Free camping in the sensational Snowies

Spring has arrived. The days are getting longer, the wattle is blooming, the birds are singing and, depending on where in the country you are right now, the weather is improving.

And September school holidays are just around the corner. Time to dust off the camper, pack up the kids and head off exploring. And while it’s probably not quite yet warm enough to hit the beaches, there are heaps of free campsites across the country where you can get away from the rat race and relax for a few days or weeks.

This month we’ve consulted the Hema Maps ‘Where to Camp Guide Australia’ and opened it up on page 188, which is the beautiful Snowy Mountains country around Tumut, Batlow and Talbingo, NSW.

Free camping reigns in these hills and there are heaps to do … 4WDing, fishing, bushwalking, grabbing some fresh apples at Batlow, riding your bikes along the rail trail from Tumbarumba to Rosewood and returning. 

Visit the delightful village of Jindabyne and try a local ale at Jindabyne Brewery or perhaps a schnapps at the Wildbrumby Thredbo Valley Distillery. Take a drive up to Mt Kosciuszko and walk to the highest point in Australia – there may still be some snow around - or learn about the Snowy Hydroelectric scheme at the discovery centre in Cooma.

Here are a few camps from which to choose and the facilities they offer:

• Buddong Falls Camping Area (Map 188 E5), Buddong 2720. Tents only, toilets, picnic tables, wood barbecue and fires allowed.

• Humes Crossing Camping Area (Map 188 D5), Humes Crossing Access, Blowering 2720. Tents, camper trailers, boat ramp, toilets, picnic tables, wood barbecues, and fires are allowed.

• Jounama Creek Camping Area 1 (Map 188 D6), Jounama Creek Trail, Talbingo 2720. Tents and camper trailers, toilets inc disabled, picnic table, wood barbecue, fires allowed, bins provided.

• Log Bridge Creek Camping Area (Map 188 D5), Snowy Mountains Highway, Blowering 2720. Tents, camper trailers, toilets, picnic table, wood barbecue, and boat ramp.

• Rock Flat Camping Area (Map 188 D6), Goobarragandra 2720. Tents and camper trailers, toilets, picnic tables, and wood barbecues.

• The Pines Camping Area (Map 188 D5), Snowy Mountains Highway, Blowering 2720. Tents and camper trailers, toilets inc disabled, picnic tables, wood barbecues. 

• Thomas Boyd Headtrack (Map 188 C6), Hume and Hovell Walking Track, Goobarragandra 2720. Tents and camper trailers, toilets inc disabled, picnic tables and shelter, electric and wood barbecues, pet friendly. 

• Yachting Point Camping Area (Map 188 D5), Snowy Mountains Highway, Blowering 2720. Tents and camper trailers, toilets inc disabled, picnic table, wood barbecue.

• Yarrangobilly Village Camping Area (Map 188 E6, 192 A1), Snowy Mountains Highway, Blowering 2720. Tents and camper trailers, toilets inc disabled, picnic table, wood barbecue, pet friendly.

• Yolde Camping Area (Map 188 D5), Snowy Mountains Highway, Blowering 2720. Tents and camper trailers, toilets inc disabled, picnic table, wood barbecue, boat ramp, pet friendly.

All these campsites are located in the Kosciuszko National Park. For more information on any of these free camps visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au.

Don’t forget to take a copy of the Hema Maps ‘Where to Camp Guide Australia’, which contains details of more than 5500 campsites and caravan parks on 180 pages of detailed maps covering the entire length and breadth of our great land.

There’s so much to see and do – have fun, safe travels and happy camping.