Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable rise in the popularity of camping. The main reason behind this is presumably the increase in the number of "cool" ways to camp. Take, for example, the yurt based campsites that are springing up across the world. Or, if you fancy getting in touch with your inner child, there are the tree-house campsites that allow you to stay up in the trees of the forest. Camping, it seems, needn't mean sitting in the middle of a field, in the rain, getting very muddy and feeling a bit bored. So if you're planning a holiday this year, why not venture into the world of camping? In fact, there's no better way to experience camping for the first time than in an exciting landscape that isn't your own. For one of nature's most exciting landscapes, head across the globe to Australia.

Australia is a country that is made up of great expanses of outdoorsy landscapes, making it a perfect camping destination. It is also a country of contrasts, in that the dry outback has a very different feel to greener areas by the coast. This contrast makes it great for campers, as each holidaymaker can choose what kind of climate and landscape they want to surround themselves with. Alternately, it means that campers can experience several very different holidays in one go, providing they are equipped to move from place to place.

If you fancy taking in a variety of different campsites and atmospheres across Oz, one of the best ways of doing so is going via caravan. This gives you all the traditional aspects of camping, but with the freedom to move around. It's certainly worth being able to transport your gear to different regions in Australia, as there's so much to see. Take, for example Gemtree Caravan Park. Located in the semi-desert mulga country of the Eastern MacDonnell Ranges, Gemtree offers visitors a real Outback experience. It boasts secluded bush camping as well as powered and unpowered sites among the mulgas, and air-conditioned cabins for those in need of a bit of luxury. However, move from the Northern Territories to Victoria and you'll come across Cowes Caravan Park. It's right on the beach and a mere 10 minutes by car to Phillip Island's famous Penguin Parade. This makes a change from the Outback, with a beach that has warm shallow water and fine white sand, and the opportunity for lots of activities such as swimming, windsurfing and sailing.

On the whole, camping holidays are also pretty easy on the bank balance. Of course, you will have to pay for your flights to get you to Oz, but with companies like DialAFlight offering affordable Australia flights, this shouldn't be too costly. For a holiday with lots of family fun that won't break the bank, Australia's great outdoors is the place to be!