Pretty Beach Campground

Pretty Beach Campground earns its name. Sitting inside Murramarang National Park on the NSW South Coast, it puts you about a minute’s walk from the beach — and every morning, eastern grey kangaroos graze the open spaces around the sites in numbers that will surprise you. This is one of those campgrounds where the wildlife comes to you.

The campground is well-equipped for a national park setting. Sites are powered and unpowered, suitable for tents, campervans, caravans, and camper trailers, with marked bays and off-street parking for one vehicle per site. A couple of cabins are also available if you want a roof over your head without leaving the park. Facilities include flush toilets, coin-operated hot showers (bring $1 coins), gas and electric BBQs at no charge, wood BBQs if you want a fire, a coin-operated washing machine, rubbish bins, and picnic tables throughout.

One thing to know before you arrive: the water supply is tank water. It needs to be boiled or treated before drinking. Bring your own drinking water to avoid the hassle, especially in summer. Firewood and ice can be purchased at the Pretty Beach campground office.

Fires are permitted in approved containers only — no fires on the ground or on the beach. There’s a small wood BBQ setup available at sites, and firewood can be bought from the office. Check fire ban status before you visit, particularly in summer.

The surrounding national park gives you plenty of reason to leave the campsite. The Pretty Beach to Durras Mountain walk is the standout trail, with views across the coast and ranges that justify the climb. The 44km Murramarang South Coast Walk — a three-day route between Ulladulla and Batemans Bay — also passes through the park. Swimming, snorkelling, fishing, and birdwatching are all on the doorstep. Whale watching is worth planning around in season.

Wildlife is genuinely exceptional here. Beyond the kangaroos, expect lyrebirds, possums, sugar gliders, Jacky lizards, goannas, yellow-tailed black cockatoos, king parrots, peregrine falcons, and sea eagles. This park is one of the rare spots where spotted gum forest grows right to the ocean edge, which creates an unusual habitat that supports the range.

A few practical things to flag. The beach is not patrolled — there are strong rip currents, so swim with care and check Beachsafe before you go in. Mobile reception is limited throughout the park. If travelling from Canberra, ignore any navigation that takes you via Bucks Road from the Princes Highway — it’s rough and not suitable for 2WD vehicles. Use the Bawley Point Road exit at Termeil instead. Park entry is $8 per vehicle per day, card only at Pretty Beach. Generators and pets are not permitted.

Booking is essential via the NPWS online system. Pretty Beach fills up fast in school holidays and long weekends — don’t leave it to the week before.