Bush & remote campsites in NSW

Sydney & surrounds

You don’t have to travel very far out of Sydney to find places to camp and go off-grid. In Royal National Park, Uloola Falls campground is beside a small waterfall and surrounded by lush bushland. This hidden camping site is only accessible on foot or mountain bike. You’ll need to bring your own supplies, but there are toilets on site. 

Heathcote National Park is just south of Sydney but a world away from the city. Pitch a tent at Kingfisher Pool campground, perched 50 metres above the tranquil Kingfisher Pool; waterside at Lake Eckersley campground, with space for just six tents; or at the pretty Mirang Pool campground. You’ll have to walk to all three and bring food, water and fuel. 

Olney State Forest, Lake Macquarie

Marramarra National Park in the Hawkesbury is also the perfect place to camp for a bush escape. You’ll need to hike a 10-kilometre trail or paddle by kayak to Gentlemans Halt campground, but once there your only companions will be wedge-tailed eagles. Or take a boat to Twin Beaches, where you can camp by the river and explore colonial ruins on Bar Island. 

Marramarra National Park, Hawkesbury - Credit: John Spencer/DPE

The Blue Mountains 

Acacia Flat campground is perfect for those yearning for a bush hiking adventure deep into the Blue Mountains. You’ll need to conquer a three-hour, challenging trek to get to this very remote bush campsite, but on the way, you’ll enjoy majestic views of the Blue Gum Forest of Grose Valley. Meanwhile, Newnes campground is as picturesque as they come: dramatic sandstone cliffs and proud eucalypt trees make for a majestic backdrop at this beautiful, grassy, flat campground by the Wolgan River.

A 4WD is required to get to Murphys Glen campground, where you can pitch a tent among towering blue gums and turpentines. Another remote campsite popular with 4WD enthusiasts is The Diggings campground. Nestled on the banks of the Turon River, it’s a great spot for trout fishing, canoeing, as well as spotting kangaroos and wombats.  

View of Newnes Campground, Wollemi National Park - Credit: Elinor Sheargold, DPE

Beach & riverside campsites

There’s something extra soothing about setting up camp beside the water. Many of the best camping sites in NSW sit right on the Murray River’s edge, like Benarca campground near Moama, Quicks Beach campground near Barooga and the remote 4WD-only Woperana campground, which has room for just a few tents or trailers. 

On the South Coast, Blue Gum Flat campground is by the Clyde River in the Morton National Park near Ulladulla. Look out for shy wombats. Nearby in Budawang National Park, the isolated Long Gully campground beside Yadboro River is a spot for experienced campers to escape.

Ulupna Island in Tocumwal, The Murray River

Near Mudgee, camp among the trees that line the riverbank at Big River Campground in Goulburn River National Park. Or explore the tranquil waters of Dunns Swamp in Wollemi National Park from the Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp campground. Both sites have barbecue facilities, picnic tables and toilets.

Can’t decide between beach or river? Then head for Yuragir National Park in the Clarence Valley. At Sandon River Campground you’ll have the river on one side and the ocean on the other. Nearby Station Creek Campground sits on a calm estuary that’s the perfect swimming spot for families.

Sandon River Campground, Yuraygir National Park - Credit: Jessica Robertson/DPE

Outback NSW

If you’d like to get even further from civilisation, camping in Outback NSW might be for you. Campsites don’t get more remote than those in Sturt National Park on the very edge of NSW, where you can set up a tent or camper amid the red sands of Olive Downs, Fort Grey or Dead Horse Gully.  

Dead Horse Gully campground, Sturt National Park - Credit: John Spencer/DPE

Further south in the Broken Hill area, camp lakeside, meet emus and soak up the sunsets at Emu Lake campground in Kinchega National Park. Or experience life at a working sheep station at Nelia Gaari Station, where activities include fishing, bushwalking and a nine-hole bush golf course. 

Kangaroos in Sturt National Park

In central NSW near Bourke, stay at Dry Tank campground and explore the wonders of Gundabooka National Park. Take the Mulgowan Aboriginal Art Site Walking Track to discover ancient treasures up close. At Yanda campground on the banks of the Darling River, pitch a tent in the shade of the majestic river red gums and watch the world drift by. 

Yanda Campground, Gundabooka National Park - Credit: John Spencer/DPE

The North Coast 

The NSW North Coast is home to countless remote camping sites situated next to untouched wilderness or secluded coastline. Escape into the ancient rainforest of Tapin Tops National Park near Taree and camp at Dingo Tops, a perfect base for exploring creeks and waterfalls.  

Near Hawk’s Nest, Broughton Island campground offers a unique experience where you can camp off the mainland. The island is an active seabird colony and features perfect, secluded spots to fish, swim, snorkel and scuba dive. 

Broughton Island campground, Myall Lakes - Credit: John Spencer/DPE

Towards the Queensland border near Nimbin, relax amid rolling hills and verdant greenery at Mount Warning Views Camp. Nearby dams, waterholes, hikes and mountain bike tracks provide plenty to do. Further south near Wooli you’ll find the hidden camping gem Diggers Camp, which is just a stone’s throw from a secluded beach and boasts panoramic ocean views. Nearby, Boorkoom campground feels like the ends of the earth: offering just 11 clifftop campsites atop the northern end of Wilsons Headland, and incredible ocean views.

Boorkoom Campground, Yuraygir National Park - Credit Jessica Robertson/DPE 

The Snowy Mountains 

If you don’t mind the cold, set up a tent in the Snowy Mountains for the ultimate off-grid adventure. One of Kosciuszko National Park’s best-kept secrets is Halfway Flat campground. Nestled on the banks of a river, this bush camping spot is great for swimming, fishing, bush walking and spotting wombats, wallabies and quolls.  

Take the 4WD trail to Old Geehi campground and relax by the river while taking in breathtaking views of the mountains. You can also embark on the scenic Geehi huts walking track by 4WD, bike or foot to discover the region’s historic stone huts that were once used by graziers and prospectors. 

Old Geehi campground near the YHA Hut, Kosciuszko National Park - Credit: Murray Vanderveer/DPE

Please note: bookings are now required for all campgrounds and camping sites in NSW national parks, including those without camping fees. All free campgrounds now have a non-refundable $6 booking fee. Make an online booking for more information.