Top 7 campsites on the NSW coast

Words Hema Maps Editorial Pics Supplied

We’ve picked seven absolute beauties that deliver their magic.

1. Diamond Head

At times during the year, the track into Diamond Head Campground can be rough and the campground itself is very popular, especially during school holidays. Nestled in Crowdy Bay National Park, 20 kilometres south of Laurieton, Diamond Head is a nature lover's escape abounding with birdlife, ocean life and the smell of salt water. 

Beware the lounging local wallabies as you make your way to the beach for a refreshing dip. Take your line or your surfboard too. The gutters abound with Whiting, Bream and Tailor and the waves peel beautifully on the right swell. Fancy a stroll? Or some four-wheel driving along the beach? There’s a pristine 20km strip just aching to be explored.

You can book your campsite here. 

2. Point Plomer

An exciting offroad drive awaits on this little adventure. From Port Macquarie, enjoy a quick ferry ride from Settlement Point, across the Hasting River. Follow Point Plomer Road packed with washaways and some sand driving as you hug the coast heading to the Point Plomer campground.

The scalloped bay provides a playground for fishermen and surfers, with the backside of Point Plomer sheltered from summer northerlies. The bay is a walker's delight with plenty to explore on the headland including a wave pool for the adventurous. The campground is well appointed, and supplies can be found at the nearby Crescent Head. This strip of coast bursts at the seams during the summer holidays and for good reason being so spectacular. 

You can book your campsite here. 

3. Bombah Point and Bombah Broadwater

If you like sand driving, surfing or a freshwater swim within minutes of each, coupled with campsites built to chill, then Mungo Brush Road provides plenty of options for a few days of R&R. Enjoy a short ferry ride from Bombah Point, crossing the waterway that connects Two Mile Lake and the Bombah Broadwater. 

Myall Lakes National Park greets you with lots of activities including beach fishing, surfing and four-wheel driving. Behind you lies a freshwater playground perfect for a swim or canoe with hours spent exploring the calm Broadwater. Camping is abundant along Mungo Brush Road with Dee’s Corner a favourite. Watching the sunset across the Bombah Broadwater, with a drink in hand, is one of life’s more enjoyable pleasures. 

Learn more details about Barrington Coast here. 

4. Barrington Tops

Barrington Tops is a spectacular region and Polblue Camp is a great place to base yourself for days of exploration. There are plenty of other campsites within the park with the Polblue camp area extremely popular just off the Barrington Tops Forest Road. There are plenty of walks on offer including the spectacular Polblue Swamp Walk, a loop trail from the camp area. 

If 4WDing is your thing, there’s plenty on offer, from the gentle forest drives to low-range scrambling. If it's been raining, it's not for the faint-hearted or inexperienced. Barrington Tops National Park is world heritage listed and offers incredible diversity in its flora and fauna, so stay on formed tracks and lower tyre pressures to limit your footprint. 

You can book your campsite here. 

5. Watagans — Gap Creek campground

Gap Creek campground is tucked away in Watagans National Park. This secluded camping area is flat and has stands of eucalypt and beautiful grass trees providing a serene atmosphere. The Watagans region has plenty to offer. The Ourimbah mountain bike trails are for all levels of ability while the downhill run is for experts. 

If you prefer 4WD, the touring in this region is quite varied. Look hard enough and you’ll find some serious 4WD tracks. For a scenic outlook, Heaton Lookout gives you a breathtaking view up and down the coast and out to sea. Follow the track to the end to see a patchwork of farms and settlements.  

You can book your campsite here.

6. Kanangra-Boyd National Park — Boyd River Campground

Mother Nature flexes her prowess in this national park and Kanangra Walls are a must-see. In the day's last rays of light, they glow majestically and are a photographer's dream. A scramble down to Boyd River’s headwaters is rewarded with a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear water, the 30-minute trail begins just past the Walls' lookout. 

Mountain Gum and twisted Snow Gums dominate the bush, the high altitude (1038 metres) making winter temperatures challenging. There is a great camp kitchen at Boyd River Campground, the massive fireplace is very inviting from early afternoon onwards. 

There are awesome 4WD forest runs and the track to Dingo Dell campground is a beautiful run as well. It's a great place to watch nature play for a day or two with Kookaburras leading the morning chorus and Currawongs keeping an eye out for food scraps. 

You can book your campsite here. 

7. Dingo Tops campground

Leaving the blacktop just past Wingham, enjoy the long climb and if you have time, a detour via Ellenborough Falls is worth it. NSW's highest single drop waterfall is amazing with several short or long walks to fill in your day. 

The spectacular scenes continue unabated on arrival at Dingo Tops campground. During autumn you’ll be greeted with a colourful display of deciduous trees. The splash of colour stands out in the usual grey-green of the Australian bush. 

The walks (Mountain Brush circuit), Potoroo Falls and the abundance of wildlife make it a place to cherish. You can then head north through Cottan-Bimbang National Park. There are some serious 4WD trails off Knodingbul Road, with the Cells River area being particularly treacherous for the unprepared or inexperienced. 

You can book your campsite here. 

Related articles

Free and budget campsites: New South Wales

Explore Barrington Tops National Park, NSW

How to budget for your next adventure