There are a few free campgrounds around Australia though they are often located inland far from the coast, the beach and the cities. There is also a few websites which catalog free campsites and rest areas around Australia but none advertise the Meroo Head campground. Though it is for me the best free campground I have ever seen so far in Australia!
We discovered it thanks to a friendly staff member at the Jervis Bay information center. With a kind smile, this stranger, who I wish I’d asked his name, told us “This spot is not on the book, it is known mostly by locals”. If you are staying near the Meroo National Park, don’t forget to check out Jervis Bay only 1 hour North, as it offers incredible beach with white powdery sand and turquoise clear water. Check out this article, it summaries the free activities at Jervis bay.
Activities near the Meroo Head Campground
This free campground is only 150m walk from the beach where you can snorkel, fish, swim and explore the rock pools without paying any National Park fees. Snuggle up around the campfire at night and listen to the rumble of the waves and wake up at dawn to see the first rays of sunshine rise over the ocean.
From this free campground you can follow the Meroo Head lookout-walking track for a panoramic views of uninterrupted coastline.
There are also two lakes nearby, the Meroo Lake and the Tabourie Lake , which are important Australian wetlands with incredible diversity, including 12 endangered species. It is a great spot for bird watching; you might see ducks, swans, pelicans, honeyeaters, superb blue wrens and pied oystercatchers.
How to get to there
Approximately 15km south of Ulladulla from the Princes Highway turn left on to Meroo Point Road. Drive 3kms on an unsealed road accessible to 2WD and turn right at the fork and travel 600m to Meroo Head car park. There are two walking tracks, which provide access to campsites located 50 to 250m from the car park.
Make sure you do not turn in Meroo Lake road, which is right after the Meroo Point road that leads to the campground. We took this road by mistake because it is also part of the Meroo National park but it is a very rocky road only accessible by 4WD. It leads to the Termeil Lake, but you cannot camp there. Though if you have a 4WD and you are into fishing, check it out, as it seems to be a quiet fishermen spot.
To summarized the Meroo Head Campground:
- Free campground
- Walk-in (between 50 and 250m)
- No water
- Not power
- No shower
- Toilet
- Fire Permitted
- 150m from the beach
