Australia's best and most desired campsites this Christmas season

Pitch a tent, start a fire and whip out the camping chairs to wonder at the country's natural beauty.

"When you're camping in a national park or state forest it's one of those wonderful experiences for families to get out in nature, relax and unwind," Queensland Parks and Wildlife's Donna McArthur said.

"We've got something for everyone," she said.

From Jervis Bay to Cradle Mountain, these are some of Australia's best campsites for the school holidays.

Capricornia Cays National Park is one of Queensland's most hard-to-reach treasures.

Visitors hire boats to reach either North West Island or Masthead Island where they find "stunning white beaches and coral reefs". Tourists to the national park are asked to be entirely self-sufficient.

A large population of endangered loggerhead sea turtles call the national park home.

Bookings for these spots are snapped up within minutes, Ms McArthur said.

Camping on North West island is available from Easter to Australia Day and Masthead Island can be booked from Easter to October 14.

Campsites in Queensland cost $7.25 per person per night and $29 for a family of up to eight people.

Boodjamulla is the jewel in the crown of Queensland's campsites. Camping spots sit around a large gorge in North West Queensland near the Northern Territory border.

"It's beautiful crystal blue waters in the middle of what seems to be endless desert," Ms McArthur said.

Ms McArthur recommends packing a kayak on the roof racks, gliding along the gorge is an experience not to be missed.

Boodjamulla was significantly impacted by flooding in early 2023 and remains closed until December 31 while infrastructure is rebuilt.

Campsites in Queensland cost $7.25 per person per night and $29 for a family of up to eight people.

Cygnet Bay, on the tip of far north Western Australia's Dampier Peninsula, is home to some of the world's most coveted pearls.

Visitors use the farm as a touring hub to reach the Horizontal Falls and a nearby coral reef waterfall. Tours of the farm, its history and operations are also available.

The owners swung their farm gate open to welcome passing tourists in 2009. Those seeking luxury have the option to rent a glamping tent or pitch their own on a ridge overlooking the bay. Campsites are $50 to $58.

The NSW retreat is almost inner-city. Wareamah, or Cockatoo Island, is in Sydney Harbour and a short ferry ride from the CBD.

The island boasts the UNESCO World Heritage listed Convict Site, historic buildings, a licensed café and a waterfront campground.

The campground is a favourite for Sydney-siders ringing in the New Year who pay hundreds of dollars for their spot.

Visitors to Jervis Bay, south of Nowra in NSW, could catch one of the most spectacular sights Australia has to offer - the glimmering waves of bioluminescence.

Find a peaceful spot on Jervis Bay at the dead of night between May and August to have the best chance to seeing the underwater light show.

Camping spots at Booderee National Park start from $28.

Lake Saint Clair National Park in the heart of Tasmania is a hiker's dream with moody and ethereal tracks weaving around Cradle Mountain.

The lake is the end point of the six-day Overland Track walk from Waldheim in Cradle Valley.

Camping spots around the lake start from $40 per night with basic amenities including kitchen, bathrooms and laundry.

Tasmanian national parks require passes.

Blanket Bay, a tiny Victorian beach, is protected by the high hills of Cape Otway and an intertidal reef.

The peaceful forested area is popular during summer months as a fishing, surfing and trekking hub.

Visitors to the bay are advised to bring a snorkel to marvel at the unique underwater life found in intertidal rockpools.

Those struggling to secure a summer booking could consider visiting during springtime when wildflowers cover the seaside mountains.

Campsites start from $15.60 per night.

Gunbower Island National Park is in North-Central Victoria between the banks of the Murray River and Gunbower Creek.

The wetland is an internationally recognised haven for flora and fauna including birds, native mammals and amphibians - so bring the binoculars.

The fishing and canoeing hotspot is plagued by regular flooding in late winter and spring and is temporarily closed until water levels drop.

Wilpena Pound is a natural amphitheatre of mountains in the Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park around five hours by car north of Adelaide.

Hiking is a must-do around the ranges and shorter walking paths are cut off the main roads. The Adnyamathanha people of the Flinders Ranges have asked that visitors not climb to the sacred site at St Mary's Peak.

Camping at Wilpena Pound starts at $28