We checked some out, so you don’t have to do the hard yards when planning your next camping trip. Here are five of our fav spots with a little something for everyone!
GAMBELLS REST CAMPGROUND // Morton National Park Bundanoon
Right at the entrance to Morton National Park in Bundanoon, this spot is perfectly located to take advantage of the many walks and lookouts in this gorgeous place while still being close enough to town (20 minute walk or a 3 minute drive) to pop down the shops for a morning coffee if you don’t fancy firing up the billy.
Booking through National Parks must be done online and prices vary depending on the season but you’re looking at about $35 per night for a site during peak times like school holidays.
You get good bang for your camping buck as the campground has toilets, hot showers, picnic tables and BBQs as well as 10 moderately sized sites – perfect for families and couples wanting to explore the nearby Erith Coal Mine or Fairy Bower Falls.
Gambell’s Rest Campground is a great mix of roughing it with access to town and a few creature comforts.
The Fold Loves // a toasty hot shower to relax aching muscles after a big hike.
DALEY’S CLEARING CAMPGROUND // Belanglo State Forest
Daley’s Clearing is exactly what it sounds like – a big open campsite perfect for large groups looking for a quiet place for a relaxing camping weekend. We took the Belango Road off the Hume Highway, and within 10 minutes we were exploring the site looking for the best spot to pitch our tent. How easy is that!
We found a great mix of travellers and of course several large groups sitting around and sinking a few bevvies while soaking up the beautiful ambience of the thick pine forest that surrounds the clearing.
This is also a favourite spot for day-trippers bringing along their BBQ (during periods of high fire danger, solid fuels are banned in many state forests so check their website before you go.) and kicking back in the shade while the kids run around without the worry of disturbing anyone else… yep, the clearing is THAT big!
With not much else to do, this really is the perfect spot for those just looking to kick back and unwind and we love it!
The Fold Loves // being able to escape all our busyness so close to home.
BERRIMA RIVER CAMPGROUND // Berrima
This little campground is nestled on the banks of the Wingecarribee River and is just a 10 minute walk from the centre of Berrima… nice and close to town, but this is one of the best equipped campsites you’ll find locally, so you probably won’t even need to head into town!
For only $18 per site per night (max 2 night stay) you have access to flush toilets, showers, BBQs, picnic tables and there’s even play equipment for the kids. This is a council run campground – everything is well maintained and there are only 4 sites so its super quiet. Perfect for families with young children who are just dipping their toes into the camping lifestyle. Bookings are a must – click here to book – and campers must bring their own hand soap, paper towels and sanitiser.
We love this little spot so much, tucked away behind Berrima and the history associated with it. It’s actually on the site of the old internment camp.
The Fold Loves // the River Walk that starts at the campground.
PENROSE FOREST WAY // Penrose State Forest
Weather event update: Penrose State Forest is currently closed to recreational vehicles but you can access the clearing on Penrose Forest Way for camping. You just can’t go any further and enter the forest with a vehicle. Fine if you want to trek in though!
There aren’t any camping facilities – no toilets, no taps, no nothing – in Penrose State Forest and that’s why we love it. You can really rough it! There is an easily accessible clearing as soon as you come into the forest on Penrose Forest Way, on the left before you cross the little bridge over Paddy’s River.
But we love heading further into the forest. One of our favourite spots is a large clearing in the southern part. Access the forest from Penrose via Penrose Forest Way and then take a left at Paddy’s River Road. Follow that road around and you’ll come across quite a few clearings and great spots for setting up camp.
We love the feeling of being miles away from anywhere here, and the forest is so huge – it stretches from Penrose right across to the Hume Highway – you’re not going to come across many other campers! Just be super vigilant with your campfires though.
The Fold Loves // setting up a racing loop on the fire trails and running bike races with the fam.
HQ CAMPGROUND // Wingello State Forest
Update: The Campground is now open again yay! And thanks to the amazing Highlands Trails team there is now a nice long winding single track to hit up as well!
Wingello State Forest is one of the lesser-known destinations in the Highlands but boy does it have some good camping! Hidden away about 10 minutes south east of Wingello itself, the State Forest has an amazing 6km of single track that winds its way through the pine forest… so remember to pack the bikes!
There’s something pretty spesh about heading down Forest Road and watching the landscape change in front of your eyes as scrubby Australian bush transforms into rows of beautiful big pine trees.
The campsite has the perfect combination of open grassy spots for those with caravans while underneath the tall pines were some open flat clearings for those with a tent.
It’s a great spot to base yourself for big hikes and long bike rides – one for adventurous and active families, for sure! Oh, and because it’s a State Forest, your furry family members can come along too!
Camping in State Forests are all absolutely free, but that does mean the trade-off is facilities are more limited. This site has drop toilets and no designated campsites but that just means you can choose to camp wherever takes your fancy!
The Fold Loves // hitting the single tracks at Wingello.
How lucky are we to have so many camping options close to home?! Now, excuse us……we’re going bush!!
