Searching for an exclusive fishing spot? A pristine waterway for a kayak trip? An uncrowded car-camping site within a couple of hours of a capital? The era of "private land camping platforms" has changed Aussie outdoor travel — sites like Hipcamp and YouCamp connect campers with landowners willing to share their property.

Here's the practical guide to using private-land camping platforms — what they offer, how they work, and why they're transforming Aussie outdoor adventure.

Photo by elaine alex on Unsplash

Across Australia are thousands of magnificent private properties with incredible natural attractions — rivers, forests, mountains, beaches, ranges — that traditionally were off-limits to the public.

Private-land camping platforms changed this — creating communities of landholders willing to share their property with travellers seeking a more authentic, uncrowded outdoor experience.

The win-win:

• Campers get access to a whole new frontier of campsites + outdoor adventures on private land
• Landowners earn extra income from environmental assets (forests, creeks, dams, mountains) without needing to develop them
• Both parties win — landowners earn passive income; campers enjoy real space + uncrowded sites

Photo: Jackie Alexander / Unsplash

• Hipcamp.com.au — the dominant platform now. International (US-founded, global) with strong Aussie presence. Filter for activities (fishing, kayaking, hiking, MTB, off-road, dog-friendly), facilities + price
• YouCamp.com — original Aussie-founded private-land platform (started by James + Prue Woodford). Smaller selection but more traditional bush + farm focus
• HipCamp + YouCamp differ slightly ��� Hipcamp tends toward more glamping-style + tour properties; YouCamp tends toward authentic bush + farm camping
• Search filters across both platforms cover 50+ activities + features

Through these platforms, you can search for private-property camping covering a vast range of activities:

• Rock climbing on private cliffs not in any National Park
• Wilderness hiking on private forest trails
• Fossicking on private gold-bearing land
• Mountain bike riding on purpose-built or natural trails
• Four-wheel driving on private off-road tracks
• Fishing in exclusive private waterways or dams
• Kayaking + canoeing on private river frontages
• Camping with the dog (many properties allow)
• Glamping experiences — yurts, safari tents, treehouses
• Just camping + relaxing beside a big farm shed

Photo: Phillip Flores / Unsplash

"Imagine driving through a farm gate, being greeted by friendly landowners + then directed to a 'secret', private spot that's exclusively yours during your stay" — Prue Woodford (YouCamp founder).

That's the experience. Skies full of stars (no city light pollution); great campfires (where permitted); plenty of space + freedom; usually no other campers on-site or just a few.

Compare to:

• Caravan parks: $50-80/night, packed in like sardines, swimming pool but no real wilderness
• National park camps: $10-25, often booked out, busy in school holidays
• Free camps: often near roads, basic, sometimes sketchy
• Private-land camps: $20-60, beautiful, uncrowded, friendly landowner contact

• Book ahead — most properties have limited capacity (1-5 sites). Popular ones fill fast on weekends
• Read the property page carefully — facilities vary widely. Some have hot showers + electricity; others are pure bush camping with a long-drop
• Communicate with the landowner — they're often happy to chat about the property, suggest activities, point out features
• Respect the property + landowners — you're a guest. Stick to designated areas, follow stated rules, don't drive on tracks unless explicitly permitted
• Check fire policies — many private properties allow campfires that NPs don't; others ban them entirely. Confirm beforehand
• Bring everything you'd bring to a free bush camp — water, food, toilet paper, gas stove. Don't assume amenities
• Leave the site cleaner than you found it — the landowner's continued participation depends on courteous guests
• Leave a review — helps the landowner attract more guests + helps other campers find quality sites

Before you jump straight to Hipcamp or YouCamp, check our own Campsite Explorer — Camping Australia's database of thousands of campsites across the country. Caravan parks, National Park camps, free roadside stops, station stays, beach camps, alpine camps. Filter by state, facilities (powered, toilets, showers, dump point, pet-friendly), or activity (fishing, hiking, 4WD).

The Campsite Explorer covers the broad universe of Aussie camping — public + commercial + station camps. The private-land platforms (Hipcamp, YouCamp) cover the EXCLUSIVE / NICHE end — properties not listed anywhere else.

Sample campsites from the Explorer:

Browse all campsites in the Explorer →

When to use which tool:

• Use the Campsite Explorer FIRST for: standard caravan parks, NP camps (most popular sites), free camps, well-known station stays. Broadest coverage, easiest comparisons
• Use Hipcamp / YouCamp NEXT if you want: exclusive private-land experience, specific activity access (private MTB trails, fishing dam, climbing crags), super-uncrowded sites, glamping / yurts / safari tents
• Use BOTH on big trips — mix established sites with private-land discoveries for variety

Most multi-week trips use the Explorer for 70-80% of nights (reliable, easy to plan), then sprinkle in 20-30% Hipcamp/YouCamp picks for the special locations.

• Hipcamp Australia: hipcamp.com/en-AU
• YouCamp (now part of Hipcamp): youcamp.com
• CampStay (alternative platform): campstay.com.au
• Host insurance + liability: Hipcamp provides $1M host coverage; check host policies
• Reviewer guidelines + etiquette: Always read recent reviews; leave one yourself
• Leave No Trace Australia: lnt.org.au

Private-land camping platforms are one of the best things to happen to Aussie camping in the last decade. Access to landscapes that no other campers visit, friendly landowner contact, generally beautiful uncrowded sites + reasonable pricing. Worth using at least once a trip.

Check Hipcamp + YouCamp before defaulting to a National Park or commercial caravan park. The "secret" private spot you find could become your new favourite.