Best Camping Spots In New South Wales
There’s nothing more relaxing than spending the evening next to a campfire with the sights and sounds of nature in the background. Taking a break from the city and exploring the wild gives you its unique kind of freedom. If you’re adventurous enough – and pick the right spot, camping offers everything you need for a perfect holiday getaway.
The benefits of camping speak for themselves. But to experience the wonders of nature, you must first prepare yourself and your gear. A tech survival kit will ensure you’re electronically covered and a camping checklist will give you an adequate peace of mind.
With the kit prepared, you’re all set for your trip! Campers are happier, more satisfied, optimistic, and energised. According to the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, 85% of campers felt close to their spouse compared to 65% of non-campers.
It’s no secret that Australia, and particularly New South Wales, is home to some of the most incredible camping sites in the world. It offers the best spots for nature enthusiasts to unwind from the hustle and bustle of busy cities. In this guide, we’ll look at the best camping sites you can explore in New South Wales and Sydney.
But first, let’s look at what you need to know about camping in New South Wales.
New South Wales Camping Trip Essentials
If you’re off on a camping adventure to New South Wales, you’re in for a serious scenic treat and an experience like no other. Any epic trip like this needs serious planning and consideration. When packing for a camping trip to New South Wales, you need to ensure that your camping gear is appropriately packed.
Here are some of the camping essentials you should pack for a trip to New South Wales:
- Tent
- Camp trailer
- Sleeping bag
- Cooking gear
- Food supplies
- First aid kit
- Cleaning items
- Garbage bags
- Insect repellents and sunscreen
It’s also important to be well-informed about the rules for camping in New South Wales. First, camping is usually restricted to within the boundaries of a campground. You will also need to book a campsite in advance if you’re planning to stay at any national park campground operated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
While you do not need to book walk-in campgrounds, you’ll still need to complete a trip intention form prior to arrival.
You can find other camping guidelines on the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service website.
The Top 5 Camping Destinations In New South Wales
New South Wales has some of the best camping spots, and many of them have remained under the radar so far. Here are five of the top camping destinations in New South Wales you should explore:
Honeymoon Bay, Jervis Bay
The Honeymoon Bay offers one of the most memorable bushing camping experiences you can get in New South Wales. It is moments away from the bay and close to some of the region’s most beautiful beaches. The secluded bay is about a three hours’ drive from Sydney and is open on most weekends and during school holidays. It’s often used for military exercises, so you’ll need to confirm availability.
When camping on Honeymoon Bay, you should bring your own drinking water and gas cooking equipment. No fires and pets are allowed.
Diamond Head, Crowdy Bay National Park
If your dream holiday is waking up to the sun rising over the ocean, then you should go on a camping trip to Diamond Head. You’ll also enjoy swimming in the calm, crystal blue water, hiking in the swamp mahogany and paperbark forests, and exploring the spectacular Split Rock.
The campground is located in the southern corner of Dunbogan Beach, right beside the National Park. it is a 4.5-hour drive from Sydney. The site has facilities such as toilets, showers, and barbeques. Pets are not allowed. You’re also not allowed to smoke on the grounds.
Picnic Point Campground, Mimosa Rocks National Park
While this campsite is a little harder to get to (a 6-hour drive from Sidney), it offers you the opportunity to camp among the banksia trees surrounded by untouched wilderness. You’ll also have the choice of two beaches, several coastal walks to explore, and great picnic spots. Picnic Point Campground is dotted with lagoons, pockets of rainforest, and castle-shaped rocks.
At the end of your camping trip in Picnic Point, you will truly appreciate how beautiful New South Wales is.
Some of the facilities available at the campground include toilets, a car park, and bbq stations. But you’ll need to bring your own drinking water. The dirt road for navigating to the site is suitable for all types of vehicles.
Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, Walcha
The Oxley Wild Rivers National Park is located near Walcha in the State’s Northern Tablelands. It’s known for the ancient Gondwana rainforest, striking gorges, and cascading waterfalls.
The park has nine campgrounds. One of the campsites, Halls Peak, will offer you the perfect bird-watching, canoeing, and fishing experience. If you need dramatic waterfalls and scenic bushwalking trails, then head over to the Wollomombi campsite. You will, however, need to carry everything you need for the trip as the Oxley Wild Rivers campgrounds are remote camping sites.
Mystery Bay Camping Area, Tilba
This campground is for campers who want to bring their pets along on the trip. It is a pet-free campground that offers lovely beaches and headlands. Do you need beautiful views of Montague Island, a good surf break, and a remarkable snorkelling experience? Then start packing for the Mystery Bay camping area.
However, the campsite is unpowered, so you’ll need to bring a tech survival kit. Dogs must also be kept on a leash, but there are designated areas on the beach where they can run free.
Enjoy Camping in New South Wales
If you like camping and hiking, heading to New South Wales is a must. This state has plenty of interesting natural landscapes to explore, which means many wonderful camping spots for everyone. There are seemingly endless places to camp in New South Wales. There are several other options, such as Cathedral Reserve, Killalea Beach, and Glenworth Valley, that you can explore too.
Happy camping!
