There’s nothing like spending a night on the stars. And you don’t even have to travel very far from the city to do it. Pitch your tent at the best campsites close to Sydney.
- 3 min read
The Basin campground
Where: Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park on Sydney’s Northern Beaches
Distance from Sydney: 40km/55-minute drive
Facilities: Toilets, showers, drinking water, barbecues, picnic tables
Price: $34 per night
The only campsite in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, The Basin is a large grassy area surrounded by trees and overlooking Pittwater. Hike or cycle through the park, swim in the calm ocean and keep an eye out for the curious swamp wallabies that visit the camp. There’s no road access to the site, so you will need to walk around 3km in from the car park or catch the ferry from Palm Beach to The Basin wharf.
The Basin campground, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park - Credit: John Spencer/DCCEEW
Bonnie Vale campground
Where: Royal National Park just south of Sydney
Distance from Sydney: 55km/70-minute drive
Facilities: Toilets, showers, drinking water, barbecues, picnic tables
Price: from $40 per night
Bonnie Vale is the most popular campsite in the Royal National Park and it’s easy to see why. Set beside the calm blue waters of Cabbage Tree Basin, it’s ideal for families looking to swim, fish and build a few sandcastles. You can even hire a kayak from Bundeena Kayaks nearby and paddle out into the gentle waves of Port Hacking.
Bonnie Vale Campground, Bonnie Vale - Credit: Andrew Elliot/DPIE
Putty Beach Campground
Where: Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast
Distance from Sydney: 100km/90-minute drive
Facilities: Toilets, showers, drinking water, barbecues, picnic tables
Price: $34 per night
This compact campsite is just steps from the golden sands of Putty Beach and close to the village of Killcare. The spectacular Bouddi Coastal Walk starts at the eastern end of the beach and runs north for 8km past rocky cliffs, lush rainforest and fields of wildflowers. If you’re camping in June and July or from September to November, look for whales cruising along the coast.
Putty Beach Campground, Killcare Heights - Credit: John Yurasek/DCCEEW
Coledale Beach Camping Reserve
Where: Coledale on the South Coast
Distance from Sydney: 75km/90-minute drive
Facilities: Toilets, showers, kitchen, laundry, drinking water, barbecues
Price: from $25 per night
This is as close as you can get to camping on the sand in NSW. Operated by the Coledale Surf Life Saving Club, this campsite looks directly out into the rolling waves of the Pacific Ocean. It’s a popular site for surfers, who can grab their board and be in the water in seconds. There’s also a protected rock pool at the southern edge of the beach, perfect for families. The village of Coledale is a short walk to pick up supplies or have dinner at the local RSL.
Coledale Beach, Thirroul
Cattai Campground
Where: Cattai National Park in the Hawkesbury
Distance from Sydney: 60km/75-minute drive
Facilities: Toilets, showers, barbecues. Bring drinking water
Price: $24 per night
This lush bushland escape is on the edge of the Hawkesbury River. Pitch your tent among the trees and you’ll wake to the sound of birdsong and maybe even a few kangaroos nibbling the grass. Bring your bikes, boats and fishing gear for fun on the river, follow hiking trails through the park, or visit nearby Cattai Homestead, a historic farm dating from the 1820s.
Camping, Hawkesbury River
Little Beach Campground
Where: Bouddi National Park on the Central Coast
Distance from Sydney: 100km/90-minute drive
Facilities: Toilets, barbecues, picnic tables. Bring drinking water
Price: $34 per night
Be lulled to sleep by the sound of crashing waves at this tiny campground at the northern end of Bouddi National Park. Surrounded by littoral rainforest and facing onto a quiet cove, this is a secluded retreat for nature-lovers. Spend your days surfing, hiking and fishing, then cook up your catch on the barbecue as the sun goes down.
Little Beach campground, Bouddi National Park - Credit: John Spencer/DCCEEW
Turon Gates Mountain Retreat
Where: near the village of Capertee in the Blue Mountains
Distance from Sydney: 200km/3-hour drive
Facilities: Toilets, showers, drinking water, pet-friendly
Price: campsites $47 per night, glamping tents from $258 per night
This 6,000-acre off-grid retreat in the wild Capertee Valley has something to suit everyone, from the rugged outdoorsy type to those who appreciate a little luxury. Pitch a tent along a 1.5km stretch of the pristine Turon River or bed down in a stylish safari tent complete with air-con and a Nespresso machine. There are pet-friendly options if you want to bring your pooch and an abundance of activities, including horseriding, mountain biking, swimming, gold panning and trout fishing.
Turon Gates Mountain Retreat, Capertee - Credit: Turon Gates Mountain Retreat
Broughton Island Campground
Where: offshore from Hawks Nest in the Myall Lakes National Park
Facilities: Toilets. Bring drinking water
Distance from Sydney: 240km/3-hour drive
Price: $43 per night
With just five campsites on Broughton, a weekend here will feel like you’ve got your own private island. It’s the only place in the state where you can camp amongst an active seabird colony, so expect plenty of wedge-tailed shearwaters for neighbours. The turquoise ocean is ideal for swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving and fishing, or you can just relax on your own secluded strip of sand. Broughton Island is only accessible by boat – use your own or book a charter with a local operator.
Broughton Island campground in Myall Lakes National Parks, Hawks Nest - Credit: John Spencer/DCCEEW
Discovery Parks Lane Cove
Where: Lane Cove National Park in North Sydney
Distance from Sydney: 15km/20-minute drive
Facilities: Toilets, showers, drinking water, barbecues, camp kitchen, laundry, playground, swimming pool
Price: campsites $41 per night, glamping tents from $250 per night
Lane Cove National Park is a little slice of untouched bush running through the northern suburbs of Sydney. Discovery Parks Lane Cove sits within the park and offers everything from basic tent sites and cabins to one of the city’s most stylish glamping experiences. Check in to the chic safari tent and enjoy a plush king-sized bed, freestanding bathtub and a barbecue on your sunny private deck.
Discovery Parks Lane Cove, Lane Cove - Credit: Discovery Parks Lane Cove
Cockatoo Island
Where: in Sydney Harbour just offshore from Balmain
Distance from Sydney: 15km/20-minute drive
Facilities: Toilets, showers, drinking water, camp kitchen, fire pit, cinema
Price: campsites from $50 per night, pre-erected tents from $99 per night, glamping tents from $300 per night
Spend a night under the stars in the middle of Sydney Harbour on Cockatoo Island. You can bring your own tent, book one of the pre-erected tents or take it up a notch with the premium package that includes a spacious dome tent with electricity, a double bed and an outdoor deck with sun loungers. Explore the World Heritage-listed convict site, take a guided tour, play games on the lawn and toast marshmallows around the campfire.
Cockatoo Island waterfront campsite, Sydney Harbour
Upper Colo Reserve
Where: on the Colo River in the Hawkesbury
Facilities: Toilets, showers, drinking water, barbecues, picnic tables, pet-friendly
Distance from Sydney: 95km/2-hour drive
Price: $15 per person per night
Surrounded by the Wollemi National Park, Upper Colo Reserve is a secluded wilderness campsite within easy reach of the city. Swim, paddle or fish in the calm water of the Colo River, explore the surrounding bushland on foot or mountain bike, and relax in the tranquil surrounds of nature.
Upper Colo Reserve, Upper Colo
Euroka Campground
Where: near Glenbrook in the Blue Mountains
Distance from Sydney: 70km/75-minute drive
Facilities: Toilets, barbecues, picnic tables. Bring drinking water
Price: $24 per night
Close to the Nepean River on the Sydney side of the Blue Mountains, Euroka Campground is the quintessential bush retreat. There are five separate camping areas, so you can always find a quiet spot to pitch your tent. Watch the colourful flocks of cockatoos and parrots live in the tall eucalyptus trees, admire the spectacular vistas from Tunnel View Lookout, and see ancient Aboriginal rock art at Red Hands Cave.
Euroka Campground, Blue Mountains National Park - Credit: Nick Cubbin/DCCEEW
