Your guide to the best camping in NSW national parks

Could you use a break from the hustle and bustle? Would a recharge holiday allow you to reconnect to your adventurous spirit and love for life? If you said yes to either (or both), then camping amid the beauty of New South Wales’ stunning national parks is the perfect antidote to mounting stress, demanding bosses, and bills, bills, bills.

Not just any old camping, of course. When you desire self-care and rejuvenation, you seek a sanctuary. Like a fully kitted-out motorhome - with plush mattresses, compact kitchen, toilet and shower – for a home-away-from-home experience as you explore the state’s tranquil wonders.

The 200+ national parks across New South Wales offer everything you need to reclaim your zest for life. From sun-kissed beaches to craggy mountains with views for days to the off-the-beaten-track outback parks, there’s an ideal stay for you.

Use this comprehensive guide to discover the top eight motorhome camping in NSW national parks.

Planning your NSW national park camping road trip

With a stocked kitchen, gas burners, handy fridge, plus bedding and towels, your pre-trip planning is greatly reduced.

That said, there are a few things to consider before you go:

The essentials

• Booking in advance: Secure your Sydney motorhome hire, and ideal campsites, as you’ll want to book ahead as capacity is limited, especially in summer and school holidays.
• Fees & permits: Most NSW national parks charge a per-vehicle park entry fee. It’s used to assist with the park’s maintenance and preservation.
• Packing: While you don’t need to pack a tent or swag, you’ll want a few road trip essentials. Like sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a first aid kit, and, of course, food and water. Clothing-wise, layers are great for the cooler months, and a hat is a must-do for any Australian road trip.

Tips for a comfortable & safe road trip

Staying safe on the road extends beyond safe driving. Consider these points:

• Campfire safety: Wildfires can be catastrophic in Australia, with risks higher in national parks. As you’ll be cooking in comfort in your RV, you’ll only need to consider fires for warmth, fireside chats, and ghost stories. Only use the designated pits (during the permitted dates) and never leave fires unattended.
• Responsible waste disposal: Leave only footprints is a tenet we take seriously. To minimise your environmental impact, take your rubbish with you, and dispose of your grey water (sink) and black water (toilet) waste at designated dump points only.
• Wildlife encounters: Protecting wildlife is not only the park rangers’ job but ours, too. Please don’t feed the wildlife, maintain a safe distance, and be respectful of their home.
• Know your limits: Choose campsites and activities within your comfort zone. Be that with hiking or adventure pursuits or navigating challenging roads where cell service is spotty.

Choosing your NSW national park camping adventure

Before we reveal our top 8 national park camping spots near Sydney, what kind of camp experience are you looking for?

For a true escape, select a campground that offers solitude and serenity in remote, rugged areas with basic facilities and fabulous hiking opportunities. These are best suited to experienced campers or those travelling in fully self-contained vehicles, like our Australian motorhome rentals.

Alongside the comfort of your RV, you’ll find all sites on our list have basic facilities, namely picnic tables, BBQs, and toilets (we’ve noted if there are more amenities). They’re all good for solo travellers, couples, and small groups, too.

Some of our suggestions are ideal for families, with extra amenities that go a long way to keeping children happy, alongside vast opportunities for exploration and play. If you’re planning a larger reunion or multi-family trip, choose a campground with large picnic shelters and sites you can book together for a more harmonious and connected getaway. You’ll find our selection caters to groups up to 12 to 40 people.

What about your pooch? While we permit pets in some of our motorhomes (bookings and fees apply), unfortunately, they are not allowed in NSW national parks unless certified assistance animals.

Note: As these top campgrounds are in national parks, there is a per-vehicle park entry fee on top of your campground fees. You’ll find the cost on the NSW National Parks website.

Top NSW national park picks for camping

With over 200 designated national parks in New South Wales, it can seem daunting to find one that suits your vibe. This is why we’ve done the hard work and research for you, offering a diverse range to suit. We’ve even ordered them in a circuit if you’d like to make a ‘best national park camping’ road trip itinerary!

Do you want a coastal campsite with the ocean lulling you to sleep? Or maybe alpine views and air so fresh your lungs feel renewed? There are even some stellar outback campgrounds where the night sky is as enticing as the region’s dramatic rock formations.

Check out our top 8 list to discover more:

1. Royal National Park

The world’s second oldest national park is only 40 minutes from our Star RV Sydney motorhome branch, yet feels worlds away from the bustling pace of Australia’s most populous city.

Royal National Park offers stunning beaches, heritage walking trails, kayaking and paddleboarding. With over 100 kilometres of trails, there’s a hike for every level. The scenic Wattamolla to Eagle Rock and rewarding Otford to Figure 8 Pools are our top walks.

Stay: Bonnie Vale Campground offers powered and non-powered sites with basic facilities, plus drinking water and showers.

2. Murramarang National Park

Close to Batemans Bay, the best of all worlds lies within this national park treasure. Forty-four kilometres of golden sands, gorgeous sub-tropical rainforest, Durras Lake, and even frolicking dolphins beckon at Murramarang National Park.

Choose to laze beachside, snorkel, splash in the rockpools, or hike the Rock Platform or Depot Beach Rainforest trails. The 3-day Murramarang South Coast Walk is also a drawcard to the region.

Stay: Stay under the spotted gums at the beachside Depot Beach Campground. Powered and unpowered sites are available, plus basic facilities, showers, and drinking water here (boil first). Also in Murramarang, Pretty Beach Campground is suitable for motorhomes, too.

3. Kosciuszko National Park

Home to Australia’s highest peak, Kosciuszko National Park is five hours from Sydney. In the warmer months, it’s a haven for hikers, bikers and nature enthusiasts. In winter, it transforms into a snowy wonderland calling skiers and snowboarders to its powdered slopes.

Stay: There are 20 campgrounds – many free - in Kosciuszko National Park suitable for RV road trippers. Thredbo Diggings and Ngarigo are free riverside camping sites (park fees apply) in the Thredbo-Perisher area.

4. Mungo National Park

For an outback adventure that feels ‘out there’, take a road trip to Mungo National Park in the heart of the UNESCO Willandra Lakes Region. Close to the NSW/VIC border, Mungo has a lunar-like landscape, curious geological formations and fossils, and a rich Aboriginal history dating 50,000 years.

Join an Aboriginal Discovery walking tour to the famed Mungo lunette to hear about the lakes, landscapes, and cultural heritage.

Stay: Close to Willandra Lakes, Main Campground offers 33 unpowered sites and basic facilities.

5. Wollemi National Park

For travellers seeking adventure and seclusion, Wollemi National Park appeals with its rugged terrain, deep gorges, and serene forest. Part of the World Heritage-listed Greater Blue Mountains, visitors love hiking, fishing, and wildlife spotting.

Take a guided canoe tour and walk the 2-3-hour Glow Worm Tunnel Track where thousands of glowworms cling to the walls.

Stay: Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp Campground next to the Cudgegong River. It’s the park’s only motorhome campsite with basic facilities; book early, especially in peak season.

6. Warrumbungle National Park

The dramatic rock formations and abundant wildlife at Warrumbungle National Park – 500 kilometres from Sydney – are appealing. It’s a designated International Dark Sky Park, too, making it one of NSWs top inland national parks.

By day, visit the Siding Spring Observatory or take to Warrumbungle’s trails, like Belougery Split Rock Walking Track or the incredible (and challenging) Breadknife and Grand High Tops Walks. By night, stargaze from your camp, hot chocolate in hand, or join a group stargazing session at Milroy Observatory.

Stay: With 109 sites (30 powered), Camp Blackman is an awesome spot to base yourself for Warrumbungle adventures. Alongside the basics, there are also hot showers and toilets. For a quieter spot with unreal views of Belougery Split Rock, Camp Wambelong has 40 sites.

7. Washpool National Park

The lesser visited Washpool National Park is part of the UNESCO Gondwana Rainforests, dated millions of years old! The ultimate way to switch off, step back in time amid the ancient trees and deep gorges, watch for koalas, listen for the call of the lyrebird, and you can even go horseback riding.

Stay: Bellbird Campground is a low-cost secluded campground with 17 unpowered sites and basic facilities.

8. Crowdy Bay National Park

For a scenic stay amid the bush and the beach, road trip to Crowdy Bay National Park, four hours from Sydney near Port Macquarie. The rustle of paperbark trees and crashing ocean waves make this a great spot to simply ‘be’. You can also get active on the spectacular Diamond Head Loop trail, watching for dolphins and migrating whales (May to November) as you walk.

Stay: The direct beach access makes Diamond Head Campground the best spot in this pristine national park with basic facilities, plus showers. Nearby, the resident kangaroos at Indian Head Campground make up for the slightly longer walk to the ocean or choose Kylie’s Beach Campground, a quieter spot further north.

Thanks to the diversity of scenery – from beach to bush to outback – the best New South Wales national parks appeal to every kind of traveller.

Besides our pick of the top eight favourite national park destinations, there are 160 other motorhome-suitable campsites to consider across the state. This includes ones that almost made the cut, like Mimosa Rocks, Myall Lakes, and Border Ranges National Parks.

Ready to star in your own adventure?

If you’re inspired to take a NSW national parks road trip, secure your Star RV motorhome hire from Sydney by calling 1800 875 018 or clicking BOOK NOW.