Little Beach Campground

Little Beach Campground is six sites on a secluded cove in Bouddi National Park, 90 minutes north of Sydney. The beach is 20 metres from camp. The surf is uncrowded because getting here requires a 750-metre carry-in walk from the Grahame Drive carpark. That small barrier is the whole point. It filters out everyone who wants drive-up convenience and leaves a campground that actually feels remote, despite being well within reach of the city.

The six marked sites sit in a compact grassy clearing between the hills, separated by native vegetation with decent natural shade. They’re generously sized for the number of sites, and site 1 is consistently noted as the most private. No vehicle access, no caravans. The walk in is along a gravel management trail with short uphill sections. A sack trolley or wheelbarrow is worth the effort if you’re bringing a full setup. Don’t leave valuables in the car at Grahame Drive.

Facilities cover the basics: composting toilets, a covered picnic shelter, free gas BBQs, and rubbish bins. No drinking water on site whatsoever. Carry everything in, including all your water. No showers, no fires, no generators, no mobile reception. Park entry is $8 per vehicle per day payable at the carpark via card machine or Park’nPay app.

The Bouddi Coastal Walk passes directly through the campground. North takes you 1.7km to MacMasters Beach. South is 3.5km to Maitland Bay, where the wreck of the SS Maitland sits offshore and the swimming is excellent, though unpatrolled. Push another 3km and you’re at Putty Beach. Whale watching from the headlands is reliable May to July and September to October. Sea eagles are a regular sighting. The surf at Little Beach itself is uncrowded for obvious reasons and the rock fishing off the point can be good when conditions line up.

Six sites means this campground sells out fast, year-round. Book via NPWS as far ahead as the system allows. Check NPWS local alerts for closures before you make the drive. No pets permitted.