Lake Camping in New South Wales: Best Lake Campsites 2026

If your idea of a perfect campsite comes with lake views, water sports, and enough trout and bass to keep the barbecue going all summer, Australia's most populous state doesn't disappoint. Whether you want to pitch a tent by the lakeside or park your RV along the coast, New South Wales has plenty of options for lake campers. Head to the Barrington Coast, where the Great Lakes are a coastal paradise fringed with white-sand beaches and rainforest hikes, enjoy bird-watching and kayaking on Yanga Lake at Yanga National Park, or join campers, sailers, and golfers at Lake Macquarie, the largest saltwater lake in the Southern Hemisphere. Lakeside campgrounds often provide both powered and unpowered campsites, and many have amenities such as fishing piers, boat launches, and fish washing stations on-site. Or, for a change of scenery, you could hire a lakeside cabin or rent a houseboat.

95% (9.8K)

Top-rated campgrounds

99%

(596)

10 sites · Tents, RVs · Ashford, NSW

Our stunning 2000 acre working Cattle property offers this beautiful private camping retreat right on the bank of the Severn River in the Ashford area. Our camping sites are located far enough from each other so that we can offer complete privacy during your stay where you will have no other campers around you for literally kilometers. You can see more of our property by searching 'River Camping Ashford Dan Proud'.Our part of the Severn River offers many large fishing holes with excellent fishing for Murray Cod, Yellow Belly and Catfish, we request that you only catch and release please. The river is also great for kayaking, swimming and boating and has very large areas of small rapids along river.Relax around the fire pit in the evenings and enjoy our beautiful sunsets and star gazing, in the mornings you can enjoy the sounds of the beautiful bird song. The area is abundant with wildlife, including native birds, platypus and koalas.We are also located only 10kms from Pindari Dam which is another great spot for all water based activities. We are 10kms from Pindari Adventure Park which is a great spot to take kids. We are 25kms from Macintyre Falls and the Kwiambal National Parks which has a number of beautiful walks you can enjoy. Ben Falls, Goat Rock, Reedy Creek Winery and Zappers Winery are all close by as well.Campers must stay within the designated camping area whilst on the property.We have provided a fire pit for your enjoyment and can arrange firewood to be available upon request. Campers must be fully self sufficient and take all waste with them on departure. 

19. SeaForest Sanctuary

87%

(60)

18 sites · Tents, RVs · Charlotte Bay, NSW

NOT SUITABLE FOR VANS OVER 18ft. 65 acres of pristine forest excites the senses with its diversity of environments; meandering creek tributaries, a huge natural billabong, rich array of birdlife & wildlife. The property’s rainforest walk leads you through a subtropical tree forest by the banks of Duck creek, past the 'Dingo' large sculpture then to the ultimate viewing of the gigantic ancient trees that are 300 years old The property is close to 4 beaches - Blueys, Boomerang, Elizabeth ; Cellito/Sandbar ( 3 of those beaches are dog friendly and Sandbar even allows Horse riding as well as 4WD). The property borders the southern boundary of the Wallingat National Park - which offers days and days of adventures and has the best look-out over the whole coastal region called the Whoota Whoota lookout. Wallis Lake is literally across the road from the front gate and can be accessed by boat launch just up the Coomba road or at the Pacific Palms recreational club ( Recky) which is a short 5 minutes down the road. Smiths Lake is only 5 minutes drive away in the other direction and has catamaran and boat hire services close to the Frothy Coffee Cafe, SeaForest Sanctuary sites are 4WD and AWD due to the tracks- some 2WD as long as they have a high ground clearance; depending if we have dry weather. ( I have a small 2WD SUV and it gets around perfectly in the dry weather but I need the 4WD in the wet ). No amenities so campers need to BYO everything they need and leave no trace. Campers MUST bring their own camping toilet... This property is a wildlife/bush sanctuary and thus everyone is asked to please do their part to keeping it that way. The waterways and forests in this area are mind blowing. If you have the opportunity, hire a boat/ houseboat or kayak etc and explore the Myall, Smiths and Wallis Lakes.. Bushwalking trails are everywhere through the many National Parks that surround us here. The property is Dog friendly and owners must be respectful of others and keep animals quiet and contained at night. Goes without saying - please clean up doggie dung and take with your rubbish. Campfires are permitted in a designated area when restrictions aren't in place, plenty of wood to gather your own. Please be mindful that there could be fire bans on certain days during the summer. Farm manager will keep you informed and if the worst scenario happens being a fire warning of catastrophic conditions, please follow the farm managers instructions to evacuate the premises and enjoy some shopping in Forster or go to the movies for the day until the warning has lifted.

20. Yarrawin Camping

100%

(185)

26 sites · Tents, RVs · Argents Hill, NSW

Yarrawin is 680 acre cattle farm and hardwood timber plantation in the heart of the Nambucca Valley, offering scenic, secluded, private campsites with their own swimming hole and a river gravel beach on 3km of beautiful double river frontage. Camping options include riverside camps, the Shack and riverside camp and a large secluded valley. Each campsite is separate from the others, giving guests privacy and exclusive use of the swimming hole (except Chinamans Valley) at their site. All riverside sites offer a natural gravel beach entry into the water. There are no amenities here, campers will need to be self contained and leave no trace. Every site has a fire pit which must be used for campfires. If you want to use your own it must be off the ground. Only sand mats or similar, NO TARPS, to be set up on the grassed areas to preserve the grass. Firewood $20/night (CASH ONLY PLEASE). Please let us know in advance if you want firewood. Beautiful drinking rain water is available in a 20lt Jerry can if required on arrival. Bird lovers can enjoy watching the various bird varieties, as well as ducks. Animals include wallabies, goannas, deer and fish as well as cattle and stock horses. Fishing is okay but it is STRICTLY catch and release ONLY. There are many places to go bushwalking, either following the river or heading up the valleys or hiking up the hills through the trees. The property is just 10kms from the convenience of Bowraville, a historic township with a supermarket, folk museum, a war museum, a historic theatre, and other historic buildings. Nambucca Heads and the beautiful surrounding beaches are just 27kms east and Coffs Harbour 80kms away. Please note this is a working farm, so there will be cattle and stock horses on the property that may approach your campsite.

Camper favorites in New South Wales

/ night

Fernlee Station

99%

(596)

10 sites · Tents, RVs · Ashford, NSW

Our stunning 2000 acre working Cattle property offers this beautiful private camping retreat right on the bank of the Severn River in the Ashford area. Our camping sites are located far enough from each other so that we can offer complete privacy during your stay where you will have no other campers around you for literally kilometers. You can see more of our property by searching 'River Camping Ashford Dan Proud'.Our part of the Severn River offers many large fishing holes with excellent fishing for Murray Cod, Yellow Belly and Catfish, we request that you only catch and release please. The river is also great for kayaking, swimming and boating and has very large areas of small rapids along river.Relax around the fire pit in the evenings and enjoy our beautiful sunsets and star gazing, in the mornings you can enjoy the sounds of the beautiful bird song. The area is abundant with wildlife, including native birds, platypus and koalas.We are also located only 10kms from Pindari Dam which is another great spot for all water based activities. We are 10kms from Pindari Adventure Park which is a great spot to take kids. We are 25kms from Macintyre Falls and the Kwiambal National Parks which has a number of beautiful walks you can enjoy. Ben Falls, Goat Rock, Reedy Creek Winery and Zappers Winery are all close by as well.Campers must stay within the designated camping area whilst on the property.We have provided a fire pit for your enjoyment and can arrange firewood to be available upon request. Campers must be fully self sufficient and take all waste with them on departure. 

SeaForest Sanctuary

87%

(60)

18 sites · Tents, RVs · Charlotte Bay, NSW

NOT SUITABLE FOR VANS OVER 18ft. 65 acres of pristine forest excites the senses with its diversity of environments; meandering creek tributaries, a huge natural billabong, rich array of birdlife & wildlife. The property’s rainforest walk leads you through a subtropical tree forest by the banks of Duck creek, past the 'Dingo' large sculpture then to the ultimate viewing of the gigantic ancient trees that are 300 years old The property is close to 4 beaches - Blueys, Boomerang, Elizabeth ; Cellito/Sandbar ( 3 of those beaches are dog friendly and Sandbar even allows Horse riding as well as 4WD). The property borders the southern boundary of the Wallingat National Park - which offers days and days of adventures and has the best look-out over the whole coastal region called the Whoota Whoota lookout. Wallis Lake is literally across the road from the front gate and can be accessed by boat launch just up the Coomba road or at the Pacific Palms recreational club ( Recky) which is a short 5 minutes down the road. Smiths Lake is only 5 minutes drive away in the other direction and has catamaran and boat hire services close to the Frothy Coffee Cafe, SeaForest Sanctuary sites are 4WD and AWD due to the tracks- some 2WD as long as they have a high ground clearance; depending if we have dry weather. ( I have a small 2WD SUV and it gets around perfectly in the dry weather but I need the 4WD in the wet ). No amenities so campers need to BYO everything they need and leave no trace. Campers MUST bring their own camping toilet... This property is a wildlife/bush sanctuary and thus everyone is asked to please do their part to keeping it that way. The waterways and forests in this area are mind blowing. If you have the opportunity, hire a boat/ houseboat or kayak etc and explore the Myall, Smiths and Wallis Lakes.. Bushwalking trails are everywhere through the many National Parks that surround us here. The property is Dog friendly and owners must be respectful of others and keep animals quiet and contained at night. Goes without saying - please clean up doggie dung and take with your rubbish. Campfires are permitted in a designated area when restrictions aren't in place, plenty of wood to gather your own. Please be mindful that there could be fire bans on certain days during the summer. Farm manager will keep you informed and if the worst scenario happens being a fire warning of catastrophic conditions, please follow the farm managers instructions to evacuate the premises and enjoy some shopping in Forster or go to the movies for the day until the warning has lifted.

Yarrawin Camping

100%

(185)

26 sites · Tents, RVs · Argents Hill, NSW

Yarrawin is 680 acre cattle farm and hardwood timber plantation in the heart of the Nambucca Valley, offering scenic, secluded, private campsites with their own swimming hole and a river gravel beach on 3km of beautiful double river frontage. Camping options include riverside camps, the Shack and riverside camp and a large secluded valley. Each campsite is separate from the others, giving guests privacy and exclusive use of the swimming hole (except Chinamans Valley) at their site. All riverside sites offer a natural gravel beach entry into the water. There are no amenities here, campers will need to be self contained and leave no trace. Every site has a fire pit which must be used for campfires. If you want to use your own it must be off the ground. Only sand mats or similar, NO TARPS, to be set up on the grassed areas to preserve the grass. Firewood $20/night (CASH ONLY PLEASE). Please let us know in advance if you want firewood. Beautiful drinking rain water is available in a 20lt Jerry can if required on arrival. Bird lovers can enjoy watching the various bird varieties, as well as ducks. Animals include wallabies, goannas, deer and fish as well as cattle and stock horses. Fishing is okay but it is STRICTLY catch and release ONLY. There are many places to go bushwalking, either following the river or heading up the valleys or hiking up the hills through the trees. The property is just 10kms from the convenience of Bowraville, a historic township with a supermarket, folk museum, a war museum, a historic theatre, and other historic buildings. Nambucca Heads and the beautiful surrounding beaches are just 27kms east and Coffs Harbour 80kms away. Please note this is a working farm, so there will be cattle and stock horses on the property that may approach your campsite.

Stories from the community

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Stephen

4 days ago

3 m Class B

1 night at Spirit of the Forest

Beautiful campsite, highly recommend, super clean and tidy, thanks Trevor and Maya

K

Kidokuma

2 weeks ago

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to The Riverside Farm Escape Minimbah

What an amazing stay! A big thanks to Richard and Roslyn for hosting all 8 of us in our yearly camp trip. They were extremely accomodating and friendly throughout the entire 2 night stay. We enjoyed the lily pad pond where we played with Rc boats and walks around. The atmosphere of the cows were soothing and relaxing and getting a chance to feed them made the trip amazing. The location is very convenient and close to foster beach only 30 mins away where we enjoyed a beach day out. I’d definitely recommend visiting this amazing stay that is kid friendly and options with powered sites, toilet and showers available it made all the difference to our camp.

W

Wydine

2 weeks ago

5 m car

With pets

Weekend Trip to Babbling Brook 4WD Camping

Large cleared area with direct water access. Awesome paddleboarding and fishing. Very level ground so really easy to set up camp comfortably. Fire-pits already built (will try them out next time when there is no total fire ban active) Very peaceful, camp sites are very spread out, can't hear or see your neighbours. Great tree cover. All round fantastic getaway, will definitely be back and try a couple other camp spots on the property!

Geordie

2 weeks ago

With pets

Weekend Trip to Ingenia Holidays Bermagui

Amazing location. We had our tinny with us, and were able to have it anchored just in front of our cabin. View was perfect. So peaceful. Cabin had everything we needed. And staff were delightful. Will be back!

J

Jemma

2 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

3 nights at Babbling Brook 4WD Camping

Thanks so much Billy and Michele, our family of 4 and our border collie had the best stay! Everything was organised very well, we arranged for fire wood on arrival. Our camp site number 2 was perfect. We had an amazing spot on the river front, the use of the kayaks which was a bonus. The boys loved it so much plenty of fish in the river We can’t wait to stay next time!!

K

Kendrick

2 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Babbling Brook 4WD Camping

Awesome campsite! Lots of open space for the dog to run and we were right by the creek which made fishing very enjoyable and easy to do! Will be back soon!

Dan

2 weeks ago

11 m Class A

With pets

3 nights at Fernlee Station

Fernlee has a series of beautiful campsites along the Severn River. They are private, well maintained and absolutely beautiful. It’s a bird watchers dream with at least 20 different species we saw. The river was running when we were there and it was great paddling and swimming

N

Nicola

2 weeks ago

8 m Class A

With pets

Weekend Trip to Valley View Escape

Well kept property with amazing views (we had Middle Ridge). Be mindful of the slightly steep dirt road section after the dam crossing and get a run at it. We had to reverse back in our 25ft MoHo as we didn't make it the first time, but got there eventually. Highly recommend this property.

Angelina

2 weeks ago

5 m car

1 night at The Riverside Farm Escape Minimbah

My partner and I loved staying here, Richard was very helpful and although we only spent one night, we easily could’ve stayed much longer — a lovely experience & location

Katrina

2 weeks ago

5 m travel trailer

With pets

1 night at Valley View Escape

So quiet and private. The views are next level and a swim in the dam on a hot afternoon was perfect.

S

Sean

2 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

3 nights at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

This is a beautiful place to stay on the river - Bernard and Susan are very welcoming and friendly - the sites are huge and the facilities are great - we have rebooked for our return journey

O

Oliver

2 weeks ago

6 m Class A

With kids

1 night at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

A fabulous farm stay. Susan was accommodating of our late arrival due to bushfire traffic. What a place to watch the sunrise over the river. If you have the opportunity to visit, don’t miss it.

D

Dana

2 weeks ago

5 m Class B

With kids

1 night at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

Wir haben uns sehr wohl auf der Farm von Susan und Bernard gefühlt. Sie waren sehr freundlich. Haben sogar mit unserem kleinen Sohn die Tiere gefüttert und haben uns alle Fragen sofort beantwortet. Wir wurden es weiterempfehlen und immer wiederkommen

d

darcy

2 weeks ago

4 m Class B

1 night at Valley View Escape

Gorgeous view and so peaceful. Had a lovely stay would definitely come again for a few days!

N

Nicole

2 weeks ago

9 m travel trailer

With kids

1 night at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

Our young family loved staying at The Hatch! Beautiful farm/river views. We had a play on the foreshore, caught a fish, rode our bikes, visited the farm animals, roasted marshmallows on the fire. What more could you want! Thank you so much!

C

CHERYL

2 weeks ago

8 m Class A

With kids

2 nights at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

Thanks Susan and Bernard.. what a wonderful idyllic place this is! The children LOVED playing with Sally (their beautiful & clever border collie) all day long, and the adults LOVED the space, right next to the river. It was a wonderful and unique experience, especially for us city dwellers. Make sure you get the campfire package! Susan also brought the kids into her ‘petting zoo’ and they got to cuddle rabbits, baby chicks, guinea pigs… So fun.

V

Venessa

3 weeks ago

6 m Class B

Weekend Trip to The Riverside Farm Escape Minimbah

We had two nights at the Paddock View site, by the dam full of lillies. Good spot for a swim. Such a beautiful spot to camp, loved the birds and wallabies. Loved the proximity to the beaches. Thank you for setting up a great space.

J

Jesse

3 weeks ago

5 m travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Fernlee Station

Absolutely incredible off-grid spot. The host is exceptionally friendly, and we even had a few horse and cow visitors wander by, which made the stay feel extra special. The property is beautifully maintained, peaceful, and far removed from the usual hustle and bustle. A truly stunning place to switch off and unwind — you won’t be disappointed.

James

3 weeks ago

9 m Class B

Weekend Trip to The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

Great hosts- super accommodating and flexible - our van broke down and we weren’t able to get a replacement straight away so meant having to stay an extra night. They were great and relaxed about it all. Great fun kayaking as well - would definitely recommend to anyone going on a road trip!