Campfire tips for camping in Australia: how to build, cook, and stay legal

There's nothing quite like sitting around a campfire after a long day outdoors. The crackle, the warmth, the smoke that follows you no matter where you sit. But good campfire tips for camping in Australia go beyond "light a match." Get the rules wrong and you can face serious penalties — or worse, start a bushfire.

This guide covers the practical side: how to build a good campfire, cook over coals, and handle wet weather, plus the Australian-specific rules that every camper needs to know. Whether you're a first-timer nervously lighting your first match or a seasoned bush camper, there's something here for you.

Check fire bans before you do anything else#

This is the single most important campfire tip in Australia: check if fires are even allowed before you leave home, then check again on the day.

Every state and territory uses the Australian Fire Danger Rating System, but fire-ban rules are made and enforced by the relevant jurisdiction. On Total Fire Ban days, open campfires and solid-fuel cooking fires are prohibited. Rules for gas and electric appliances differ by state and can include requirements about supervision, cleared areas, water supply and approved locations. Parks and forests can also impose stricter local fire prohibitions even when a broader fire ban is not in force.

How to check by state:

• NSW: NSW RFS fire danger ratings and Total Fire Bans and the relevant NSW National Parks campground page
• VIC: CFA fire restrictions and the relevant Parks Victoria page
• QLD: Queensland fire bans and Queensland Parks campfire guidance
• WA: DFES Total Fire Bans
• SA: CFS restrictions
• TAS: Tasmania Fire Service
• NT: Bushfires NT
• ACT: ACT ESA fire bans

Pro tip: A rule that was valid when you booked can change before you arrive. Check the live fire authority page and the campground's own alerts or conditions on the morning of your trip.

Campfire rules by state: the quick version#

Rules vary between states, between national parks and state forests, and sometimes between individual campgrounds. These are broad planning rules only — always check the exact place you're visiting.

NSW: NSW National Parks says to light fires only in designated fireplaces and notes that campfires may not be permitted in all parks. During a Total Fire Ban, solid-fuel outdoor fires are prohibited. Current NSW RFS quick-facts guidance says your own portable gas or electric BBQ is also banned in NSW State Forests, National Parks and Regional Parks on a Total Fire Ban day; in some cases an authority-provided gas or electric BBQ may still be usable under the applicable conditions. Rules outside those public lands differ, so check the exact location rather than applying the general residential/picnic-area rule to a campground.

VIC: Campfires are illegal on Total Fire Ban days. CFA allows some gas or electric cooking appliances during a Total Fire Ban if its detailed conditions are satisfied, including clearance, water and adult supervision. Some Parks Victoria campgrounds prohibit campfires year-round regardless of the broader fire danger setting.

QLD: Queensland Parks permits campfires in many camping areas when an existing fireplace, fire ring or fire location is used and no fire ban or QPWS fire prohibition is in force. During a fire ban, wood fires and ash-producing fuels are prohibited, while gas and electric cooking appliances can still be used if the published conditions are met. QPWS can impose separate park-specific fire prohibitions.

WA: During a Total Fire Ban, open-air campfires and solid- or liquid-fuel outdoor cookers are prohibited. DFES allows some gas and electric barbecues in authorised settings when its conditions are met. Outside a Total Fire Ban, seasonal and local restrictions still apply.

SA, TAS, NT and ACT: Each jurisdiction has its own fire-ban periods and appliance rules. Check the fire authority and land manager for the location you are visiting.

Do not assume a fire ring means a fire is currently allowed. A permanent fireplace may still be unusable during a Total Fire Ban, park fire prohibition or seasonal restriction.

How to build a campfire that actually works#

Only use the following techniques where the land manager and current fire restrictions expressly allow a campfire.

Gather your materials first#

You need three types of fuel:

• Tinder: dry, easy-lighting material that is legal to bring or use at the site
• Kindling: small dry pieces that catch from the tinder
• Fuel wood: larger, dry pieces that keep the fire burning

Where collection is prohibited, bring clean firewood and kindling from outside the protected area. Do not strip bark, cut branches or remove fallen timber unless the land manager specifically allows it.

The tepee method#

The most reliable structure for getting a campfire started:

1. Place a loose ball of tinder in the centre of the approved fireplace or ring
2. Lean kindling sticks against each other around the tinder in a cone shape, leaving gaps for airflow
3. Light the tinder from the upwind side
4. As the kindling catches, gradually add larger pieces
5. Once you have a stable flame, add fuel wood gradually

Airflow is everything. The most common mistake is packing the fire too tightly. Leave gaps between pieces and resist the urge to smother a young fire with large logs.

Choosing the right firewood#

Use dry, seasoned firewood that the land manager allows. Avoid green wood: it burns poorly and creates heavy smoke. Where a campground asks visitors to bring their own firewood, use clean firewood rather than timber collected elsewhere in a way that could spread pests, pathogens or weeds.

Can you collect firewood?#

There is no safe Australia-wide rule that says fallen timber can be collected from state forests or parks.

• NSW National Parks: fallen timber is generally protected as habitat and should not be collected unless the specific site says otherwise.
• Queensland Parks: timber and branches within parks and forests are protected; visitors are told to bring clean firewood and kindling from outside the area where campfires are permitted.
• Victoria: collection rules differ between national parks, state parks and state forests and can be regulated by designated firewood collection areas or site-specific conditions.
• Other states and territories have their own rules.

The practical rule is simple: do not collect firewood unless the authority responsible for that exact location says you can.

Campfire cooking basics#

Coals, not flames#

For cooking, build the fire early enough to create a stable bed of coals. Coals give steadier heat than flames and are easier to manage.

If you need more heat, bring the coals together. For less heat, spread them out.

Camp oven tips#

The camp oven is an Australian bush cooking icon. A few practical tips:

Start conservatively with heat. Camp ovens retain heat well, so it is easier to add more coals than recover food that has burned.

Rotate regularly: Turn the oven and lid occasionally to reduce hot spots.

Keep the lid clean: Rest it on a clean stand or two pieces of brought firewood rather than directly on the ground.

Use suitable heat-resistant gloves: Cast iron and campfire tools stay hot long after they leave the fire.

Quick campfire cooking wins#

• Foil packets: Wrap vegetables, sausages or fish in heavy-duty foil with butter and herbs and cook on the coals.
• Damper: Mix your preferred damper dough and cook it in a camp oven or another approved method.
• Toasted sandwiches: A jaffle iron over coals is simple and reliable.

Starting a fire in wet weather#

Rain does not override fire restrictions or collection rules. If fires are permitted and you expect wet weather, preparation matters.

Before the rain:

• Bring enough dry, legally sourced firewood and kindling
• Store it under cover and off wet ground
• Keep tinder and fire starters in a waterproof container

Do not cut standing dead branches, strip bark or remove habitat timber merely because other wood is wet. If the site prohibits collection, use only wood you brought with you.

Building the fire:

1. Use the provided fireplace or approved fire ring
2. Keep your tinder and kindling as dry as possible
3. Use a suitable fire lighter or weatherproof matches
4. Protect the young flame from wind without creating an unsafe enclosure
5. Add fuel gradually rather than smothering the flame

Campfire safety essentials#

Kids around campfires#

• Create a clear no-running zone around the fireplace
• Keep children supervised at all times
• Keep suitable water immediately available
• Wear enclosed footwear around hot coals and ash
• Never let children reach across the fire

Extinguishing properly#

A campfire is not out until the coals and ash are cold.

1. Drown the fire with water
2. Stir the ash and coals to expose hidden hot material
3. Add more water
4. Repeat until everything is cold to the touch

Never leave a campfire unattended. Extinguish it completely before sleeping or leaving the site.

What to do when fires aren't allowed#

A fire ban or fire-free campground does not automatically mean every cooking appliance is banned, but you must check the exact rule before using one.

• Gas or electric cooking appliances: Rules vary sharply by jurisdiction and land type. On a NSW Total Fire Ban day, current RFS guidance bans your own portable gas/electric BBQ in State Forests, National Parks and Regional Parks, while some authority-provided appliances may still be usable under current conditions. Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia permit some gas or electric appliances when their published requirements are met. Always check the fire authority and land manager for the exact campground.
• Battery or electric appliances that do not create an outdoor cooking fire: These avoid combustion, but campground rules, power availability and equipment restrictions can still apply.
• No-cook meals: Keep a backup option such as wraps, sandwiches, salads or other food that does not require heat.

For more tips on meal planning without a fire, check our guide to easy camping meals for families.

The campfire is the best part of camping. Respect it.#

A good campfire can be one of the best parts of a camping trip. But Australian fire rules are highly location- and condition-specific. Check the live rules, use only approved fireplaces, source firewood legally, supervise the fire continuously, and extinguish it completely when you're done.