How to score a last-minute summer campsite - even if your dream spot is full

If you think you've missed the boat on booking the perfect summer camping trip, think again.

From secret coastal spots to dog-friendly beachside villas, there's still time to nab a warm-weather escape - if you're ready to get a little creative.

Summer is one of the busiest times of the year for holiday parks along the coast. But there are some spots available for sun and surf - if you're quick.

Reflections Evans Head, in the beautiful Northern Rivers region of NSW, has unpowered campsites within cooee of the beach for $91 per night for mid-December stays.

In February, an unpowered campsite for up to six people at Reflections Moonee Beach costs $54 per night, or $66 for a powered site.

Nick Baker, CEO of Reflections Holidays, says if your heart is set on a beach stay but it's booked out, call up the park directly and put your name on the waiting list, as last-minute cancellations do happen.

Alternatively, try a country park: they have better camping availability all summer and offer a unique opportunity to explore regional NSW.

"If you are prepared to travel a little further, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking landscapes, lakes, wildlife and star gazing opportunities away from light pollution," Baker says.

If you're keen to head north, BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Cairns Coconut has family cabins from $135 per night, and camping sites from $43.

In Victoria, solo or duo travellers can head to BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Phillip Island, with cabins available from $76 a night, and camping sites from $31 a night. It's also pet-friendly, so you can bring your four-legged companion.

You might even be lucky enough to grab one of the last remaining spots over Christmas and New Year at Big4 Ingenia Holidays Conway Beach in the Whitsundays, with cabins going from $95 per night and sites from $43.

Matt Young, executive general manager of tourism at Ingenia Holiday Parks, says exploring somewhere new such as a lakefront park can offer a change of pace.

"Both lakeside and inland holidays offer so many activities - depending on the destination, this could mean kayaking, exploring local walking trails or visiting nearby towns and markets - personally I would be using the opportunity to go fishing in the lake," Young says.

If you're looking for somewhere down south, Scamander Sanctuary Glamping Tents and Caravan Park on Tasmania's East Coast offers powered sites in late January with prices starting from around $48 per night, while glamping tents for two people in late February start from around $310 a night.

If you don't have your own camper or tent, don't worry: you can book one. Camplify still has hundreds of caravans available to hire across the country this summer, starting from around $50 to $80 per day for a basic model.

And once you lock in your wheels, don't be afraid to ask the owner for their favourite campsites and hidden gems.

If you need help finding somewhere, you can send your dates and rough plans to RatPack Travel.

Founder Sammy Finley says: "Every summer we help families who thought they'd left it too late. Our advice is simple: sort the van first, choose a region rather than one campsite, and be open on where you pick up and drop off."

Avis Hung, regional marketing manager of Jackery Australia, says the key to finding a spot over summer is looking for "undiscovered gems". She recommends Mungo Brush and Myall Lakes National Park on the NSW Mid North Coast and Woody Head and Iluka south of Yamba.

Prices and availability correct at time of publication.