Approaching the coldest and highest part of your Big Lap is exciting, and it triples if you add a chance of snow! The Snowy Mountains are home to Australia’s highest mountain, Mount Kosciuszko, standing tall at 2,228 metres. You can expect cold fresh air, snow during winter, magnificent peaks, and crystal clear mountain rivers.
The Snowy Mountains host more than half of the alpine habitat and are the location of Australia’s best ski resorts. Finding a good free camp here in advance is essential since the conditions might not allow you to wander around searching. Here are my tips for a comfortable, yet charming stay!
- Leatherbarrel Creek
- Gungarlin River Camp Area
- Geehi Flats Campground
- Old Geehi Hut
- Bridge Nook Camp
- Denison Camp Area
- Four Mile Track On Eucumbene River
- Eucumbene River Camp
- Three Mile Dam (West)
- Alen Caldwall Bridge Maclaughlin River
- Clover Flat Rest Area
- Bradney’s Gap Rest Area
- Indi Bridge
- Jacobs River Camp Area
- Halfway Flat
- Pinch River Camp
- Running Waters
Read Next: Everything You Need To Know About Free Camping In Australia
Leatherbarrel Creek
Beautiful camp close to the road with a nice creek flowing through it. Camping is allowed only in tents; the road is not accessible for caravans and big rigs. The camp doesn’t have marked sites, but it can accommodate around five tents, so arrive early to secure a spot. Impeccable nature and fauna around.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 4WD.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Open Fire Pits; Picnic Tables.
Time Limit: None.
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Gungarlin River Camp Area
A picturesque campsite along the Gungarlin River with a big grassy area, located an hour and a half from Cooma. There are plenty of sites available right on the river where you can try your luck and catch some trout. Deer and wombats may come to visit you! You can find some cool historic huts within walking distance.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 4WD Only.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: Yes, book online or on 1300 072 757. A $6 booking fee applies.
Other Amenities: Open Fire Pits, Picnic Tables; Fishing; Wildlife.
Time Limit: 7 Days.
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Geehi Flats Campground
Located right off Alpine Way Road, the Geehi Flats Camp offers plenty of unmarked, leveled, and grassy sites. Campers get to enjoy the view of the Snowy Mountains’ highest peaks right out their door. The nearby Swampy Plain River is the perfect place for fishing, kayaking, or swimming in summer. Geehi offers spectacular sunsets accompanied by roaming eastern gray kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and possums. Bring your own wood and enjoy a campfire in the mountains!
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Motorbikes.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: Yes, book online or on 1300 072 757. A $6 booking fee applies.
Other Amenities: Non-drinking Water; Picnic Tables; Wildlife; Open Fire Pits; BBQs; 4WD Tracks; Swimming; Fishing
Time Limit: 7 Days.
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Old Geehi Hut
The campground right beside the Old Geehi Hut is suitable for self-contained vehicles only, and camping in tents is allowed. During summer, you can enjoy the perks of the proximity to the river, soaking up the sun while chilling your feet! The road down to the camp includes crossing some creeks, so a high clearance vehicle is a must. Approximately six campsites with lovely scenery, some wild pigs, wombats, and platypi!
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 4WD; Off-road Caravans.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: Yes, book online or on 1300 072 757. A $6 booking fee applies.
Other Amenities: Open Fire Pits; Walking Tracks; 4WD Tracks; Wildlife; Swimming; Fishing.
Time Limit: 7 Days.
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Bridge Nook Camp
A lovely secluded camp right off the 4WD track with limited campsites but a fantastic green area. If you’re looking to stay in the area but want to avoid the popular, overcrowded camps, this is the place. Walk down 15-minutes, and you’ll come across a beautiful creek.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 4WD; Off-road Caravans.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: Yes, book online or on 1300 072 757. A $6 booking fee applies.
Other Amenities: Open Fire Pits; Swimming; Fishing; Wildlife; 4WD Tracks.
Time Limit: 7 Days.
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Denison Camp Area
Excellent small camp with large grassy area and a couple of level spots, perfect for fishing enthusiasts. Close to the road, but never crowded. Bring your own firewood, and don’t leave a trace behind. Denison Camp provides you with amazing views and lots of wildlife around, including kangaroos, rabbits, wombats, and brumbies.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Telstra.
Booking Required: Yes, book online or on 1300 072 757. A $6 booking fee applies.
Other Amenities: Open Fire Pits; Picnic Tables; Fishing.
Time Limit: 7 Days.
Read Next: 96 Things To Know About Your Big Lap
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Four Mile Track On Eucumbene River
This is an unofficial camp located on the Four Mile Walk, offering bush camping among the wonderful track. Not many amenities, so bring your own water and firewood. Easy access to the river and excellent fishing spots!
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 4WD Only.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Non-drinking Water; Open Fire Pits; Fishing.
Time Limit: None.
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Eucumbene River Camp
You can find a bush camp with no amenities and accessible only by a 4WD right along Eucumbene River. The camp can accommodate about four vehicles who are looking for an isolated spot off the grid. Due to no other light sources around, at night you can enjoy incredible stargazing.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 4WD.
Phone Service: Telstra.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: None.
Time Limit: None.
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Three Mile Dam (West)
The Three Mile Dam Camp is an exceptional base for bushwalking, fishing, and skiing. The dam was established during the gold mining era and is now part of the electric system of the Snowy Mountains. The lakeside grassy sub-alpine ground is open for campers seasonally, from October to June.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans.
Phone Service: Telstra.
Booking Required: Yes, book online or on 1300 072 757. A $6 booking fee applies.
Other Amenities: Non-drinking Water; Open Fire Pits; Picnic Tables; BBQs; Walking Tracks; Swimming; Fishing; Wildlife; TV Reception.
Time Limit: 7 Days.
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Alen Caldwall Bridge Maclaughlin River
A quiet place to stop for a quick rest or spend a couple of nights. The area is really isolated, not a lot of traffic or people cruising. It’s located next to a small creek filled with trout and platypi. It can accommodate a couple of vans.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 2WD; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Non-drinking Water; Fishing.
Time Limit: None.
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Clover Flat Rest Area
It is a lovely flat grassy area in the middle of the mountain forest, just 100m off the road. It’s small and relatively quiet. A little creek flows nearby, and there’s an abundance of birdlife to watch and listen to. The Clover Flat Area offers basic amenities for a short stay.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Non-drinking Water; Open Fire Pits; Picnic Tables; Wildlife.
Time Limit: None.
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Bradney’s Gap Rest Area
Bradney’s Gap Rest Area is located right off Swampy Plains Creek Road and has no amenities. It’s close to the Swampy Plains Creek and good for a quick rest before resuming your journey.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 2WD.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: Yes, book online or on 1300 072 757. A $6 booking fee applies.
Other Amenities: Open Fire Pits; 4WD Tracks; Wildlife.
Time Limit: 7 Days.
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Indi Bridge
A large, flat grassy area by the Murray River. The camp is peaceful, except for the local farmers’ cows crossing the river occasionally. Lots of good fish in the river, so go fishing. Don’t go to sleep early- this camp is a brilliant stargazing spot!
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Non-drinking Water; Open Fire Pits; Swimming; Fishing.
Time Limit: None.
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Jacobs River Camp Area
A picture-perfect camp area you wouldn’t like to leave, with six spaced-out sites available. This camp offers an amazing backdrop, great walks, and wildlife. It’s close to the river and relatively remote; you might have the place all to yourself. The Barry Way Road is quite narrow, so it’s not suitable for Big Rigs, but campers can fit.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: Yes, book online or on 1300 072 757. A $6 booking fee applies.
Other Amenities: Open Fire Pits; Picnic Tables; Swimming;
Time Limit:
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Halfway Flat
A private campground on the Snowy River suitable for a small number of campers. There aren’t any marked campsites, so you’ll likely camp under a gum tree. It’s easily accessible from the road, and the river is perfect for swimming. You can even spot some brumbies!
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Open Fire Pits; Picnic Tables; Swimming; Fishing.
Time Limit: None.
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Pinch River Camp
Peaceful campground with plenty of campsites available and a fabulous river for swimming. The camp’s road offers some scenic landscapes, and the base itself is nothing short of natural beauty. In the morning, you can spot some kangaroos, and during the day, there is an abundance of birdlife to keep you entertained. You can choose between shaded and sunny spots or camp on the riverbank in a tent. Great family spot!
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Open Fire Pits; BBQs; Picnic Tables; Walking Tracks; Wildlife.
Time Limit: None.
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Running Waters
An incredible spot for those longing for simple camping in tents. Park your vehicle, grab your tent, and hit the riverbank for some outstanding camping. It’s the perfect mix of relaxation and comfort. You can fill your days with swimming, kayaking, fishing, or simply exploring the forest.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Open Fire Pits; Picnic Tables; Walking Tracks; Fishing; Wildlife.
Time Limit: None.
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