Best Camping Spots Within 5 Hours of Sydney

Australia boasts some of the best camping offered anywhere in the world. From remote isolated locations to pristine beaches and skies with a million stars, Australia is a campers paradise. What’s even better is the camping on offer is almost at our door step. We’ve created a list of campsites that every member of the family will enjoy, no matter how much of a ‘creature of comfort’ they are. However, do note that most of these campsites are fairly easy to access and you may see large crowds, especially during holiday periods. As well as this, check the national parks website for the most accurate information on park closures and booking requirements. 

Bonnie Vale Campground

If you are looking for a great mix of easy access, plenty of facilities and loads of activities, then Bonnie Vale Campground is a must for the whole family. Situated on the edge of the Royal National Park, only an hour’s drive South from Sydney Airport, this campsite offers picnic tables, boat ramps, showers/toilets and fresh drinking water. Bonnie Vale campground is able to offer so many kid friendly activities because of the Deeban Spit which provides the best of both worlds, giving people easy access to surfing and giving the kids or kayak enthusiasts a great spot to splash around, wave free. Activities can include (but aren’t limited too) swimming, push bike riding, hiking, boating, surfing and kayaking. Just don’t forget the sun cream. 

The Basin – Pittwater

If you are looking for something a slightly trickier to access but still close enough incase the weather turns bad, Pittwater Basin is a very good option. Only accessible to the public by a short but scenic ferry ride (yes – you take your camping gear on the ferry). The basin offers plenty of fun in the sun. Sitting on the water’s edge of West Head, just across from Sydney’s famous Palm Beach, the basin is known for its beach cricket tournaments and world class boating.  If you aren’t a fan of the salt water and are looking to see all the stars the sky has to offer, the basin probably isn’t for you. However, if you are a regular beach goer looking for a weekend away from the phones, but still close to home, the Basin is a must.

The Basin – Watagans

Probably the most remote campsite on this list is the Watagans Basin camping area. If being out in the bush, further from the crowds and seeing loads stars is what’s important to you, then this campsite is your go-to. Located only 2hrs drive from Hornsby, Sydney, this campsite is slightly more difficult to access but offers epic off-road driving and serenity like no-where else. This campsite has designated campfire spots, toilets and picnic tables, so you will need to bring your own water. The campsite also serves as a terrific base camp for those that like to go off-roading during the day, before returning to a campfire at night. Finally, this campsite offers an immense range of hiking and mountain biking tracks, just know your ability when venturing away from camp because this is a remote location. 

Seal Rocks Caravan Park

If you are looking for something a little further from the city, but still with all the facilities you need, then Seal Rocks Caravan Park makes a great long weekend away. Approximately 4hrs drive from Sydney sitting almost right between Hawks Nest and Forster, Seal Rocks offers some of the most pristine beaches in the world. The great thing about a caravan park is that you have access to electricity and water if you need it, so you can bring more of home’s comforts with you. Seal Rocks makes a great week away for a couple of reasons, it’s only a short car ride (10-15mins) from some amazing bushwalks along the sand dunes, only 10 minutes from Myall Lakes, which again offers amazing walks and boating for the enthusiasts and has a beach protected from most of the elements so that the kids can splash around in the sunshine. 

Nelson Bay Caravan Park

If you are willing to tolerate the crowds, Nelson Bay Caravan Park again can offer the best of both worlds, boasting some of the nicest beaches on Australia’s East Coast whist still having easy access to water, power and the shops. The Nelson Bay area offers multiple headland walks, beaches and shopping which means there is something for everyone. The holiday park is a great location for bike riding and adventurous kids. Due to the shape of the headland, there’s almost always a safe place to swim and is a hotspot for dolphins and other aquatic friends all year round.