what are the best places to go camping near sydney

What Are The Best Places To Go Camping Near Sydney?

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    The beautiful camping places near Sydney are perfect for nature lovers who want to escape the city. There are many opportunities to experience a spectacular adventure amid nature while still being close to the urban centre. This guide will show you the greatest spots to go camping around Sydney, whether you're looking for a spot by the water, in the bush, by a river, or in the mountains. The tranquil beauty and life-changing adventures are waiting for you.

    Best Places To Go Camping Near Sydney

    Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, The Basin

    You can fly from Rose Bay or take the Palm Beach boat. Unlike the resort-wear brigade that has long controlled the area, the Basin campground is egalitarian. Indian children, Tanned Anglo grandmas, and cricket-playing chaps dwell happily in this Pittwater sanctuary during the summer. Tents only on unmarked, unpowered locations.

    Campground near Diamond Head, Crowdy Bay

    Kangaroos frolic at sunset against a coastline. Diamond Head Campground has this daily, and occasionally the small fellas stay in the tents all day. Seventy-five campsites allow RVs and tents. The beach is next to nine walk-in campsites in the bushes. 

    Bouddi, Killcare, and the National Park

    On this campsite, a water mattress is closest to the beach. With the 8-kilometre coastal walk from Bouddi to MacMasters Beach, the 10-minute stroll to Killcare for brunch at the Fat Goose, and the opportunity to sunbake on the beach and watch the surf lifesavers in action, you won't need to worry about what to do for an entire week if you decide to camp here. Calm, clean water is north of the campground.

    Cockatoo Island

    Sydney Harbour's largest island offers camping and glamping. Cockatoo Island offers luxury economy camping for $89, deluxe beachside glamping for $150, and BYO everything for $45 per night. Rooms provide stunning water views.

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    Campground at Uloola Falls, in the Royal National Park

    Intimate campground by the creek and possible isolation are the pleasures of the long hike into the heart of Royal National Park. The whole distance of the hike, including a swim at Karloo Pool (an additional 2.3 km), is slightly over 11 kilometres, and it concludes at Heathcote Station. Optionally, cyclists can ride to Waterfall Station and back via the fire route (the final 200 metres are reserved for pedestrians).

    Jervis Bay and the Booderee National Park

    Booderee is Canberra for national parks. A roundabout eases entry. Green Patch camping in the sun is more Caribbean than Washington, D.C. The federal government manages only three mainland national parks: Kakadu, Uluru-Kata Tjuta, and Booderee in Jervis Bay Territory. The well-equipped campsites are hidden among scribbly gums and banksias.

    Mimosa Rocks National Monument, Gillards Campground

    Campers heading south to Eden should stop at Gillards Campground in Mimosa Rocks National Park, between the beach and the woods. These places are perfect for your digital detox because they have no electricity. Instead of scrolling, go for long beach walks and sunbake. No bookings are required, and cash payments are required upon arrival. Beware of nocturnal potoroos.

    Wollemi National Park, Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp Campground

    The little-known Wollemi National Park has big ferns, deep valleys, old ruins, granite pagodas, and even a glow worm tunnel. Before leaving, choose a quiet site to camp. The dam may have wallabies, purple swamp fowl, long-necked turtles, and platypus.

    Campground in Euroka, Blue Mountains

    Camping in the Blue Mountains is a terrific way to get up close and personal with nature while still having access to the many great lodging alternatives available there. The famed Euroka Campground is always busy, but there's a good reason. There are tall gum trees, spacious picnic tables, and two (two!) Jellybean Pool, natural swimming holes, and Blue Pool near the campground.

    Campground in Cattai, Ontario (close to Windsor).

    You can swim, fish, or canoe on the Hawkesbury River, which runs straight through this camping area.

    Cattai Campground is located between Richmond and Wisemans Ferry on the Hawkesbury River in Cattai National Park. It has nearly everything you might want, save for electricity and firewood.

    Campfires are allowed, but you must supply your wood. Take a dip in the river, hike through the woods, or play a large sports game on the open field. Perfect for large gatherings or extended families. At breakfast, you might see some kangaroos.

    Hornsby, and Crosslands

    Crosslands, located on a swoop of Berowra Creek, is a large grassy expanse with restrooms and running water. Crosslands Reserve is located along the Great North Walk from Sydney to Newcastle and can be reached on foot in a day from Thornleigh and Brooklyn.

    Hornsby Council oversees the southern half of Crosslands, which can only be used with a reservation. There is free camping (near Sydney!) in the National Park at the northern end, separated by the road.

    Large families like to congregate in the council district because of the newer, cleaner restrooms. The national park is more rural and popular with families and Duke of Ed classes. The fire pits can be used, although only a small amount of wood is provided.

    Campground of the Kingfisher

    Kingfisher Pool Campground is a charming walk-in campground located only next to the peaceful Kingfisher Pool and waterfall south of Sydney. You'd never guess you were still inside the city limits in this tranquil spot.

    Don't let the elevation change put you off! It takes 25 minutes to go from the car to the campground, including minor rock scrambling and packs, though you could need help to fit a full esky in.

    While the amenities are limited, a restroom building and picnic tables are accessible. Relax all day in the pool while listening to the birds.

    Campground in Bonnie Vale

    There's a suspicion that Bonnie Vale Campground is too good to be true. This beach campground is perfect for a weekend escape with the family because it is centrally located and provides easy access to the Royal National Park, Simpsons Bay, and Deeban Spit.

    Camping at Bonnie Vale Campground is convenient for large parties, as there is room for tents, campervans, caravans, and camper trailers.

    Extensive modifications have recently been made to the campground, resulting in a modernised amenities complex (with hot showers), picnic spots, and BBQs.

    If you forget the oil at home, you may get some up in the nearby towns of Maianbar and Bundeena.

    River Coxs, Blue Mountains

    The Six Foot Track's first campsite, Coxs River Campground, may be reached by car.

    Located on a bend in the Coxs River, the water depth varies from waist-high to head-high, making it an ideal swimming spot.

    Large 4x4 groups with generators and luxury tents may show up at the campsite over long weekends. If peace is what you seek, be strategic about when you seek it.

    The campsite features long drop toilets and tank water and is frequented by kangaroos and wallabies. No reservations are needed.

    Kangaroo Valley, or Bendeela.

    Bendeela is the best place to set up camp and explore the Kangaroo River, and it is located on the inside bend of the river, which is a tendency here. A spacious grassy area with enough room for everyone, this location was formerly fairly primitive with only pit toilets. Camping is free and is managed by Water NSW.

    A Day at the Beach in Coledale

    This is the greatest camping place for surfers in Sydney, provided they have a vehicle. A grassy bank, ideal for a game of cricket or footy with the family, separates the Coledale campground from the beach.

    In the summer, swimmers should stick to the area designated by the lifeguards. The northernmost inlet is ideal for constructing sandcastles.

    Campers can reserve a spot at this campground (complete with hot showers) directly on the beach from the local Surf Lifesaving Club for a minimum of two nights during "swim season." 

    Nowra Coolendel

    Coolendel is a large grassy Shoalhaven River tributary campsite with friendly wombats. Cascades can be swum in, canoes can be rented, and open fires are welcome. A volleyball court is available for friendly competition amongst friends.

    Huskisson's Honeymoon Bay

    Honeymoon Bay is a small entrance on Jervis Bay shaped like a horseshoe, and it is located next to the "whitest sand beach" in the world. Wicked Campers love the flat sand and dirt campsites, suitable for tents with a groundsheet. It's a great place for kayakers because it's just next to Jervis Bay and the water.

    During the NSW school vacations, a ballot system is in place; otherwise, camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Western of Bowral, at Wombeyan Caves.

    After a day of exploring the Wombeyan Caves system, return to the lodge for some toasted marshmallows and a hot shower. Tent sites in the unmarked area do not need to be reserved, but caravan and trailer spaces are. National Parks manage this region.

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    Camping at Carrington Falls

    Camping at Carrington Falls puts you close to Robertson and the beautiful Kangaroo River.

    An idyllic jungle retreat, this tent-only campground is close to hiking trails and a swimming hole.

    You will find a little here besides picnic tables and restrooms, but the stunning scenery of Carrington Falls and the opportunity to swim in Nellies Glen make for a great weekend getaway.

    Campground at Bristol Point

    Bristol Point Campground is the best place to take in the breathtaking scenery of Jervis Bay. Bristol Point is more peaceful and less crowded with kids than its sibling site, Green Patch Campground, which is slightly closer to the ideal beach and one of the most popular beach camping places.

    This campground is wonderful, set among beautiful gum trees and sandy ground; beyond the trees, you can see the stunningly blue waters of the Bay.

    Keep your eyes peeled for anything from echidnas scuttling through the foliage to dolphins splashing in the lake to possums scrambling through the trees, and enjoy the hot showers, fire pits, toilets, and BBQs found here.

    Conclusion 

    The beautiful camping places near Sydney are perfect for nature lovers who want to escape the city. There are many opportunities to experience a spectacular adventure amid nature while still being close to the urban centre. This guide will show you the greatest spots to go camping around Sydney, whether you're looking for a spot by the water, in the bush, by a river, or in the mountains. The tranquil beauty and life-changing adventures are waiting for you.

    The Basin campground is egalitarian, with Indian children, Tanned Anglo grandmas, and cricket-playing chaps living happily in this Pittwater sanctuary during the summer. Tents only on unmarked, unpowered locations. Campground near Diamond Head, Crowdy Bay, offers a peaceful atmosphere with kangaroos frolicing against a coastline. The campsite is located near the beach and offers a water mattress.

    Cockatoo Island offers camping and glamping, with luxury economy camping for $89, deluxe beachside glamping for $150, and BYO everything for $45 per night. The campsite at Uloola Falls in the Royal National Park offers an intimate campground by the creek and possible isolation. The campsite at Gillards Campground in Mimosa Rocks National Park is perfect for digital detox, as they have no electricity.

    Wollemi National Park, Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp Campground, offers big ferns, deep valleys, old ruins, granite pagodas, and even a glow worm tunnel. Campground in Euroka, Blue Mountains, is a terrific way to get up close and personal with nature while still having access to the many great lodging alternatives available there. The famed Euroka Campground is always busy, but there's a good reason.

    Campground in Cattai, Ontario (close to Windsor), allows swimming, fish, or canoeing on the Hawkesbury River, which runs straight through this camping area. Campfires are allowed, but you must supply your wood.

    Hornsby and Crosslands are popular camping destinations near Sydney, with Crosslands Reserve being located along the Great North Walk from Sydney to Newcastle. The national park is more rural and popular with families and Duke of Ed classes.

    Kingfisher Pool Campground is a charming walk-in campground located next to the peaceful Kingfisher Pool and waterfall south of Sydney. Although the amenities are limited, a restroom building and picnic tables are accessible.

    Campground in Bonnie Vale is perfect for a weekend escape with the family, as it is centrally located and provides easy access to the Royal National Park, Simpsons Bay, and Deeban Spit. The Six Foot Track's first campsite, Coxs River Campground, is located on a bend in the Coxs River, offering long drop toilets and tank water.

    Kangaroo Valley, or Bendeela, is the best place to set up camp and explore the Kangaroo River. Camping is free and is managed by Water NSW.

    A Day at the Beach in Coledale is the greatest camping place for surfers in Sydney, provided they have a vehicle. Coledale campground is a grassy bank that offers a variety of activities for families. During summer, swimmers should stick to designated areas, while Nowra Coolendel is a large grassy Shoalhaven River tributary campsite with friendly wombats. It offers sandcastles, canoe rentals, and open fires. Huskisson's Honeymoon Bay is a small entrance on Jervis Bay, with flat sand and dirt campsites suitable for tents with a groundsheet. Camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis during school vacations.

    Wombeyan Caves is located west of Bowral, offering a day of exploration and a hot shower. Carrington Falls is a tent-only campground near Robertson and the Kangaroo River, offering stunning scenery and a swimming hole. Bristol Point Campground is the best place to take in Jervis Bay's breathtaking scenery, set among beautiful gum trees and sandy ground. It is more peaceful and less crowded than Green Patch Campground, which is closer to the beach. Visitors can watch for echidnas, dolphins, and possums, and enjoy hot showers, fire pits, toilets, and BBQs.

    Content Summary:

    • The beautiful camping places near Sydney are perfect for nature lovers who want to escape the city.
    • There are many opportunities to experience a spectacular adventure amid nature while still being close to the urban centre.
    • This guide will show you the greatest spots to go camping around Sydney, whether you're looking for a spot by the water, in the bush, by a river, or in the mountains.
    • The tranquil beauty and life-changing adventures are waiting for you.
    • You can fly from Rose Bay or take the Palm Beach boat.
    • Campground near Diamond Head, Crowdy Bay Kangaroos frolic at sunset against a coastline.
    • Cockatoo Island Sydney Harbour's largest island offers camping and glamping.
    • Cockatoo Island offers luxury economy camping for $89, deluxe beachside glamping for $150, and BYO everything for $45 per night.
    • Intimate campground by the creek and possible isolation are the pleasures of the long hike into the heart of Royal National Park.
    • Green Patch camping in the sun is more Caribbean than Washington, D.C. The federal government manages only three mainland national parks: Kakadu, Uluru-Kata Tjuta, and Booderee in Jervis Bay Territory.
    • Campers heading south to Eden should stop at Gillards Campground in Mimosa Rocks National Park, between the beach and the woods.
    • The little-known Wollemi National Park has big ferns, deep valleys, old ruins, granite pagodas, and even a glow worm tunnel.
    • Before leaving, choose a quiet site to camp.
    • Campground in Euroka, Blue Mountains Camping in the Blue Mountains is a terrific way to get up close and personal with nature while still having access to the many great lodging alternatives available there.
    • Campground in Cattai, Ontario (close to Windsor).
    • Cattai Campground is located between Richmond and Wisemans Ferry on the Hawkesbury River in Cattai National Park.
    • Kingfisher Pool Campground is a charming walk-in campground located only next to the peaceful Kingfisher Pool and waterfall south of Sydney.
    • There's a suspicion that Bonnie Vale Campground is too good to be true.
    • This beach campground is perfect for a weekend escape with the family because it is centrally located and provides easy access to the Royal National Park, Simpsons Bay, and Deeban Spit.
    • Camping at Bonnie Vale Campground is convenient for large parties, as there is room for tents, campervans, caravans, and camper trailers.
    • The Six Foot Track's first campsite, Coxs River Campground, may be reached by car.
    • A grassy bank, ideal for a game of cricket or footy with the family, separates the Coledale campground from the beach.
    • Campers can reserve a spot at this campground (complete with hot showers) directly on the beach from the local Surf Lifesaving Club for a minimum of two nights during "swim season."
    • Coolendel is a large grassy Shoalhaven River tributary campsite with friendly wombats.
    • Honeymoon Bay is a small entrance on Jervis Bay shaped like a horseshoe, and it is located next to the "whitest sand beach" in the world.
    • Wicked Campers love the flat sand and dirt campsites, suitable for tents with a groundsheet.
    • It's a great place for kayakers because it's just next to Jervis Bay and the water.
    • During the NSW school vacations, a ballot system is in place; otherwise, camping is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
    • After a day of exploring the Wombeyan Caves system, return to the lodge for some toasted marshmallows and a hot shower.
    • Tent sites in the unmarked area do not need to be reserved, but caravan and trailer spaces are.
    • National Parks manage this region.
    • Camping at Carrington Falls puts you close to Robertson and the beautiful Kangaroo River.
    • An idyllic jungle retreat, this tent-only campground is close to hiking trails and a swimming hole.
    • You will find a little here besides picnic tables and restrooms, but the stunning scenery of Carrington Falls and the opportunity to swim in Nellies Glen make for a great weekend getaway.
    • Bristol Point Campground is the best place to take in the breathtaking scenery of Jervis Bay.
    • Bristol Point is more peaceful and less crowded with kids than its sibling site, Green Patch Campground, which is slightly closer to the ideal beach and one of the most popular beach camping places.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Absolutely! Many camping areas near Sydney have hiking trails nearby. Some popular options include Bouddi National Park, the Blue Mountains, and Brisbane Water National Park.

     

    Yes, booking camping sites in advance is advisable, especially during peak seasons and weekends, as popular spots tend to fill up quickly. Check the websites of the respective national parks or camping grounds for booking information.

     

    Yes, several campsites near Sydney are accessible by public transportation. For example, you can reach some Royal National Park and Lane Cove National Park areas by train and bus.

     

    Absolutely! Camping areas like Lake Macquarie, Hawkesbury River, and Nepean River offer water activities like fishing, boating, kayaking, and swimming opportunities.

     

    Yes, there are camping sites near Sydney suitable for solo campers. For a tranquil experience, consider campgrounds in Bouddi National Park, Glenworth Valley, or Munmorah State Conservation Area.

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