Best Camping and Caravanning Apps in Australia

Team ECC

22nd Oct 2024

Best Camping and Caravanning Apps in Australia

Planning your next big camping adventure with your mates? Make your next camping and caravanning trip hassle free by utilising some of the best caravan and camping apps. Whether you are exploring the coastline, finding hidden gems in the bush or trying to locate the perfect campsite for your own interests, these apps make life easier for anyone hitting the road. Read on and see how these apps can help you!

Best Camping and Caravanning Apps in Australia

1. Campsite Finder and Booking Apps

Finding the right place to set up camp can be tricky, especially if you want a spot that’s peaceful, scenic, and has the right facilities. These apps are perfect for finding and booking the best campsites around Australia:

WikiCamps Australia

  • Best Used For: Finding campsites, caravan parks, dump points, and visitor information centres. Offers user reviews, photos, and offline maps for remote camping.
  • Platform: iOs and android
  • Cost: Paid (one-time fee, usually around AUD 7.99).
  • Premium Features:

    • Offline map access, making it ideal for remote areas without cellular coverage.
    • Access to user-submitted reviews and photos.
    • Trip planning tools to save waypoints and plan routes.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.8/5 ⭐ (over 15,000 reviews).

  • Google Play Review Average: 4.7/5 ⭐ (over 35,000 reviews).

Hipcamp Australia

  • Best Used For: Booking unique and private campsites on private properties,offering a more secluded and personalised camping experience.
  • Platform: iOs and android
  • Cost: Free to download, with booking fees applied per site.
  • Premium Features:

    • Access to exclusive, privately-owned camping sites.
    • Booking management and payment through the app.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.5/5 ⭐ (over 1,000 reviews).

  • Google Play Review Average: 4.3/5 ⭐ (over 2,000 reviews).

Camps Australia Wide

  • Best Used For: Accessing a comprehensive directory of campsites, rest areas, and RV-friendly locations across Australia.
  • Platform: ioS and Android
  • Cost: Subscription-based (monthly or yearly subscription).
  • Premium Features:

    • Regular updates to campsite listings.
    • GPS coordinates for easy navigation.
    • Offline access to the database for use without the internet.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.6/5 ⭐ (over 3,000 reviews).

  • Google Play Review Average: 4.5/5 ⭐ (over 5,000 reviews).

2. Navigation and Route Planning Apps

Getting lost can be part of the adventure, but sometimes you just want to get to your destination without a hassle. These apps help you plan the best routes for your road trip:

Hema Maps

  • Best Used For: Off-road and remote area navigation with detailed topographic maps. Ideal for 4WD enthusiasts, remote campers, and adventurers exploring Australia’s outback.
  • Platform used: iOS and android
  • Cost: Paid (one-time fee around AUD 30-50).
  • Premium Features:

    • Detailed topographic maps for off-road routes.
    • Access to remote tracks and trails, GPS navigation.
    • Community track logs and trip recording.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.2/5 ⭐ (over 500 reviews).

  • Google Play Review Average: 4.0/5 ⭐ (over 1,000 reviews).

TomTom GO Navigation

  • Best Used For: Turn-by-turn navigation with a focus on accurate offline maps, speed camera alerts, and detailed route planning. Suitable for those who travel frequently outside of network coverage areas.
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Cost: Free with limited features; Subscription for full access (monthly/yearly).
  • Premium Features:

    • Offline maps for navigation without data.
    • Real-time traffic updates and speed camera warnings.
    • Route planning with customization options.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.5/5 ⭐ (over 30,000 reviews).

  • Google Play Review Average: 4.2/5 ⭐ (over 100,000 reviews).

Waze

  • Best Used For: Real-time traffic and road condition updates, crowdsourced alerts for accidents, speed traps, and hazards, making it ideal for commuters and those seeking time-efficient routes.
  • Platform: iOS, Android
  • Cost: Free
  • Premium Features:

    • Community-based updates on traffic, police presence, and accidents.
    • Alternate route suggestions to avoid traffic jams.
    • Integration with music streaming apps.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.8/5 ⭐ (over 2 million reviews).

  • Google Play Review Average: 4.4/5 ⭐ (over 8 million reviews).

CamperMate

  • Best Used For: Finding remote campsites, public toilets, and natural attractions. It includes a large database of both paid and free camping areas, making it versatile for different types of camping.
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Web
  • Cost: Free (with optional in-app purchases).
  • Premium Features:

    • In-app purchases for additional content like detailed offline maps.
    • Discounted travel deals and vouchers for attractions.
    • Detailed user reviews and photos of camping spots.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.5/5 ⭐ (over 10,000 reviews).

  • Google Play Review Average: 4.6/5 ⭐ (over 30,000 reviews).

3. Off-Grid and Boondocking Apps

If you love camping away from crowds and want to disconnect from the busy world, these apps will help you find the perfect off-grid spots:

WikiCamps Australia

  • Best Used For: Finding off-grid campsites, free camping spots, dump points, and remote campgrounds. It’s ideal for travellers who need offline maps and detailed user reviews.
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Web
  • Cost: Paid (one-time fee, around AUD 7.99).
  • Premium Features:

    • Offline maps for remote areas with no mobile coverage.
    • Trip planner to map routes and save waypoints.
    • User-generated reviews, photos, and campsite information.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.8/5 ⭐ (over 15,000 reviews)

  • Google Play Review Average: 4.7/5 ⭐ (over 35,000 reviews)

AllTrails

  • Best Used For: Exploring hiking trails and finding remote, off-grid camping spots. It’s great for finding walking tracks, remote camping near trails, and user-submitted trail reviews.
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Web
  • Cost: Free with limited features; Subscription for Pro version.
  • Premium Features:

    • Download offline maps and trails.
    • Access real-time weather conditions and trail details.
    • Ability to create custom routes and download GPX files.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.9/5 ⭐ (over 100,000 reviews).

  • Google Play Review Average : 4.6/5 ⭐ (over 150,000 reviews)

4. RV and Caravan Booking and Rental Apps

Don’t own a caravan or RV? No worries! These apps make it easy to rent one for your next adventure:

Camplify

  • Best Used For: Renting caravans, motorhomes, campervans, and RVs from owners across Australia. It’s a peer-to-peer platform where you can either list your own RV or rent one for your trips.
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Web
  • Cost: Free to download, with booking fees and rental costs applied.
  • Premium Features:

    • Comprehensive insurance and roadside assistance options.
    • Secure payment handling and renter verification.
    • Owner profiles and user reviews for added trust.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.6/5 ⭐ (over 1,000 reviews).

  • Google Play Review Average: 4.5/5 ⭐ (over 2,000 reviews).

Anycamp

  • Best Used For: Finding and booking caravan parks, campgrounds, and holiday parks. The app includes user reviews and photos, making it easy to select the right spot.
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Web
  • Cost: Free (with optional in-app purchases).
  • Premium Features:

    • Ad-free browsing.
    • Enhanced search filters for amenities like pet-friendly sites or powered sites.
    • Ability to save favourite parks and sites for future reference.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.7/5 ⭐ (over 2,000 reviews).

  • Google Play Review Average: 4.4/5 ⭐ (over 3,000 reviews).

Wotif

  • Best Used For: Booking accommodations, including holiday parks and caravan parks, as well as hotels and motels across Australia. It’s a versatile option for travellers seeking more than just camping options.
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Web
  • Cost: Free to download, with booking fees applied by accommodations.
  • Premium Features:

    • Access to mobile-only discounts.
    • Bundled deals for accommodation and flights.
    • Secure payment management and easy booking changes.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.7/5 ⭐ (over 150,000 reviews).

  • Google Play Review Average: 4.5/5 ⭐ (over 100,000 reviews).

Riparide

  • Best Used For: Booking unique outdoor stays like cabins, glamping, and caravan sites, with a focus on experiences and story-driven stays.
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Web
  • Cost: Free to download, with booking fees applied per stay.
  • Premium Features:

    • Curated experiences with detailed stories for each stay.
    • User-submitted photos and host messaging for special requests.
    • Secure booking management and detailed stay descriptions.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.7/5 ⭐ (over 500 reviews).

  • Google Play Review Average: 4.5/5 ⭐ (over 1,000 reviews).

5. Hiking and Trail Apps

If you love to explore Australia’s incredible hiking trails, these apps are great for planning your next walk or hike:

AllTrails

  • Best Used For: Finding hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and running paths. It’s popular for discovering new trails with user-generated reviews, photos, and GPS maps.
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Web
  • Cost: Free (with limited features); Subscription for Pro version.
  • Premium Features:

    • Download offline maps for trail access without cell service.
    • Custom map creation and route planning.
    • Real-time overlays for weather and air quality.
    • Access to more detailed trail maps like topographic and satellite views.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.9/5 ⭐ (over 100,000 reviews).

  • Google Play Review Average: 4.6/5 ⭐ (over 150,000 reviews).

Gaia GPS

  • Best Used For: Backcountry navigation with detailed topographic maps, perfect for hikers, backpackers, and campers seeking remote trails. It’s popular among those who need precise GPS data.
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Web
  • Cost: Free with limited features; Subscription for premium access.
  • Premium Features:

    • Offline maps for areas with no mobile coverage.
    • Access to specialty map layers like weather, topographic, and public land overlays.
    • Download GPX tracks and record your own routes.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.8/5 ⭐ (over 10,000 reviews).

  • Google Play Review Average: 4.4/5 ⭐ (over 15,000 reviews).

Komoot

  • Best Used For: Planning and navigating outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, and mountain biking. It’s popular for creating custom routes and sharing them with the community.
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Web
  • Cost: Free (with limited map access); Pay-per-region maps or subscription for full access.
  • Premium Features:

    • Offline maps for specific regions.
    • Turn-by-turn voice navigation.
    • Multi-day tour planning with waypoints.
    • Access to global map regions with a subscription.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.7/5 ⭐ (over 50,000 reviews).

  • Google Play Review Average: 4.5/5 ⭐ (over 200,000 reviews).

Strava

  • Best Used For: Tracking running, cycling, and hiking activities with GPS. It’s popular for its social features, allowing users to share routes, join challenges, and compare performance with others.
  • Platform: iOS, Android, Web
  • Cost: Free (with limited features); Subscription for Strava Premium.
  • Premium Features:

    • Detailed performance analysis and heatmaps.
    • Access to advanced route planning tools.
    • Custom training plans and goal tracking.
    • Segment leaderboards to compete with other users.
  • Apple Store Review Average: 4.8/5 ⭐ (over 250,000 reviews)

  • Google Play Review Average: 4.5/5 ⭐ (over 1 million reviews).

Why Use Camping and Caravanning Apps?

These camping and caravanning apps are like having a travel guide, campsite manager, and local expert right in your pocket. Here’s how they can make your trips better:

  • Convenience: Booking a campsite or renting a caravan is easy with just a few taps on your phone.
  • Save Time and Money: With apps like WikiCamps you can find free campsites and save money while exploring. Plus, with rental apps, you can try out different RVs without the commitment of buying one.
  • Explore More: These apps help you find hidden spots and local favourites that you might miss otherwise. You can read reviews from other campers, see photos, and even discover cool attractions nearby.
  • Stay Safe: Apps like Hema Maps are great for planning safe routes, especially if you’re heading into remote areas. Plus, with campsite reviews and real-time info, you’ll know what to expect when you arrive.

Conclusion

Whether you’re a seasoned camper or new to the caravanning lifestyle, these apps can help you make the most of Australia’s beautiful outdoors. From finding the perfect campsite to planning an epic road trip, these tools are designed to help you focus on what’s most important—enjoying the journey. So download a few, pack your bags, and hit the road for your next adventure in the Land Down Under. Don’t forget to visit Everything Caravan and Camping Marketplace for all your camping needs! Happy camping, mates!