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Subscribe Pitch Perfect: The Best Camping Spots in NSW
Ready your gear and spend a night or two at these best camping spots around NSW.
No matter the season, there are an abundance of incredible spots around New South Wales for an unforgettable escape into the great outdoors.
While camping doesn’t necessarily ooze the glam of a luxe five-star hotel stay, you may be surprised as just how stylish and serene pitching a tent can be. Whether you want to soak up the summer sun, enjoy crisp autumn air or warm up by a winter campfire, there are plenty of spots to pitch a tent and set up camp for a night (or two).
From coastal hideaways to bushland retreats, these camping spots in New South Wales combine jaw-dropping scenery with luxe touches, proving you don’t need a hotel to holiday in style.
Get ready for your next alfresco adventure with our picks of the best camping spots in New South Wales.
Jervis Bay
Just a 2.5-hour drive south of Sydney, Jervis Bay is a unique landscape bordered by coast and bushland. The renowned white sand beaches provide the perfect backdrop for an outdoor escape. In terms of camping, there are a plethora of powered sites and off-the-grid stays scattered along the coast and in-land.
A popular spot to pitch your tent is in the Booderee National Park at one of their sites: Green Patch and Bristol Point are perfect for a leafy outlook, and Cave Beach for a coastal aspect. Make sure to take time to explore Point Perpendicular Lighthouse, Booderee Botanic Gardens and famous Hyams Beach.
Bouddi National Park
A gorgeous gem near Gosford on the New South Wales Central Coast, Bouddi National Park is home to heaps of great walks, swimming spots and campsites that show off the diverse landscape of the area. Pitching a tent at Little Beach, Putty Beach or Tallow Beach campground will have you waking up the waves, and are the perfect spot to base yourself mid-hike or for a day of fishing and fishing.
Keep in mind these spots are only accessible by foot, so it’s a great excuse to back a bag and explore the sweeping views from lookouts as you head to your home for the night.
Diamond Head
One of the largest and most popular campgrounds in the Crowdy Bay National Park near Port Macquarie, Diamond Head delivers on location and quality facilities. The grounds are expansive with lots of grass, shade cover, barbecues, tables and well-maintained amenities, making an average camping trip a more comfortable one. In close proximity to the water, 4WDs can access the beach too, in case you want to bring your boat or jet ski along for the ride.
Make the most of your relaxing nature escape with a bushwalk from the campground to Indian Head. Along the way, take the opportunity to stop and admire the views from Kylie lookout. Keep your eye out along the way for furry friends, too, with kangaroos, koalas and cockatoos making up the local population.
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Hawkesbury River
On the outskirts of Sydney, the Hawkesbury region is picturesque, peaceful and the perfect escape from the city. The Hawkesbury River flows past lush wilderness, walking trails, quaint towns, bays and bobbing boats, and in between national parks. As one of the oldest colonial settlements, there are hints of history at every turn, and today, the area is also one of Sydney’s agricultural hotspots.
The Cattai Campground in the National Park is a no-frills space for an authentic camping trip complete with walking, canoeing and bike riding. If the open-wilderness frightens you then book into Percy’s Place Caravan Park in Pitt Town. Set riverside on 110 acres, Percy’s provides an idyllic backdrop and first-class facilities to help make the most of your stay.
Our advice? Wind your way down the river and explore everything the Hawkesbury has to offer.
Crescent Head
The type of place made for slowing down and soaking up the simple pleasures, Crescent Head is a favourite for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. A camper’s paradise, this dreamy and laidback beachside village has plenty of camping options, perfect for those who love the salty air, rolling surf and a good golden hour stroll along the beach or headland.
erched right on the beach, the Crescent Head Holiday Park is a family favourite, with direct access to the area’s iconic surf breaks. Waves Campground at Delicate Nobby is set in a unique and unspoiled bushland setting (but still has creature comforts like hot showers) and Racecourse Campground is a secluded gem that offers epic views of the magnificent Goolawah Beach.
Wollemi National Park
A few hours north-west of Sydney, the World Heritage-listed Wollemi National Park is a perfect place for scenic walks, wildlife and glowworm spotting, canoeing and, yes, camping, among the pine botanical treasures. The Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp Campground is perfect for a family camping trip, with opportunities for fishing, canoeing and swimming in the Cudgegong river.
Feeling more adventurous? The Newnes Campground is a remote spot that requires a 10 kilometre walk to get to. Adventurers will be rewarded with a backdrop of dramatic sandstone cliffs and tall eucalypt trees, with the Wolgan River the perfect place to take a pre-dinner dip.
Port Stephens
A popular tourist destination for whale and dolphin watching, fishing, boating and swimming, Port Stephens is the ultimate coastal playground. Just three hours north of Sydney, it is hard not to get swept up in the natural surrounds and completely switch off from the daily grind.
Whether you set up camp in the quiet Shoal Bay Holiday Park or head down the road to Halifax in Nelson Bay, you won’t be disappointed with the modern amenities and proximity to adventure. If you are looking to get off the beaten track but still need your creature comforts, the Koala Shores at Lemon Tree Passage provides resort-style facilities, away from the main tourist drag.
Bald Rock National Park
For a serene bush getaway, head straight for the Queensland border to Bald Rock National Park. Just south of the border in NSW, let the Bald Rock Campground be your base camp for a few days of trekking and nature discovery. Once the tent is up, start off with a BBQ breakfast and from there you can choose your walking track for the day.
A non-negotiable for the trip is visiting Bald Rock itself—Australia’s largest exposed granite rock. Measuring at close to 1300m above sea level, you will feel like you have conquered Everest once you reach the summit. To get the best photos, be sure to head up at dusk and take snacks and drinks.
Mollymook
Unassuming yet utterly alluring, Mollymook on the South Coast of New South Wales is beautiful all year-round. With Ulladulla and historic Milton close at hand, the thriving community is bonded by a strong surfing culture and the forested mountains.
The pet-friendly Mollymook Tourist Park is perfect for camping and with its woodfire pizza oven, swimming pool, tennis court, laundry and wifi, you won’t miss resort-style living. With nature walks, outdoor activities and beach hopping the best way to spend your time, you are forced to slow down and take in all that this coastal town and its surrounds have to offer.
Ticked all of the best camping spots in NSW off your list? Try visiting Sydney’s secret beaches or book an island getaway for your great summer adventure. Or go on a drive for a grand road trip!
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