Camping on a budget: 7 spots you can camp for free in NSW
Escape from the hustle and bustle of the city with a quick getaway into nature. Feel the crisp air fill your lungs as you wake up to the sounds of chirping birds and rustling trees. Can a night sleeping under a dazzling canopy of stars get any better? Yes, when you can do it for free.
There are many campsites in New South Wales that allow you to get up close to nature on an extraordinary adventure that will tap into your inner wild side. Ready for your next weekend getaway? Pack your camping bags and check out the best free places to camp in and around Sydney.
1. Cathedral Reserve
Facilities: Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, carpark, toilets
What to bring: Drinking water, cooking water, firewood
Bookings: Not required
Located on Mount Wilson in the Blue Mountains, the Cathedral Reserve is nestled amongst the eucalyptus forests, dramatic scenery and hidden from the crowd. Take a 10-minute walk and you will be greeted by majestic stands of tree ferns and rainforest trees at the Cathedral of Ferns. Take an early morning walk to see the place shrouded in mist. Visit in autumn to see the trees glow red in the sunlight amongst a sea of yellow and orange.
2. Ingar Campground
Facilities: Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, carpark, toilets
What to bring: Drinking water, cooking water, firewood
Bookings: Required, with $6 booking fee
A popular camping spot on the Wentworth Falls to Woodford trail, getting to Ingar Campground is an adventure in itself. It’s not accessible by car so you will have to walk or cycle to reach the site. Located in the Blue Mountains National Park, Ingar Campground is suitable for most campers, whether you’re backpacking or tent camping. Cool off at the nearby dam on Ingar Creek with a swim, or just bask in the greenery and serenity of the surroundings. At night, bring along some torches to spot the local nightlife. If lady luck shines on you, you might catch a glimpse of one of Australia’s cutest marsupials, the sugar glider. Afterwards, celebrate with a gooey toasted marshmallow over your campfire.
3. Budds Mare campground
Facilities: Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, toilets
What to bring: Drinking water, cooking water, firewood
Bookings: Required, with $6 booking fee
The campground is located right on the rim of the gorge with a spectacular lookout over Apsley Falls in the Northern Tablelands region. Have an exhilarating start to the day by embarking on the Budds Mare to Riverside walking track. It is a challenging hike through the heart of the World Heritage-listed Macleay wilderness but you’ll be rewarded when you arrive at Riverside. Stretch your legs by the Apsley River, relax with a gentle swim, and take in the natural beauty of this picture-perfect location. When the sun goes down, get the barbecue going and enjoy a cozy night under the stars with your loved ones.
4. Dangars Gorge campground
Facilities: Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, carpark, drinking water, toilets
What to bring: Firewood
Bookings: Required, with $6 booking fee
Breathtaking, rugged ridges are the backdrop for Dangars Gorge campgrounds near Armidale. Enjoy the company of kangaroos and wallabies and wake up to the melodious chirping of the area’s native birds—see if you can spot a wedge-tailed eagle, peregrine falcon, or square-tailed kite.
The Dangars Gorge campground is also a gateway to explore the other spots that the Oxley Wild Rivers National Park has to offer. Check out the Dangars Fall for a day filled with natural wonders and a scrumptious picnic.
5. Ellenborough Reserve
Facilities: Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, toilets
What to bring: Drinking water, cooking water, firewood
Bookings: Not required
Tune in to your favorite playlist as you embark on a trip to the Ellenborough Reserve campground, a four-hour drive from the heart of Sydney near Taree. Just a stone’s throw inland from Port Macquarie, gear up for a half-day (or full-day) hike that will bring you to the various lookouts of the Ellenborough Falls. If you are traveling with kids, “lose” your kids at Bago Maze & Wine and end the day with an amazing platter and wines—if you’re not driving—before heading back to the campsite.
This area can be prone to flooding so check the forecast before planning your visit. Due to the popularity of this campsite, there is a maximum stay of 48 hours.
6. Newnes Campground
Facilities: Picnic tables, wood barbecues, fire rings
What to bring: Drinking water, cooking water, firewood
Bookings: Required, with $6 booking fee
Newnes Campground is known for being nature’s amphitheater, deep in the NSW Wollemi National Park, north of the Blue Mountains. The camping area is set in a gorgeous open area surrounded by amazing sandstone cliffs and native eucalyptus trees with the beautiful Wolgan River running alongside it.
Cool off with some swimming, kayaking, and canoeing, or explore the multiple hiking tracks that will take you to spots like the Glow Worm Tunnel. Immerse yourself in cultural heritage and be transported back into the past on the Newnes Industrial Ruins walk. Animal-lovers mustn’t miss out on the Wollemi Twilight Wildlife tour, where you’ll be able to get up close to the unique and diverse nocturnal wildlife that Wollemi has to offer.
7. Humes Crossing Campground
Facilities: Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, boat ramp, carpark, toilets
What to bring: Drinking water, cooking water, firewood
Bookings: Required, with $6 booking fee
A short drive from the north of Kosciuszko National Park, Humes Crossing Campground is a tranquil and peaceful based in the Snowy Valleys to set up camp, located on the eastern shore of the Blowering Dam. Take a scenic walk along the Tumut River until you reach the Blowering Dam Wall, where you can admire the feat of brilliant engineering while taking in the gorgeous views. On warmer days, escape the heat by spending your days swimming, paddling, sailing or even angling for cod or redfin. When the sun goes down, set up a barbecue and enjoy your fresh catch under the stars.
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