Best Beachside Camping Spots in NSW

Family-Friendly Camping Beaches NSW

These sites have powered sites or cabins, hot showers, flushing toilets and are close to towns or easy road access. Perfect if you’re travelling with kids or prefer creature comforts.

 

Diamond Head Campground

• Location: Diamond Head Campground is located in Crowdy Bay National Park, near Laurieton

• Distance: 35 km south of Port Macquarie (about a 4-hour drive from Sydney)

• Facilities: 75 powered and unpowered sites, showers, toilets, picnic shelters, barbecues

• Bookings: Yes, via NPWS up to two months in advance

Diamond Head Campground sits on the shores of Crowdy Bay National Park and is famed for its top-notch camping and picnic facilities. Whether you arrive by motorhome, caravan, motorhome, trailer or tent, you’re just steps from the beach and the dramatic split-rock pillars jutting from the water. 

After soaking up the coastal views, follow the 4.3 km Diamond Head loop via Indian Head for sweeping panoramas of sea, forest and mountains, or take the shorter Mermaid Lookout track for a quick fix. When you return, fire up the gas barbecues, relax under a picnic shelter or rinse off in the outdoor showers.

See Diamond Head on Google Maps

 

Trial Bay Gaol Campground

• Location: Trial Bay Gaol Campground is located in Arakoon National Park, South West Rocks

• Distance: 5 km (10-minute drive) from South West Rocks township

• Facilities: 97 sites, toilets, showers, water taps, laundry facilities, cafe kiosk, heritage walking trails

• Bookings: Yes, required via NPWS; some sections closed until August 2025 for upgrades

• Rules & Tips: Fires only in provided rings, and stay on marked paths around the ruins.

Trial Bay Gaol Campground lies beside Front Beach in Arakoon National Park, offering spots for tents, caravans, and trailers with easy access to sand and surf. Pack snorkels for reef swims, rods for fishing, sneakers for bushwalks and boards for the waves. 

You’ll find something to do from dawn till dusk. If you’d rather skip camp cooking, the nearby Trial Bay Kiosk Restaurant serves up hearty family-friendly meals. In winter and spring, bring your binoculars to spot migrating whales gliding past the bay or resting with their calves just offshore. 

See Trial Bay Gaol on Google Maps

 

Freemans Campground

• Location: Freemans Campground located Munmorah State Conservation Area, near Wyee

• Distance: 90 km north of Sydney (1 hour 15 minutes)

• Facilities: 39 sites; toilets; picnic shelters; surf breaks nearby

• Bookings: Yes, online through NPWS

Freemans Campground sits in the heart of Munmorah State Conservation Area on NSW’s Central Coast, offering grassy, tree-shaded sites ideal for families. Caravan, trailer and tent campers all enjoy covered barbecue areas and easy access to Birdie Beach, where a gentle shoreline stroll makes for the perfect morning routine. 

Beyond the sand you’ll find excellent surf breaks, fishing spots and bush trails to explore. Visit during winter and you might even spot whales migrating offshore before you tuck into a campfire dinner under the stars.

See Freemans Campground on Google Maps

 

Bonnie Vale Campground

• Location: Bonnie Vale Campground is in the National Park, between Bundeena and Maianbar, Port Hacking 

• Distance: 2 km from Bundeena; 42 km south of Sydney 

• Facilities: 79 sites (powered and unpowered), picnics tables, barbecue facilities, drinking water, hot showers, flush toilets 

• Bookings: Online via NPWS for individual or group bookings (up to 18 people or 3 sites) 

• Rules & Tips: Avoid pitching on recently used grass to protect the turf, and be sure to check park entry fees and observe quiet hours. Kayak hire is available on weekends, and fires are only permitted in the provided facilities.

Bonnie Vale Campground lies between Bundeena and Maianbar in the Royal National Park, framed by a sweeping sand spit on the Hacking River. With powered and unpowered sites, flush toilets and hot showers, you can enjoy riverside camping without roughing it. 

Fisherfolk will love the nearby Jibbon Beach, while families can hire kayaks at the weekend and paddle among the river bends. Countless walking tracks fan out from camp, including coastal cliffs and rainforest trails. During school holidays, NPWS runs free guided activities for kids, so check the noticeboard when you arrive.

See Bonnie Vale Campground on Google maps

 

Secluded Beach Camping NSW

Small numbers of sites, beautiful locations, minimal facilities. Great if you want to feel off the grid.

Image: Destination NSW

 

Boorkoom Campground

• Location: Boorkoom Campground located National Park, on Wilsons Headland near Wooli 

• Distance: 5 km north of Wooli; 12 km south-west of Grafton 

• Facilities: 11 sites, picnic tables, barbecue facilities, non-flush toilets 

• Bookings: Online via NPWS for up to 10 people or 2 sites; Park Eco Pass group enquiries available 

• Rules & Tips: Bring drinking water, cooking water and firewood, and note that fires are only allowed in off-ground braziers (hire available on site). 

Boorkoom Campground perches on the windswept cliffs of Wilsons Headland, where rocky shores meet quiet beaches and only 11 clifftop sites ensure a truly secluded stay. Surf the pristine north-coast waves or cast a line for whiting, bream and flathead in the sparkling surf. 

Keep watch for migrating whales from the headland’s natural lookouts, then stretch your legs on the 3 km Wilsons Headland walk with its boardwalks, ocean views and picnic spots. Eagles often glide overhead, adding to the sense of wilderness at Australia’s edge. It’s a perfect retreat for anyone craving peace, nature and spectacular coastal scenery.  

See Boorkoom Campground on Google maps

 

Hungry Gate Campground

• Location: Hungry Gate Campground located Head National Park, near Hat Head 

• Distance: 30 km north-east of Kempsey; 32 km south of Nambucca Heads 

• Facilities: 20 unpowered sites, picnic tables,  non-flush toilets, rubbish bins 

• Bookings: Online via NPWS for up to 12 people or 2 sites; group enquiries available 

• Rules & Tips: Bring your own drinking and cooking water and firewood, and note that campfires are only permitted in off-ground pits or braziers. The beach is just a ten-minute walk away, though mobile coverage is limited. 

Hungry Gate Campground lies at the southern tip of Hat Head National Park, tucked behind sand dunes and lush paperbarks. It’s an easy seven-minute walk to a pristine beach where Brahminy kites often soar overhead. Back at camp, kangaroos graze among the fig trees and bent-winged bats flit through dusk skies. 

Keep an eye out for goannas on the gravel tracks and listen for birdsong in the undergrowth. With just twenty sites and minimal facilities, it feels like your own private wilderness retreat.

See Hungry Gate Campground on Google maps

 

Best camping spots in NSW for water sports and fishing

These beachside campgrounds are perfect for water lovers, offering easy access to fishing, boating, swimming and more.

 

Woody Head Campground

• Location: Woody Head Campground located in Bundjalung National Park, near Iluka

• Distance: 7 km north of Iluka (around 4 hours from Sydney)

• Facilities: 94 sites, picnic tables, toilets, fishing access

• Bookings: Yes, via NPWS website

• Rules & Tips: Bring insect repellent, the midges are relentless at dusk. No generators after 10 pm.

Woody Head Campground is the full package for a beachside escape, offering tent sites, caravan spots and cosy cabins just metres from a protected sandy shore. Families will love the safe swimming and fishing on offer, plus the boat ramp for launching adventures on the Clarence River. Kids and grown-ups can explore the nearby rainforest and discover shallow reefs and dramatic rock platforms. With so much to do, booking well in advance is a must to secure your spot at this popular north-coast retreat.

See Woody Head on Google Maps

 

Sandon River Campground

• Location: Sandon River Campground located in Yuraygir National Park, near Brooms Head

• Distance: 17 km from Maclean; 2 hours south of Byron Bay

• Facilities: 29 sites, boat ram, picnic tables, barbecues, non-flush toilets

• Bookings: Online for groups up to 12

• Rules & Tips: Vehicle access is only permitted on marked tracks and all fires must use the provided barbecues.

Sandon River Campground perches on a sandy peninsula between the river mouth and the open ocean, giving you million-dollar views in every direction. All the sites have space to spread out, with a boat ramp at your doorstep for fishing or canoeing adventures. Informative panels around camp reveal the rich Aboriginal and European history of the area. A quick walk to the beach rewards you with crystal waters for swimming or shell hunting. It’s also a convenient stopover for hikers tackling the Yuraygir coastal walk.

See Sandon River on Google Maps

 

Point Plomer Campground

• Location: Point Plomer Campground located Limeburners Creek National Park, near Crescent Head 

• Distance: 12 km north of Crescent Head; 20 km south of Port Macquarie 

• Facilities: 84 unpowered sites, picnic tables, boat ramp, car park, hot showers, flush toilets, rubbish bins 

• Bookings: Online via NPWS for up to 20 people or 5 sites; check-in at on-site office required 

• Rules & Tips: Fires are only allowed in off-ground braziers, which you can hire on site. Please don’t use tarpaulins on the grass, and bring all your cooking and drinking water. This is a remote location, so stock up on supplies before you arrive and check road conditions in advance.

Point Plomer Campground hugs the foreshore of Barries Bay in Limeburners Creek National Park, offering family-friendly camping on golden sands. Surfers flock here for world-class breaks while swimmers revel in the sheltered bay. Fishing rods are a must as you cast from shore, and in winter and spring you may spot whales breaching offshore or dolphins riding the waves. Birdwatchers will delight in ospreys overhead and pied oystercatchers darting among the rocks. With minimal facilities but unbeatable scenery, this is the perfect weekend escape or local hideaway.

See Point Plomer Campground on Google maps

 

Bittangabee Campground 

• Location: Bittangabee Campground located in Beowa National Park (Green Cape), near Eden

• Distance: 6 km south of Eden (5 hours from Sydney)

• Facilities: 31 sites, toilets, picnic tables, snorkelling and fishing

• Bookings: Yes, via NPWS

• Rules & Tips: Strong currents near Green Cape lighthouse. Swim between flags at nearby beaches.

Bittangabee Campground lies just a short drive from Eden on the stunning Green Cape peninsula, with sites suitable for motorhomes and camper trailers. Days here centre on fishing, swimming, snorkelling and diving in crystal-clear waters, or exploring the nearby storehouse ruins that once served the Green Cape Lightstation. Don’t miss the chance to spot majestic lyrebirds performing in the bush or admire yachts moored in the bay as the sun sets. As one leg of the famous Light to Light walk, evenings can bring friendly walkers stopping in to share tales of the trail.

See Bittangabee on Google Maps

 

Rainforest & Bushland Borders Beach Camping NSW

These campsites sit right on the edge of coastal rainforest or bush, so you get shade, birdlife and scenic walks as well as beach access.

 

The Ruins Campground

• Location: The Ruins Campground located Booti Booti National Park, between Forster and Seal Rocks

• Distance: 3 km west of Pacific Palms (10-minute drive)

• Facilities: 96 unpowered sites, toilets, picnic shelters, track to Aboriginal middens

• Bookings: Yes, va NPWS

• Rules & Tips: All fires must be contained in the metal rings provided.

The Ruins Campground sits beneath cabbage tree palms and paperbarks just west of Seven Mile Beach. You’ll find picnic tables, barbecues, hot showers and drinking water mere steps from both the beach and a sheltered lake. Seven Mile Beach offers golden sand and winter whale watching, while Wallis Lake is perfect for a lazy kayak paddle or a shaded picnic. Adventurous campers can tackle the Booti walking track for scenic lookouts and a direct link to Elizabeth Beach’s surf breaks. When you need a break from the bush, Pacific Palms cafés are only a short drive away.

See The Ruins on Google Maps

 

Mungo Brush Campground

• Location: Mungo Brush Campground located Myall Lakes National Park, near Hawks Nest 

• Distance: 20 km (20 min drive) from Hawks Nest; 250 km (3 h 15 min) north of Sydney 

• Facilities: 77 sites, picnic tables, gas barbecues, boat ramp, non-flush toilets, rubbish bins 

• Bookings: Online via NPWS for individual and group bookings (up to 20 people or 5 sites) 

• Rules & Tips: Bring your own drinking and cooking water, and be aware that ferry fees apply to cross Myall Lake. Mobile reception is limited, so plan accordingly, and please don’t tie ropes to trees. Fires are only permitted in the provided braziers.

Mungo Brush Campground rests amid swamp mahoganies and melaleucas on Myall Lakes’ western shore, just north of Hawks Nest. Choose from dozens of caravan, motorhome or tent sites, then head out on the Mungo, Tamboi or rainforest walks that branch right from camp. Kayakers and canoeists can paddle down the lower Myall River to Hawks Nest and back. A short stroll leads you to a wide, sandy beach ideal for swimming, fishing or sailboarding. Finish the day cooking your catch on one of the campground’s barbecues as the sun dips below the lake.

See Mungo Brush Campground on Google Maps

 

Depot Beach Campground

• Location: Depot Beach Campground located in Murramarang National Park, near Broulee

• Distance: 15 km south of Batemans Bay

• Facilities: 59 sites, toilets, hot showers, picnic tables, coastal walks

• Bookings: Yes, essential through NPWS

• Rules & Tips: Watch for whale migrations from May to November along the headland walk.

Depot Beach Campground is nestled among towering spotted gums just minutes from a golden-sand shore. After pitching your tent, swag, trailer or caravan you can wander down for a refreshing swim, snorkel among rocky reefs or cast a line in hope of a catch. Keep an eye out for dolphins cruising the coastline, then stretch your legs on the Rock Platform or Rainforest walks that start nearby. As dusk falls, kangaroos graze close to camp while the evening sky fills with stars. It’s truly a world away from the everyday.

See Depot Beach on Google Maps

 

Planning for a beachside motorhome road trip in NSW

When parking up in the more wild and secluded parts of Australia’s New South Wales coastline, it's important to consider a few things before setting off on your trip:

• Check the local fire bans. In the summer months, Australia is known for its hot climate and dry conditions. While this makes it a perfect time to explore the beaches, it also does mean that these months are also a high risk for wildfires. But don’t worry, this is easily navigated by doing a little research into local fire bans in high-risk areas. This will ensure you have a safe motorhome road trip!

• Check the fishing safety rules and regulations. Beach holidays are the perfect chance to explore the local fishing spots. However, it’s important to do a little research and abide by the fishing rules of the area you are staying in.

• Stay aware of beach safety. Australia has stunning, scenic beaches, but they are also prone to rips, turbulent waters and possible sealife closures. As such, it's important to get acquainted with the safety rules when staying at NSW beachside campsites

• Be aware of camping safety rules. Each campsite will have a set of rules regarding the use of fires, generators, where to set up and so on. Be considerate of these campgrounds and these areas by obeying any signs at the campsite.

 

Go on your next summer road trip with maui

New South Wales is a state brimming with coastal delights and it isn't difficult to find that perfect stretch of sand to park nearby. Whether you want to go snorkelling, swimming or simply soak up some sun, there are plenty of beautiful campgrounds in NSW that can help make your trip unforgettable.

Ready to park up in your own slice of paradise at one of these beachside camping spots in New South Wales? Book your maui motorhome online today and then pick it up from your nearest maui branch to begin the adventure. For more tips on what to pack for your motorhome trip, tips for motorhome holidays, as well as the top secret camping spots in Australia and more, check out the maui blog.