One of Canberra's best-loved adventurers provides his top pick.
Adventurer Michael Atkinson cannot remember a time when he didn't love camping.
or signup to continue reading


Growing up in Canberra he spent most holidays camping at Mystery Bay on the South Coast.
"I loved it," he said. "It was the coolest thing ever."
Mr Atkinson said he and his mates were "always tinkering with things" when they camped.
"We would make explosives, gather gunpowder and make exploding arrows, that type of thing," he said.
"We were given the freedom to do whatever we wanted unsupervised. We were just learning things by experiment which happens less these days."

The adventurer now has hundreds of thousands of followers on social media on his handle @outback_mike where he showcases his love of the outdoors.
His popularity skyrocketed after he was cast on the SBS hit show Alone Australia.
Mr Atkinson advises people to consider the "practical stuff' when planning a camping trip.
These include insects, how much shade, and how the sun will travel.

How do you pick a camping spot?
According to Mr Atkinson, natural beauty, plays a huge role.
"It doesn't have to have water," he said. "You can have the most amazing desert scene."
He also admits to gravitating towards remoteness.
"No people" is his philosophy.
Comfort and camping may sound mutually exclusive. But it's important to find somewhere "comfortable" to camp, "preferably flat."
"There are some beautiful mountain tops, but they are difficult to camp on unless you are in a hammock," he said.
He nominates the Kimberley region in Western Australia, as his top pick.
"As far as spectacular it doesn't get more spectacular than the Kimberley," he said.
While most people access campsites along Gibb River Road, Mr Atkinson prefers to "get off the road".
"I prefer to boat camp," he said. "Going all around in a tinny you can find those really remote beautiful places."
Camplify chief marketing officer Alastair McCausland told ACM that beaches were a top drawcard.
"People like to flock to those great coastal locations," he said. "Campsites help you get closer than if you stayed at a hotel."
Mr McCausland recommends Wilsons Promontory in Victoria.

Squeaky Beach is iconic for its "squeaky white sand" and "turquoise water" earning it the title of one of the most photographed beaches.
The area has "powered and unpowered sites," he said. "It helps you disconnect and make the most of the beautiful coastline."
His other top pick is the Bay of Fires in Tasmania.
"It has amazing boulders, white sands, beautiful turquoise water and it is very remote and peaceful," he said.
"It also offers free camping."
Destination NSW recommended Cockatoo Island which it describes as "spooky, beautiful and riveting".
Also on the list is Warrumbungle National Park at various camping grounds and heritage huts. You could also visit Warrumbungle Observatory, 9km from Coonabarabran at the foothills of the Warrumbungles and Dubbo Observatory for night-viewing sessions.
Just two hours north of Sydney, the Barrington Coast region offers outdoor adventures aplenty with the Iron Pot Creek Campground in Toonumbar National Park.

Carla Mascarenhas is the NSW correspondent covering breaking news, state politics and investigations. She is based in Sydney. Contact her on carla.mascarenhas@austcommunitymedia.com.au




