Many of us are on a budget but still love to have adventures and live life to the fullest. The good news is if we are keen travellers, there are plenty of options to keep the costs down. Road trips are increasingly popular in Australia, and even better, there are plenty of free camping spots throughout Australia.
The NSW climate is noticeably warmer than Victoria and not as intense as QLD, which is an even better reason to explore the free camping sites, NSW, and head off on your road trip.
Take this list as a starting guide only and ensure to research these camp spots before your trip, for possible closures and information.
Below I have broken down the Best Free Camping in NSW by area, for easy navigation.
Best Free Camping Sydney
Marramarra Creek Campground
The Marramarra Creek campground is off Berrowra Creek, and is only accessible by foot or by water.
This secret free camping spot near Sydney is the perfect place to fish, canoe on the creek, or relax at this spot near Horsby, on the northern outskirts of Sydney.
Blackbird Flat Reserve Campsite
Another option for free camping near Sydney, is the Blackbird Flat Reserve camping ground, a large, grass filled area next to the Macleay River.
The campground is pet-friendly, but please ensure to confirm with the campground beforehand.
Its recommended to bring your own water for drinking, even though some tank water is available. Amenities include a pit toilet, shelter shed, and a covered wood barbecue.
Pet Friendly ✔
Swans Crossing, Kerewong State Forest
Swans Crossing Campground is a popular free camping near Sydney spot, with sheltered camping sites and simple toilet facilities. The area is quite well shaded, is pet friendly, and is also easily accessible by car.
Pet friendly ✔
Best Free Camping NSW (Regional)
Gunneemooroo Campground
There are heaps of free campgrounds in Warrumbungle National Park, such as the Gunneemooroo campground, underneath Mount Naman.
There are toilet facilities, but you will need to bring along water for cooking and drinking.
While camping is free here, there is a $6 booking fee and a possible National Park entry fee.
Best Free Camping NSW (South Coast)
Long Gully Campground
Long Gully Campground is located on a grassy flat next to the Yadboro River.
The secluded campsite is the perfect spot to set up before bushwalking in the Budawang backcountry. With not many facilities, you will need to bring all you need with you.
Bendethera Valley Campground
Bendethera Valley Campground, is in In Moruya, where the Deua River runs through the valley. Nearby activities include swimming in the river, wildlife spotting, and exploring the nearby Bendethera Cave and cave track.
Best Free Camping NSW (Northern)
The campgrounds in Northern NSW are sought after due to the subtropical climate in NSW. Below are two of the best free camping NSW has to offer as an alternative to a paid campsite.
Ingar Campground
Ingar Campground on Kings Tableland is one of the popular free camping sites, NSW, which is surrounded by trees and sandstone cliffs, situated beside the Wolgan River.
As it’s on the Wentworth Falls to Woodford trail and you could hike or swim at the Ingar Creek.
Newnes Campground
Newnes Campground is a lovely free camping spot and the ideal place for exploring the Glow Worm Tunnel and the Newnes Shale Oil Ruins, making it one of the best free camping Northern NSW has to offer.
Best Free Camping Coffs Harbour
There are many options for the best free camping near Coffs Harbour:
Riverside Reserves Campground
Cangai Bridge is located at Hanging Rock Rd, Cangai, New South Wales, 153.8 km drive from Coffs Harbour.
Pets, camper trailers, caravans are allowed. Fishing and swimming options are nearby, at this top rated free campground.
Pet friendly ✔
Lilydale Campground- Winegrove
Lilydale Campground- Winegrove Campground is an ideal option for a free stopover by the river.
Pets and fires are allowed, there are nearby swimming and fishing options, and the area has good phone reception.
Best Free Camping Byron Bay
It seems like the ultimate holiday dream. Visit Byron Bay and stay for free.
To be clear, in the middle of Byron Bay there are fines for camping in your car anywhere, aside from the paid caravan parks.
But a short drive from the centre of town there are many free camping options available.
Here they are below:
Bundjalung Rest Area
Bundjalung Rest Area is located on the Pacific Hwy, Jacky Bulbin Flat, New South Wales.
This camping spot has accessible toilets, allows pets, and is perfect for travellers who have all their equipment and food/water/fuel and need a basic place to stay, as this free camp provides limited amenities.
Pet friendly ✔
Boonah Bicentennial Park
Boonah Bicentennial Park is located in Boonah, Queensland. This campground is free for one night. Pets are allowed and there are accessible toilets, BBQs and drinking water.
Pet friendly ✔
Sleepy Hollow Rest Area
There are two rest areas here at Sleepy Hollow NSW, one north and one south. Toilets available and pets are allowed. Ensure to bring your own water.
Pet Friendly ✔
Lord William Rest Stop
Lord William Rest Stop is located at Summerland Way, Wiangaree, New South Wales. This campground has no toilets or drinking water. Pets are allowed.
Pet Friendly ✔
Woodburn South Rest Area
The Woodburn South Rest Area is located at 8945 Pacific Hwy, Trustums Hill, New South Wales. Toilets available and pets are allowed.
Pet Friendly ✔
New Italy Rest Area
New Italy Rest Area is located at 8275 Pacific Highway south of Woodburn Northern Rivers District of NSW, Australia.
This free, unique campground is near a small café and museum detailing the Italian History of the area.
Best Free Camping NSW (North Coast)
Brushy Mountain Campground
Brushy Mountain Campground is located within the Gondwana rainforests and eucalypt forests in the Werrikimbe National Park.
Nymboida River
Nymboida River Campground is further north on the Nymboida river. Activities include swimming or canoeing in the river. You will need a 4WD to access this secret camping spot.
Best Free Camping Wollongong
Here below is a list of free camping near Wollongong.
Bunnigalore Camp Site
Bunnigalore Camp Site is located at Bunnigalore Rd, Belanglo, New South Wales.
This campground allows pets and camper trailers, is within the state forest and has good phone reception, making this one of the best free camping sites NSW has to offer.
Pet Friendly ✔
Soapy Flat Bush Camp
Soapy Flat Bush Camp is situated at Soapy Flat Road, High Range, NSW. This camp spot is 2 hours from Sydney, accepts caravans and has phone reception.
Rocky Bridge
Rocky Bridge is located at Belanglo Firebreak Road, Belanglo, New South Wales. Allows pets and camper trailers, is within the state forest and has good phone reception.
Pet Friendly ✔
Dalys Clearing Campground
Dalys Clearing Campground is located at Dalys Rd, Belanglo New South Wales.
Amenities include toilets, separate sites, non drinking water and fires are permitted.
Pet Friendly ✔
Brethren Point Camping Area
Brethren Point Camping Area is located at Brethren Fire Track, Belanglo, New South Wales.
This free campground allows pets and camper trailers, is within the state forest, and has good phone reception.
Pet Friendly ✔
Toorooroo Campground
Toorooroo Campground is located at Yalwal Rd, Buangla, New South Wales
This campground allows fires, has 4WD trails and is close to national parks.
Little Rach’s Clearing
Little Rach’s Clearing is located at Penrose Forest Way, Penrose, New South Wales.
This campground allows pets and fires, is within the state forest and has good phone reception.
Pet friendly ✔
Cave Beach Campground
Cave Beach Campground is located at Caves Beach Rd, Jervis Bay New South Wales.
Amenities include toilets, showers, garbage bins, fishing, hiking trails, and swimming.
Wanderest Travellers Park
Wanderest Travellers Park is located at 71 Francis St, Richmond New South Wales.
Pets are allowed at this campground which is 2 hours from Sydney. The park also includes toilets, drinking water, powered sites, wifi and good phone reception.
Pet friendly ✔
Best Free Camping Batemans Bay
Little Island Camp Area
Little Island Camp Area is located at Little Island Trail, Batemans Bay, New South Wales. An ideal camping spot for fishing.
Currowan Creek Camp Area
Currowan Creek Camp Area is located in the Currowan State Forest, New South Wales.
Pets and camper trailers are allowed.
Pet friendly ✔
Red Gum Campground
Red Gum Campground is located in Batemans Bay, New South Wales.
Amenities here include toilets and BBQ areas and the campground allows fires. Ideal spot for fishing, swimming, and 4WD trails.
Beach Campground, Clyde River
Beach Campground is located at Beach Camp Rd, Batemans Bay, New South Wales.
Amenities here include toilets, non drinking water, and BBQ areas. The campground allows fires and is close to hiking trails, fishing, and swimming spots.
Sunburnt Beach Campground
Sunburnt Beach Campground is located at Stokes Walking Track, Termeil, New South Wales.
Amenities include toilets, phone reception, allows fires, and swimming and fishing nearby.
Termeil Point Campground
Termeil Point Campground is located at Termeil Point Rd, Termeil, New South Wales.
Includes toilets, phone reception, fishing, swimming and hiking in National Parks.
Meroo Head Campground
Meroo Head Campground is located at Meroo Lookout Walking Track, Termeil, New South Wales.
Amenities include good phone reception, allows fires, toilets, hiking trails, and swimming access.
Free Camping NSW Map
Conclusion
As you see from this post, there are plenty of free camping sites in NSW. With some research and preparation, any road tripper will be able to keep costs down by staying in these free camp spots.
Whether you decide to balance these free options out with other paid camping spots, or if you create a road trip by travelling to only these free camping spots, you are bound to save some money!
As long as you prepare for each camping destination by taking water when needed and being aware of shower or toilet facilities you are guaranteed to save precious funds if needed.
Ensure to continue to research using the websites provided to stay up to date with which campgrounds are open.
Australia has some incredible, natural landscapes, wildlife and cultures, and one of the best ways to experience these fully is by camping in the natural environment and living amongst the natural environment.
Have you stopped in any of these free camping sites, NSW, as listed above? I’d love to hear in your comments below!
