Five beach campgrounds near Sydney to visit this weekend
There’s something soothing about waking up to the sound of waves breaking on a beach and if you’re sleeping in a tent, you get to hear it a whole lot better.Ever dreamed of camping within a stone’s throw of the sand and surf but don’t want to drive too far from Sydney? Try these five beachside camping spots for size.
The Basin, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
The Basin campground is a special spot accessible only by ferry or on foot and yet virtually within the boundaries of Greater Sydney. It’s on the western shores of Pittwater so the ferry leaves from Palm Beach and campers will find a large clearing with amenities including proper showers and toilets, barbecues and picnic tables. Bring your own tent or swag, enjoy the seaside views or bushwalking into the interior of Ku-ring-gai Chase. Campsite booking is required, as with all camping in NSW national parks.
Honeymoon Bay, Jervis Bay
Idyllic locations like Honeymoon Bay rarely exist outside of Hollywood. But this tiny, jewel-like indentation in the Jervis Bay coastline, with a narrow entrance guarded by rocks and white sandy beaches backing onto forest, is real. The campsite is largely DIY, limited to non-flushing loos, so bring water, food, cooking facilities and a sense of adventure. You’re about 10km from the nearest civilization in Currarong and the Navy may close down the site during live-firing training but at less than a three-hour drive from Sydney, it’s a trip.
Diamond Head, Crowdy Bay National Park
Crowdy Bay National Park is a beautiful, beachside wilderness area south of Port Macquarie and the best way to see it is by staying at the Diamond Head campground. Kangaroos laze among the 70-odd campsites (some even swim in the surf), the beach is right next door, and hiking in the bush or down to the rocky heads themselves helps pass the time of day. There’s everything here including gas barbies, proper showers and dunnies and all campers from swaggies to caravaners are welcome.
Patonga Caravan and Camping Area, Patonga
Patonga is so close to Sydney you can see Palm Beach across Broken Bay on the other side of the Hawkesbury River. You’ll need to drive all the way around via Woy Woy to arrive by car, but the reward is a neat little campground with a beach on one side, the calm Patonga river on the other. Go for a paddle in the river, wander off to the fabulous Boathouse pub, do the bushwalk to nearby Pearl Beach, take the ferry for an outing to Palm Beach or just sit back for a natter with your fellow campers.
The Farm, Killalea National Surfing Reserve, Shell Beach
You’ll find Killalea Reserve just south of Wollongong and if you’re a surfer, you’ll know all about The Farm, probably the most famous break on NSW’s south coast. The area is a designated reserve with expansive lawns and a campground that is a short walk from the beach. There are powered and unpowered sites for caravans and tents alike, undercover picnic areas and even if you’re not a surfer, the beach is fabulous and watching is half the fun.
Related: Five free campgrounds near Sydney to check out
Related: Top five winter camping spots
Related: Five cars perfect for a camping weekend
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
