Hi every one Cheza and myself are planning a trip up to central australia for about 3 wks, where to stay on the trip up and where to visit in central aust(we hav a little pop top ) but we do hav a 4wd with a 2man tent in the back if needed heading off in july do i need to book caravan parks we are new to this any help would be appreciated

Have a look at Wikicamps.

There is a publication Called "Camps" currently selling 10th edition, note they also sell other camping and holiday reference books I consider Camps 10 an essential to planning an outback adventure. www.campsaustraliawide.com/
WikiCamps is an "App" that costs $10 for lifetime membership (trial for Free), which shows all free camping areas and caravan parks - utilise the GPS within the app to find closest camp. www.wikicamps.com.au/

If you are wanting to be in the Uluru or Kings Canyon areas during the Victorian & Queensland (1 to 14 July) or NSW & SA (7 to 22 July) school holidays then you will need to book. Last year in these holidays the campground at Yulara was turning people away as even their unpowered overflow area was full. If at all possible I would suggest you go before or after the school holidays, if you can't do that then book for Yulara (Uluru) and Kings Canyon and expect crowds elsewhere.

Have a look here for some ideads : traveloutbackaustralia.com/driving-from-adelaide-to-alice-springs.html/

thnx people for your help much apprecited

Head out to Palm Valley also do the Western MacDonald ranges.Take in all the gorges.Opposite Glen Hellen there is a beautifull lagoon called "2 mile" really a lovely place to camp & explore (Finke river )

wow youve all been so helpfull
is it safe to frre camp in nt some poeple say no!!

You will be surprised at so many free parks there are in the Territory, we hit Uluru smack bang in School holidays, no sites in c/park, fully booked, so as we nomads generally do, gravel pit, excellent, no dramas, by sun down we had 5 more park up with us. Seriously, the further away from the towns the better, safe as, enjoy your trip, we did

Look at the "Henbry" crater south of Alice Spings & also "Rainbow Valley" a little bit rough getting in but a magic spot & free camping. Meteor crater is on the left heading to A/Spings and Rainbow Valley is a bit further on.Turn off to the right ..about 22 kls in

does gday caravan park have a fence?

thnx peterd
a gr8 response to my question
i think it will be g'day mate park i'l
be booking

In 2017 we traveled up from Port Augusta as part of our holidays. We never booked ahead as we never really knew were we were going to be on any given day. We did do a fair bit of free/low cost camping. We used Camps 8 to look up these. The latest addition comes out in February. Give yourself some time to have a look around Coober Pedy and we did stay at the Oasis caravan park there and booked onto their tours out to the Breakaways at sunset and half day town tour. We also did a day tour out to the Painted Desert which we booked at the information centre. Being in a motor home it was not possible to take our own vehicle. There is a camp ground at a homestead on the way out that way. We free camped about 30 k out from Uluru (Sandy Way Rest Area) and as it was dark when we got there stayed near the road and we were joined by a few others after us. More were parked over the dunes. We did camp at the CP at Uluru ($50) as we wanted to see the Fields of Light display. Were advised to get to CP around 10am to book site there. From there we headed to King's Canyon and free camped at Salt Creek Rest Area, a big area part way down that road. There was only non powered sites when we arrived at the Kings Canyon CP around 4pm the next day. At Alice Springs we mostly stayed at the show grounds as we hit there when the big desert rally was on and the CPs were full. If you stay at the showgrounds go further around the ring as that amenities block is much better than the one closer to the gate. Again we got there after 4pm. When we rang to enquire was told to go right in, pick a spot (we powered here) and pay the next day as no one was in the office at that time. We also camped at the Herrmannsburg Historical Area $10. There is a shower and toilet at the cafe but if you want a hot shower go by 3pm. If you have time do the drive to Herrmannsburg and around to Taylor's lookout, the gorges and from when we were there in 2017 it was all bitumen or vise versa. Plenty of places to stay both at National Parks campgrounds or free camps. Camped at Howard's lookout outside of Alice Springs. No facilities but a great view. At no time did we ever feel unsafe no matter where we stayed. Usually there were already campers around before we got there or we were joined by others. Some things will probably be changed by now but we had a great time and enjoy yourselves too. Cheers.

thnx for the info gayle