The best campgrounds in Illawarra with climbing

Climbers flock to Illawarra for its sandstone cliffs and forested crags, and you’ll find eight campsites here that put you close to the action. Expect sites where you can pitch a tent within minutes of classic climbing routes, with toilet and shower facilities, and campfires allowed. Average stays run around $70 a night, but it’s possible to find options from $49. Top picks include Dharawal Camp (120 reviews), Wombat Hollow (95 reviews), and Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping (70 reviews). Beyond the rock, hiking and fishing round out long days. If you want a basecamp that keeps you close to Illawarra’s best boulders and belays, start your search here.

98% (382)

Top-rated campgrounds near Illawarra

Climbers flock to Illawarra for its sandstone cliffs and forested crags, and you’ll find eight campsites here that put you close to the action. Expect sites where you can pitch a tent within minutes of classic climbing routes, with toilet and shower facilities, and campfires allowed. Average stays run around $70 a night, but it’s possible to find options from $49. Top picks include Dharawal Camp (120 reviews), Wombat Hollow (95 reviews), and Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping (70 reviews). Beyond the rock, hiking and fishing round out long days. If you want a basecamp that keeps you close to Illawarra’s best boulders and belays, start your search here.

98% (382)

Top-rated campgrounds near Illawarra

1. Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping

94%

(160)

10 sites · Tents, RVs · Joadja, NSW

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 fully 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.

2. Wombat Hollow

99%

(141)

5 sites · Tents, RVs · Budgong, NSW

100 acres of secluded paradise with a kilometer of free flowing pebbled creek. Bound on two sides by the craggy escarpments of the Budgong and Morton National Parks there is ample grassland to give a feeling of space yet an abundance of trees to wander through as you engage with the tame wildlife and magnificent birdlife. Bring your mountain bike, fishing rod, swimmers, hiking boots, tennis racket, basketball (a hoop on the tennis court) or climbing gear and leave the kids in the play area while you sit by the creek and listen to the water tumbling through the rocks. If you are as intrigued by rare animals as we are, then this is the place for you. 63 Bird species, 24 mammals, 16 reptiles, and 12 amphibians have been sighted in the area (Clarke 2012) and this includes many rare and endangered species including the platypus, brush-tailed rock wallaby, Giant burrowing frog, Gang-gang cockatoo, Glossy black-cockatoo, Koala, Little Lorikeet and the Yellow-bellied glider. We only have three campsites at present, so you will be guaranteed peace, space and privacy. with a minimum of 400m between all sites. Please note, that your group must be self-contained, with their own camp toilet, however fresh drinking water is available. Access is into a valley on a well maintained unsealed road but there are some minor causeways making it unsuitable for busses or long low slung vans. An ordinary sedan will do for Billabong and Dad's camp sites but you will need some power for towing and a 4x4 to tow out in any rain. Riverbend site is only suitable for 4x4's and off-road camp trailers. You are a 40 minute drive from the sea (try the Shoalhaven 100 beach challenge https://www.shoalhaven.com/100-beach-challenge/ ) and just 15km from the historical town of Kangaroo Valley with its myriad of water activities, golf, wine estates, and quaint shopping. ttps://visitkangaroovalley.com.au/see-and-do/

3. Dharawal Camp

99%

(167)

1 site · Tent, RV · Wedderburn, NSW

Dharawal Camp offers all the benefits of glamping. Enjoy a peaceful night's rest in your tent/vehicle, then hop out of bed and enjoy the peaceful surrounds of the cabin with access to a kitchen area supplying rainwater. With the secluded bush surroundings and the quiet, it's hard to believe you're only an hour away from Sydney. You might even see a Koala There is strictly no accomodation in the Cabin. The camp features a camping toilet and bathing facilities, gas bbq, a kitchen washing area, NO FRIDGE, a recreation space and dining table when the weather is bad. All you need to do is roll out your swag. Campers are encouraged to take their rubbish with them. There is access to power for campervans/caravans. Warm your toes at the outdoor fireplace whilst you chat with friends. (Please bring own firewood). You will be a 10 minute drive from the beautiful Dharawal National Park which has wonderful swimming holes and bush walks. The site is 15 minutes drive from Campbelltown, which offers all amenities of a large metropolitan city.

4. Bendameer

100%

(21)

1 site · Tent, RV · Tongarra, NSW

Bendameer is a 100 acre hobby farm running beef cows on the South Coast. The farm is located just 15min drive to pristine beaches or 10min drive to national parks, walking tracks and swimming holes. We provide Elevated camp sites over looking Lake Illawarra and Warilla Beach or stay on the farm and enjoy bush walking to water fall and swimming holes plus heaps of other attractions close by.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

F

Fiona

3 weeks ago

9 m pop-up camper

2 nights at Wombat Hollow

Second time camping at Wombat Hollow. Loved it even more. Went for an early evening stroll this time and saw so many wombats. The bird song was gorgeous evening and morning. Camped up at the Pecan Wood camp. The view from the top of the rise is wonderful and worth being a little further from the creek. Pecan gets sun all day so perfect for cooler months. If we visit in summer we'll stay at one of the shady creek-side camps.

A

Adam

3 weeks ago

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Dharawal Camp

David was a great host and very chill. We had a great weekend chilling out on the site and also exploring the local waterfall pools. Highly recommend for a chill get away not too far from Sydney.

M

Morne

3 weeks ago

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping

Beautiful location and plenty of space, great amenities and lovely hosts

M

Morne

3 weeks ago

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping

Amazing weekend camping with three families. Plenty of space in the paddock for the kids to run around. Leanne was wonderful. Fantastic host. Kids loved watching the animals, and going for a walk around the property. Ground is quite hard the moment so a hammer was useful when getting pegs in!

S

Steve

3 weeks ago

5 m travel trailer

Weekend Trip to Wombat Hollow

Great spot, right at the creeks edge. Vallance was very helpful and will be happy to return again!

L

Le

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Dharawal Camp

David’s place is amazing for a quiet night away in bushland. So much room and great amenities. Very clean and right next to camp set up. David is very friendly and lovely to talk too. We will be back for sure!

I

Indy

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping

beautiful views of the farm and gorge. Campsites are very green and spacious.

F

Fiona

November 2025

8 m pop-up camper

2 nights at Wombat Hollow

We loved our weekend at Wombat Hollow. We were spoilt having the whole place to ourselves which was ideal as we were looking for quiet downtime. After checking out the whole place we realised that even if all the other camps were full, each camp is in its own secluded spot with lots of space around it and between camps so other campers would not have been a bother at all and we still would have had acres and acres to ourselves. The whole place is well maintained and signposted. Lots of helpful instructions when booking so we knew exactly what to bring and if our vehicle amd camper would be suitable. Vallance is a superb host. The camp sites are perfectly simple. Great fire pit. Sturdy benches, level ground, shade and gorgeous lanscape and wildlife all around. Stunning night skies.

J

JUSTIN

November 2025

6 m pop-up camper

With pets

Weekend Trip to Wombat Hollow

Picture perfect camp spot tucked away from all the hustle and bustle. Great body of water to swim in. Good mix of shade and sun in the camp are. Nice touch having a picnic bench and fire area with log seating. Vallance was a very hospitable host. He’s happy to have a chat but also respects your space. Unexpectedly picked up my son and I for a little tractor ride which really made it all worth it to stay on private land. We saw wombats, wallabies and a little platypus in the water. Will return again sometime soon.

S

Sam

November 2025

10 m pop-up camper

With pets

Weekend Trip to Wombat Hollow

What a terrific camping location at Wombat’s Hollow. We were welcomed by Vallance to his lovely property. We stayed at Dads Camp and had a great private area with the river at our doorstep, wombats (as promised) and loads of bird life and the many sounds of the Aussie bush. This Hipcamp will definitely make the “let’s go back again” list.

S

Simon

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping

Drive in is beautiful through the open paddocks then once in property driving through sets the tone of a quite stay and peaceful, sunset is a smaller private spot loved the table and chairs Leanne has set up to enjoy breaky and dinner especially as it was a bit of stormy weather. The peacocks sound great and loved their calling noises during my stay. The walks on the property are nice simple walks but enjoyable but must do the George walk absolutely stunning. Whilst I am a complete self contained camper the toilet and shower was really nice and great set up

A

Amanda

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Wombat Hollow

One of our favorite camp spots to date! Private sites, right in with nature and plenty of wombats on the property. The tub at our site was an added bonus. Val was a super welcoming and generous host. Recommend the eggs from his daughter’s chickens. Would definitely go back

Lauren

November 2025

6 m pop-up camper

With kids

Weekend Trip to Dharawal Camp

2nd visit to this beautiful place. Everything you need to have a wonderful stay. Kids had a great time as well! 😀

M

Miroslaw

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping

Camp site was gorgeous. The only think keep in mind that you on the big rock. So will be hard to safe you tent to the ground. Nice animals on farm, donkey and lama, dogs and chickens. Host is very nice and helpful.

S

Sally

November 2025

5 m car

Weekend Trip to Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping

Private and pretty place to camp. Great is have a toilet and shower. The show stopper is the gorge views. Would highly recommend.

A

Anthony

October 2025

7 m travel trailer

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Wombat Hollow

We had the most amazing family stay at Billabong Camp Ground (even the teenagers enjoyed it!) From the moment we arrived, Vallance, the owner and resident character had us laughing. He’s an absolute gem: welcoming, obliging, full of stories, and just a good bloke to be around. The property itself is beautiful and incredibly tranquil. We swam in the creek, built a little dam, relaxed by the fire, explored the land, and soaked up the peace and quiet. It’s so secluded we felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. The wildlife was a highlight too, loads of birds, lizards, and we’re pretty sure we spotted a platypus! As for the wombats… well, we reckon Vallance just dug a few random holes to convince us they were everywhere (just kidding – we’re sure they’re out there!)???? All up, Billabong Camp Ground is a wonderful spot to unwind, reconnect, and enjoy nature with the sound of running water and a crackling fire in the background. We can’t recommend it enough. We’ll definitely be back!

A

Asia

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Wombat Hollow

I recently stayed at the Wombat Hollows, Riverbend campsite and it was a great experience! The directions were clear, Vallance was very kind & always ready to help during our stay. The location is beautiful, right on a peaceful river. The campsite is clean and well-spaced, offering plenty of privacy. They are also dog friendly, which is great. If you’re looking for a relaxing getaway close to nature, Wombat Hollows is a top choice. Just make sure to bring bug spray and reserve early during peak season!

Laura

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Wombat Hollow

What a fantastic stay we had! Vallance was extremely helpful in the lead up to our trip with instructions and upon arrival greeted us with a tractor ride for the kids (adult too 😅)which they loved! The site was large and well kept, the fire tub was divine. There was plenty for the kids to do from bike rides, swims, adventures , the cubby house, swing and the new addition of the sandpit! We wish we had stayed longer, but we will be back!! Thank you again Vallance.

E

Earl

October 2025

5 m Class B

With pets

Weekend Trip to Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping

We enjoyed our stay at Leanne’s property. We stayed at Sunset which had a lovely view facing west and the camping spot was neat. The camping ground has a slight incline but it can be managed easily. Great campfire pit and a table and 4 chairs provided. Plenty of wood around to make fire. Recommend the walk down near the gorge campsite, the views of the canyon are breathtaking. Leanne was very friendly too!!

Chris

October 2025

5 m pop-up camper

With pets

Weekend Trip to Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping

Great camping in "The paddock." Being fully fenced was great for the dogs to have some freedom and plenty of soace for the kids. The kids also loved being able to get up close with the animals. Toilet/shower facilities are really good. Host responded super quick to any messages and was very helpful.