Best Camping Spots Near Campbelltown

~1hr via the M31 (Hume Motorway).
* Please note: Travel times may vary.

2WD friendly in dry weather (unsealed forest roads). Easy access for camper trailers and caravans.

Drop toilets and communal fire rings. No water or power—bring your own.

This is a sprawling, open grassy clearing surrounded by thousands of hectares of radiata pine forest. It is an unpowered area where you can find your own corner and spread out. Because it’s a State Forest, the layout is unrestricted—perfect for large groups or those who want a "proper" bush-immersion experience.

This is a mecca for mountain biking and trail running. In the cooler months, the forest is famous for its unique atmosphere and morning mist

There is currently no fee to camp here, and no booking is required.

Being in the Southern Highlands, Dalys Clearing gets significantly colder than Campbelltown at night. Even in spring, pack your -5°C rated sleeping bag. It’s a great spot to set up a portable fire pit—just make sure you bring your own wood, as the forest floor is often picked clean.

1hr 20 mins via Appin Rd.
* Please note: Travel times may vary.

All vehicle types. Perfectly sealed roads right to the riverbank.

Hot showers, flushing toilets, drinking water, and gas/electric BBQs.

Bonnie Vale is a large, family-friendly site nestled by the Hacking River. It offers both powered and unpowered sites on a large, flat sand spit. The layout is well-organized with 74 sites, making it much more "civilized" than a state forest while still feeling worlds away from the Campbelltown suburban hum.

Swimming, kayaking, and fishing in the Hacking River are the main events. You’re also right on the edge of the Coast Track if you want to tackle some world-class hiking.

A fee applies per night, and a separate daily vehicle entry fee is required.

This is one of the most popular sites in NSW. If you want a weekend spot, you’ll need to book weeks in advance. However, mid-week "last-minute" spots often pop up—perfect if you have a few days off and want to save on the "weekend crowd" stress.

1.5hr via Remembrance Drive.
* Please note: Travel times may vary.

2WD accessible (unsealed road for the final stretch). Not suitable for large caravans, but perfect for camper trailers and swags

Very basic. Pit toilets and a small shelter. No power, no water.

This is "Real Deal" bush camping. Located at the trailhead for the Nattai River walks, Wattle Ridge is a quiet, forested area that is entirely unpowered. The layout is simple and rustic, designed for those who want to be the only ones at the campfire. Camping at Wattle Ridge in Nattai National Park is strictly backpack/bush camping at the Emmetts Flat Campsite.

Hiking is the star here. The walk down to the Nattai River is strenuous but spectacular. It’s also one of the best places near Campbelltown for stargazing, as there is zero light pollution.

Free

There is no water on-site, and the hike down to the river is a 10km round trip. Bring at least 10L of water per person in your rig. This is the perfect place to use a solar panel as the canopy is relatively open.

1hr via Greendale Rd.
* Please note: Travel times may vary.

All vehicle types. Perfectly flat and easy for big rigs or camper trailers.

Hot showers, flushing toilets, electric BBQs, and a commercial-style camp kitchen.

Bents Basin is a manicured, grassy reserve right on the Nepean River. It offers unpowered sites in a wide-open, family-friendly layout. It’s a very safe environment where the kids can ride bikes while you set up the 270° Awning for some afternoon shade.

Swimming and kayaking in the deep sandstone basin are the big draws here. There’s also a cracker of a hike to Caleys Lookout which gives you a bird’s-eye view of the river gorge.

A fee applies for camping, and a separate daily vehicle entry fee is required.

Visit the official https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/ to secure your spot.

TMobile reception is hit-and-miss in the basin. Download your booking confirmation and any maps before you leave Campbelltown. If the main basin area is too crowded, head to the upper picnic areas for a quieter spot to sit by the river.

~85km (approx. 1.5hr via M31)
* Please note: Travel times may vary.

All vehicle types. Easy access just a few kilometres off the highway.

Toilets, picnic tables, and even a small nature playground for the kids.

The HQ Camp is a massive, flat grassy area bordered by pine and native forest. It is entirely unpowered and operates with an open-plan layout. It’s a very social camp where you’ll find plenty of fellow 4WDers and cyclists.

This is a world-renowned mountain biking destination with trails for all skill levels. It is also pet-friendly, which is a massive budget saver compared to paying for a kennel.

The forest is still recovering from the 2020 bushfires, so some areas are lush and some are still quite stark. It makes for an incredible landscape to photograph. Bring your own firewood, as the area around the camp is often picked clean by other travellers.

1hr via the M31.
* Please note: Travel times may vary.

2WD and big-rig friendly. Easy, sealed access right into the historic village.

Toilets, cold showers, electric BBQs, and picnic shelters.

This is a hidden gem located just a 5-minute walk from the historic Berrima Village. It offers unpowered sites in a quiet, riverside setting. The layout is cozy and well-shaded, perfect for those who want a "heritage" weekend where you can walk to a local pub or bakery.

Explore the Berrima River Walk (spotting platypus at dawn), visit the historic Berrima Gaol, or enjoy a picnic in the beautifully maintained parklands.

A modest nightly fee applies per site (maximum 2-night stay).

Visit the official Southern Highlands Booking Portal to secure your permit.

Being so close to the village, this site is perfect for "lazy" campers. You don't need to pack a week's worth of food—just walk into town for a fresh pie or a counter meal. Bring a hydration pack for the river walk, as it can get quite humid near the water.

1 hour 20 minutes via Appin Rd and the Princes Hwy.
* Please note: Travel times may vary.

All vehicle types. Perfectly sealed roads to the coast.

Hot showers, flushing toilets, drinking water, and communal BBQs.

Known as "The Farm" by locals, this site is nestled within Killalea Regional Park. It offers unpowered sites surrounded by coastal rainforest and rolling green hills. The layout is well-structured, providing a mix of sun and shade just a short walk from world-class surf beaches.

Surfing, fishing, and hiking are the mainstays. The walk to Mystics Beach is a must-do for the views alone.

A nightly fee applies per person, plus a standard National Park booking fee.

Visit the official NSW National Parks Killalea Page to check availability.

This is a very exposed coastal site. Make sure your awning is securely tied down with sand pegs. The "Farm" surf break is best on a north-east swell—even if you don't surf, watching the pros from the headland is a great free afternoon activity.

~1 hour 40 mins via the Hume Hwy and Kangaroo Valley Rd.
* Please note: Travel times may vary.

2WD and large-rig friendly.

Large toilet blocks and drinking water. Note: There are no showers or power.

Bendeela is legendary in the camping world. It’s a massive, open grassy flat on the banks of the Kangaroo River. It is entirely unpowered. The layout is "freedom-style," giving you plenty of space to set up a large base camp with the whole family.

This is the wombat capital of NSW—expect dozens of them to emerge at dusk. It’s also the primary launch point for kayaking and canoeing on the Kangaroo River.

While historically free, a small booking fee now applies to manage site capacity and registration.

Visit the WaterNSW Bendeela Booking Page to register your stay.

Don't feed the wombats! They are friendly but wild. Also, the river is perfect for a "drift" down to the bridge—bring a lilo and a dry bag for your phone and keys.

~1 hour 45 mins via the M31.
* Please note: Travel times may vary.

2WD friendly; suitable for camper trailers and small vans.

Toilets, gas BBQs, and a sheltered picnic area. No showers or power.

If you love dramatic landscapes, Bungonia is for you. Known for its massive limestone canyons and caves, the campground is a flat, forested area that is entirely unpowered. It offers a quiet, "mountain air" atmosphere that feels worlds away from Campbelltown.

Caving (for the experienced), canyoning, and some of the best hiking lookouts in the state (look for Adams Lookout).

A standard National Park camping fee applies per person, per night.

Visit the official NSW National Parks Bungonia Page to secure your spot.

Pack your LED headlamp. Even if you aren't a serious caver, exploring the "mouths" of the caves at dusk is an incredible experience. This site gets very windy, so choose a spot tucked into the trees for a better night's sleep.

~2 hour 40 mins via the Princes Hwy (through Nowra).
* Please note: Travel times may vary.

2WD friendly (unsealed but well-graded roads for the final stretch). Not suitable for very low-profile cars.

Hot showers, toilets, and a small general store for ice and wood.

Coolendel is a private 130-acre nature reserve on the Shoalhaven River. It is entirely unpowered with a "free-range" layout—meaning you can drive until you find a spot you love and set up. It’s famous for its abundant wildlife, including peacocks, wombats, and goannas.

Swimming, kayaking, and 4WDing in the nearby state forests. It’s a "digital detox" zone with very limited mobile reception.

A standard National Park camping fee applies per person, per night A per-night fee applies for camping (with separate rates for glamping or cabins).

Visit the official Coolendel Camp Booking Site to reserve your area.

The resident peacocks are beautiful but noisy at dawn! This is the perfect place to test out your solar blanket, as the camping flats get plenty of sun. Bring a portable fire pit to keep your site tidy and respect the nature reserve.

~2 hour 20 mins via the M4 and Great Western Hwy.
* Please note: Travel times may vary.

All vehicle types. Great for large caravans and boat trailers.

Hot showers ($1 coins), flushing toilets, boat ramp, and a kiosk.

Located on the banks of Lake Lyell, this park offers both powered and unpowered sites. It has a mix of waterfront and bushland settings. The layout is social and busy, especially during water-skiing season.

Water-skiing, jet-skiing, and freshwater fishing for trout and bass. There’s also a great swimming area for kids.

A nightly site fee applies based on vehicle and guest numbers.

Visit the official Lake Lyell Recreation Park website to book.

It is much colder here than in Campbelltown—it's essentially the start of the Central Tablelands. Even in summer, the temperature can drop sharply at night. If you’re fishing, the "lily pad" sections near the back of the lake are the best spots for bass.