The World's Best Camping Destination Has Officially Been Revealed

Some of the best memories are made from childhood camping adventures (even those involving frequent tent mishaps and terrible weather). Although tinged with nostalgia, there's no disputing the fond image many of us hold of unzipping the tent after a night spent in the great outdoors and waking up to the soothing sights and sounds of mother nature. Location of course plays a large part in that magic feeling, and there's no doubt some destinations, and even some countries, offer more than others. That's exactly what safari operator Asilia Africa concluded when they revealed the world's best destination for camping in 2023.

Based on its Alternative Camping Index, which focuses on the more adventurous side of camping, it revealed that Australia is officially the world's best camping spot. The index uses a points system based on eight factors, including wildlife and plant species diversity, light pollution levels, annual rainfall, number of national parks, urbanization rates, availability of outdoor activities, and population density. With a score of 82.5 out of 100, Oz nabbed the first spot, not entirely surprising given the number of its bucket list destinations worth seeking out. The U.S. took second place and Tanzania came third. 

According to the camping index, Down Under came out on top thanks to its 685 national parks, huge variety of wildlife, and low population density. Indeed, if remote is what you're after, Australia delivers, with miles of untouched bushland, red dirt tracks, and vast desert landscapes. As interest in camping continues to grow, more people are starting to recognize the benefits of simply being outdoors, whether for physical health, mental wellbeing, or social connection. It also helps that Australia is considered one of the safest countries for travelers, making it ideal for first-time campers or those going solo.

Looking more closely at the eight different criteria, the sheer diversity of Australia's wildlife is hard to beat. Nowhere else are you likely to get rudely awoken by a greedy wombat trying to break into your food stash, or the slightly unhinged laugh of a noisy kookaburra in a nearby tree. The remoteness of many campsites means you won't be fighting for space in the outback, and with such a low population density, there's less light pollution. This means some seriously impressive night skies provide the ideal conditions for a spot of stargazing while snuggled up warm in your sleeping bag.

As Asilia Africa points out, the national parks are a major attraction for campers. From the spiritually uplifting red desert of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Northern Territory to the ancient rainforests of Daintree National Park to one of the world's most beautiful coral reefs at Whitsunday Islands National Park, Australia has an impressive range of landscapes and experiences to choose from. 

Whether you're backpacking on a budget, touring Australia in a campervan, or looking for the latest luxury glamping spot, there's no question you'll find what you're looking for in one of Australia's national park campsites. For one of Australia's best glamping experiences, and the chance to cross Uluru off your bucket list, book a stay at Longitude 131°, a mere four-and-a-half-hour drive from Alice Springs, or a short drive from the nearby Ayers Rock Airport in Yulara. Watch the sun set over the sacred sandstone monolith from your own private deck in one of the world's most iconic settings.

For a well-equipped campground with RV hookups as well as some awesome wildlife watching and epic hiking, Tidal River Campground at the gateway to Wilsons Promontory National Park ticks all the right boxes. Around a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Melbourne, it sits at the southernmost point of the mainland, where you stand a great chance of seeing koalas, kangaroos, and wombats, as well as blue whales and bottlenose dolphins along the coastline. If adventure is high on your list, head to the sandstone gorges and seasonal waterfalls at Nitmiluk National Park Campsite, around a three-hour drive from Darwin. Get ready for some challenging hikes and multi-day canoe trips before getting completely off-grid at one of the park's remote campsites. 

Speaking of remote, that's exactly what you'll get at Sunburnt Beach Campground in Meroo National Park, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney. If you can put up with the inconvenience of having no flush toilets, no drinking water, and no phone reception, then one of the ten isolated campsites is for you. You'll be rewarded with ocean views, empty beaches, or perhaps a visit from a passing wallaby.