lucky Bay, not only do you get prime views of the beach, but you're also likely to spot dolphins in the sea and kangaroos on the sand.   

If you're in Sydney, head inland for about 1.5 hours to the beautiful Blue Mountains National Park. Stay on the edge of the park in the amenity-filled Katoomba Falls Tourist Park, which features both cabins and tent sites, along with showers and a playground. The campground also provides excellent access to attractions like Katoomba Falls itself (just a two-minute walk away) and the iconic Three Sisters rock formations, an easy, half-hour hike from the falls. The Blue Mountains are also home to over 400 unique animal species, including koalas and the long-nosed potoroo, a tiny marsupial. 

Farther north in Queensland, combine the Great Barrier Reef with the world's oldest rainforest, the Daintree. To experience both the reef and the rainforest in Daintree National Park, approximately 1.5 hours north of Cairns, head to Cape Tribulation. Here, stay at the Noah Beach Camping Area, a no-frills campground ideal for tents and small campers, with access to wild beaches and ancient rainforest. If you're lucky, you'll spot local species like the flightless cassowary and saltwater crocodiles.