Best Waterfront Caravan & Camping Sites in Australia

Feature: BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park 

Dreamy waterfront caravan and camping sites to put on the list  

There is something quietly special about staying beside the water when you are caravanning or camping. It might be the comforting sound of waves crashing on the shoreline and the warm, earthy aroma of salty sea air. It could be falling asleep to a bubbling river as it winds its way to the ocean or waking up to a golden sunrise over a glassy lake. For many caravanners and campers, those simple moments are the ones that stay with you long after the drive home.  

If you favour staying by the water, you probably have spots that you know well and have stayed at often. But, if you’re looking to stretch those wings and explore somewhere new, Hampshire Holidays boasts plenty of waterfront caravan and camping sites that tick all the boxes. These are places you can set up only metres from a river, lake or stretch of coastline, and where travellers in-the-know tend to return season after season.

If a true waterfront stay is what you’re after, these are worth putting on the list for your next escape. 

Riverside caravan and camping sites 

BIG4 Big River Holiday Park 

Grafton, NSW Northern Rivers 

Caravanners and campers love the premium riverfront grass sites, which are spacious, level and set right on the edge of the mighty Clarence River. With boat parking on site and easy access to a private boat ramp and pontoon, getting out on the water is effortless, whether you’re launching at first light or heading out for a relaxed paddle or fish. The park is especially popular with the waterskiing community, thanks to the Clarence’s wide, calm stretches that are ideal for wakeboarding and waterskiing. 
 
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BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park 

Nelligen, NSW South Coast 

Cradled by the Clyde River, life at BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park is deeply influenced by the water that surrounds it. Sites are spacious and beautifully treelined, with plenty positioned right on the water so you can fish from your camp chair if you wish. The park is pet-friendly, with shared fire pits for relaxed evenings, and the calm waters of the Clyde are perfect for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and swimming. It’s an ideal spot if you want to be close to water without the tourist crowds. 

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Warburton Holiday Park 

Yarra Ranges, VIC 

For a completely different waterfront experience, the riverfront camping and caravan sites at Warburton Holiday Park place you along the Upper Yarra River in a distinctly alpine setting beneath towering Mountain Ash trees. For direct river frontage, choose the powered river sites, which accommodate both tents and vans with views over the meandering Yarra and direct access to the river and various walking tracks for exploring. Fly fishing is popular, and while the water is icy, river swims are invigorating in warmer months. 

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Moruya Holiday Park 

Moruya, NSW South Coast 

Wake up to the river gently meandering by and wander into town for your morning coffee and a café breakfast. Moruya Holiday Park sits right on the Moruya River, offering breezy riverfront powered sites overlooking the water. Each site provides a level grass or concrete slab, with easy access to amenities and the river’s edge literally steps away. The river is beautifully calm for kayaking and fishing, birdlife is abundant, and nearby beaches are perfect when you want a change of scenery. 

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Beachside caravan and camping sites 

Wairo Beach Holiday Park 

Wairo Beach, NSW South Coast 

Caravanners and campers who want to be close to the sand and waves will love Wairo Beach. Sites sit a short stroll from a long, uncrowded stretch of glorious coastline. This is classic coastal camping: relaxed, family-friendly and ideal for sunrise walks or long afternoons fishing, swimming and relaxing by the sea. The park is pet-friendly and boasts an array of fabulous facilities, all easily accessible from the well-maintained, generously sized sites.  

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BIG4 Manning Point Holiday Park 

Manning Point, NSW Mid North Coast 

If you cannot decide between river and ocean, Manning Point is the perfect solution. Situated between the sheltered waters of the Manning River and the beauty of Manning Point Beach, the waterfront sites here are level, spacious and suitable for larger vans. With salty breezes and quiet waterways, guests staying here are perfectly placed to fish the river, surf check the beach and enjoy both without having to pack up and move camp. 

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Bribie Island Caravan Park 

Woorim, South East QLD 

Set on the surf side of laidback Bribie Island, this park is just 200 metres from Woorim Beach, and a short stroll from cafés, shops and the surf club. The powered and unpowered sites are spacious and shaded by coastal trees and close to amenities, offering a relaxed base for beachside days. Head across to Pumicestone Passage for calm paddling and wildlife spotting, or venture into Bribie Island National Park for 4WD beach driving and bushwalks.  

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Collendina Caravan Park 

Ocean Grove, Bellarine Peninsula VIC 

Collendina is a favourite with travellers from Melbourne seeking a beach escape. The grass powered caravan and camping sites are so close to the sea, you can hear the waves on the Ocean Grove shoreline, accessed via a private 350 metre pathway. Sites suit both caravans and tents, with plenty of room for awnings and gear. Guests enjoy morning swims, surfing, fishing, long walks and relaxed coastal living. Proximity to Ocean Grove cafés and pubs, along with Bellarine wineries, is an added bonus.  

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Lakeside caravan and camping sites 

BIG4 Wallaga Lake Holiday Park 

Wallaga Lake, NSW South Coast 

Perched on the edge of Wallaga Lake and moments from Bermagui’s beautiful beaches, this park offers a quiet, nature-led escape. The premium lakeview and powered slab sites sit right on the lake’s shore. They are generous in size, flat, shaded and offer expansive views across Wallaga Lake. Ideal for boating, fishing, paddling or simply soaking in the natural beauty. White bellied sea eagles fish here regularly, and when you want waves, the ocean is a short walk away.  

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Lakeside Forster Holiday Park 

Forster, NSW Mid North Coast 

Known for its clear blue water, Wallis Lake provides a stunning backdrop to Lakeside Forster’s prime lakeside caravan and camping sites. Many sites are large and grassed with direct lake access, making it easy to throw in a line, launch a paddleboard or boat, enjoy a swim or wander one of the walking trails. Families love the shallow, safe water and the sunsets are spectacular. Forster is only minutes away for supplies, dining and beaches. 

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Find the perfect waterfront caravan or camping site for you 

Whether you prefer rising beside a river, drifting off to the lull of the ocean or settling into a peaceful lakeside setting, Hampshire Holidays makes it easy to find a waterfront caravan or camping site that suits your style of adventure. 

Explore riverside, beachside and lakeside parks across some of Australia’s most scenic regions and secure the site that feels perfect for your next getaway. 

Find and book your waterfront site at a Hampshire Holidays holiday park today. 

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