Blue Range Campground

Blue Range Campground is the “secret weapon” for Canberra families who want a proper bush escape without driving three hours into the mountains. Located in the Uriarra Forest on the site of a former WWII Italian internment camp, its standout feature is “The Galley”—a massive communal stone shelter with large open fireplaces. This shelter is the ultimate insurance policy for Dad; if the weather turns, you don’t have to huddle miserably in tents. Instead, everyone piles into The Galley, gets a roaring fire going, and the trip is saved. The campground is grassy, spacious, and generally accessible for 2WD vehicles, though the gravel road in can get corrugated and slippery after heavy rain, so take it easy. It is strictly unpowered with drop toilets only and zero drinking water—you need to be fully self-sufficient and bring every drop of water you plan to use. The biggest win for many locals is that, unlike the National Park sites like Honeysuckle or Orroral, Blue Range is dog-friendly (on a leash), meaning the family pooch doesn’t have to go to the kennel.