My post on Best Places To Go Camping In and Around Sydney is hugely popular. Now it’s time to look further afield. Here are some handpicked suggestions for family-friendly camping getaways right throughout NSW. This list has been put together by myself with the aid of our state tourism authority Destination NSW. Enjoy!
1. Warm winter days in Outback NSW – Winter is the perfect time to visit Outback NSW with its mild weather making it perfect for camping, bushwalking and exploring. Discover the rich history of Kinchega National Park with an overnight stay at the Kinchega Woolshed or experience bush camping at Coach and Horses campground in Paroo-Darling National Park, beside the Darling River.
2. Wood fires guaranteed – There are numerous campsite across the state that during winter allows guests the true camping experience – a blazing campfire to toast marshmallows, boil the billy on and tell stories around. Many National Parks allow campfires in designated areas during the winter months, including Green Patch and Caves Beach at Booderee National Park near Jervis Bay on the South Coast and Mungo National Park in Outback NSW, as well as some private campgrounds, such as Treachery Camp at Seal Rocks, Holiday Haven in Kangaroo Valley and Big 4 Yamba on the North Coast.
3. Toss a line in – Park up close to the 12km of Darling River frontage at Outback NSW’s campground, Warrawong on the Darling, and enjoy fishing straight from your campsite. On the Murray River, Lake Mulwala is ideal for fishing and boating enthusiasts with the villas just metres from the lake’s edge. While at Moama Riverside you can almost throw in your line from the balcony of your cabin. For a coastal option, try Myall Shores where you can camp right on the edge of Myall Lakes – a favourite among local anglers.
4. Glamping in Lane Cove – Tandara in Lane Cove National Park is one of the state’s best glamping experiences. Nestled within bush, just 10km from Sydney CBD, Tandara is an ultimate luxury camping experience – plush king bed and luxurious linen, double shower and a gourmet outdoor kitchen for the ultimate romantic escape.
Read the Hello Sydney Kids review of Lane Cove Holiday Park and about glamping at Tandara.
5. Sleep amongst kangaroos – Families, young and old, will love pitching their tent amongst a mob of friendly kangaroos, toasting marshmallows on the campfire, cycling through the national park and sleeping under towering gums at Durras Lake North Holiday Park on the South Coast. Nature lovers will also enjoy Beachcomber Holiday Park near Tuross Lake on the South Coast where you are guaranteed to see kangaroos and wallabies, and have a good chance of spotting emus, echidnas and bandicoots as well.
6. Famous surf breaks at your door – The warm tropical currents of the NSW North Coast make it perfect for beginner and experienced surfers. Quieter breaks make it easier to perfect your hang ten and if you’re lucky you might even spot dolphins and whales also enjoying the warm waters. A campsite or luxury cabin overlooking The Pass in Byron Bay at Reflections Holiday Park Byron Bay is perfect for a surfing safari, or enjoy a deluxe villa big enough for the whole family at Lennox Beach Head Holiday Park just moments from the National Surfing Reserve of Lennox Head.
Here on Hello Sydney Kids you can find a guide to Fun Things To Do With Kids + Teenagers at Lennox Head.
7. Camp teepee style – Kings Creek Retreat, in the Great Lakes Hinterland near Gloucester, has tepees big enough for a family escape or group of friends. Kids will love the onsite pony rides, while groups of friends can cook up a storm in the pizza oven and use the tepees as an ideal base to explore the Great Lakes and Upper Hunter, which offers spectacular bushwalking trails nearby.
8. Funky beachfront glamping – One of the NSW’s best-kept secrets are the sunset glamping tents at Thou Walla Sunset Retreat. Overlooking the water and positioned on Soldiers Point at Port Stephens, the tents are fitted out with stylish furniture that will make your camping experience glamorously comfortable.
9. Bring the whole family, including the dog – A family holiday should include the whole family, including the family pet. Stockton Beach Holiday Park just north of Newcastle, is one of many pet-friendly campgrounds across NSW. While Werri Beach Holiday Park, near Kiama, is great for families with pets, as nearby Werri Beach is also dog friendly. For the ultimate winter camping spot, Merry Beach Caravan Resort, at Kioloa near Jervis Bay, has campsites overlooking the beach and lets you bring the dog and have a campfire.
10. Five star cabins – Many campgrounds across NSW offer high-end, luxury cabin accommodation that makes it feel like you aren’t camping at all. Some of the top picks are the spa villa’s at Maidens Inn Holiday Park on the Murray, the deluxe cabins perched on the headland at Bonny Hills, the Seabreeze Spa Villa at Ocean Beach Holiday Park at Umina on the Central Coast and the one of a kind stunning Beach House at Merimbula Beach Holiday Park.
Read our family review of Ocean Beach Holiday Park here.
Thanks to Destination NSW for providing this list for blog readers.
Where would you choose for your family camping destination?
Check out more family weekends away from Sydney and family holidays here.
Mungo National Park is on ‘my list’ – it looks like such a fascinating part of NSW.
Yes, it looks fantastic, we haven’t been either. We’ll meet you there!
I love camping but I’m just too chicken to do it in Winter time. Some great spots on this list thought!
Thanks for joining in #wednesdaywanderlust