The Best Spots For Camping In Sydney

Sydney is home to many things, such as the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Bondi Beach, towering skyscrapers and some of the best camping spots you can find in Australia. If you are looking to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the CBD, then pack up all your camping gear into your car and head to the great outdoors! To save you the trouble of rounding up the best places to check out, we've created a list of the best spots for camping in Sydney for you!

Quick Links:

• Most Commonly Asked Questions
• Diamond Head Campground
• Bouddi National Park
• Uloola Falls Campground
• Cattai Campground
• Euroka Campground
• The Basin
• Booderee National Park
• Cockatoo Island
• Gillards Campground
• Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp Campground
• North Era Campground

Most Commonly Asked Questions

Where can I camp for free in Sydney?

If you are looking for an outdoor adventure that won't cost you much money, then there are plenty of camping spots in Sydney that are free. From jaw-dropping views of forests to pristine rivers, here are some of the best free camping spots in Sydney:

• Ingar Campground at Wentworth Falls
• Bendeela at Kangaroo Valley
• Colo Meroo Campground at Wollemi National Park
• Perrys Lookdown at the Blue Mountains
• Cathedral Ferns Reserve at Mount Wilson
• The Pines at Olney State Forest

Can you camp anywhere in Sydney?

You can camp anywhere in Sydney as long as it is a designated camping ground. This also goes for camping in state forests in NSW. Before you head out, it is best to plan your camping trip and always make sure that you are camping in the authorised camping areas to avoid paying any fines.

Can you have a bonfire on the beach in Sydney?

It is illegal to have a bonfire on a beach in a National Park in Sydney. Much like having a bonfire at a camping ground, your best bet is to check with the local authorities and check the signs around the campsite if you plan on lighting a bonfire during your camping trip.

Diamond Head Campground, Crowdy Bay National Park

Imagine unzipping your tent in the morning only to be greeted by roaming wildlife and spectacular views of the ocean right from your tent. As a popular camping spot in Sydney, Diamond Head Campground offers all this and much more. Picking a spot to set up your tent is easy as the camping ground features a whopping 75 campsites to choose from - and plenty situated just a stone's throw away from the beach. There are plenty of facilities including BBQ areas, showers, flushing toilets and picnic tables. Bring your hiking shoes as well as there are plenty of walking and hiking tracks to explore, all offering incredible views of the surrounding bay area.

Bouddi National Park, Killcare

About a one-hour and 45-minute drive northeast of Sydney CBD is Bouddi National Park in Killcare. This camping spot in Sydney offers some of the best beach camping you can find. There are two campgrounds you can choose from which are the Tallow Beach area and the Putty Beach campground, and both offer spectacular views of the ocean. There is also the 8km Bouddi coastal walk that offers plenty of stunning views of the bay area, rainforests and even whales! Make sure you also bring your surfboard and the surf here is too good to pass up!

Uloola Falls Campground, Royal National Park

Next on our list of the best camping spots in Sydney is the Uloola Falls Campground, which is just under an hour's drive from Sydney. Boasting over 15,000 hectares of beautiful bushland, this is the perfect camping spot for photos! If hiking is your thing, then Uloola Falls Campground features the Royal Coastal Walk, which stretches out for more than 26kms and offers some of the best views you can find in Sydney. If you prefer something a bit more intense, then there are plenty of activities you can do such as bike riding, stand up paddle boarding, swimming, surfing and much more.

Cattai Campground, Cattai National Park

Nestled beside the Hawkesbury River is Cattai Campground, one of the best camping spots in Sydney to reconnect with nature. The campsite offers everything you will need at your fingertips such as flushing toilets, hot showers, BBQ areas, picnic areas and more. This campsite is also loaded with plenty of activities to enjoy with family and friends including canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking and even bird spotting. Remember to bring your camera along as well because Cattai National Park offers plenty of views of the surrounding lush greenery, wildlife, rivers and more.

Euroka Campground, Blue Mountains

Located just an hour and 15-minute drive from Sydney is the Euroka Campground in the famous Blue Mountains. This campsite is nestled amongst lush greenery such as iconic Australian gum trees, roaming wildlife and rivers. There are also two swimming holes, Blue Pool and Jellybean Pool, that are a massive hit with families. But as you would expect from a popular camping destination, it can get pretty busy during its peak times, so it's a good idea to plan ahead before packing up and heading down.

The Basin, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park

The Basin in Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park is just under one hour's drive from the Sydney CBD and is another top pick for the best camping destination in Sydney. The most common way to reach this campground is by taking a ferry from Palm Beach or the more exciting way by plane from Rose Bay. This is also a great camping spot for roughing it, as all the camping areas are unpowered and only cater to tents. But as long as you've got all the right camping gear you'll need, The Basin is a slice of untouched paradise.

Booderee National Park, Jervis Bay

Another top pick for camping in untouched paradise is the Booderee National Park in Jervis Bay. Apart from all the common facilities you'll need, this camping oasis offers plenty of walking trails and stunning views of secluded beaches, the glistening ocean from the bay, dune lakes and roaming wildlife. You will also have plenty of privacy when setting up camp as you will be surrounded by beautiful banksias and a variety of different Australian Eucalyptus trees. And once the sun begins to melt into the horizon, Booderee National Park turns into a slice of the Caribbean.

Cockatoo Island

Standing out as the largest island in Sydney's harbour, Cockatoo Island also stands out as one of the best camping spots in Sydney. Originally a prison to house convicts, it is now home to cockatoos and picturesque camping grounds for everyone to enjoy. There's plenty to do here, from stunning walks and fishing to a variety of tours that showcase the highlights of the area. If you feel like spoiling yourself, there are also glamping options as well!

Gillards Campground, Mimosa Rocks National Park

A little further out from Sydney (about a six-hour drive) is the Gillards Campground in Mimosa Rocks National Park. It may be a bit of a drive but it is definitely worth the trip! As a perfect retreat for those wanting to escape the fast pace of the modern world, all the camping areas are unpowered, allowing you to reconnect with nature and unwind. Whether you are relaxing on the sandy beaches, swimming in the water, watching the potoroo scamper by or strolling along the shore, this is the perfect camping destination to unwind.

Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp Campground, Wollemi National Park

The Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp Campground is one of the best-kept secrets when it comes to camping in Sydney. This camping spot is a wonderland that showcases a stunning landscape filled with deep winding valleys, majestic sandstone pagodas, lush greenery and even a majestic glow worm tunnel. This camping destination is all about exploration and travelling off the beaten path. There is also plenty of wildlife to spot around your campsite, such as Purple Swamphens, wallabies, platypuses and long-necked turtles!

North Era Campground, Royal National Park

The last top pick for the best camping spot in Sydney takes us back to the Royal National Park The North Era Campground. This is a fantastic beach camping destination, so remember to bring your surfboard and fishing rod! You can set up camp starting from $12.30 per night and the North Era Campground offers some of the most stunning views of the surrounding bay area. If you plan on hiking the Royal National Park Coast Track, just beware that it's an extremely popular hike, so you will most likely have to book in advance.

When it comes to the best camping grounds in Sydney, there are plenty of options far and wide, and this list saves you the trouble of searching high and low for the best ones. For more camping destinations, fishing tips and much more, check out our Adventure Centre for more helpful information. Also make sure you have everything for your next camping trip by exploring our entire camping and hiking range at Anaconda.