Camping in the rain in NSW: how to stay dry and actually enjoy it

You've booked the campsite two months ago. The whole family is packed and ready. Then you check the Bureau of Meteorology forecast and see rain symbols across the entire weekend. Do you cancel?

Most people do. And that's a mistake.

Camping in the rain can be genuinely enjoyable if you're prepared for it. The bush smells different after rain. The campground empties out. Waterfalls appear where there were dry rock faces the day before. Some of the best camping memories happen when the weather doesn't cooperate, because it forces you to slow down and actually be present.

Here's how to camp comfortably in the rain in NSW, from picking the right site to cooking a hot meal under a tarp.

Pick your campsite carefully#

Where you pitch your tent matters more in wet weather than any other time. Get this wrong and you'll wake up in a puddle.

Choose higher ground. Water flows downhill. A site that looks flat in dry conditions might channel water straight through your tent in a downpour. Look for slight elevation, even a few centimetres above the surrounding ground.

Avoid the base of slopes. Water collects at the bottom of hills. If the campground has tiered sites, pick the one further from the low point.

Stay away from creeks and rivers. Flash flooding is a real risk in NSW, especially in the Blue Mountains, Barrington Tops, and any narrow valley system. A creek that's a gentle trickle in dry weather can become a torrent after heavy rain. Keep well back from waterways.

Skip the tree canopy trap. Trees offer shelter during light rain, but they create problems after. Branches drip for hours after rain stops, keeping everything underneath damp. They also block the sun that would dry your gear. And gum trees are notorious for dropping limbs in wind. Set up in a clearing where possible.

Face your tent door away from the wind. Check the forecast for wind direction and orient your tent so rain doesn't blow straight in when you unzip.

Set up your shelter system#

Your tent alone isn't enough in sustained rain. A proper shelter system keeps your living area dry, not just your sleeping area.

The tarp is your best friend#

Pack at least one tarp, ideally two. String one above your cooking and sitting area to create a dry communal space. The second goes under your tent as a ground sheet (fold the edges under so water doesn't pool between the tarp and tent floor).

A 3x3 metre tarp with some paracord and a couple of trees or poles gives you a dry kitchen area where you can cook, eat, and sit without retreating to the tent. This single piece of gear transforms rainy camping from miserable to manageable.

Tent setup for rain#

• Peg everything. In dry weather, you might skip pegging the guy ropes. In rain, peg every rope and make sure the rainfly is taut. Sagging creates pools where water sits and eventually seeps through.
• Pitch the rainfly first. If it's already raining when you arrive, get the rainfly up before the inner tent. This keeps the inner tent dry during setup.
• Leave vents open. It sounds counterintuitive, but closing all vents creates condensation inside the tent. You'll wake up damp from your own breath. Keep at least one vent partially open for airflow.
• Keep gear off the tent walls. Anything touching the inner wall can wick moisture through. Leave a gap between your sleeping bag and the sides.

Groundsheet discipline#

A footprint or ground tarp under your tent is essential, but it must be smaller than the tent floor or folded inward at the edges. If the groundsheet extends beyond the tent, it catches rain and channels it underneath you. Tuck it in.

Pack the right gear#

You don't need expensive gear to camp in the rain. You need the right gear, and most of it is cheap.

Waterproof dry bags (from $10 each): Keep your sleeping bag, spare clothes, and phone in separate dry bags. Even if everything else gets wet, you'll have dry sleeping gear and a dry change of clothes.

Rain jacket and pants: Merino wool base layers are ideal because they stay warm when damp. Avoid cotton, which holds moisture and chills you.

Gumboots: Cheaper and more practical than expensive waterproof hiking boots. The campground will be muddy. Gumboots handle it.

Waterproof matches or a lighter in a ziplock bag: Wet matches are useless matches. Double-bag your fire starters.

Garbage bags: The budget-friendly waterproof solution. Line your backpack, wrap gear bundles, create a poncho in a pinch.

Quick-dry camp towel: Microfibre towels dry fast and pack small. Use them to wipe down tent surfaces, dry chairs, and keep the tent vestibule clean.

Cooking and eating in the rain#

Nobody wants to eat cold food in the rain. A hot meal changes everything.

Under the tarp#

Set up your camp stove under your tarp (with adequate ventilation). Pre-made meals you froze at home are perfect here. Reheat a bolognese or curry in one pot. Add pasta or rice. Done. Hot food, minimal cleanup, no complicated cooking in wet conditions.

One-pot wonders#

Keep it simple:

• Tinned soup heated on the camp stove
• Baked beans on toast (camp toast rack over the stove)
• Instant noodles with added tinned tuna and frozen vegetables
• Hot chocolate, lots of hot chocolate

The goal isn't a masterclass. The goal is something warm in your hands that keeps morale up.

Keep your fire going (if permitted)#

Check fire regulations for NSW national parks before attempting a campfire. If fires are permitted, stack dry kindling and firewood under a tarp before the rain hits. Lifting your fire off wet ground with a layer of dry sticks helps it catch. Firelighters and dry newspaper in a ziplock bag are worth their weight.

If fires aren't permitted or conditions are too wet, a gas camp stove with a windshield is your backup.

Which NSW campgrounds handle rain well?#

Some campgrounds are better set up for wet weather than others. Look for these features:

Campgrounds with sheltered cooking areas#

Campgrounds with covered picnic shelters or camp kitchens are gold in the rain. You can cook and eat without a tarp setup. Several NSW campgrounds have these:

• Woody Head (Bundjalung NP) has camp kitchen facilities and hot showers. A rainy day here is still a good day.
• Depot Beach (Murramarang NP) has sheltered areas and flush toilets. The beach is dramatic in wild weather.
• Killalea (south of Wollongong) has well-maintained facilities including sheltered BBQ areas.

Campgrounds with good drainage#

Coastal campgrounds on sandy soil drain faster than inland clay-based sites. Beach campgrounds in NSW like Mungo Brush and Diamond Head sit on sandy ground that absorbs rain quickly.

Bush campgrounds in the Blue Mountains and Barrington Tops can get waterlogged after sustained rain. Check NPWS alerts for road and campground closures before heading to inland sites in wet weather.

Campgrounds to avoid in heavy rain#

• Low-lying river flats: Any campground on a river flat (including parts of the Hawkesbury and Shoalhaven valleys) can flood in heavy rain
• Unsealed access roads: Rain turns dirt roads into mud. If you're in a 2WD, check road conditions before driving to remote campgrounds
• Alpine campgrounds: Barrington Tops and Kosciuszko campgrounds get very cold and very wet. Not the place for beginners in rain

After the rain#

The trip isn't over when you get home. Wet camping gear that goes straight into the garage will grow mould by next weekend.

Dry everything. Pitch your tent in the backyard or hang it in the garage with doors open. Sleeping bags need airing. Chairs need opening. If the sun comes out, use it.

Clean muddy gear. Rinse gumboots, wipe down the esky, and shake out the tarp. Five minutes of cleanup now saves an unpleasant surprise next trip.

Don't let one rainy trip put you off. The first time you camp in the rain is the steepest learning curve. After that, you know what works, what to pack, and what to skip. And you'll have a story.

Don't let the forecast stop you#

Some of the best camping happens in the rain. The campground is quieter. The bush is alive. The sound of rain on a tent is better than any sleep app.

Pack a tarp, bring dry bags, cook something hot, and lean into it. If your preferred campground still has availability because everyone else cancelled, even better. And if it was fully booked before the rain forecast? Check again. Cancellations spike when rain is predicted. Set up a free CampWatch alert and you might score a spot that wasn't there yesterday.