Welcome to the part two of the sixth instalment of our free and budget camping spots series by state or territory — this time we’re continuing to cover our country’s most populated state: New South Wales.
In the first part of this article we covered camping areas in Outback NSW, Blue Mountains, South Coast and North Coast NSW. If you missed it, check it out here. Otherwise, welcome to part two where we’ll share some more awesome destinations that won’t break the bank!
Bush camps
*FREEBIE* Paddys Flat Camping Area, New England North West
Set along the picturesque Clarence River, this tranquil bush camping spot is about a nine-hour drive north of Sydney. It’s a great option for self-contained campers who enjoy swimming, fishing and exploring 4WD tracks in a lush, natural setting.
This free campsite doesn’t require bookings but operates on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. It’s suitable for tents and camper trailers but not for caravans or large vehicles. With no facilities provided, campers must be entirely self-sufficient.
Whilst accessible to 2WD vehicles in dry weather, it’s advisable to check road conditions if rain is expected.
*FREEBIE* Tilpa Weir Bush Camp, Outback NSW
Located deep in the NSW Outback — about 10 hours northwest of Sydney by car — this peaceful campsite offers stunning views of the Darling River and plenty of outdoor activities, including birdwatching, fishing and bushwalking.
The campsite accommodates tents, camper trailers, caravans and large rigs. Shaded by tall trees, it’s an ideal retreat for nature lovers. Since it’s a true bush camp with no facilities, all visitors must bring their own water, food and other essentials.
Access requires a 4WD vehicle, and conditions can be challenging in wet weather.
Be sure to grab a meal and a cold beer at the Tilpa Hotel, only a few kilometres away from Tilpa Weir Bush Camp (Credit Robert Crack)
Station stays
Kallara Station Riverbank, Outback NSW
Kallara Station offers an authentic outback camping experience for outdoor enthusiasts and outback travellers. Set along the picturesque Darling River in outback NSW, it provides secluded campsites where visitors can enjoy the stunning bush and riverain landscape.
Guests pay a fee of $5 per person per night to access the campgrounds and facilities, which include toilets and hot showers; please limit your shower time to no more than three minutes. Whilst there’s firewood available to collect, only deadfall is permitted to be gathered.
The property offers numerous activities such as fishing (Murray cod and Golden perch, or Yellowbelly, are some of the target species), birdwatching, 4WD adventures and bushwalking. Be sure to follow the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ recreational fishing rules and regulations, found here.
The nearby (well, by outback standards, it’s nearby!) Paroo-Darling National Park is perfect for birdwatching, with more than 200 species to spot. Some of the more colourful highlights include the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Budgerigar, Red-winged Parrot, Pink Cockatoo, Cockatiel, Galah, Rainbow Bee-eater, Australian Ringneck, Purple-backed Fairywren, White-winged Fairywren, Crimson Chat, Chestnut-breasted Quail-thrush, Rufous Whistler, Mistletoe Bird, Zebra Finch and Red-capped Robin, plus loads of waterbirds.
If you want to give yourself a break from camp cooking, Tilpa Hotel serves hearty meals and cold beers, while Louth’s annual races in August bring country racing to life. About 50km southwest of Bourke, Gundabooka National Park is known for its Aboriginal rock art (don’t miss the Mulareenya Creek Art Site track and Yapa (Mulgowan) Aboriginal art site walking track) and other beautiful walking trails. This area holds great significance to the Ngemba and Kurnu Baakandji people, and these trails and rock art will show you why.
Currently closed due to flooding on the Darling River, Kallara Station plans to reopen after Easter.
Contact: Kallara Station or 02 6837 3964
Darling River, Kallara Station (Credit Robert Crack)
Trilby Station, Outback NSW
Trilby Station offers a variety of accommodation options, including self-contained cottages, B&B rooms, powered sites and secluded campsites along the Darling River. The station provides a relaxing escape with activities such as fishing, yabbying, canoeing, wildlife watching and bushwalking.
The river campsites feature fire pits, rubbish bins and nearby long-drop toilets. Guests have access to a pool, camp kitchen and bathroom facilities. For guests staying on powered caravan sites, there are facilities including a gas barbecue, TV and laundry.
Contact: Trilby Station or 02 6874 7420
Rest areas
We include this section with the caveat that Rest Areas exist to help manage driver fatigue, not drive when tired and in doing so hopefully not add your number to the road toll. Here at A247 Gear, we acknowledge that Rest Areas are not camping areas. If you need a longer rest, find a holiday park, designated campsite, hotel or motel.
Rest Areas in NSW are delineated between Light Vehicle Rest Areas and Heavy Vehicle Rest Areas. Light Vehicle Rest Areas can only be used by vehicles under 4.5 tonnes (motorcycles, cars, motorhomes and light trucks under 4.5T, cars with caravans and cars with trailers) while Heavy Vehicle Rest Areas can only be used by vehicles over 4.5 tonnes (buses, motorhomes over 4.5T, semi-trailers, B-doubles, special purpose vehicles and Oversize Overmass vehicles [OSOM]).
According to the Caravan Safety brochure published by Transport for NSW, rest areas ‘… are not designated caravan sites. You can stop and have a short rest, but you cannot stay overnight in these areas.’
This notwithstanding, there are some rest areas in NSW which do allow overnight stays; by and large these are located in state forests or are maintained by the local council. You are not permitted to pitch a tent and set up camp; such places only allow vehicle-based stays.
Here are a few of them …
*FREEBIE* Bodalla Forest Rest Area, South Coast
This scenic rest area — located in the beautiful Bodalla State Forest — is about 4.5 hours south of Sydney along the Princes Highway. Surrounded by tall spotted gums (Corymbia maculata) and vibrant wildlife, it’s a perfect stop for nature enthusiasts.
The campsite accommodates caravans, camper trailers and campervans. Facilities include picnic tables, toilets and barbecue areas. Activities such as bushwalking and scenic drives are easily accessible nearby.
Suitable for all vehicles, this is an excellent spot for an overnight stay.
Contact: Forestry Corporation of NSW or 1300 655 687
*FREEBIE* Telegherry Forest Rest Area, Chichester State Forest, Hunter
Beside the Telegherry River, the Telegherry Forest Rest Area offers free camping for overnight stays or a separate picnic area for day trippers. It is accessible to caravans and camper trailers and offers fireplaces and toilets. The nearby picnic area offers accessible toilets, picnic facilities and short walking trails.
Contact: Forestry Corporation of NSW or 1300 655 687
*FREEBIE* Kingsbury VC Rest Area, Primrose State Forest, Capital Country
This Rest Area is located along the Remembrance Driveway, officially opened in 1954 by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip to commemorate Australians who had served in World War II. It also honours Australians who have served in subsequent wars. Victoria Cross recipients from World War II and since are individually commemorated at Rest Areas and Memorial Parks.
This particular Rest Area is dedicated to Bruce Kingsbury VC, who served with the 2/14th Battalion. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his extreme bravery in the Battle of Isurava, which was part of the Kokoda Track campaign in New Guinea.
Kingsbury VC Rest Area offers free camping for caravans, camper trailers and campervans, and has fireplaces, picnic tables and toilets.
Contact: Forestry Corporation of NSW or 1300 655 687
*FREEBIE* Braemar Roadside Rest Area, Ellangowan State Forest, North Coast NSW
This Rest Area along the Summerland Way (B91 running between Grafton and the New South Wales/Queensland border via Casino and Kyogle) allows caravans, camper trailers and campervans, with basic facilities such as a fireplace, toilets and picnic tables.
Contact: Forestry Corporation of NSW or 1300 655 687
*FREEBIE* Barbour Park Rest Area, Capital Country
The picturesque township of Gunning lies just off the Hume Highway, in between Goulburn and Yass. Abutting the charming Meadow Creek, the Barbour Park Rest Area offers free camping for up to two nights. Amenities include toilets, hot showers and free barbecues.
If you wish to stay longer in Gunning (and with the 530km Tablelands Food and Wine Trail all but encircling the township and taking in Murrumbateman, Jugiong, Harden, Young, Boorowa, Crookwell, Taralga, Goulburn, Braidwood and Bungendore, why wouldn’t you?), the Gunning Showground allows free camping for up to three nights. Facilities here include toilets, hot showers, potable water, playground and exercise equipment.
Contact: visitupperlachlan.com.au/ or 02 4832 1988 (Crookwell Visitor Information Centre)
*FREEBIE* Redbank Rest Area, between Carroll and Gunnedah, New England North West
On the Oxley Highway not far from Gunnedah to the east, the Redbank Rest Area has flushing toilets, tank water (non-potable), a dump point and a picnic shelter. Whilst it can be a bit noisy due to passing traffic (particularly trucks), it nonetheless is a pleasant enough spot, with grassy and shaded sites on the banks of the Namoi River.
Contact: visitgunnedah.com.au or 02 6740 2230 | 1800 KOALAS (Gunnedah Visitor Information Centre)
*FREEBIE* Coopernook Forest Rest Area (Coopernook State Forest), North Coast NSW
Coopernook State Forest Headquarters and Camping Ground, located about 60km south of Port Macquarie and just north of Taree on the Forest Drive in South Moorlands, offers a serene retreat for a family picnic or an overnight stay amid eucalypt trees. The area is surrounded by numerous walking and hiking trails. The campgrounds feature basic amenities, including toilets, non-potable water, free electric barbecues under shelter and a kids’ playground.
The Forest Headquarters is situated just north of Coopernook, between Taree and Kew, and is a popular spot for relaxation. Caravans and campervans are welcome, though the area is unpowered and lacks a dump station.
The Tall Trees Walk is a short, level loop through the forest, offering a chance to spot local native wildlife and birds. Coopernook Forest Rest Area is a beautiful place offering a peaceful environment, and it’s the ideal place for a restful break from the Pacific Highway.
Please note that there is a four-week stay limit in NSW State Forests.
Contact: barringtoncoast.com.au/ or 1800 802 692 (Barrington Coast Visitor Information Centre, Forster)
*FREEBIE* Sandy Point Camp Ground, Hay, Riverina
Sandy Point — in the friendly outback town of Hay located on The Long Paddock Touring Route — is a perfect location for a short stay of two to three nights. It’s ideal for swimming, fishing and boating. The site includes picnic areas, barbecues, flushing toilets and a walking trail (the Bidgee Riverside Trail) along the Murrumbidgee River. It’s accessible via Brunker Street or Water Street. The Hay Shire Council manages the reserve. The Hay Visitor Information Centre also has shower amenities ($2) and offers free bicycle hire too.
Contact: visithay.com.au or 02 6993 4045 (Hay Visitor Information Centre)
Sandy Point Reserve offers free short-term camping in a stunning location
