Best Camping Spots Near Newcastle

~32km (Approx. 35 mins via Nelson Bay Rd)

Strictly 4WD only. A valid Worimi vehicle permit is required.

This is a remote campground with no facilities including toilets and water. Fire pits are provided.

This is a "sustainable camping trial" area. There are no toilets or water here—you must be 100% self-contained. This means bringing your own portable toilet and taking all rubbish out. The campsites are suitable for tents and single axle camper trailers only

Located at the southern end of the Stockton Bight, this is one of the few places in NSW where you can camp right behind the primary dunes. It’s raw, windy, and spectacular. You’ll wake up to the sound of the Pacific Ocean and have 19km of beachfront to explore.

From beach walking, fishing, exploring the dunes, joining a commercial tour, family campfire sing-alongs, star gazing, four-wheel driving or quad bike riding, there are loads of fantastic activities that will make a stay at Ganyamalbaa one to remember! The beach within the Worimi Conservation Lands is unpatrolled and swimming is not advised.

Once you have your annual beach permit, the camping itself is a low-cost alternative to the $100-a-night parks in Anna Bay. You’ll use minimal fuel getting to the Lavis Lane entry, though sand driving will increase your consumption slightly—lower those tyre pressures to save your engine the hard work!

2WD accessible in dry weather; unsealed forest roads.

Includes pit toilets and picnic tables. The Basin features a small creek that’s great for a splash in summer. It’s pet-friendly (on leads), so no kennel fees are needed for the dog.

While the neighboring Watagans National Park often has closures for maintenance in 2026, Olney State Forest remains a reliable free-camping stronghold. The Pines is famous for its towering slash pines planted in the 1920s, providing deep shade and a "European forest" feel. The Basin is a massive, flat grassy area nearby that is perfect for larger groups or families who need space for the kids to kick a footy.

Free camping with no pre-booking required.

Enter via Mount Faulk Road (Cooranbong). Do not use Heaton Road, as it is closed by landslides. Pitch tents on the pine needles at The Pines. Avoid the nearby sunny grassy clearing, which is prone to leeches. If crowded, head to the smaller, quieter Turpentine Camping Area nearby. Bring all your own drinking water. Pack heavy-duty bags to take your rubbish home if bins are full.

~78km (Approx. 55-60 mins via Hunter Expressway)

2WD/All vehicles.

Toilets are available on-site, and there’s a skate park and playground within walking distance at the local village. It’s a flat, easy-access site suitable for camper trailers and larger caravans.

McNamara Park is located in the township of Broke in the Hunter Valley. You can camp in this park for two nights. Toilets are available on-site. Playground, skatepark and barbeque facilities are available at the nearby Stewart McTaggart Park. The park is surrounded by beautiful bushland and borders the Wollombi Creek. Park is in walking distance to a General store and in close proximity to great restaurants and cellar doors. No bookings can be made for this location. No water or power is available.

Situated in the heart of the Hunter Valley, this is a council-managed free site (2-night limit). It’s a quiet, bush-lined reserve that borders Wollombi Creek. It’s the perfect home base if you want to visit the nearby cellar doors without paying for a luxury cottage in Pokolbin.

Free entry

~90km (Approx. 1 hour 10 mins – slightly over, but worth the trip!)

2WD friendly via Dungog.

Basic drop toilets

Free camping with basic drop toilets. The sites are right on the riverbank, so you can literally fish for trout or perch from your camp chair.

Located on the banks of the Telegherry River, this is the ultimate "river camp." The water is crystal clear and ice-cold, coming straight down from the Barrington Tops. The forest is dense, wet sclerophyll, meaning it stays green even in the height of summer.

Free entry

If you head to the Telegherry River side (Eastern side), it’s closer to Newcastle than the Allyn River side. It feels like a remote wilderness but is only a short hop past Dungog.