National parks, beachfront camping, and lakeside fun within easy reach of Sydney.
Best known for its annual Spring into Corrimal festival (held each September), the Wollongong suburb of Corrimal has plenty to offer coastal campers. Just over an hour’s drive from Sydney, the South Coast beach town is encircled by national parks, beaches, and nature reserves, while the long sandy beach has shallow waters ideal for families, a dog-friendly section, and patrolled swimming areas during school holiday periods. Check into a caravan park or tourist park along the coast, which have powered sites and amenities such as a camp kitchen, BBQ areas, and laundry facilities, or seek out a quiet Hipcamp or national park campground. To the north, Dharawal National Park has great hiking and mountain biking trails, while Royal National Park has opportunities for bushwalking, birdwatching, and a riverside campground. To the south, Lake Illawarra is a hotspot for fishing, boating, and water sports, with boat, kayak, and stand-up paddleboard rentals available.