Camping on the north coast of NSW

The NSW north coast is the kind of place where you pull into a campground, set up your tent, and immediately wonder why you don't do this more often. From the lake-and-ocean landscapes of Myall Lakes to the World Heritage rainforest at Bundjalung, the north coast has a completely different feel to the well-trodden south coast camping circuit.

It's also less competitive for bookings. While south coast campgrounds like Depot Beach sell out months ahead, many of the best north coast camping spots nsw still have availability during peak season, especially the mid-north coast campgrounds that sit between the popular holiday hubs. If you've been shut out of south coast bookings, camping north coast nsw is worth serious consideration.

This guide covers the best campgrounds on the NSW north coast from south to north, organised by region. Whether you're road tripping up the Pacific Highway or looking for a specific destination, here's where to camp.

North coast campgrounds at a glance#

Campground	Region	Sites	Drive from Sydney	Showers	Beach	Booking difficulty
Mungo Brush	Great Lakes	77	3.5 hrs	No	Beach + lake	Moderate
Mibanbah-Black Rocks	Great Lakes	~10	3.5 hrs	No	Waterfront	Low
Diamond Head	Mid-north coast	75	4.5 hrs	Outdoor	Yes	Moderate
Point Plomer	Mid-north coast	84	5 hrs	Yes	Yes	Moderate
Trial Bay Gaol	Mid-north coast	~120	5.5 hrs	Yes	Yes	Moderate
Illaroo	North coast	~60	7 hrs	Yes	Yes	Moderate
Woody Head	Far north coast	94	8 hrs	Hot	Yes	Hard

Myall Lakes and the Great Lakes#

About 3.5 hours north of Sydney, Myall Lakes National Park straddles a chain of coastal lakes connected to the ocean. The landscape is unique; you can camp between a freshwater lake and the surf beach, with both within walking distance. Hawks Nest and Tea Gardens are the nearest towns.

Mungo Brush#

Mungo Brush is the main campground in Myall Lakes and one of the best campgrounds nsw north coast. The 77 sites are spread through coastal bushland on a narrow strip between Myall Lake and the beach. Walk one direction and you're at the lake. Walk the other and you're on a long, wild surf beach.

It's a landscape you won't find on the south coast. The lake is calm, perfect for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, or fishing. The ocean beach is wide and often empty, the kind of beach where you can walk for an hour without seeing another person.

A rainforest walking track near the campground is worth exploring in the morning when the birdlife is at its best. Bring binoculars.

The catch: Mungo Brush is BYO water and has no showers. It's not the most comfortable campground for families with young kids, but for anyone who doesn't mind basic facilities, the setting is special.

Key details: 77 sites, toilets, picnic tables, boat ramp, no showers, BYO water. About 3.5 hours from Sydney (near Hawks Nest).

Booking difficulty: Moderate. Less competitive than south coast campgrounds, but school holidays and summer weekends fill up.

Mibanbah-Black Rocks#

If Mungo Brush is the main act, Mibanbah-Black Rocks is the hidden gem. This small, secluded campground sits on the waterfront of Myall Lake with only about 10 sites. It's peaceful, remote, and the kind of place where you feel like you've found your own private corner of the national park.

Access can be tricky, you'll need a vehicle suitable for unsealed roads, but the seclusion is the reward. Kayaking from the campground is exceptional, and the sunsets over the lake are something else.

Key details: ~10 sites, very basic facilities, waterfront. Access via unsealed road. About 3.5 hours from Sydney.

Booking difficulty: Low. The limited sites keep it quiet, and the access requirements mean it's rarely full.

Mid-north coast (Port Macquarie to Coffs Harbour)#

The mid-north coast is where the north coast really starts to feel tropical. The water is warmer, the vegetation is lush, and the campgrounds sit along a stretch of coast that's less developed than either the Central Coast or the far north coast holiday towns.

Diamond Head, Crowdy Bay National Park#

Diamond Head is proper beachside camping. The 75 sites sit on a headland in Crowdy Bay National Park, with direct access to long, empty beaches that stretch in both directions. The Diamond Head loop walking track takes you along the coastline past rocky outcrops and through banksia woodland.

One of Diamond Head's standout features: it's one of the few national park campgrounds that allows dogs (on leash). For campers who want beach camping north coast nsw and can't leave the dog behind, this is a rare option.

The Split Rock Aboriginal cultural site is a short walk from camp and worth visiting. The sunrises from the headland are genuinely spectacular, the kind that make you glad you're sleeping in a tent instead of a hotel.

Facilities are basic but adequate: outdoor showers, BBQs, and toilets. The sites are flat and grassy, with room for caravans.

Key details: 75 sites, outdoor showers, BBQs, dogs on leash. About 4.5 hours from Sydney (near Laurieton).

Booking difficulty: Moderate. The distance from Sydney keeps competition lower than south coast campgrounds.

Point Plomer, Limeburners Creek National Park#

Point Plomer has the feel of a campground that hasn't been discovered yet, though regular visitors would prefer it stayed that way. The 84 sites spread through bushland behind a beach known for world-class surfing, and the whole place has a relaxed, end-of-the-road character.

The beach is long and uncrowded, with consistent waves that attract boardriders from across the mid-north coast. Away from the surf zone, there are calmer sections suitable for swimming. During whale migration season (May to November), the headland lookout is one of the best whale-watching spots on the coast.

Point Plomer is BYO water, and the nearest town (Crescent Head) is about 25 minutes' drive. Plan accordingly.

Key details: 84 sites, showers, toilets, BBQs, BYO water. About 5 hours from Sydney (near Kempsey).

Booking difficulty: Moderate. A great option if better-known campgrounds are booked out. Set up a CampWatch alert for Point Plomer if your dates happen to be taken.

Trial Bay Gaol, Arakoon National Park#

Trial Bay Gaol is unlike any other campground on the north coast. The sites sit beside the ruins of a 19th-century granite prison overlooking Trial Bay, and the combination of history, coastline, and comfortable facilities makes it a genuinely memorable camping experience.

With around 120 sites, it's one of the largest campgrounds on this list. The beach is right there, the rock pools are excellent for exploring, and the prison ruins are fascinating to wander through (they're a separate attraction with a small entry fee). South West Rocks, a popular holiday town, is just around the headland.

The campground has showers, toilets, and BBQs. It feels more like a beachside holiday park than a bush campground, which suits families and less experienced campers well.

Key details: ~120 sites, showers, toilets, BBQs. About 5.5 hours from Sydney (near South West Rocks).

Booking difficulty: Moderate. The large number of sites means it's rarely completely sold out, though peak holiday periods get competitive.

Far north coast (Coffs Harbour to Tweed)#

The far north coast is where NSW starts to feel subtropical. The vegetation is thicker, the water is warmer, and the national parks here include World Heritage-listed rainforest. It's a long drive from Sydney, but if you're doing a north coast road trip, this is the reward.

Illaroo, Yuraygir National Park#

Illaroo campground sits in Yuraygir National Park between Grafton and Coffs Harbour. The park protects the longest stretch of undeveloped coastline in NSW, and Illaroo is the most accessible campground within it.

The campground has about 60 sites in bush behind the beach, with showers, toilets, and BBQs. The beach is wild and beautiful, part of the Yuraygir Coastal Walk, a multi-day hiking trail that runs the length of the park. Even if you're not doing the full walk, the day walks from Illaroo are excellent.

Key details: ~60 sites, showers, toilets, BBQs. About 7 hours from Sydney (near Grafton).

Booking difficulty: Moderate. Less competitive than coastal campgrounds closer to Sydney.

Woody Head, Bundjalung National Park#

Woody Head is the crown jewel of north coast camping. With 94 sites, a protected sandy beach, hot showers, a boat ramp, and even a seasonal kiosk, it's the most well-equipped campground on this list, and the setting is exceptional.

The beach is sheltered from big swells, making it safe for swimming and snorkelling. The rock platform at the southern end is brilliant for exploring at low tide, crabs, anemones, starfish, the lot. Behind the campground, World Heritage-listed rainforest rises up, and the walking tracks through it feel like stepping into a different world.

Woody Head is the kind of campground where people stay for a week. Once you're set up, there's no reason to leave. The beach, the bush, the rock pools, and the kiosk for an ice cream on a hot day, it has everything.

The distance from Sydney (about eight hours) makes it a serious commitment from the city. But for northern rivers locals, it's a go-to. And for anyone road tripping the north coast, Woody Head is the campground you plan the trip around.

Key details: 94 sites, hot showers, BBQs, kiosk (seasonal), boat ramp, drinking water. Far north coast near Iluka, about 8 hours from Sydney.

Booking difficulty: Hard during school holidays, moderate at other times. Set up a CampWatch alert for Woody Head if your dates are booked.

Planning your north coast camping trip#

The north coast road trip#

Unlike the south coast, which is one continuous coastal drive, the north coast camping experience is more spread out. Here's a suggested road trip itinerary:

• Night 1-2: Mungo Brush, Myall Lakes (break the Sydney drive)
• Night 3-4: Diamond Head or Point Plomer (the mid-north coast experience)
• Night 5-6: Trial Bay Gaol (history, rock pools, and a base for exploring South West Rocks)
• Night 7-9: Woody Head (the destination campground)

You can do this in either direction. Coming from Sydney, the Pacific Highway gets you to Myall Lakes in about 3.5 hours, and from there it's a comfortable day's drive between each stop.

Best time for north coast camping#

Summer (December-February): Warm water, long days, but the most competitive for bookings. The far north coast can be humid and wet, so check the forecast.

Autumn (March-May): The sweet spot. Warm enough to swim, drier than summer, and campgrounds are much easier to book. The water temperature stays comfortable well into May.

Winter (June-August): Mild on the north coast, warmer than the south coast. Whale migration is in full swing, and you'll often have campgrounds to yourself. Bring a warm sleeping bag for cool nights.

Spring (September-November): Warming up, wildflowers in the bush, and the end of whale season. October is particularly good, warm days, cool nights, and minimal crowds.

Booking tips#

All the NSW national park campgrounds on this list are booked through the NSW National Parks website. For a detailed booking walkthrough, check our guide on how to book a campsite in NSW national parks.

North coast campgrounds are generally easier to book than south coast equivalents, but Woody Head during school holidays is an exception. If your preferred campground is sold out, CampWatch monitors Woody Head, Diamond Head, Point Plomer, Mungo Brush, Trial Bay Gaol, and Mibanbah-Black Rocks, and texts you when cancellations open up a spot.

For more campground ideas, check out the best campgrounds near Sydney, or explore the camping south coast nsw guide if you're still deciding between north and south.

Head north#

The NSW north coast offers something the south coast can't always match: availability. While the south coast campgrounds are booking battlegrounds, north coast camping spots nsw are often available when you need them. The trade-off is a longer drive from Sydney, but the reward is World Heritage rainforest, empty beaches, warmer water, and campgrounds where you can still rock up and find a site during shoulder season.

Whether you're chasing surf at Point Plomer, history at Trial Bay Gaol, or a week of beach bliss at Woody Head, the north coast has a campground for you. And if your first choice is sold out, set up a free CampWatch alert, you'll be the first to know when a spot opens up.

Don't forget to check NSW national parks camping fees before you go. Happy camping.