'Incredible' free campsite right on Australia's best beach: 'Pristine and peaceful'

Australia has no shortage of postcard-worthy beaches, with locals and tourists alike flocking to take in the sparkling water and pristine sand many of them offer. We are a country used to receiving accolades for our coastal beauties - in fact, Lonely Planet crowned Queensland's Whitehaven Beach the best in the world for 2025, with Squeaky Beach in Victoria coming in second.

However, it was a Tassie beach that was recently crowned Australia’s best beach for 2025 by beach expert Brad Farmer, with Bay of Fires—a ten-kilometre stretch of coastline three hours from Launceston— taking the top spot. The stunning coastline offers turquoise waters ideal for fishing, surfing, or, if you’re brave, a chilly swim.

A favourite on social media, the jaw-dropping location, comprised of a cluster of beach bays, is regularly documented on TikTok and Instagram, with travellers sharing crystal clear waters and an unspoiled coastline of white sand.

Travelling family raves about Bay of Fires

One Aussie family, Darci, Brenden, their two children Harper and Frankie and their dog, who sold their home to travel around Australia, stayed at the Bay of Fires for two weeks last year, telling Yahoo Lifestyle that the location was "absolutely stunning.”

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“The contrast of the crystal-clear turquoise water, pure white sand, and the famous orange-hued rocks made it feel almost surreal. The beach itself was pristine and peaceful, with soft sand and those striking boulders scattered along the coastline,” Darci says.

While beating out Coffs Coast beach, Woolgoolga Beach in NSW, North Kirra Beach in Queensland, and the iconic Scarborough Beach in Western Australia seems like a big feat, the family who documents their travels on their Instagram account Rippin Around Oz, says that the Bay of Fires is definitely one of the best beaches they’ve visited.

“The combination of the vibrant colours, crystal-clear water, and secluded feel made it a standout. It’s one of those places that truly looks like a postcard. We loved how unspoiled and quiet it was,” says Darci.

What is there to do at the Bay of Fires?

While quiet, there were still plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, says Darci, including swimming in the clear waters and exploring the rock formations.

“The kids loved climbing on the boulders and playing in the sand, and we enjoyed watching some incredible sunsets from the front of our van,” she says.

“We also explored the surrounding region, including St Helens, which is nearby and a great little town to visit. Fishing was another highlight of our stay—we spent plenty of time casting lines from the beach, making the most of the incredible coastal location.”

Where to camp at Bay of Fires

Another feature of Australia’s best beach is that there are several free camping grounds in the area.

“We stayed at Swimcart Beach campground. It was an incredible spot—right on the beach with unbeatable views,” says Darci.

While there were downsides to the campsite, including no potable water filling or bins, there were many benefits, including it being dog-friendly, which Darci says made the site a “perfect base.”

“Camping right by the water meant we could step outside and be on the beach in seconds. The whole area had an untouched, raw beauty, and the clear night skies made for some amazing stargazing. It felt like a little slice of paradise,” she explains.

“It had a great mix of beachfront and sheltered spots, and the best part was being able to camp so close to the water,” she adds.

Where else can you camp for free at the Bay of Fires?

Other free campsites in the Bay of Fires region include Cosy Corner North, which is also situated beachside, among trees and sheltered from the ocean winds.

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Sloop Reef, which has access to a swimming hole and is ideal for snorkelling, Seaton Cove, also great for taking a chilly dip or snorkel and Policeman’s Point- a great location for surfing or fishing.

Like the popular Swimcart Beach, most have beach views and allow dogs (on leashes), however, most don’t have bins, power, or water access. If you ask me, though, this is a small price to pay to stay free at Australia’s best beach.

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