98% (2.2K) • 71 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Crookwell
Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping
1. Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping
94%
(176)
72km from Crookwell · 10 sites · Tents, RVs
Escape to 100 acres of natural beauty, where 60% of the land is pristine bushland perched high above the Wingecarribee River. Our 4 secluded campsites offer the perfect retreat for nature lovers, with walking tracks, bush climbing adventures, and exceptional stargazing on clear nights.
We’re a pet-friendly getaway—dogs are welcome on-leash and under control. Share the space with our friendly farm animals, including horses, a donkey, an alpaca, and free-ranging peacocks, chooks, ducks, and guinea fowl.
Our property is fully off-grid, so campers must be self-contained and follow a leave-no-trace policy. To enhance your stay, we’ve recently added a flush toilet, outdoor sink, and cold shower, centrally located near the homestead due to the natural landscape. It’s a short walk from most sites and solar lit at night for easy access. Each site has its own firepit. Firewood is plentiful, fresh drinking water is available, and we can provide table and chair setups on request.
Located just 30 minutes from Mittagong and 20 minutes from Berrima, you're close to great restaurants and cafes, lots of boutique shopping, weekly markets, award-winning cellar doors, and world-class distilleries and farm experiences. Don't miss the World Heritage-listed Joadja town and distillery, just a 15-minute drive away.
To make your stay even more special, indulge in one of our gourmet hampers filled with the best local produce.
Discover the Southern Highlands—peaceful, adventurous, and unforgettable.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$102
/ night
Hidden Brook Southern Highlands NSW
2. Hidden Brook Southern Highlands NSW
98%
(121)
75km from Crookwell · 5 sites · Tents, RVs
A beautiful and serene 40 acres just 5 kms from the wonderful Bundanoon village, the gateway to the Morton National Park, in the wonderful Southern Highlands NSW.
We have a chain of dams to throw a line or catch some yabbies, even float around in the kayaks, or just sit beside and soak up the rays.
We have horses, chooks, ducks and peafowl and a beautiful chocolate lab, Cleo.
An easy and 10kms from the Hume Hwy there are numerous camp sites, a couple by the oak grove, a couple by the dam and with lovely rural vista.
Kids stay free and are not included in the site capacity.
Sites are easy access with a clear track. All sites are dispersed so you can choose where you stay.
We live on property and are happy to share and let people enjoy our beautiful location.
The morning birdsong and evening are restorative. The sunrises and sunsets amazing.
Far enough away to unwind and relax, close enough to get a caffeine fix if needed!
Coming into summer camp fires are subject to weather conditions and fire warnings.
Campers must be self-contained. Off grid campers, 4wd vehicles with pop ups or tents on ground and RVs can be accommodated. We have a leave only footprints philosophy. All rubbish and waste (human, animal & general) must be taken off property.
Extremely well behaved dogs are welcome. Our birds are free range so dogs need to be feathered friend friendly.
Horses also welcome, separate paddocks available. Please contact for separate costs.
Our property is perfect for larger group, please just send me a message.
We look forward to hosting you!
Pets
Campfires
from
AU$55
/ night
Pine Gums, via Goulburn.
3. Pine Gums, via Goulburn.
97%
(296)
30km from Crookwell · 8 sites · Tents, RVs
Pine Gums is so close to everything but also feels a world away from everyone. From the time you pull in, to the time you leave, the experience at Pine Gums is peaceful, rewarding and one you will always cherish and remember. With so many people coming back time and time again, bringing friends and family, this really does speak for itself.
This site was previously a pine forest and was harvested back in 2018. We are clearing some ground for grazing cattle while letting some regrowth come through for the wildlife. We have plenty of kangaroos, possums, wombats just to name a few and an abundance of birdlife.
We have multiple options for campers.
COMFORT CAMP
Our comfort camp has an an undercover BBQ area with seating, a built-in fireplace and gas BBQ. There is also a proper flushing toilet and hot/cold shower, solar lighting and USB charging port.
QUICK CAMPS
We also have 5 Quick Camp spaces for those self-sufficient campers who want to get away from it all in a quiet neck-of-the-woods. You'll be surrounded by peace and quiet to pull up the van, pitch the tent or roll out the swag.
At night, sit and listen to the sounds of silence as you glance up to the stars. This spot feels a world away but still has the convenience of being only 10 minutes off the Hume Hwy and only 20 minutes from Goulburn where you can get all your daily needs.
There is plenty of firewood laying around the property for the campfire so bring your saw, cut some wood, and just enjoy. No firewood is to be taken off the property. Please always consider the next camper and leave some available and ready.
Pet friendly! (Please always keep pets with you and away from the cattle/wildlife)
4x4 is recommended, especially if you are towing.
FIRE RULES
Please ensure you read the current Fire Ban and restriction information on the NSW Rural Fire Service here: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans
You are required to comply with local council and the NSW Rural Fire legislation, rules and requirements, and these change daily.
Fire Bans are in place from 1 October to 31 March each year, at which time fires may only be small and used for cooking.
When there is a Total Fire Ban, no fires are permitted.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$73
/ night
Maddara.Organic.Farm.and.Art
4. Maddara.Organic.Farm.and.Art
99%
(157)
63km from Crookwell · 9 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Once a much larger property, we purchased our 120-acre (50-hectare) in 1984 as a means to live sustainably and raise a family.
Living in our shed whilst we prepared the garden, installed watering infrastructure, and built our house, which we finally moved into when our daughter was 6 months old in 1990.
Over the ensuing years, we have continued to increase biodiversity on the property and set it up so we can live sustainably, harvesting our own water, electricity, and food.
If you're lucky, you could get a hamper of our product when there is sufficient in season.
With the increased biodiversity, you will find that in the mornings and evenings, kangaroos and wallabies will visit with the occasional echidna, rabbi,t and hare; and to forget the large array of bird life - that may wake you early in the morning with the songs.
This campsite is set on lovely grassy open areas interspersed with gum trees. The sunrise looks spectacular near the dam, when the trees give off a lovely glow.
The main paddock has a Geodome, a shared space for relaxing in. With all that space, you can park and set up camp anywhere in the paddock.
There is access to drinking water, toilets, and a hot shower.
Around the dome is a fire pit, drinking water, and a camp kitchen. The fire pit features an Argentinian BBQ and a plate for cooking. The kitchen has plates, cups, cutlery, and other bits and pieces for you to use.
We also allow your pets to stay on-site; this includes horses.
If you want exclusive use of the paddocks, refer to Group Bush Retreat.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
AU$51
/ night
Coots Creek Campground
5. Coots Creek Campground
99%
(369)
73km from Crookwell · 14 sites · Tents, RVs
Beautiful 240acre cattle property for campers to enjoy the beauty of the land and its flora and fauna in a pieceful environment.
Campers have enjoyed the easy accessibility,
stunning sunset views and the peace and quiet of feeling like they are a million miles away from civilization.
2 Dams available for swimming.
All sites in the Campground area are fenced and sited to give maximum privacy and safety from any fire threat, with plenty of room to place tents/vans/motorhomes for best viewing position.
Campground Sites x 8
Beautiful private sites that feel like you are away from the rest of the world.
Watch kangaroos, wallaroos and wedge tail eagles. Drive through comfort for large Caravans/RV.
Toilets for your comfort nearby and potable water available for refill of tanks.
Campfires are allowed unless there is a fireban.
Why not hire a van if you have no equipment- they will set the van up on your site https://www.camplify.com.au/rv/caravan-rental-murrumbateman-nsw-viv-the-viscount/33909
Pets
Toilets
Potable water
from
AU$31
/ night
Shepherds Rest
6. Shepherds Rest
98%
(119)
79km from Crookwell · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Beautiful open views across rolling hills and paddocks.
Sit by the dam and enjoy the views.
Meet the goats, llama and chickens.
Walk the farm paddocks with the goats. Mountain bike on country roads.
Various sites to choose from.
Only 45 mins from Canberra. 15mins from the quaint town of Bungendore.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$49
/ night
Redlands Camping
7. Redlands Camping
99%
(583)
39km from Crookwell · 42 sites · Tents, RVs
Hi campers, Nestled among the hills on Old Man Gunyah Creek, this 1400 acre property is owned &and run by John & Jen. It's a sheep farm running 1600 sheep producing fine wool and fat lambs.
Plenty of room to move, walk the hills, catch a fish, or just sit by the camp fire & watch the stars.
Bring your motor home, caravan, camper, tent or swag, the choice is yours. The shearing shed has a fully equipped kitchen & plenty of fresh rain water. You are welcome to roll out your swag in the shearing shed if you prefer.
Controlled dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a leash at all times. There is no mobile service or Wi-Fi. We are 50 kms from a corner store/service station, so don't leave yourselves short. There are toilets scattered around the property, but no shower available.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
AU$19
/ night
Rhapsody
8. Rhapsody
99%
(237)
76km from Crookwell · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Welcome to this remote piece of paradise! Rhapsody is located in Gingkin,, which is not far from Oberon NSW, about 3 hours west of Sydney.
Campsites are hidden in a remote valley direct frontage to the pristine Hollanders River, adjoining the Kanangra-Boyd National Park. There are two private campsites on grassy river flats surrounded by eucalyptus forest. The sites are very secluded so you will see lots of wildlife and you're guaranteed not to see any other people! Only one group can stay at each campsite and campsites are on different parts of the river so privacy is guaranteed.
In dry conditions 2WD is fine for Wallaby flat but in wet weather, 4WD is required. Platypus flat is 4wd only. You can always park at the top of the hill and walk down first if you're not sure.
Dog friendly. Campfires permitted in a designated area when restrictions aren't in place. Gather your own wood from fallen timber on the way in or BYO wood. Not much firewood available on site. Both campsites can get quite cool as they are low in the valley.
This is a wild and remote area. Guided remote bushwalks also available for those who are fit and adventurous.
Both campsites have a pit toilets, cold shower, spring water on tap, picnic tables.. Water is sourced from a distant spring in the mountain and is gravity fed to the site by above ground pipe which heats the water during the day.
There is a small area where you can get Telstra mobile reception at the cattle grid on the way into the property, but very limited mobile reception in this area. If you are on Optus or other networks you won't get any reception. There is no mobile reception at camp - perfect for disconnecting and reconnecting with nature!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$146
/ night
Monastery of 11 Strings
9. Monastery of 11 Strings
99%
(233)
42km from Crookwell · 12 sites · Tents, RVs
Lovingly developed for 15 years as a mindful refuge & wildlife corridor by Victoria, a filmmaker/permaculture designer, the property was completely destroyed in 2018. Thus the mega bushfire cycle began impacting forever most of NSW's flora, fauna & people. Nature ultimately prevails & slowly the untamed terrain is healing.
After studying at RMIT School of Architecture & Design for three years with the intention to design tiny living house systems better suited for harsh environments, Victoria has returned. Slowly she rebuilds a humble off-grid existence from the burnt-out bus fusing knowledge of building design with her food forests/aquaponics passion, keen to create an environmentally connected experience to share with like-minded others.
By staying you are helping her & all the wild things emerge from the ashes.
Thank you.
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Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$40
/ night
Windawalla
10. Windawalla
99%
(73)
52km from Crookwell · 7 sites · RVs
43 acres of bushland with beautiful secluded camping for self contained campers. Drive up and pick a spot. Witness the spectacular sunsets and valley views. Watch the amazing night sky while cooking dinner on a supplied open fire. An abundance of wildlife with the bush home to wombats, kangaroos, deer and a variety of birds.
Walk the many natural tracks on the property, have a hit of golf, wet a line in one of the dams or just sit and enjoy the view.
12 minutes to the centre of Goulburn and 20 minutes from the spectacular Bungonia Gorge. Minutes off the highway when travelling the Hume so a great one night stop or you could make it a base for a longer stay and do some sightseeing.
Pets
from
AU$37
/ night
Noonameena - Sleep in the Bush
11. Noonameena - Sleep in the Bush
97%
(58)
76km from Crookwell · 6 sites · Tents, RVs
Noonameena is a 100 acre natural bushland property located approx 7kms outside of Berrima, NSW in the Southern Highlands. While most of the property is covered by a variety of natural bushland, a small flat area of cleared land is perfect for recreational campers.
The property has access to the Wingecarribee River to the south, a natural pool and large dam in the camping area.
Other property features include commercial gardens, orchards and free range chicken coop as well as a homestead with surrounding gardens.
There are also plenty of walking tracks on the property.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$97
/ night
Country Journey, Boxgrove farm
12. Country Journey, Boxgrove farm
99%
(252)
49km from Crookwell · 43 sites · Tents, RVs
With over 600 acres of Australian bush, our property is ideal for campers that want their own space. We are completely off-grid (no wifi to distract you) and we run off tank water (for this reason showers are only available for two hours in the evening). There are multiple camp sites on the property - some are close to hot showers and toilets, others are within a short walking distance. Some sites are perfect for our self sufficient campers who might want a nice private location and don't need access to amenities.
There are two shared camp kitchen areas (with pizza ovens and bbqs). We have two amenities blocks with toilets and hot showers and two further compost toilets located at other sites. Campfires are permitted in designated areas (check with us when booking) and firewood can be added to your booking - we do require at least 24 hours notice if you want wood.
There are lots of old-style games for the kids such as cricket, tennis, playground, bikes available, a swim in the dam and general country running around fun! Unfortunately we no longer have our flying fox, but there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy. We have some great bush walking areas where you might be lucky enough to see our resident wombats or our breeding pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles.
The property dates back to the early 1900s and there are numerous historic buildings on the property. The earliest is a wooden slab hut that was built around the beginning of the 19th century - the Goulburn Penny Post newspaper, dated 3 December 1904 lines the walls of the hut. It also has a two shearing stand wooden shed built by Marcus Dawe in 1922.
We try to make sure all of our guests have a great experience - so if you have any special requests reach out to us and have a chat!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
AU$33
/ night
Stary Ponds
13. Stary Ponds
92%
(33)
57km from Crookwell · 8 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
A peaceful space with lots of trees and waterways as well as an abundance of wildlife such as deer, kangaroo, black cockatoos, butterflies and so many gorgeous birds.
The landscape is varied, with lots of options to explore. From hiking the mountainous steep terrains, to meandering through the many ponds and waterways, or discovering the cleared trails ready for a beautiful bush walk or ride through nature.
The peace at night and the stars are unlike anything I've seen, absolutely breathtaking, and only 15 minutes from all the modern amenities you may need.
We offer several camping sites, a cabin and a large teepee.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$43
/ night
Sutton Farm Equestrian Centre
14. Sutton Farm Equestrian Centre
97%
(156)
78km from Crookwell · 7 sites · Tents, RVs
Sutton Farm is located in Sutton Forest, nestled in the Southern Highlands, and just an hour and a half from Sydney. Sutton Farm is easily accessible for all guests as we're just five minutes from the Hume Highway.
Our historic stable complex featured as a setting in the iconic Australian movie, “Phar Lap”, and includes stables boxes immediately adjacent to our indoor arena.
Please note only one tent or one vehicle, one caravan per site.
Just minutes from the shopping delights of Bowral and Moss Vale, and an easy drive to other historic Highlands towns like Berrima, Bundanoon and Robertson, a stay at Sutton Farm puts you right in the middle of everything the area has to offer. This is the perfect weekend escape for busy city folk and a magical getaway for families.
Our Equestrian Centre boasts state of the art equestrian facilities within a beautiful, historic setting. The lush, undulating green hills are shaded with leafy trees. We love our horses.
We host horse lovers events twice a year, and offer boutique training, horse riding lessons, functions and five star events.
We welcome all types of camping guests from tents through to campervans and caravans. The camping area is 2WD accessible.
You are welcome to choose where you’d like to set up on arrival. PLEASE ARRIVE BEFORE 5PM. A gate code will be given on arrival if you need to exit after 5pm. We have a large open, grassy area close to the amenities or you can tuck your campsite away under the trees. PLEASE TAKE ALL YOUR RUBBISH WITH YOU.
We have very comfortable toilet and hot shower facilities, with access to drinking water.
For those wanting an indoor stay please check out our Loft above the Stables listing, a wonderful and quirky accommodation option that puts you right near all the horse action.
No pets please. Take all your rubbish with you. ARRIVAL BEFORE 5PM
We ask while staying with us you do not pat or feed the horses. Please ask one of our staff and they can direct you to something you can pat.
Toilets
Showers
Potable water
from
AU$97
/ night
Yass River seclusion
15. Yass River seclusion
89%
(9)
60km from Crookwell · 1 site · Tent, RV
200 acres of wild natural bushland on the Yass River. There's plenty of space for hiķing, with a long River frontage for fishing, canoeing, or fossicking. Old Chinese gold works near the site to inspect. A dam is available for swimming or catching yabbies. It is not safe to swim in the river due to flood wrack. There is plenty of wildlife particularly if you are into bird watching. Outside of the fire danger period you are welcome to build camp fires in the fireplace.
Lots of native animals to see. There are 4 species of macropod, wombats, and 3 possum species. A bird watchers paradise. Bush walking. Close to cold climate wineries and horse riding. We can provide a driver for winery visits.
Completely undeveloped so you will need to bring everything you need and take it away with you including toilet and waste. There is a dump site at Yass. You are welcome to collect the abundant fallen timber to burn in the fireplace when firebans are not in place.
Only 4WD car access. Unsuitable for caravans. Dogs are welcome so long as they do not pass property boundaries. We have neighbours with sheep and cattle. You could also bring your horses we have trails and a small yard and attached shelter.
Pets
Campfires
from
AU$40
/ night
The Old Air Strip
16. The Old Air Strip
95%
(39)
49km from Crookwell · 1 site · Tent, RV
Pitch your tent on what used to be an air strip for local farmers and enjoy access to 100 acres of rolling hills, forest and a creek all to yourself.
The property is a 10-minute drive to Taralga where you can pick up fresh delights from the bakery Grand Ettie, unwind at one of two amazing pubs, including the hatted Argyle Inn or Taralga Hotel, and browse boutiques. Need to entertain the family? Head to Wombeyan Caves (now open) or Taralga Wildlife Park.
A little about us (Hannah and Craig): we are a young couple who live in Canberra and recently purchased the property. We plan to build on the property but want campers to enjoy the beautiful nature and wildlife in the meantime.
Please note there are few sheds and caravans on the property that are not for use by Hipcampers.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$55
/ night
The Gulf
17. The Gulf
92%
(18)
58km from Crookwell · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
The Gulf is a 965-acre property situated near Wombeyan Caves in NSW. It's a fantastic property and wider region to explore, and enjoy an authentic Aussie bush camping experience. There's the Gulf Creek nearby that you can get to by 4x4 or you can go fishing, bushwalking, swimming, bike riding or horse riding.
We offer two camping areas, that have enough space for multiple groups. One is higher up with great views, and access for caravans and camper trailers and the like. The other camping area is down by the creek but really only accessible for those with a 4X4, swags, rooftop tents etc.
Plenty of fallen timber you are welcome to collect for firewood.
All campers need to be self-sufficient at this time as we don't currently offer toilet facilities.
Campfires
from
AU$49
/ night
Forestvale Farm
18. Forestvale Farm
100%
(34)
41km from Crookwell · 10 sites · Tents, RVs
Located in the beautiful Wiarborough Valley, Forestvale Farm sits on the border of Gundungurra and Wiradjuri Country with the Blue Mountains National Park, Mares Forest National Park and Wombeyan Caves at your doorstep, plus conveniently located on the Bicentennial National Trail, come and escape to the peace and quiet of the country, but with the convenience of great coffee and restaurants only minutes away.
We look forward to meeting you on arrival and showing you to your campsite on our working property depending on your vehicle and camp setup, weather and location of stock. A limited number of sites are 2WD/AWD accessible via gravel or dirt road, but most sites require a capable 4WD particularly if you are towing a camper. All sites have lovely views.
Campers are required to be self sufficient with their own toilet/shower facilities and must take all waste and rubbish with them on departure.
Fill your days swimming in the creek, exploring the property on foot, on mountain-bike, set up yabbie traps in the dams, or sit back and relax listening to the abundant birdlife that calls Forestvale home and keep your binoculars and camera handy for the visiting wildlife including wombats and kangaroos.
Forestvale Farm is a working farm and you are welcome to view whatever activities are happening during your visit, or head out beyond the farm gate to visit the Taralga Zoo, stock up on fresh organic produce grown by our neighbours, dine on hearty pub dinners in town, or fish for trout on the Abercrombie River just up the road.
Campfires are permitted (subject to prevailing bushfire risk conditions) but please speak to your hosts before lighting one. They must be kept contained and at a reasonable size.
Pets are welcome but must be kept restrained at all times to protect stock and wildlife. Guests will be asked to leave if their dog is not restrained.
Please note mobile reception is limited in the Wiarborough Valley. What a great opportunity to switch off and enjoy your holiday.
No hunting allowed.
Pets
Campfires
from
AU$46
/ night
The Hidden Valleys
19. The Hidden Valleys
100%
(22)
33km from Crookwell · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Our farm is located in the Southern Tablelands. This is a great camp for families as the kids can see our sheep, alpacas, cows, chickens, ducks and geese, and guinea fowls. We have lots of baby animals from mid-winter onwards so bring a camera.
Pitch a tent, caravan or RV in our Hidden Valleys campsite and have access to nature at its best. Animals walk freely around the property and are very friendly.
Bring marshmallows for fun around the campfire.
This campsite suits self-contained campers who bring their own camping toilet/shower, and drinking water supply.
Campsites are a 5 minute walk from the main house and you have complete privacy.
Pets welcome.
Pets
Campfires
from
AU$37
/ night
The Sanctuary 2580
20. The Sanctuary 2580
100%
(52)
54km from Crookwell · 13 sites · Tents, RVs
🌿 Welcome to The Sanctuary 2580 – A Hidden Bush Retreat close to Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra!
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of our biodiverse, timeless land sprawling across ~500 acres.
Conveniently located just 2.5 hours from Sydney, 1.3 hours from Canberra, and a short 25-minute drive from Goulburn, The Sanctuary 2580 (our postcode) is an exclusive haven for nature enthusiasts and those wanting their own cosy hidden valley experience.
🚗 Getting Here:
Ten kms off the Hume down a tar and gravel rural lane, with the final ~2 kms down a bush track/firetrail.
NOTE: ALL the Map Apps (Garmin Apple Google etc) get the directions Wrong, but on booking we will send you access instructions.
🌳 Nature's Symphony:
The firetrail that brings you to The Sanctuary descends ~2kms of the 3 km long catchment of Lyrebird Creek, where on arriving at our farm, the water slows, down dropping the sediments and nutrients carried by this fast perennial mountain creek onto the open uplands floodplain, enriching and watering a rich tapestry of native grasses and herbs in the woodlands and the poa tussock river grasslands further down. In a wet season the chorus of frogs is deafening along our 1km long main valley.
Lyrebird Creek after leaving the woodlands, descends past several natural springs to our southeast corner where it joins Jerrara Creek, that flows into Bungonia Creek, and then into the Shoalhaven River.
But don't expect to see Lyrebird Creek running, as it's only on the surface for few weeks per year on average in wet years, rarely in average years or standard El Niño years. It only runs on the surface for a few weeks a year in La Niña years after the catchment is saturated, as the rest of the time like many of Australia's creeks, it flows below the surface in ancient riverbed-rocked aquifers
Our quiet mornings and evenings are filled with birdsong from all the small forest, woodlands and creekside birds, over 10 species of cockatoos and parrots, and the second last bird chorus at night is the resident kookaburra family sings their boundaries, and if you listen carefully you’ll hear surrounding kookaburra tribes answering.
It's after the evening kookaburra boundary patrol and just on dark that you'll sometimes hear the male lyrebirds practicing their extensive repertoire. One thing that gives them away is that the birds they are mimicking area all tucked up for the night, and the different calls come from the same areas of the eastern or western ridges that hug the Lyrebird Creek catchment as they move to their overnight lairs deep in the forest.
After dark, if you have young hearing, or the right microphone and frequency converter attached to your smart phone, there’s the very high-pitched ecolocation of the many insect-eating microbats, the quiet calls of the barn and boobook owls as they set out on their nightly hunts, and sometimes the territorial calls and squabbles of the brush-tailed possum tribes.
The local council biodiversity officer told us earlier in 2024 to keep an eye and ear out for the calls of endangered species of glider possums, and over in the western valleys we may have the normally silent koalas. It's only male koalas in mating season who make a lot of noise for a few weeks a year.
Our native fauna also comprises the quiet, shy and camouflaged swamp and red-necked wallabies, echidnas, eastern grey kangaroos, wombats and the even more shy bandicoots.
Reptiles include skinks, blue tongues, water monitors, lace monitors (a species of goanna that can be well over 2m long, snakes include red-belly blacks and eastern browns, and 4+ species of frogs. While in the springs and waterways we have yabbies, freshwater mussels and whopping great leaches.
Some of the bigger waterholes on Jerrara Creek may have rakali, Australia's native rodent version in the ecosystem of the freshwater otters of the Northern Hemisphere. We're hoping the platypus move back once the catchment and stream health improves.
🌋 Ancient Rocks Unveiled:
Explore Hanging Rock and other ancient volcanic pumice-like rock formations, on both the eastern and western sides of the Lyrebird Creek valley standing resilient against hundreds of millions of years of geological erosion. These natural wonders we think are from the Silurian or Ordovician periods ~415-480 million years ago, add to the timelessness to the landscape.
🏞️ The Sanctuary is Spacious and Largely Untouched:
As the most recent custodians of the ~500 acres, we're all about having a small footprint, regenerating and restoring the creeklines impacted by the livestock and feral animals of European invasion. We currently use or travel over ~5% of the land and have a self-imposed limit of -10% maximum in our biodiversity and catchment management plans.
We are setting up remote monitoring systems to keep a check on the native fauna and flora as well as catchment and creek health, ensuring we only intervene if and when necessary.
Our boundary fence-lines dwarf your average suburban block: eastern - 1km, northern - 2.1km, western - 0.8km and the southern creek boundary is 5.6kms long. Luckily the southern boundary fencing is on the other side of the creek, but we are planning how to replace the other ~4kms of boundary fencing, as much of it traverses some quite rugged terrain.
⛰️ Elevate Your Experience with Cool Nights, Scenic Heights:
Experience a change in altitude, ranging from 590 to 810 meters above sea level. Enjoy cool nights even in summer, and as we catch up with the maintenance and add signage, there will be opportunities to walk our internal fire trails leading to Mount William and over to the western valleys.
🌲 Beyond The Sanctuary:
The beautiful Bungonia Gorge and National Park is just 40 minutes away offering well-marked trails for every skill level, from easy strolls to challenging hikes. And for the experienced there's some caves that speleologists love and well-meaning amateurs get rescued from.
Only 30 minutes away is Australia’s oldest inland city of Goulburn. It has great cafés, restaurants and takeways, and regal colonial architecture with the railway station, courthouse and the beautiful 2 cathedrals.
Other interesting tourist features include The Roundhouse (for train fans), the May St Wetlands restoration project, a number of art galleries, the Conservatorium, Lieder Theatre (Australia's oldest inland theatre) and the popular Goulburn Performing Arts Centre.
🌍 Mission and Values of a Social Enterprise – doing good by doing good business
Beyond our birdlife and tranquillity, we're on a social and environmental mission.
Our business plans for The Sanctuary are that becomes a hub for environmental and climate change science education, an example of good science-informed Permaculture design, and updated versions of the farm, garden, and nature therapy we were doing back in the 80s.
So your stay first of all pays the council and local land services rates, abd directly supports environmental management at The Sanctuary and beyond, including regenerative agriculture and agricultural biodiversity, catchment and wetlands restoration, and broadacre Permaculture design.
It also helps us create a walk-the-talk operational base for our other work through Sacred Earth Works and Transforming Lives Australia, in assisting communities, forward-thinking companies, and the 4 levels of Australian government transition to a world working in harmony with the biosphere & restoring the damage to the Planet of the last ~8,000 years of civilisation.
🏡 Off-the-Grid Experience:
Disconnect and unwind with a back-to-basics experience – just you, nature, and the crackling fire.
We're already solar and battery where we can for our work vehicles and plan to offer charging stations for all your devices, followed by onsite EV charging in the next 3-5 years.
🐾 Furry Friends Welcome but Safety for All Comes First:
Well-behaved dogs are part of the family. Bring your canine companions, but they must be on a leash or long lead — respecting both the wildlife and fellow guests.
Remember, that for dogs, as well as kids and adults, the Australian bush has lots of things that will injure or kill you if you don't keep your distance and show respect.
So please keep your distance from all wildlife, and don't let kids or dogs try to go down the wombat warrens. We've never had an incident, and that's the way we intend to keep it
Managing the risks and safely avoiding them means keeping the worst case scenarios in mind. These risks include
~ campfires are hot, and can escape,
~ at least 3 species of poisonous snakes,
~ goannas are not an ancient 2-3m long lizard you want to tangle with,
~ wombats can kill dogs that trespass down their warrens by squashing them against the tunnel roof,
~ pick up an echidna and you'll have lots of holes in your hands
~ male platypus have fighting spurs with poison glands on their back feet
~ open forest-dwelling jack-jumping ants bite and sting at the same time
~ seriously pissed off big male kangaroos can easily disembowel a person or dog,
~ the dominant male feral deer get territorial in mating season and no one wants to become a trophy on their huge antlers, and
~ local farmers shoot stray dogs on sight, then bury them out of view.
Years ago, we lost a few isolated few small farm dogs and puppies when they strayed away from us, to the huge 3m+ wingspan wedge-tailed eagles that visit to hunt roos, wallabies and rabbits
Remember that The Sanctuary is home to these potentially hazardous animals, birds, reptiles and insects, but stick to the rules, keep clear, everyone goes home happy, and we keep a perfect safety record.
Besides I hate incident paperwork !!
🤝 Mutual Respect and Responsibility:
We welcome families of all sorts including: different cultures, colours, rainbow, neurodiverse and AS, members and veterans of the Australian Defence Force, and the self-reliant differently-abled.
We believe in mutual respect for People and Planet. Our values guide us, and we want to ensure a safe, friendly and harmonious environment for all - our volunteers. farm team, contractors, guests and visitors.
If you share these values, we can't wait to welcome you to The Sanctuary 2580! We ask everyone to tread lightly. Respect the land, its inhabitants, and other guests and visitors.
🌳 Your Visit Matters:
Your stay contributes directly to the upkeep of The Sanctuary, environmental custodianship, ongoing conservation efforts. Together, we can work on restoration ecology, control weeds and feral animals, encourage agricultural and wild biodiversity by providing habitat for vulnerable species, protect endangered ecosystems and promote ecoagriculture.
🌈 👍 Connect with Us:
Stay in the loop by liking our Facebook page - The Sanctuary 2580,
Adding a presence on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Tiktok is in the business plans for 2024-25
🌱 Book Your Eco Escape:
Plan your escape through HipCamp, where booking is seamless, and communication is hassle-free. But after your booking, I find email phone and text quicker.
Hipcamp do a great jog handling the booking logistics, camper insurance, dispute resolution, camper and host quality control, and credit cards, allowing us to focus on what we do best—caring for the land and providing you with an unforgettable experience in nature.
🚫 Booking Details:
Please note, bookings exclusively through HipCamp. NO LATE BOOKINGS, NO SHOWUPS and HOPE. When we are Booked Out, we cannot make exceptions. To avoid that book early please.
Your understanding ensures a respectful and honest community of campers.
Book your eco escape at The Sanctuary 2580 and experience the magic of nature! 🍃✨
#TheSanctuary2580 #EcoRetreat #NatureEscape #Goulburn #SouthernTablelands #ForestBathing #NatureTherapy
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$73
/ night
98% (2.2K) • 71 campsites
Top-rated campgrounds near Crookwell
Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping
1. Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping
94%
(176)
72km from Crookwell · 10 sites · Tents, RVs
Escape to 100 acres of natural beauty, where 60% of the land is pristine bushland perched high above the Wingecarribee River. Our 4 secluded campsites offer the perfect retreat for nature lovers, with walking tracks, bush climbing adventures, and exceptional stargazing on clear nights.
We’re a pet-friendly getaway—dogs are welcome on-leash and under control. Share the space with our friendly farm animals, including horses, a donkey, an alpaca, and free-ranging peacocks, chooks, ducks, and guinea fowl.
Our property is fully off-grid, so campers must be self-contained and follow a leave-no-trace policy. To enhance your stay, we’ve recently added a flush toilet, outdoor sink, and cold shower, centrally located near the homestead due to the natural landscape. It’s a short walk from most sites and solar lit at night for easy access. Each site has its own firepit. Firewood is plentiful, fresh drinking water is available, and we can provide table and chair setups on request.
Located just 30 minutes from Mittagong and 20 minutes from Berrima, you're close to great restaurants and cafes, lots of boutique shopping, weekly markets, award-winning cellar doors, and world-class distilleries and farm experiences. Don't miss the World Heritage-listed Joadja town and distillery, just a 15-minute drive away.
To make your stay even more special, indulge in one of our gourmet hampers filled with the best local produce.
Discover the Southern Highlands—peaceful, adventurous, and unforgettable.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$102
/ night
Hidden Brook Southern Highlands NSW
2. Hidden Brook Southern Highlands NSW
98%
(121)
75km from Crookwell · 5 sites · Tents, RVs
A beautiful and serene 40 acres just 5 kms from the wonderful Bundanoon village, the gateway to the Morton National Park, in the wonderful Southern Highlands NSW.
We have a chain of dams to throw a line or catch some yabbies, even float around in the kayaks, or just sit beside and soak up the rays.
We have horses, chooks, ducks and peafowl and a beautiful chocolate lab, Cleo.
An easy and 10kms from the Hume Hwy there are numerous camp sites, a couple by the oak grove, a couple by the dam and with lovely rural vista.
Kids stay free and are not included in the site capacity.
Sites are easy access with a clear track. All sites are dispersed so you can choose where you stay.
We live on property and are happy to share and let people enjoy our beautiful location.
The morning birdsong and evening are restorative. The sunrises and sunsets amazing.
Far enough away to unwind and relax, close enough to get a caffeine fix if needed!
Coming into summer camp fires are subject to weather conditions and fire warnings.
Campers must be self-contained. Off grid campers, 4wd vehicles with pop ups or tents on ground and RVs can be accommodated. We have a leave only footprints philosophy. All rubbish and waste (human, animal & general) must be taken off property.
Extremely well behaved dogs are welcome. Our birds are free range so dogs need to be feathered friend friendly.
Horses also welcome, separate paddocks available. Please contact for separate costs.
Our property is perfect for larger group, please just send me a message.
We look forward to hosting you!
Pets
Campfires
from
AU$55
/ night
Pine Gums, via Goulburn.
3. Pine Gums, via Goulburn.
97%
(296)
30km from Crookwell · 8 sites · Tents, RVs
Pine Gums is so close to everything but also feels a world away from everyone. From the time you pull in, to the time you leave, the experience at Pine Gums is peaceful, rewarding and one you will always cherish and remember. With so many people coming back time and time again, bringing friends and family, this really does speak for itself.
This site was previously a pine forest and was harvested back in 2018. We are clearing some ground for grazing cattle while letting some regrowth come through for the wildlife. We have plenty of kangaroos, possums, wombats just to name a few and an abundance of birdlife.
We have multiple options for campers.
COMFORT CAMP
Our comfort camp has an an undercover BBQ area with seating, a built-in fireplace and gas BBQ. There is also a proper flushing toilet and hot/cold shower, solar lighting and USB charging port.
QUICK CAMPS
We also have 5 Quick Camp spaces for those self-sufficient campers who want to get away from it all in a quiet neck-of-the-woods. You'll be surrounded by peace and quiet to pull up the van, pitch the tent or roll out the swag.
At night, sit and listen to the sounds of silence as you glance up to the stars. This spot feels a world away but still has the convenience of being only 10 minutes off the Hume Hwy and only 20 minutes from Goulburn where you can get all your daily needs.
There is plenty of firewood laying around the property for the campfire so bring your saw, cut some wood, and just enjoy. No firewood is to be taken off the property. Please always consider the next camper and leave some available and ready.
Pet friendly! (Please always keep pets with you and away from the cattle/wildlife)
4x4 is recommended, especially if you are towing.
FIRE RULES
Please ensure you read the current Fire Ban and restriction information on the NSW Rural Fire Service here: https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fdr-and-tobans
You are required to comply with local council and the NSW Rural Fire legislation, rules and requirements, and these change daily.
Fire Bans are in place from 1 October to 31 March each year, at which time fires may only be small and used for cooking.
When there is a Total Fire Ban, no fires are permitted.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$73
/ night
Maddara.Organic.Farm.and.Art
4. Maddara.Organic.Farm.and.Art
99%
(157)
63km from Crookwell · 9 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Once a much larger property, we purchased our 120-acre (50-hectare) in 1984 as a means to live sustainably and raise a family.
Living in our shed whilst we prepared the garden, installed watering infrastructure, and built our house, which we finally moved into when our daughter was 6 months old in 1990.
Over the ensuing years, we have continued to increase biodiversity on the property and set it up so we can live sustainably, harvesting our own water, electricity, and food.
If you're lucky, you could get a hamper of our product when there is sufficient in season.
With the increased biodiversity, you will find that in the mornings and evenings, kangaroos and wallabies will visit with the occasional echidna, rabbi,t and hare; and to forget the large array of bird life - that may wake you early in the morning with the songs.
This campsite is set on lovely grassy open areas interspersed with gum trees. The sunrise looks spectacular near the dam, when the trees give off a lovely glow.
The main paddock has a Geodome, a shared space for relaxing in. With all that space, you can park and set up camp anywhere in the paddock.
There is access to drinking water, toilets, and a hot shower.
Around the dome is a fire pit, drinking water, and a camp kitchen. The fire pit features an Argentinian BBQ and a plate for cooking. The kitchen has plates, cups, cutlery, and other bits and pieces for you to use.
We also allow your pets to stay on-site; this includes horses.
If you want exclusive use of the paddocks, refer to Group Bush Retreat.
Pets
Toilets
Showers
from
AU$51
/ night
Coots Creek Campground
5. Coots Creek Campground
99%
(369)
73km from Crookwell · 14 sites · Tents, RVs
Beautiful 240acre cattle property for campers to enjoy the beauty of the land and its flora and fauna in a pieceful environment.
Campers have enjoyed the easy accessibility,
stunning sunset views and the peace and quiet of feeling like they are a million miles away from civilization.
2 Dams available for swimming.
All sites in the Campground area are fenced and sited to give maximum privacy and safety from any fire threat, with plenty of room to place tents/vans/motorhomes for best viewing position.
Campground Sites x 8
Beautiful private sites that feel like you are away from the rest of the world.
Watch kangaroos, wallaroos and wedge tail eagles. Drive through comfort for large Caravans/RV.
Toilets for your comfort nearby and potable water available for refill of tanks.
Campfires are allowed unless there is a fireban.
Why not hire a van if you have no equipment- they will set the van up on your site https://www.camplify.com.au/rv/caravan-rental-murrumbateman-nsw-viv-the-viscount/33909
Pets
Toilets
Potable water
from
AU$31
/ night
Shepherds Rest
6. Shepherds Rest
98%
(119)
79km from Crookwell · 5 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
Beautiful open views across rolling hills and paddocks.
Sit by the dam and enjoy the views.
Meet the goats, llama and chickens.
Walk the farm paddocks with the goats. Mountain bike on country roads.
Various sites to choose from.
Only 45 mins from Canberra. 15mins from the quaint town of Bungendore.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$49
/ night
Redlands Camping
7. Redlands Camping
99%
(583)
39km from Crookwell · 42 sites · Tents, RVs
Hi campers, Nestled among the hills on Old Man Gunyah Creek, this 1400 acre property is owned &and run by John & Jen. It's a sheep farm running 1600 sheep producing fine wool and fat lambs.
Plenty of room to move, walk the hills, catch a fish, or just sit by the camp fire & watch the stars.
Bring your motor home, caravan, camper, tent or swag, the choice is yours. The shearing shed has a fully equipped kitchen & plenty of fresh rain water. You are welcome to roll out your swag in the shearing shed if you prefer.
Controlled dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a leash at all times. There is no mobile service or Wi-Fi. We are 50 kms from a corner store/service station, so don't leave yourselves short. There are toilets scattered around the property, but no shower available.
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
AU$19
/ night
Rhapsody
8. Rhapsody
99%
(237)
76km from Crookwell · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Welcome to this remote piece of paradise! Rhapsody is located in Gingkin,, which is not far from Oberon NSW, about 3 hours west of Sydney.
Campsites are hidden in a remote valley direct frontage to the pristine Hollanders River, adjoining the Kanangra-Boyd National Park. There are two private campsites on grassy river flats surrounded by eucalyptus forest. The sites are very secluded so you will see lots of wildlife and you're guaranteed not to see any other people! Only one group can stay at each campsite and campsites are on different parts of the river so privacy is guaranteed.
In dry conditions 2WD is fine for Wallaby flat but in wet weather, 4WD is required. Platypus flat is 4wd only. You can always park at the top of the hill and walk down first if you're not sure.
Dog friendly. Campfires permitted in a designated area when restrictions aren't in place. Gather your own wood from fallen timber on the way in or BYO wood. Not much firewood available on site. Both campsites can get quite cool as they are low in the valley.
This is a wild and remote area. Guided remote bushwalks also available for those who are fit and adventurous.
Both campsites have a pit toilets, cold shower, spring water on tap, picnic tables.. Water is sourced from a distant spring in the mountain and is gravity fed to the site by above ground pipe which heats the water during the day.
There is a small area where you can get Telstra mobile reception at the cattle grid on the way into the property, but very limited mobile reception in this area. If you are on Optus or other networks you won't get any reception. There is no mobile reception at camp - perfect for disconnecting and reconnecting with nature!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$146
/ night
Monastery of 11 Strings
9. Monastery of 11 Strings
99%
(233)
42km from Crookwell · 12 sites · Tents, RVs
Lovingly developed for 15 years as a mindful refuge & wildlife corridor by Victoria, a filmmaker/permaculture designer, the property was completely destroyed in 2018. Thus the mega bushfire cycle began impacting forever most of NSW's flora, fauna & people. Nature ultimately prevails & slowly the untamed terrain is healing.
After studying at RMIT School of Architecture & Design for three years with the intention to design tiny living house systems better suited for harsh environments, Victoria has returned. Slowly she rebuilds a humble off-grid existence from the burnt-out bus fusing knowledge of building design with her food forests/aquaponics passion, keen to create an environmentally connected experience to share with like-minded others.
By staying you are helping her & all the wild things emerge from the ashes.
Thank you.
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Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$40
/ night
Windawalla
10. Windawalla
99%
(73)
52km from Crookwell · 7 sites · RVs
43 acres of bushland with beautiful secluded camping for self contained campers. Drive up and pick a spot. Witness the spectacular sunsets and valley views. Watch the amazing night sky while cooking dinner on a supplied open fire. An abundance of wildlife with the bush home to wombats, kangaroos, deer and a variety of birds.
Walk the many natural tracks on the property, have a hit of golf, wet a line in one of the dams or just sit and enjoy the view.
12 minutes to the centre of Goulburn and 20 minutes from the spectacular Bungonia Gorge. Minutes off the highway when travelling the Hume so a great one night stop or you could make it a base for a longer stay and do some sightseeing.
Pets
from
AU$37
/ night
Noonameena - Sleep in the Bush
11. Noonameena - Sleep in the Bush
97%
(58)
76km from Crookwell · 6 sites · Tents, RVs
Noonameena is a 100 acre natural bushland property located approx 7kms outside of Berrima, NSW in the Southern Highlands. While most of the property is covered by a variety of natural bushland, a small flat area of cleared land is perfect for recreational campers.
The property has access to the Wingecarribee River to the south, a natural pool and large dam in the camping area.
Other property features include commercial gardens, orchards and free range chicken coop as well as a homestead with surrounding gardens.
There are also plenty of walking tracks on the property.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$97
/ night
Country Journey, Boxgrove farm
12. Country Journey, Boxgrove farm
99%
(252)
49km from Crookwell · 43 sites · Tents, RVs
With over 600 acres of Australian bush, our property is ideal for campers that want their own space. We are completely off-grid (no wifi to distract you) and we run off tank water (for this reason showers are only available for two hours in the evening). There are multiple camp sites on the property - some are close to hot showers and toilets, others are within a short walking distance. Some sites are perfect for our self sufficient campers who might want a nice private location and don't need access to amenities.
There are two shared camp kitchen areas (with pizza ovens and bbqs). We have two amenities blocks with toilets and hot showers and two further compost toilets located at other sites. Campfires are permitted in designated areas (check with us when booking) and firewood can be added to your booking - we do require at least 24 hours notice if you want wood.
There are lots of old-style games for the kids such as cricket, tennis, playground, bikes available, a swim in the dam and general country running around fun! Unfortunately we no longer have our flying fox, but there are plenty of other activities to keep you busy. We have some great bush walking areas where you might be lucky enough to see our resident wombats or our breeding pair of Wedge-tailed Eagles.
The property dates back to the early 1900s and there are numerous historic buildings on the property. The earliest is a wooden slab hut that was built around the beginning of the 19th century - the Goulburn Penny Post newspaper, dated 3 December 1904 lines the walls of the hut. It also has a two shearing stand wooden shed built by Marcus Dawe in 1922.
We try to make sure all of our guests have a great experience - so if you have any special requests reach out to us and have a chat!
Pets
Electrical hookup
Toilets
from
AU$33
/ night
Stary Ponds
13. Stary Ponds
92%
(33)
57km from Crookwell · 8 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging
A peaceful space with lots of trees and waterways as well as an abundance of wildlife such as deer, kangaroo, black cockatoos, butterflies and so many gorgeous birds.
The landscape is varied, with lots of options to explore. From hiking the mountainous steep terrains, to meandering through the many ponds and waterways, or discovering the cleared trails ready for a beautiful bush walk or ride through nature.
The peace at night and the stars are unlike anything I've seen, absolutely breathtaking, and only 15 minutes from all the modern amenities you may need.
We offer several camping sites, a cabin and a large teepee.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$43
/ night
Sutton Farm Equestrian Centre
14. Sutton Farm Equestrian Centre
97%
(156)
78km from Crookwell · 7 sites · Tents, RVs
Sutton Farm is located in Sutton Forest, nestled in the Southern Highlands, and just an hour and a half from Sydney. Sutton Farm is easily accessible for all guests as we're just five minutes from the Hume Highway.
Our historic stable complex featured as a setting in the iconic Australian movie, “Phar Lap”, and includes stables boxes immediately adjacent to our indoor arena.
Please note only one tent or one vehicle, one caravan per site.
Just minutes from the shopping delights of Bowral and Moss Vale, and an easy drive to other historic Highlands towns like Berrima, Bundanoon and Robertson, a stay at Sutton Farm puts you right in the middle of everything the area has to offer. This is the perfect weekend escape for busy city folk and a magical getaway for families.
Our Equestrian Centre boasts state of the art equestrian facilities within a beautiful, historic setting. The lush, undulating green hills are shaded with leafy trees. We love our horses.
We host horse lovers events twice a year, and offer boutique training, horse riding lessons, functions and five star events.
We welcome all types of camping guests from tents through to campervans and caravans. The camping area is 2WD accessible.
You are welcome to choose where you’d like to set up on arrival. PLEASE ARRIVE BEFORE 5PM. A gate code will be given on arrival if you need to exit after 5pm. We have a large open, grassy area close to the amenities or you can tuck your campsite away under the trees. PLEASE TAKE ALL YOUR RUBBISH WITH YOU.
We have very comfortable toilet and hot shower facilities, with access to drinking water.
For those wanting an indoor stay please check out our Loft above the Stables listing, a wonderful and quirky accommodation option that puts you right near all the horse action.
No pets please. Take all your rubbish with you. ARRIVAL BEFORE 5PM
We ask while staying with us you do not pat or feed the horses. Please ask one of our staff and they can direct you to something you can pat.
Toilets
Showers
Potable water
from
AU$97
/ night
Yass River seclusion
15. Yass River seclusion
89%
(9)
60km from Crookwell · 1 site · Tent, RV
200 acres of wild natural bushland on the Yass River. There's plenty of space for hiķing, with a long River frontage for fishing, canoeing, or fossicking. Old Chinese gold works near the site to inspect. A dam is available for swimming or catching yabbies. It is not safe to swim in the river due to flood wrack. There is plenty of wildlife particularly if you are into bird watching. Outside of the fire danger period you are welcome to build camp fires in the fireplace.
Lots of native animals to see. There are 4 species of macropod, wombats, and 3 possum species. A bird watchers paradise. Bush walking. Close to cold climate wineries and horse riding. We can provide a driver for winery visits.
Completely undeveloped so you will need to bring everything you need and take it away with you including toilet and waste. There is a dump site at Yass. You are welcome to collect the abundant fallen timber to burn in the fireplace when firebans are not in place.
Only 4WD car access. Unsuitable for caravans. Dogs are welcome so long as they do not pass property boundaries. We have neighbours with sheep and cattle. You could also bring your horses we have trails and a small yard and attached shelter.
Pets
Campfires
from
AU$40
/ night
The Old Air Strip
16. The Old Air Strip
95%
(39)
49km from Crookwell · 1 site · Tent, RV
Pitch your tent on what used to be an air strip for local farmers and enjoy access to 100 acres of rolling hills, forest and a creek all to yourself.
The property is a 10-minute drive to Taralga where you can pick up fresh delights from the bakery Grand Ettie, unwind at one of two amazing pubs, including the hatted Argyle Inn or Taralga Hotel, and browse boutiques. Need to entertain the family? Head to Wombeyan Caves (now open) or Taralga Wildlife Park.
A little about us (Hannah and Craig): we are a young couple who live in Canberra and recently purchased the property. We plan to build on the property but want campers to enjoy the beautiful nature and wildlife in the meantime.
Please note there are few sheds and caravans on the property that are not for use by Hipcampers.
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$55
/ night
The Gulf
17. The Gulf
92%
(18)
58km from Crookwell · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
The Gulf is a 965-acre property situated near Wombeyan Caves in NSW. It's a fantastic property and wider region to explore, and enjoy an authentic Aussie bush camping experience. There's the Gulf Creek nearby that you can get to by 4x4 or you can go fishing, bushwalking, swimming, bike riding or horse riding.
We offer two camping areas, that have enough space for multiple groups. One is higher up with great views, and access for caravans and camper trailers and the like. The other camping area is down by the creek but really only accessible for those with a 4X4, swags, rooftop tents etc.
Plenty of fallen timber you are welcome to collect for firewood.
All campers need to be self-sufficient at this time as we don't currently offer toilet facilities.
Campfires
from
AU$49
/ night
Forestvale Farm
18. Forestvale Farm
100%
(34)
41km from Crookwell · 10 sites · Tents, RVs
Located in the beautiful Wiarborough Valley, Forestvale Farm sits on the border of Gundungurra and Wiradjuri Country with the Blue Mountains National Park, Mares Forest National Park and Wombeyan Caves at your doorstep, plus conveniently located on the Bicentennial National Trail, come and escape to the peace and quiet of the country, but with the convenience of great coffee and restaurants only minutes away.
We look forward to meeting you on arrival and showing you to your campsite on our working property depending on your vehicle and camp setup, weather and location of stock. A limited number of sites are 2WD/AWD accessible via gravel or dirt road, but most sites require a capable 4WD particularly if you are towing a camper. All sites have lovely views.
Campers are required to be self sufficient with their own toilet/shower facilities and must take all waste and rubbish with them on departure.
Fill your days swimming in the creek, exploring the property on foot, on mountain-bike, set up yabbie traps in the dams, or sit back and relax listening to the abundant birdlife that calls Forestvale home and keep your binoculars and camera handy for the visiting wildlife including wombats and kangaroos.
Forestvale Farm is a working farm and you are welcome to view whatever activities are happening during your visit, or head out beyond the farm gate to visit the Taralga Zoo, stock up on fresh organic produce grown by our neighbours, dine on hearty pub dinners in town, or fish for trout on the Abercrombie River just up the road.
Campfires are permitted (subject to prevailing bushfire risk conditions) but please speak to your hosts before lighting one. They must be kept contained and at a reasonable size.
Pets are welcome but must be kept restrained at all times to protect stock and wildlife. Guests will be asked to leave if their dog is not restrained.
Please note mobile reception is limited in the Wiarborough Valley. What a great opportunity to switch off and enjoy your holiday.
No hunting allowed.
Pets
Campfires
from
AU$46
/ night
The Hidden Valleys
19. The Hidden Valleys
100%
(22)
33km from Crookwell · 4 sites · Tents, RVs
Our farm is located in the Southern Tablelands. This is a great camp for families as the kids can see our sheep, alpacas, cows, chickens, ducks and geese, and guinea fowls. We have lots of baby animals from mid-winter onwards so bring a camera.
Pitch a tent, caravan or RV in our Hidden Valleys campsite and have access to nature at its best. Animals walk freely around the property and are very friendly.
Bring marshmallows for fun around the campfire.
This campsite suits self-contained campers who bring their own camping toilet/shower, and drinking water supply.
Campsites are a 5 minute walk from the main house and you have complete privacy.
Pets welcome.
Pets
Campfires
from
AU$37
/ night
The Sanctuary 2580
20. The Sanctuary 2580
100%
(52)
54km from Crookwell · 13 sites · Tents, RVs
🌿 Welcome to The Sanctuary 2580 – A Hidden Bush Retreat close to Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra!
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of our biodiverse, timeless land sprawling across ~500 acres.
Conveniently located just 2.5 hours from Sydney, 1.3 hours from Canberra, and a short 25-minute drive from Goulburn, The Sanctuary 2580 (our postcode) is an exclusive haven for nature enthusiasts and those wanting their own cosy hidden valley experience.
🚗 Getting Here:
Ten kms off the Hume down a tar and gravel rural lane, with the final ~2 kms down a bush track/firetrail.
NOTE: ALL the Map Apps (Garmin Apple Google etc) get the directions Wrong, but on booking we will send you access instructions.
🌳 Nature's Symphony:
The firetrail that brings you to The Sanctuary descends ~2kms of the 3 km long catchment of Lyrebird Creek, where on arriving at our farm, the water slows, down dropping the sediments and nutrients carried by this fast perennial mountain creek onto the open uplands floodplain, enriching and watering a rich tapestry of native grasses and herbs in the woodlands and the poa tussock river grasslands further down. In a wet season the chorus of frogs is deafening along our 1km long main valley.
Lyrebird Creek after leaving the woodlands, descends past several natural springs to our southeast corner where it joins Jerrara Creek, that flows into Bungonia Creek, and then into the Shoalhaven River.
But don't expect to see Lyrebird Creek running, as it's only on the surface for few weeks per year on average in wet years, rarely in average years or standard El Niño years. It only runs on the surface for a few weeks a year in La Niña years after the catchment is saturated, as the rest of the time like many of Australia's creeks, it flows below the surface in ancient riverbed-rocked aquifers
Our quiet mornings and evenings are filled with birdsong from all the small forest, woodlands and creekside birds, over 10 species of cockatoos and parrots, and the second last bird chorus at night is the resident kookaburra family sings their boundaries, and if you listen carefully you’ll hear surrounding kookaburra tribes answering.
It's after the evening kookaburra boundary patrol and just on dark that you'll sometimes hear the male lyrebirds practicing their extensive repertoire. One thing that gives them away is that the birds they are mimicking area all tucked up for the night, and the different calls come from the same areas of the eastern or western ridges that hug the Lyrebird Creek catchment as they move to their overnight lairs deep in the forest.
After dark, if you have young hearing, or the right microphone and frequency converter attached to your smart phone, there’s the very high-pitched ecolocation of the many insect-eating microbats, the quiet calls of the barn and boobook owls as they set out on their nightly hunts, and sometimes the territorial calls and squabbles of the brush-tailed possum tribes.
The local council biodiversity officer told us earlier in 2024 to keep an eye and ear out for the calls of endangered species of glider possums, and over in the western valleys we may have the normally silent koalas. It's only male koalas in mating season who make a lot of noise for a few weeks a year.
Our native fauna also comprises the quiet, shy and camouflaged swamp and red-necked wallabies, echidnas, eastern grey kangaroos, wombats and the even more shy bandicoots.
Reptiles include skinks, blue tongues, water monitors, lace monitors (a species of goanna that can be well over 2m long, snakes include red-belly blacks and eastern browns, and 4+ species of frogs. While in the springs and waterways we have yabbies, freshwater mussels and whopping great leaches.
Some of the bigger waterholes on Jerrara Creek may have rakali, Australia's native rodent version in the ecosystem of the freshwater otters of the Northern Hemisphere. We're hoping the platypus move back once the catchment and stream health improves.
🌋 Ancient Rocks Unveiled:
Explore Hanging Rock and other ancient volcanic pumice-like rock formations, on both the eastern and western sides of the Lyrebird Creek valley standing resilient against hundreds of millions of years of geological erosion. These natural wonders we think are from the Silurian or Ordovician periods ~415-480 million years ago, add to the timelessness to the landscape.
🏞️ The Sanctuary is Spacious and Largely Untouched:
As the most recent custodians of the ~500 acres, we're all about having a small footprint, regenerating and restoring the creeklines impacted by the livestock and feral animals of European invasion. We currently use or travel over ~5% of the land and have a self-imposed limit of -10% maximum in our biodiversity and catchment management plans.
We are setting up remote monitoring systems to keep a check on the native fauna and flora as well as catchment and creek health, ensuring we only intervene if and when necessary.
Our boundary fence-lines dwarf your average suburban block: eastern - 1km, northern - 2.1km, western - 0.8km and the southern creek boundary is 5.6kms long. Luckily the southern boundary fencing is on the other side of the creek, but we are planning how to replace the other ~4kms of boundary fencing, as much of it traverses some quite rugged terrain.
⛰️ Elevate Your Experience with Cool Nights, Scenic Heights:
Experience a change in altitude, ranging from 590 to 810 meters above sea level. Enjoy cool nights even in summer, and as we catch up with the maintenance and add signage, there will be opportunities to walk our internal fire trails leading to Mount William and over to the western valleys.
🌲 Beyond The Sanctuary:
The beautiful Bungonia Gorge and National Park is just 40 minutes away offering well-marked trails for every skill level, from easy strolls to challenging hikes. And for the experienced there's some caves that speleologists love and well-meaning amateurs get rescued from.
Only 30 minutes away is Australia’s oldest inland city of Goulburn. It has great cafés, restaurants and takeways, and regal colonial architecture with the railway station, courthouse and the beautiful 2 cathedrals.
Other interesting tourist features include The Roundhouse (for train fans), the May St Wetlands restoration project, a number of art galleries, the Conservatorium, Lieder Theatre (Australia's oldest inland theatre) and the popular Goulburn Performing Arts Centre.
🌍 Mission and Values of a Social Enterprise – doing good by doing good business
Beyond our birdlife and tranquillity, we're on a social and environmental mission.
Our business plans for The Sanctuary are that becomes a hub for environmental and climate change science education, an example of good science-informed Permaculture design, and updated versions of the farm, garden, and nature therapy we were doing back in the 80s.
So your stay first of all pays the council and local land services rates, abd directly supports environmental management at The Sanctuary and beyond, including regenerative agriculture and agricultural biodiversity, catchment and wetlands restoration, and broadacre Permaculture design.
It also helps us create a walk-the-talk operational base for our other work through Sacred Earth Works and Transforming Lives Australia, in assisting communities, forward-thinking companies, and the 4 levels of Australian government transition to a world working in harmony with the biosphere & restoring the damage to the Planet of the last ~8,000 years of civilisation.
🏡 Off-the-Grid Experience:
Disconnect and unwind with a back-to-basics experience – just you, nature, and the crackling fire.
We're already solar and battery where we can for our work vehicles and plan to offer charging stations for all your devices, followed by onsite EV charging in the next 3-5 years.
🐾 Furry Friends Welcome but Safety for All Comes First:
Well-behaved dogs are part of the family. Bring your canine companions, but they must be on a leash or long lead — respecting both the wildlife and fellow guests.
Remember, that for dogs, as well as kids and adults, the Australian bush has lots of things that will injure or kill you if you don't keep your distance and show respect.
So please keep your distance from all wildlife, and don't let kids or dogs try to go down the wombat warrens. We've never had an incident, and that's the way we intend to keep it
Managing the risks and safely avoiding them means keeping the worst case scenarios in mind. These risks include
~ campfires are hot, and can escape,
~ at least 3 species of poisonous snakes,
~ goannas are not an ancient 2-3m long lizard you want to tangle with,
~ wombats can kill dogs that trespass down their warrens by squashing them against the tunnel roof,
~ pick up an echidna and you'll have lots of holes in your hands
~ male platypus have fighting spurs with poison glands on their back feet
~ open forest-dwelling jack-jumping ants bite and sting at the same time
~ seriously pissed off big male kangaroos can easily disembowel a person or dog,
~ the dominant male feral deer get territorial in mating season and no one wants to become a trophy on their huge antlers, and
~ local farmers shoot stray dogs on sight, then bury them out of view.
Years ago, we lost a few isolated few small farm dogs and puppies when they strayed away from us, to the huge 3m+ wingspan wedge-tailed eagles that visit to hunt roos, wallabies and rabbits
Remember that The Sanctuary is home to these potentially hazardous animals, birds, reptiles and insects, but stick to the rules, keep clear, everyone goes home happy, and we keep a perfect safety record.
Besides I hate incident paperwork !!
🤝 Mutual Respect and Responsibility:
We welcome families of all sorts including: different cultures, colours, rainbow, neurodiverse and AS, members and veterans of the Australian Defence Force, and the self-reliant differently-abled.
We believe in mutual respect for People and Planet. Our values guide us, and we want to ensure a safe, friendly and harmonious environment for all - our volunteers. farm team, contractors, guests and visitors.
If you share these values, we can't wait to welcome you to The Sanctuary 2580! We ask everyone to tread lightly. Respect the land, its inhabitants, and other guests and visitors.
🌳 Your Visit Matters:
Your stay contributes directly to the upkeep of The Sanctuary, environmental custodianship, ongoing conservation efforts. Together, we can work on restoration ecology, control weeds and feral animals, encourage agricultural and wild biodiversity by providing habitat for vulnerable species, protect endangered ecosystems and promote ecoagriculture.
🌈 👍 Connect with Us:
Stay in the loop by liking our Facebook page - The Sanctuary 2580,
Adding a presence on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Tiktok is in the business plans for 2024-25
🌱 Book Your Eco Escape:
Plan your escape through HipCamp, where booking is seamless, and communication is hassle-free. But after your booking, I find email phone and text quicker.
Hipcamp do a great jog handling the booking logistics, camper insurance, dispute resolution, camper and host quality control, and credit cards, allowing us to focus on what we do best—caring for the land and providing you with an unforgettable experience in nature.
🚫 Booking Details:
Please note, bookings exclusively through HipCamp. NO LATE BOOKINGS, NO SHOWUPS and HOPE. When we are Booked Out, we cannot make exceptions. To avoid that book early please.
Your understanding ensures a respectful and honest community of campers.
Book your eco escape at The Sanctuary 2580 and experience the magic of nature! 🍃✨
#TheSanctuary2580 #EcoRetreat #NatureEscape #Goulburn #SouthernTablelands #ForestBathing #NatureTherapy
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from
AU$73
/ night
Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community
Matthew
3 days ago
Tent
With pets
Margot met us at the gate and was really warm and welcoming, even though we arrived a bit later than planned. The facilities were great—the showers were excellent and refreshing, the composting toilets were well-maintained, and the camping setup overall was just spot on. We’d definitely go back again.
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Elaine
3 days ago
5 m pop-up camper
The property was very spacious and easy access to camping site. Loved hearing the birds and cows. The Clyesdale was so friendly. Bundanoon township so close by.
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May
1 week ago
With pets
The Campervan at Margot's was the perfect getaway for someone who doesn't have all the gear but still enjoys some time outdoors! The owners were very attentive and welcoming of me and my dog.
We went hiking on the property and surrounding towns. Its proximity to Canberra and wineries also make it the perfect little getaway!
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Hannah
2 weeks ago
Tent
With pets
Nice helpful host and beautiful natural campground! Was very nice to camp here over new years :)
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Kim
2 weeks ago
4 m Class B
Large property, plenty of space between campsites. Found the perfect tree to camp under. Good to have facilities. Host welcoming. Would definitely come again.
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bethany
2 weeks ago
Tent
With pets
Site was lovely, nice and private, with incredible views. Short walk uphill to very clean toilet & shower.
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Georgina
2 weeks ago
With pets
I spent New Year’s Eve in the Barn Room with my dog to escape the fireworks and chaos in my beachside town. It was perfect!
The massive paddock was well fenced and mowed and my dog loved running around with Jacqui’s two dogs. Such peace of mind knowing my dog could amuse herself and run free.
Jacqui was incredibly helpful and hospitable.
The facilities were great and I loved the rustic wooden bathhouse. Great to have wifi access and Telstra signal isn’t great, especially during peak holiday time. The sunset was spectacular and it was incredibly quiet. A beautiful peaceful place.
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Amanda
2 weeks ago
5 m Class B
With kids
Wonderful secluded campsite! We stayed at site 1 and loved it. Maybe a slight walk to the toilets with kids but not too bad. We were the only ones on site - it was just us and some kangaroos and cows. Loved the serenity! I’d love to come back and check out some of the neighbouring wineries (which were closed seemingly this time due to the holiday season).
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Molly
2 weeks ago
Tent
With kids
It’s always so peaceful at box grove and so much for the kids to do. We enjoyed spotting many different types of birds and waking up with kangaroos all around. The dam is great to cool down in on a hot summers day and at night the starts are spectacular. Karen and Jo are wonderful hosts often surprising us with some lovely treats.
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Travis
2 weeks ago
10 m pop-up camper
With pets
Fire trail in was quite challenging with a hybrid van due to erosion of the track, a 4WD is necessary.
The property was home to many of wildlife, during our one night stay we witnessed deer, kookaburras, a southern boobook owl, lyrebird, goats, plenty of butterflies, and a neighbouring property had a camel that greeted us both entering and leaving.
Danielle was very knowledgeable of the area and of all the different species of animals.
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Jigme
2 weeks ago
With pets
We had an amazing glamping experience! The host and service were excellent—very welcoming and thoughtful. The place is peaceful and perfectly located in the middle of nature, which made it truly relaxing. The host generously provided lots of free firewood and fresh eggs, which was a lovely touch. The tent was spacious and comfortable and my dog enjoyed the stay even more than we did! We were also given free BBQ equipment and gas, which made our evenings even better. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a calm getaway close to nature. Just make sure to bring enough drinking water.
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melissa
2 weeks ago
Tent
Great communication, clear instructions.
We stayed at sunset in a swag which was a little bit on a slope as you are pretty much camping on a beautiful big sandy rock.
The sunset and the night sky and the gorgeous walks near by, I love the chairs set up at various locations around the gorge.
The accessibility to the property was fantastic, we were unbothered by the host or other campers we had campsite to ourselves not able to hear noise from others.
Other campers did walk by on the way to the gorge and did think the sunset sign was where you went to watch we did invite them to check out the site and I highly suggested to them the sunset spots down at the gorge as I was so amazed by those.
Hard to believe something so magical is only a little over an hour and a bit from Wollongong. The proximity to the townships is fabulous and we will be back to check out the tours of the historic town and attend the local distillery. Next time I think a cheese platter down by the gorge from the host will be required.
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Briana
2 weeks ago
Tent
My partner and I stayed here for a night, and we absolutely loved it. The scenery was beautiful, and the place is very well maintained. Would definitely come back!
We very much recommend going :)
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Alicia
2 weeks ago
Tent
With pets
Really enjoyed my stay, I had the entire fenced off section to myself with my dog, he could run around freely. Really clean, great facilities
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Emma
2 weeks ago
13 m travel trailer
With pets
What a wonderful spot to stay!
Waking up to the sound of cows and a view to die for! We loved staying here.
Was everything we would have hoped for! Do yourself a favour and don’t overlook this one !
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Jonathon
2 weeks ago
Tent
With kids
This is the 2nd time we’ve stayed at Karen and Jol’s. Highly recommended for families.
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Tracey
2 weeks ago
13 m travel trailer
Lovely flat land, with views. Plenty of native wildlife.
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Kylie
2 weeks ago
5 m Class A
With pets
I loved camping at Hidden Brook. It was relaxing, quiet and calming. It was my first time camping solo and I'm so glad I chose Hidden Brook.
I would have liked to explore more but my mission was to do nothing! The bird life was amazing!”
My host Lisa was brilliant. Very responsive to any questions prior to and during my stay. I extended my stay 1 night, I wished I didn't have to leave.
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Kev
2 weeks ago
7 m travel trailer
With pets
Dana was great, a really nice property and close to Berrima. We will definitely be back to explore more. Loads of birds, animals nice sunrises, sunsets, and great trees.
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Nicci
2 weeks ago
5 m travel trailer
With pets
We spent the Christmas/New Year period camping at Redlands and had a wonderful time. Our spot at Site 5 on Sooley Flat was perfect — spacious, peaceful, and overlooking the creek, which made the whole stay feel extra relaxing.
Jen and John are fantastic hosts. They checked in with us after we arrived to make sure we had everything we needed, but then gave us plenty of space to enjoy our stay. It’s the ideal balance of friendliness and privacy.
A beautiful location, great facilities, and genuinely lovely hosts made this a memorable getaway. We’d happily return.
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