The best dog-friendly glamping in Hawkesbury River

Looping around Sydney, the Hawkesbury River winds its way from the Blue Mountains in the west to the estuaries of Broken Bay along the Pacific Coast. Set sail along the river on a boat cruise, ride the historic cable ferry at Wisemans Ferry, or stop at colonial towns such as Pitt Reach, Ebenezer, and Windsor. National parks flank the riverbanks, affording campers plenty of choices, and the region’s mild temperatures mean that outdoor activities are enjoyable year-round. Cruise around coastal estuaries, hike through rainforest gorges, discover glow-worm caves, or enjoy wine tasting at a Hawkesbury Valley winery.

92% (3.3K) • 44 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Hawkesbury River

Looping around Sydney, the Hawkesbury River winds its way from the Blue Mountains in the west to the estuaries of Broken Bay along the Pacific Coast. Set sail along the river on a boat cruise, ride the historic cable ferry at Wisemans Ferry, or stop at colonial towns such as Pitt Reach, Ebenezer, and Windsor. National parks flank the riverbanks, affording campers plenty of choices, and the region’s mild temperatures mean that outdoor activities are enjoyable year-round. Cruise around coastal estuaries, hike through rainforest gorges, discover glow-worm caves, or enjoy wine tasting at a Hawkesbury Valley winery.

92% (3.3K) • 44 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Hawkesbury River

1. Wanderlust Retreat

94%

(286)

19 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Putty, NSW

We looked for alternative ways of living 6 years ago so we purchased 220 acres to build an off grid camping/eco resort. The property consists of a straw bale house, Tipis, Cottages, 5 stars shared facilities (hot showers, flushing toilets - disable toilet ), outdoor kitchen (gas bbq, pizza oven, all kitchen utensils, pots ), solar system and worm farm septic system. The facilities of the camping are quite luxurious some guests labelling them "better than at home" so you can enjoy the bush experience & still have the comfort of a home. Here you can discover amazing wildlife such as kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, cockatoos, lyre birds and a lot of other birds (designated bird drinking stations through a WIRES program which has a lot of success.) Bring a camera and take in the incredible sights such as wildlife, cliffs, caves, and a magical view of Mount Yengo and Moruben from the top of the property. They are designated walking tracks around the property with all variable lengths & difficulties. Swimming pool, water hole to cool down in summer Pets friendly Access all-wheel drive Events possible Please enjoy some of the reviews our previous guests have left for us: "Wanderlust has a beautiful hidden valley and thanks for sharing with us. We bush walked and climbed mountains (it felt like it). Back at our camp; delicious dinner, some nice reds and a beautifully relaxing camp fire. A great little getaway. " - Michelle and Paul. "Great location, quiet and private, basic accommodation, plenty of space! Great for a group getaway!!" "Absolute gen of a property and such humble owners. Thanks for all your time and effort to make our weekend away so accommodating!"

2. Ingenia Holidays Lake Macquarie

95%

(41)

89 sites · RVs, Lodging · Mannering Park, NSW

Stay in a picturesque location mere footsteps from lapping water at Ingenia Holidays Lake Macquarie! Located alongside the largest coastal saltwater lagoon in Australia on the North Coast of New South Wales, you can choose to stay in waterfront villas, holiday cabins or grassy, powered campsites for lakeside holiday bliss. Bring the boat and access the park’s private boat ramps into Lake Macquarie, or visit nearby beaches, walking trails or national parks. If you’d rather stay in, access the park’s amenities and enjoy the jumping cushion, swimming pool and BBQs, or hire a kayak or a stand-up paddle board!

3. Watagan: BYO Horse Holiday

100%

(6)

2 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Martinsville, NSW

Watagan presents: Dael's Mill "Dael's Mill" is a charming 2 bedroom cabin with a rich history, dating back to the 1800s. Set upon a breathtaking 50-acre retreat nestled a the foothills of the Watagan Mountains, midway between Sydney and Newcastle. Dael's Mill offers a uniquely horse-friendly escape where guests have the option to bring their beloved ponies for midweek or weekend stays, or enjoy an intimate escape in the mountains, to slow down, recharge, and reconnect. The cabin accommodates 4-6 guests and is equipped with self-contained amenities including: - King or single beds with luxurious linen and towels - Pull out double sofa - Air conditioning - Cedar, wood fired hot tub - Bathroom - Fridge - Kitchenette (microwave, toaster, electric fry pan, tea and coffee facilities) - BBQ - Internal fireplace and outdoor fire pit - TV with Chromecast Horse accommodation: (Maximum 4 horses per booking - 2 paddocks shared between 4 horses). Please let us know if you would like us to feed your horses. They have dedicated adjoining paddocks so you can look out your window and greet your four legged friend. Activities: Guests can unwind in an outdoor hot tub or take a refreshing dip in the property's dam and lagoons, adorned with lillies. The site grants easy access to vast trail networks in the Watagan State Forest, ideal for adventurous souls seeking extensive riding opportunities, either by horse, motor bike, mountain bike or 4WD. Or, you can try your luck fishing in the dam for some silver perch! Property features: For those seeking a more relaxed riding (or hiking) experience, the property boasts kilometers of purpose-built trails that don't require opening gates, catering to groups or individuals, providing spaces for bush bashing, hill climbs and canters. Guests can explore beautiful pockets of the property featuring our spring-fed dam, lagoons, and stunning Blarney Creek, meandering through the landscape. Spot the local wallabies, wombats, echidnas, water dragons, and so much more. Local attractions: Watagan enjoys proximity to takeaway shops, cafes, boutiques and restaurants just 10-15 minutes away, while the award-winning 8 @ Trinity is a mere 20-minute drive, offering a diverse range of culinary experiences. - Beaches within 35 minutes - Wineries within 45 minutes - Lookouts and state forest picnic areas at your door step Tyson & I are excited to welcome you to our little slice of paradise.

4. Kalighat River House

1 site · Lodging · Bar Point, NSW

Accessible only by boat, this secluded and lovingly decorated house at Bar Point on the Hawkesbury River, (aka Deerubbin,) is only an hour from the Sydney CBD. This beautiful Artists retreat is surrounded by nature. You don't have to be an artist to stay with us, but we do offer free boat transfers for artists and musicians. You will arrive by boat and soak up the serenity. Large deck with river views. Located on the waterfront on the Eastern side of Bar Point. Our custom-designed Finnish sauna offers a unique and holistic experience, the combination of heat, dimmed lights, and the smell of cedar or essential oils creates a healing ambience that is both invigorating and comforting. The house is full of Art, books, games, and DVDs, there is also the 'yoga deck' behind the house with even more expansive views of the river - a perfect place to do some morning meditation or enjoy a bowl of pasta as the sun goes down, highlighting the orange of the sandstone cliffs across the river. Surrounded by National Parks and completely free of cars and traffic, this is a beautiful little retreat, perfect for a family or a group of friends to meet up and re centre. At Bar Point there are no shops or cafes so you must bring everything you need with you, basic pantry staples such as salt, pepper, cooking oil etc are provided. Kayaks, fishing poles and crab pots provided. Our own private residence is a separate apartment upstairs, there are no shared walls or internal stairs and you will have your own private entrance, however as it is a large, old wooden house you may at times hear us moving about upstairs, naturally we try to be as quiet as possible when we have guests visiting. We will leave you entirely to yourselves but if you do need any help or information or even a little guided walking tour of the locality we are very happy to accommodate you. Our sauna deck is a shared area which guests are welcome to use, heating the sauna takes an hour or two, so just let us know and we will get it all ready for you with fresh towels, scented oils and branches of freshly cut lavender or wormwood to create a beautiful ambience.

5. Colo River Hut

100%

(10)

1 site · Lodging · Lower Portland, NSW

We are 1.5 hrs from Sydney. On arrival you will feel the atmosphere of this wilderness area. Colo River Hut is located adjacent to the Colo River. A beautiful, unspoiled location on a pristine river. With it's own private beach and over 400 metres of riverfront. We are on the opposite side of river from the the Wollemi National Park. The hut sits (alone) within the eastern (10 acre paddock) of our property. There are no walls and so you have permanent views across the paddock to large sandstone cliffs and we are less than 30 metres from the riverbank. The Hut has a rustic tin roof, a large bench area with power points and task lighting. Tents or swags can be set up within the Colo River Hut. Or, if you wish, you can set up your tent or camper or small caravan adjacent to the Hut. There is plenty of room as there is a maximum of 8 guests (and 3 vehicles) with each booking. The Hut has a raised hardwood timber floor and enclosed composting toilet and hot/cold shower facilities. It also has ceiling fans for airflow and insect control. We provide a gorgeous shaded area under a large tree with valley views, with a large bbq table and chairs and fire pit (with grill) for your enjoyment. Firewood is also provided. Suitable for swimming, canoes, bikes, Bass fishing, and hiking, the Colo River Hut can be as active or relaxing as you wish. The Colo River Valley remains largely undiscovered, and is on the edge of the Wollemi wilderness. The Colo is fed by the Wolgan and Capertee Rivers. It has a long history and retains much of its' early unspoiled charm.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

S

Sammie

2 weeks ago

Weekend Trip to Wanderlust Retreat

A tranquil place with good amenities. The bell tent was perfect for two, and there were plenty of areas to explore around the camp - no need to leave at all. It was the ideal quiet weekend getaway, and the stars at night were absolutely beautiful. Loved the chickens and geese’s roaming ☺️

M

Mika

2 weeks ago

1 night at Wanderlust Retreat

The bell tent was comfortable and had lovely experience

R

Roy

November 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Wanderlust Retreat

It was great 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

I

Isaac

November 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Colo River Hut

Great little spot, the fire pit and bath were great! Perfect spot for a few people to hang out and swim or paddle in the river.

C

Christine

October 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Colo River Hut

We lovedthe peace and and quiet. The views from the hut while washing up were nice. The hut was a great social space. The kids loved the river for kayaking and paddle boarding. The firepit was well stocked, though as there was fire ban we saddly did not try it out. The cows and Jeffrey the Emu were a nice relaxing find. Richard the owner was quick at communication and a nice polite man full of stories about the past of that area. Thank you for a nice time and we will be back. Christine

M

Megan

October 2025

1 m travel trailer

With pets

2 nights at Watagan: BYO Horse Holiday

Dael’s Mill is a gorgeous old cottage packed with charm and character. We loved the place, the fire pit, the hot tub, the birds, the wallaby’s, the dam, the jetty, all of which surrounded by horses and natural beauty! Thanks Chantelle and Tyson for enabling us to share your place for a short while!

Excellent hut onsite for shade or weather protection.

Michele

September 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Colo River Hut

Wonderful camp with plenty of flat land. Fantastic facilities with amenities, power, and shade and river access for launching a kayak. Host provided firewood for the first night which was very much appreciated. Stunning night skies if it is clear. Love that you have it to yourself so it truly is a relaxing camp. Easy to find and great host directions. Thanks Richard!

L

Lisa

July 2025

With kids

3 nights at Colo River Hut

We had an amazing stay at Colo River Hut! Highly recommend. The hut is an amazing add on to any camping adventure - hot shower, clean toilet and lots of space for everyone to spread out. The tables and comfy chairs near the fire pit / grill make everything very comfortable. The kids loved the bushwalks and sandy river bank to build bridges and hideaways. Even in the middle of winter, this place was a gem. The power was essential for us all keeping warm overnight! It was lovely having the privacy and serenity just for our group. All in all, a wonderful spot and super friendly host, would recommend to all!

p

peter

July 2025

With kids

1 night at Wanderlust Retreat

We stayed in the cabin at Wanderlust and it was great. We were there in the middle of winter and it was very cold but the fire works well to keep the place toasty. The surrounding area is naturally very beautiful. Be aware that the destination is very remote and that the cabin is quite basic. The beds were comfy and warm but the electricity ran out quite quickly once it got dark (it’s solar and doesn’t get much sun in the winter). You will need to bring gear for heating things or cooking unless you want to walk to the shared space which is about a three minute walk. Bring head lamps or lights for when it gets dark. The toilet and shower block is clean and modern. The staff are also lovely!

K

Kathleen

July 2025

With pets

1 night at Wanderlust Retreat

Hosts were very friendly made us feel welcome.Got to feed the chickens and the fire was cozy.

M

Maryanne

June 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Colo River Hut

The Colo Hut was a great spot , not too far from Sydney yet far enough to feel away from it all. The hot shower was an added bonus in the cold and having a sink was extremely convenient. The river is a few steps away from the site, we tried fishing but had no luck. The fire pit was great for cooking and keeping warm. Thanks Richard for sharing your property!

S

Serrano

June 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Wanderlust Retreat

Beautiful place for camping/glamping. Owners and staff were lovely and the amenities were great. Lot to do..highly recommended for families. My children in particular loved the ducks and chickens as well as hiking and playing in the playground. We will return in the not too distant future!

Kelly

May 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Wanderlust Retreat

we booked the bell tent with jacuzzi. Overall we had a good stay and the staff were very lovely and helpful. Bell tent was clean and site facilities as expected. The site is tucked away and gives a bit of privacy and serenity which is nice. Just a few things we didn't realise beforehand that might help others... the jacuzzi is heated by fire, it takes hours to heat up. Firewood is free for the first bag, which is small and won't get you far on heating the jacuzzi, so you either need buy lots more, fossick for more through the bush (which is what we did) or bring your own. Free Wifi is great, but it is available in the common areas which are a bit of a walk from this particular site. We had very patchy 4G on telstra, optus didn't work.

A

Adrian

April 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Colo River Hut

This is a beautiful spot for a group to take full advantage of excellent amenities (including a spotless hot water shower and toilet) for a relaxing break. We had a bit of rain on our trip, and the large roofed-in deck made an excellent shelter for our tents to sit under. The river access is best in the afternoon (steep and muddy bank during morning high tide)

D

Daniel

April 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to Colo River Hut

Awesome set up, great spot and excellent host. You will not be disappointed.

J

James

April 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Colo River Hut

We had a beautiful long weekend at Colo river hut. The hut was a great place to have dinner and enjoy a shower. Great to have the whole place to ourselves and enjoy the beautiful sunsets over the field. The host provided firewood and was very helpful with directions and answered a couple of questions.

T

Tom

April 2025

With kids

2 nights at Wanderlust Retreat

We had a great time. Other campers around the place but the bell tent(s) are off with some privacy. Dog got to run around wild, had a great time, as did the kids. Thanks for having us!

L

Luke

April 2025

Weekend Trip to Wanderlust Retreat

Great stay! The hosts are lovely and the location is beautiful.

R

Renee

January 2025

With pets

3 nights at Wanderlust Retreat

Loved our stay in the bell tent with jacuzzi, it was isolated and quiet yet close enough to all the amenities. We brought our own Webber though so we could enjoy the peace and quiet. Loved it and will be back

y

yue

December 2024

With pets

Weekend Trip to Wanderlust Retreat

The wildlife and sounds of nature were second to none.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

The best dog-friendly glamping in Hawkesbury River guide

Where to go

Hawkesbury

North of Sydney, Wisemans Ferry sits at the meeting point of the Hawkesbury and Macdonald rivers. Hiking, mountain biking, and canoeing are the main activities on offer in the neighbouring Dharug National Park, and to the north, Yengo National Park has thrilling 4WD tracks and remote bush campgrounds. Wisemans Ferry is also the starting point of the Old Great North Road, an important site in Australia’s convict history.

Broken Bay

The Hawkesbury River meets the ocean at Broken Bay, flanked by two coastal national parks. Cruise the waterways, fish along the coast, or trek between Aboriginal heritage sites in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. On the north shore, Brisbane Waters National Park bursts with colour during spring wildflower season—explore by bike, kayak, or boat, then camp at Pindar Cave.

Blue Mountains

The rainforest-clad peaks of the Blue Mountains rise on the horizon along the western section of the Hawkesbury River. Head into the Blue Mountains National Park to hike and mountain bike through the rainforest, ride the Scenic Railway to the Three Sisters lookout, and discover gorges, waterfalls, and natural swimming holes. Camping comes with views, too—pitch your tent by the creek or in tranquil forest valleys.

Sydney

Australia’s largest city might not seem like an obvious choice for camping, but there are lots of ways to get outdoors in and around the Sydney. Swim and surf along the North Shore, cruise around Sydney Harbour, or even attempt a daring Sydney Harbour Bridge climb.