Best Camping in NSW
13 Campgrounds Worth the Drive (2026)
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TL;DR: 13 of the Best!
New South Wales has over 800 campgrounds. Most are average; some are legendary. Here are the 13 I’d actually recommend to a mate.
If you don’t have time to scroll, here is the quick answer.
Best for Families: Glenworth Valley (Activities exhaust the kids), Green Patch (Safe beach), Seven Mile Beach (Pool & Playground).
Best for Couples: The Basin (Ferry-in romance), Honeymoon Bay (Quiet & cheap), Coolendel (Riverside glamping).
Best Budget Pick: Honeymoon Bay ($15/night is unbeatable).
Best for First-Timers: Lane Cove River (Hot showers & UberEats).
New South Wales has more than 800 campgrounds scattered between the Snowy Mountains and the Queensland border. Choosing the right one usually involves opening 50 tabs of NPWS pages and trying to decipher conflicting Google reviews.
I’ve done the legwork (and the driving) to narrow it down.
These 13 campgrounds are the ones I keep coming back to. Some are 30 minutes from Sydney and perfect for a “soft start” to camping. Others require a half-day drive and a bit of commitment. All of them are worth the trip.
Quick Guide: Drive Times from Sydney CBD
| Campground | Drive Time | Best For |
| Lane Cove River | 20 mins | First-Timers |
| The Basin | 1 hr (Drive + Ferry) | Island Vibes |
| Cattai | 1 hr | History & Wildlife |
| Glenworth Valley | 1 hr 10 mins | Adventure Activities |
| Patonga | 1 hr 30 mins | Pub & Creek |
| Seven Mile Beach | 2 hrs | Surf & Facilities |
| Coolendel | 2 hrs 45 mins | Wombats & Wilderness |
| Green Patch | 3 hrs | White Sand Beaches |
| Honeymoon Bay | 3 hrs | Budget Snorkelling |
| Bristol Point | 3 hrs | Quiet Camping |
| Diamond Head | 4 hrs | Hiking & Whales |
| Pebbly Beach | 4 hrs 30 mins | Kangaroos on Beach |
| Trial Bay Gaol | 5 hrs | History & Sunsets |
Greater Sydney & Central Coast
You don’t need to drive five hours to find a decent fire pit. These spots are all within 90 minutes of the Sydney CBD.
1. Lane Cove River Tourist Park
📍Location: Macquarie Park (20 min from CBD)
☀️Best Season: All Year (It’s paved and sheltered).
The Vibe: “Camping with Training Wheels”
If the idea of camping makes you (or your partner) nervous, start here. It is the perfect training ground. You get hot showers, a camp kitchen, a swimming pool, and a dump point, all inside a national park that feels surprisingly wild given you are basically in the suburbs.
I picked this campsite because it bridges the gap. You get the kookaburras waking you up at dawn and wallabies hopping through the site, but you are also 10 minutes from a Woolworths if you burn the sausages.
The catch? It is popular. Book well ahead for weekends and school holidays.
Sites: ~200
Showers: Hot
Power: 15A available
Price: $50-80/night
Pets: No
Access: 2WD sealed road
✅ The Good: You can literally order UberEats to your tent. It’s the ultimate lazy camping hack.
❌ The Bad: You can hear the hum of traffic from Epping Road at night.
2. The Basin Campground
📍Location: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park (Palm Beach Ferry Access)
☀️ Best Season: Summer/Autumn (For swimming).
The Vibe: “Island Life” (Without the Plane Ticket)
The Basin is one of Sydney’s best-kept-not-so-secret spots. The barrier to entry is what keeps it special: No cars allowed. You either catch the ferry from Palm Beach, paddle in by kayak, or hike the steep 2.8km track from West Head Road.
Once you arrive, it’s just 114 grassy sites on Pittwater. The swimming is safe for kids in the lagoon (netted), and the sunsets make the ferry fare worth every cent.
Sites: 114
Showers: Cold
Power: None
Price: $17-40/night
Pets: No
Access: Ferry or walk-in only
✅ The Good: Zero cars. The kids can run free without you worrying about them getting flattened by a LandCruiser.
❌ The Bad: The logistics. Hauling an esky and a 6-person tent onto a ferry is a workout.
3. Cattai Campground
📍Location: Cattai (1 hour NW of Sydney)
☀️ Best Season: Spring/Autumn (Pleasant days, cool nights).
The Vibe: “History & Kangaroos”
Cattai is the campground where your kids will remember the kangaroos more than anything else. Eastern Greys race through the grounds in the late afternoon, and lace monitors sun themselves near the trees.
It sits right on the Hawkesbury River with hot showers and flush toilets (a luxury in National Parks). Plus, a short walk leads to the Cattai Homestead (built c.1821), which is a sneaky history lesson for kids who think they hate history.
Sites: 48
Showers: Hot
Power: None
Price: $24-34/night
Pets: No
Access: 2WD sealed road
✅ The Good: Hot showers and flush toilets. It feels like a caravan park but looks like a National Park.
❌ The Bad: The gates lock tight at night. If you forget the milk, you aren’t popping out to get it.
4. Glenworth Valley Campground
📍Location: Central Coast (1 hour N of Sydney)
☀️ Best Season: Spring/Summer (Creek swimming).
The Vibe: “The Adventure Hub”
Glenworth isn’t just a campground; it’s a 3,000-acre adventure playground. You can go horse riding, abseiling, quad biking, or kayaking during the day, then camp by the creek at night.
It keeps the older kids entertained. If you have teenagers who think camping is “boring,” put them on a quad bike or a horse.
Sites: ~200
Showers: Hot
Power: 15A (select sites)
Price: $24-34/night
Pets: No
Access: 2WD sealed road
✅ The Good: It wears the kids out. Between the horses and the creek, they will be asleep by 7:30 PM.
❌ The Bad: It adds up. Once you pay for camping + horse riding + quad biking, your wallet will feel lighter.
5. Patonga Caravan and Camping Area
📍Location: Patonga (Central Coast)
☀️ Best Season: All Year.
The Vibe: “Hidden Coastal Village”
Patonga is one of those spots locals quietly keep to themselves. The campground sits in thick bushland right next to the creek and beach, with a short walk to the ferry wharf that connects to Palm Beach.
There is a great pub down the road (The Boathouse Hotel Patonga). Camping with a pub dinner option is a genre I am very fond of.
Sites: 81
Showers: Cold
Power: None
Price: $31-67/night
Pets: No
Access: 2WD (some unsealed)
✅ The Good: The pub is a 3-minute walk away. Camping with a schnitzel backup plan is elite tier.
❌ The Bad: It’s very public. Day trippers from the ferry wander past your setup.
💡 Dad’s Gear Tip:
Heading out for the first time? Don’t overcomplicate it. Check our Ultimate Camping Checklist to make sure you don’t forget the important stuff (like the mallet). If you need a fridge for the drive, check out our Best Camping Fridges Australia review.
Looking for More Near Sydney?
Our directory has campgrounds across all of NSW, filterable by facilities, pet-friendliness, and distance from Sydney.
South Coast & Jervis Bay
The Shoalhaven coast is arguably NSW’s best camping corridor. White sand, clear water, and kangaroos everywhere.
6. Seven Mile Beach Holiday Park
📍Location: Gerroa (2 hours S of Sydney)
☀️ Best Season: Summer (Beach weather).
The Vibe: “The Family All-Rounder”
If you are bringing the dog, the caravan, or both, this is the pick. It’s run by Kiama Council and has everything: powered sites, cabins, safari tents, a pool, a jumping pillow, and a tennis court.
The location is bulletproof. You are right on Seven Mile Beach for surfing/swimming, but close enough to Berry for a decent coffee if it rains.
Sites: 89
Showers: Hot
Power: Available
Price: $45-250/night
Pets: Yes (on leash)
Access: 2WD sealed road
✅ The Good: The facilities are resort-level. If it rains, the kids can still hit the games room or the pool.
❌ The Bad: It’s sardine city in January. You will get to know your neighbours.
7. Coolendel Camp
📍Location: Shoalhaven River (2.5 hours S of Sydney)
☀️ Best Season: Spring/Autumn (Fires allowed).
The Vibe: “Wild & Rewarding”
Coolendel makes you earn it. The last 11km is a winding, unsealed road. I drove it in a Mazda CX-5 and it was fine, but take it slow.
It’s magic. You camp on the Shoalhaven River with wombats grazing at night and peacocks wandering through camp. It feels properly wild.
Sites: 10
Showers: Hot
Power: None
Price: $18-29/adult
Pets: No
Access: 2WD (unsealed, rough)
✅ The Good: The wildlife is insane. Wombats grazing around your campfire is a core memory.
❌ The Bad: The drive in. That last 11km of winding gravel is the “vomit zone” for sensitive tummies.
8. Green Patch Camping Area
📍Location: Jervis Bay (Booderee National Park)
☀️ Best Season: Feb-April (Warm water, fewer crowds).
The Vibe: “The Gold Standard”
Green Patch ruins other campgrounds for you. The sand is white, the water is crystal clear, and King Parrots will land on your arm at breakfast.
It is arguably the best family campground in NSW. The water in the bay is calm and safe for toddlers, the snorkelling is incredible, and the facilities (hot showers!) are top-tier for a National Park.
Sites: 45
Showers: Hot
Power: None
Price: $36-82/night + $20 vehicle entry
Pets: No
Access: 2WD sealed road
✅ The Good: The water. It’s Jervis Bay blue, calm, and safe for toddlers.
❌ The Bad: The possums. They are highly trained tactical thieves. Turn your back on a sandwich and it’s gone.
9. Honeymoon Bay Campground
📍Location: Currarong (Beecroft Weapons Range)
☀️ Best Season: Summer (It’s a beach camp).
The Vibe: “Budget Paradise”
Yes, it’s on a Defence weapons range, so check if it’s open before you go. But when it is? It’s a sheltered, horseshoe-shaped bay that is perfect for kayaking and snorkelling.
It’s roughly $15 a night. For waterfront camping in Jervis Bay, that is a robbery.
Sites: Various
Showers: Hot
Power: None
Price: $15/night (2 people)
Pets: Check rules
Access: 2WD (some unsealed)
✅ The Good: The price. $15 for waterfront camping is unbeatable.
❌ The Bad: The amenities. It’s Porta-loos only. If you are precious about bathrooms, this isn’t for you.
10. Bristol Point Camping Area
📍Location: Jervis Bay
☀️ Best Season: Summer/Autumn.
The Vibe: “Green Patch’s Quiet Cousin”
If Green Patch is full (or too noisy), go here. It’s a “walk-in” campground, meaning you park the car and carry your gear about 50m to the site.
That 50m walk filters out the loud “party” campers. It’s generally quieter, more secluded, and still gives you that stunning Jervis Bay access.
Sites: 50
Showers: Hot
Power: None
Price: $20-35/night
Pets: No
Access: 2WD (some unsealed)
✅ The Good: No generators. Because cars can’t park at the site, you don’t hear engines running all night.
❌ The Bad: The Sherpa run. You have to carry every single item 50m from the car. Pack light.
🔥 Camp Kitchen Sorted?
For South Coast trips, a reliable stove makes a big difference. Check our 5 Best Camping Stoves for Families review. And seriously, do not skip the Critter Defence Guide for the warmer months, the mozzies down here are no joke.
Far South Coast & Mid-North Coast
Worth the longer drive for the wildlife alone.
11. Pebbly Beach Campground
📍Location: Murramarang National Park (4.5 hours S of Sydney)
☀️ Best Season: Winter/Spring (Whales & Roos).
The Vibe: “The Instagram Spot”
You know the photo of the kangaroo standing on the beach? This is where it was taken. The Eastern Greys here are incredibly habituated and will hop right past your tent.
It’s a bucket-list spot for international visitors, but still magic for locals. Just don’t feed the roos, they are aggressive enough with your sandwich as it is.
Sites: ~10
Showers: Cold
Power: None
Price: $25-40/night
Pets: No
Access: 2WD (some unsealed)
✅ The Good: The photo op. Kangaroos on the beach is the quintessential Aussie shot.
❌ The Bad: The tourists. Busloads of people turn up just to take photos of the roos.
12. Diamond Head Campground
📍Location: Crowdy Bay National Park (4 hours N of Sydney)
☀️ Best Season: Winter/Spring (Whale season).
The Vibe: “Whales & Walking Tracks”
75 sites spread across a grassy headland. It’s spacious, scenic, and feels open.
The Diamond Head Loop walk (4.8km) is spectacular. If you are there between June and October, you can watch whales breaching from the cliff edge while you drink your morning coffee.
Sites: 75
Showers: Cold
Power: None
Price: $24-40/night + $8 vehicle entry
Pets: No
Access: 2WD (gravel road)
✅ The Good: The walking tracks. The headland loop is spectacular and accessible even for younger legs.
❌ The Bad: It’s exposed. If the wind picks up off the ocean, peg your tent down well.
13. Trial Bay Gaol Campground
📍Location: South West Rocks (5 hours N of Sydney)
☀️ Best Season: All Year.
The Vibe: “History by the Sea”
Camping next to a 19th-century granite prison ruin might sound grim, but the location is stunning. The campground faces west, meaning you get sunsets over the water (a rarity on the East Coast).
It’s iconic. The swimming in the bay is calm, the history is fascinating, and South West Rocks is a great little town for supplies.
Sites: Multiple areas
Showers: Cold
Power: None
Price: $45-65/night
Pets: No
Access: 2WD sealed road
✅ The Good: West-facing sunsets. Watching the sun drop over the water is rare on the East Coast.
❌ The Bad: The roos. They know how to open zippers. Lock your food in the car, seriously.
NSW Camping FAQ
A Bit of Final Advice
Most of these spots (especially the National Parks) require booking well in advance. Don’t be the guy trying to book Green Patch two weeks before Christmas, it won’t happen.
Pack the car, check the tyre pressures, and go.
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