Choosing where you camp is one of the most important decisions you make on an overnight or multi-day hike. It affects warmth, dryness, sleep quality, equipment performance, and in some conditions, safety. In Australia, many incidents attributed to bad weather or gear failure are actually the result of poor campsite selection. A well-chosen site can make marginal conditions manageable. A poor one can turn an otherwise routine night into a serious problem.
This guide explains how to select campsites for Australian conditions, why existing campsites should be used wherever possible, and how to manage risk when options are limited, while adhering to Leave No Trace principles by leaving the site exactly as you found it, or better.
Use existing campsites and tent platforms wherever they are provided
Where designated campsites or tent platforms exist, they should be your first choice. These locations are chosen because they manage drainage, exposure, vegetation impact, and long-term sustainability better than ad hoc sites. Platforms and established pads reduce soil compaction, protect fragile environments, and often perform better in heavy rain than improvised camps.
Using existing campsites is not just an environmental preference. In many Australian environments, it is also the safest and most reliable option available. Moving away from established sites should be a deliberate decision based on necessity, not convenience.
Campsite selection is a safety decision
Campsite choice is often treated as a comfort issue. In Australia, it is more accurately a safety decision. Hypothermia in Australia most commonly occurs in wet and windy conditions between about 0°C and 10°C. These are not extreme temperatures, but they are exactly the conditions where exposure, damp ground, condensation, and wind rapidly overwhelm clothing and sleeping systems.
A good campsite reduces exposure and moisture load. A poor one magnifies both.
Drainage and elevation matter more than flatness
Water always wins. Even light rain can turn shallow depressions, dry creek beds, and compacted flats into drainage paths overnight. In Australian terrain, heavy rain falling upstream can affect campsites kilometres away.
Avoid sites that:
- sit at the lowest point of an area
- show signs of previous water flow or scouring
- are directly beside creeks, rivers, or drainage lines
Slight elevation is often safer than perfect flatness. A gently sloping site that sheds water will usually outperform a flat site that collects it. Flat ground still matters, but it should never be prioritised over drainage.
Wind exposure is often the dominant risk
Wind is one of the most underestimated campsite hazards in Australia. Ridgetops, saddles, and open alpine areas can look appealing in calm weather, but even moderate winds can strip heat rapidly and place sustained stress on shelters. Wind chill, flapping fabric, and difficulty cooking or managing gear all increase fatigue and risk.
Look for natural wind protection such as terrain features or vegetation, while avoiding locations that funnel or accelerate airflow. Partial shelter is often safer than full exposure, even if it means sacrificing views.
Ground conditions and cold transfer
Cold ground pulls heat from your body all night. When ground is damp, this effect increases significantly. Focus on durable surfaces such as established pads, compacted soil, or existing leaf litter. Never clear away native vegetation, break branches, or move rocks to create a flat spot. Modifying the environment to fit your tent causes permanent damage; instead, find a site that fits your gear as-is.
Avoid saturated soil, compacted clay, bare rock slabs, and areas showing signs of pooling water. Even with a good sleeping mat, prolonged contact with cold, wet ground reduces warmth and recovery.
Condensation, humidity, and drying potential
Condensation is a nightly reality in many Australian environments, particularly in Tasmania, coastal regions, and sheltered gullies. Campsites close to water, deep in enclosed valleys, or surrounded by dense vegetation tend to trap moisture and reduce airflow. Over multiple nights, this leads to damp insulation, clothing, and sleeping systems.
Where possible, favour sites with some airflow without full wind exposure, distance from water bodies, and morning sun that allows gear to air and dry, even briefly.
Overhead hazards and objective danger
Always assess what is above you, not just what is beneath you. Avoid pitching tents beneath dead branches, leaning trees, loose rock ledges, or in known rockfall zones. Forested Australian campsites often contain widowmakers that are not immediately obvious, especially after wind or heavy rain.
If something looks questionable in daylight, it will not look safer in the dark.
Scrub, abrasion, and shelter longevity
Australian vegetation is hard on gear.
Avoid “bush-bashing” a campsite into existence. If a space requires you to push back, crush, or trample native shrubs to fit your tent, it is not a suitable campsite. Forcing shelters into tight scrub damages vegetation and increases the risk of torn fabrics, broken poles, and compromised insect protection. A slightly less convenient site that protects both your gear and the environment is the better choice.
Proximity to water and waterway protection
Being close to water reduces the effort of carrying supplies, but camping too close increases flood risk, insect pressure, and environmental damage. To preserve the quality and integrity of Australian waterways, always camp at least 60–100 metres, roughly 100 adult paces, away from lakes and streams. This protects fragile riparian vegetation, prevents siltation, and ensures wildlife can access water without being deterred by human presence.
Never wash yourself or your dishes directly in a water source. Carry water away from the bank and dispose of wastewater well away from streams to maintain water quality.
Campfires and spark risk
Where campfires are permitted, campsite choice should account for spark exposure. Dry leaf litter, strong winds, and overhanging branches increase the risk of embers damaging shelters and clothing. Nylon and polyester fabrics melt instantly when exposed to sparks.
Keep shelters and gear well clear of fires, consider prevailing wind direction overnight, and be aware that many areas prohibit fires for good reason. Always check current regulations and conditions.
Camp layout and human impact
Campsite layout matters, particularly for groups.
Allow adequate separation between sleeping and cooking areas, manage foot traffic to avoid trampling vegetation, and concentrate use in already impacted areas where permitted. Where no toilet facilities exist, carry a trowel and dispose of human waste responsibly in cat holes dug into topsoil, well away (at least 100m) from water, camps, and tracks, in line with land management guidance. Pack out all feminine hygiene products and wet wipes, as these do not break down in the Australian bush.
When options are limited
There will be situations where ideal campsites are unavailable due to weather, timing, injury, or terrain. In these cases, prioritise drainage and elevation over flatness, wind protection over views, and overhead safety over convenience. Accept that some nights will be uncomfortable, but focus on reducing exposure and preserving warmth and dryness.
The bottom line
In Australia, campsite selection is one of the most effective risk management tools available to hikers. Good campsite choice protects your shelter, your insulation, and your ability to stay warm and dry in conditions that are often wet, windy, and unforgiving. Wherever possible, use existing campsites and platforms. When you cannot, choose deliberately, with weather, terrain, and environmental impact in mind.
A well-chosen campsite rarely draws attention to itself. A poor one is remembered for all the wrong reasons.
What’s the most important factor you consider when choosing a campsite on your hikes?