Paddock camping on your land
Turn a spare paddock or bush block into a simple campsite for tents, camper trailers and caravans.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A basic campsite on land you own or lease, such as a farm paddock, bush block or river flat. Facilities are simple: marked sites, a toilet, drinking water and a fire or rubbish arrangement that suits your local rules.
Your first three steps
- Call your local council to ask what approval a small campsite or farm camping needs on your land
- Walk the land and plan a few sites, with access, a toilet, water supply and a safe fire and waste plan
- Set a nightly price by checking nearby campsites, then list on a camping booking site and local tourism pages
Who pays
Holiday campers, grey nomads, families on road trips and weekend travellers looking for a quieter alternative to a big caravan park.
How it makes money
Nightly fee per site or per person, with weekly rates for longer stays. Extras like firewood, eggs or farm produce can add a little more.
Skills that help
- Friendly, welcoming host
- Basic property maintenance
- Simple online listing and booking admin
Watch out for
- Council planning approval and any camping or caravan park rules, which differ by state and council
- Public liability insurance, and check your land and farm insurance covers paying guests
- Bushfire, flood and fire-ban rules, and having a clear emergency plan
- Toilet, wastewater and drinking water requirements, check with council or your state health authority
- Register for an ABN, and check when GST applies to you
🔒 Full research report for Australia
Real cost breakdown with current prices, licences and registration checklist, local competition, pricing, break-even and a 30-day launch plan, with sources.
Coming soonQuestions people ask
How much does it cost to set up paddock camping in Australia?
Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your land, the facilities you provide such as toilets and water, and how you handle bookings. These are estimates, so get local quotes before you start.
How much can paddock camping earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $3,500, depending on how many sites you offer, your prices and how busy the season is. You might need at least around 5 hours a week. These figures are estimates only.
What rules apply to running a campsite on my land?
Check council planning approval and camping or caravan park rules in your area. Also check public liability cover, whether your farm insurance covers paying guests, bushfire, flood and fire-ban rules, toilet and water requirements, and ABN and GST.
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