National Treasures
Kombi camping in Australia’s national parks
September 2023
Australia is blessed with an ancient and unique landscape, much of which is preserved and managed by state run national parks, often in close consultation with Traditional Owners. With over 70 listed national parks, there are more areas of managed bushland in Australia than in any other country on Earth and in fact Sydney’s Royal National Park (which opened in 1879) was only the second of its kind, globally.
Conceived originally as places of leisure where the general public could encounter dramatic expanses of augmented and controlled ‘wilderness’, the role of the national park has since evolved to assume stewardship of the natural landscape, primarily concerned with matters of environmental conservation and the protection of native flora and fauna.
Flower power
Off grid or plugged in, national parks have you covered
The kombi van has long been synonymous with hippies and flower power but its once radical embodiment of nineteen-sixties political counterculture has given way to merely a somewhat nonconformist mindset. Whatever your views, it is undisputed that a kombi is a simple vehicle: basic, compact and unsophisticated by the standards of many modern motorhomes. However, there are varying degrees of simplicity and Lowd Vans interiors can be tailored to a range of preferences, even incorporating state of the art technology.
Whilst there are numerous secluded bush camping areas, Australia’s national parks also cater to the inexperienced or less adventurous camper. Many popular spots have flat, easily accessible powered or unpowered sites, as well as communal amenities which include toilets, barbecues, kitchens and laundries. Occasionally you may find a small store selling essentials like ice, groceries & camping accessories, while a lucky few boast a café. Tidal River on the Prom in Victoria even has a summer season outdoor cinema - complete with resident wombats!
For travellers who are self-sufficient and happy out bush, there are plenty of unpowered parks with little to no facilities, many of which are suitable for kombi vans, but do check beforehand and consider the impact of changing conditions; after wet weather as you will need to be able to get out as well as in! With a basic house battery and solar set up (see our Fully Wired blog post) you can easily live off-grid for a week or so until you need more supplies. Personally we love spending nights under the stars, far from the light pollution of the city.
Remember that the more secluded destinations may have no facilities at all, so you will have to take in all your supplies and take out any rubbish. As the saying goes: ‘leave only footprints, take only photographs’. Oh, and don't forget your spade!
Going wild
Explore the landscape by foot, bike or boat
Even just within Victoria’s parks, there is such a wide range of flora and fauna to experience. Habitats and terrain vary from secluded temperate rainforest or dense tea tree tunnels, to soaring coastal vistas and rugged mountain tops.
One of our favourite aspects of staying in a national park is the opportunity to explore a variety of well-signed tracks. Bushwalking is good for body and soul and there is usually something for everyone. From accessible easy rambles to challenging overnight hikes, and everything in between, you can download maps in advance, pick up a printed leaflet on-site or simply follow the marked directions. Trails are well maintained and thoughtfully managed with bench seats, viewing platforms and informative signboards. Because of their protected status you have a very good chance of encountering a wide variety of wildlife. We have seen kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, echidnas, platypus, emus (plus the occasional snake) as well as countless birds, from tiny fairy wrens to soaring eagles.
There are many opportunities for cycling too with parks offering a range of sustainable routes, though some areas may be protected for conservation reasons. Canoeing and kayaking are other popular pursuits and some areas have campsites that are accessible only by water.
Fishing is permitted in many areas and national parks can provide stunning backdrops for a day by the water. Designated marine sanctuaries do not allow any recreational or commercial fishing for reasons of conservation.
Value adding
Family holidays with great bang for your buck
Despite the recent proliferation of Airbnbs, taking a family away on holiday can be an expensive endeavour. National parks offer a wide selection of accommodation opportunities whatever your budget. At the top end, some of the more popular parks now have ‘ecocabin’ style accommodation for groups of 2+. Whilst these do tend to be rather pricey they often feature outdoor timber decks with lovely views and private amenities. Other roofed options include lodges for large groups or smaller basic cabins with shared facilities. There are often group camping areas, as well as sites suitable for caravans, camper vans, and tents. Park entry is often free for day trippers, though most charge an entry fee for overnight stays. Some states offer a variety of options including annual passes, whereas in Victoria this charge is included in your water rates, so why not use it!
Peak season (Easter, Christmas and public holidays) usually means you will pay a premium and places are harder to come by. Advance booking for popular places is essential and can be frustrating, so off peak is the way to go if you have the flexibility.
Most national parks have good mobile coverage although other may be less reliably connected. But don't let that put you off: limited mobile reception can provide a great opportunity to get kids and teens off their devices and out into nature. From beach combing to beach cricket by day or stargazing and card games (at your Lowd Vans Card Table of course!) into the evening hours, there are no shortage of ways to entertain a family and create lasting memories. And finally you can’t beat a yarn around the campfire, with many parks providing fixed or mobile designated fire pits, subject to seasonal weather warnings.
Caring for Country
60,000 years of hands-on experience
Australia’s Indigenous Owners have long understood that if you look after Country, Country will look after you. In an age of accelerating climate change and extreme weather events, First Nations’ knowledge systems are being increasingly recognised and respected, with Aboriginal expertise being sought and tapped into by many land management practitioners, including the national parks.
National parks endeavour to provide information and education around the topics of conservation, history, and management of the land and waters. Whether learning to better understand how to conduct controlled burns to avoid destructive bushfires, or mitigating the effects of drought through better water management systems, there is much to learn. The parks encourage visitors to get involved - new volunteers are always welcome. There are also a number of fun and educational activities for children that can be accessed through the Junior Rangers programs.
