The best waterside campgrounds near Kempsey, New South Wales

95% (8K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Kempsey

1. The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

33km from Kempsey · 15 sites · Tents, RVs

Welcome to Port Macquarie's 'The Hatch Farm'; a pet friendly, interactive animal and fishing farm stay! A 150-acre working farm with a stunning outlook over the saltwater Maria River (with a rustic boat ramp and waterway running into the Hastings River). There is plenty to do and see at this hipcamp which was awarded to be one of the best hipcamps in NSW for 2024, and Australia wide for 2025! Located on the Mid North Coast NSW, 4kms off the Pacific Highway, and a quick 13/15-minute drive to the holiday township of Port Macquarie. Port Macquarie is known for its beautiful beaches, coastal scenery and walks, koala hospital, local strawberry and tomato picking, and 4WDing at nearby beaches and through Cairncross State Forest. Bernard and Susan are custodians of the farm, primarily using the land for poultry (egg), pig, and goat farming. They are transitioning to an off-grid and eco-friendly lifestyle for their retirement. The Hatch Farm is home to many animals, most of whom are rescues - including border collies, cavalier king charles spaniels, chickens, ducks, pigs, sheep, goats, miniature horses, cows, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. There is plenty to do and see around the farm from complete relaxation, interacting with the friendly animals (there is usually a variety of babies to cuddle!), to casting a line or launching your boat from the rustic boat ramp. Please note that all animal interactions are self-led (including our animal nursery), and children must be supervised by their parents/carers. During NSW School Holidays, host led animal interactions will be available at designated times. Friendly pets welcome. For bookings call or text Susan 0418 842055

95% (8K)

Top-rated campgrounds near Kempsey

1. The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

98%

(1387)

33km from Kempsey · 15 sites · Tents, RVs

Welcome to Port Macquarie's 'The Hatch Farm'; a pet friendly, interactive animal and fishing farm stay! A 150-acre working farm with a stunning outlook over the saltwater Maria River (with a rustic boat ramp and waterway running into the Hastings River). There is plenty to do and see at this hipcamp which was awarded to be one of the best hipcamps in NSW for 2024, and Australia wide for 2025! Located on the Mid North Coast NSW, 4kms off the Pacific Highway, and a quick 13/15-minute drive to the holiday township of Port Macquarie. Port Macquarie is known for its beautiful beaches, coastal scenery and walks, koala hospital, local strawberry and tomato picking, and 4WDing at nearby beaches and through Cairncross State Forest. Bernard and Susan are custodians of the farm, primarily using the land for poultry (egg), pig, and goat farming. They are transitioning to an off-grid and eco-friendly lifestyle for their retirement. The Hatch Farm is home to many animals, most of whom are rescues - including border collies, cavalier king charles spaniels, chickens, ducks, pigs, sheep, goats, miniature horses, cows, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. There is plenty to do and see around the farm from complete relaxation, interacting with the friendly animals (there is usually a variety of babies to cuddle!), to casting a line or launching your boat from the rustic boat ramp. Please note that all animal interactions are self-led (including our animal nursery), and children must be supervised by their parents/carers. During NSW School Holidays, host led animal interactions will be available at designated times. Friendly pets welcome. For bookings call or text Susan 0418 842055

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

S

Sean

2 weeks ago

Tent

With pets

3 nights at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

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

O

Oliver

2 weeks ago

6 m Class A

With kids

1 night at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

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

D

Dana

2 weeks ago

5 m Class B

With kids

1 night at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

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

N

Nicole

3 weeks ago

9 m travel trailer

With kids

1 night at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

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

C

CHERYL

3 weeks ago

8 m Class A

With kids

2 nights at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

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

James

3 weeks ago

9 m Class B

Weekend Trip to The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

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

L

Laina

3 weeks ago

5 m car

Weekend Trip to The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

Beautiful property, friendly hosts and the cutest animals!!! Would highly recommend this camp.

m

maddy

November 2025

Tent

2 nights at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

We loved our stay!! Bernard and Susan were helpful and welcomjng :) Freedom to roam the water on the kayaks, great set ups for camping with fire pits and shelter from sun/wind. Nice clean facilities :)highly recommend

A

Amy

November 2025

7 m Class B

With kids

1 night at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

Really enjoyed our stay. Very quiet and pleanty of space to spread out. My son loved all the animals, kyaking and the trampoline. Great spot for fishing too. Susan made us feel so at home and made sure we had everything we needed during our stay. Wish we could have extended our stay, but we needed to head home.

Scott

November 2025

8 m travel trailer

Group trip

Weekend Trip to The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

Another amazing stay! Large sites, welcomeing hosts, pkenty of firewood and fresh eggs. The hosts dogs Jack and Sally are amazing. Great access to the river! This was our second stay and we'll be back again!

M

Marjon

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

I loved my very short overnight stay at Hatch Farm because there were animals everywhere to pat, feed and just have around. I really liked to see all the different birds, feeding the goats, looking at the little lambs and watching the geese waddle. But best of all was patting the friendly Border Collies who came to say hello as the walked around the farm. On arrival, I was greeted by Bernie who explained the facilities and guided me to my perfect little site very close to the amenities. The drop toilet had charm and there was hot water available from an outside tap. There were other campers but everyone kept noise under control so I had a peaceful rest. I had to leave before 6am to continue my long drive home but would love to come back to stay for a longer experience, including a paddle on the river, with all equipment readily available at the farm. After one last pat of one of the dogs that had come to see me off, I left this little slice of paradise with a smile😀.

J

Jamie

November 2025

8 m travel trailer

4 nights at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

From the friendly greeting, to the wonderfull views of the river, The Hatch is a must stay. We couldn’t recommend it more. We have been wanting to camp here for a while, but it was always booked out, we can see now why. There is so much do and so close Port Macquarie, but you wouldn’t know it as the peaceful surroundings made it feel like you could be anywhere.

J

John

November 2025

Tent

3 nights at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

Great hosts and great location. Very welcoming and plenty of space around. View of the river was really nice too

B

Bridget

November 2025

5 m travel trailer

3 nights at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

Great flat campsites, very welcoming & accomodating hosts. Lots to see in the local area. Had a lovely, relaxing weekend.

K

Kate

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

We loved our stay at the hatch farm on the little piggies site. Such a great location, quiet and ample space for camping. Each spot had a large undercover area with a campfire. Well equipped with hot showers and a toilet. The hatch is set in a gorgeous spot on the river, great for throwing a line in (and plenty of fish to catch!!) we loved the all the animals there and friendly doggos on the site. Bringing our own dogs was great. We finished the trip with purchasing some fresh eggs from the farm. Both susan and bernard were very welcoming and made us feel right at home. We'll be coming again. :)

R

Rosalind

October 2025

7 m Class A

Weekend Trip to The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

Thank you Susan and Bernard for the cosy and serene countryside stay. Loving the campfire, relaxing environment and the welcoming animals we got to meet. Highly recommended!!!

T

Tom

October 2025

5 m car

2 nights at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

Such a great spot for a few nights! Right on the river, with heaps of grassy space. Awesome to check out all the farm animals too. Definitely recommend this spot!

T

Tayla

October 2025

5 m travel trailer

1 night at The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We absolutely loved our stay here! The campsite was clean, spacious, and perfect for families. The kids had a great time exploring, and the facilities were really well maintained — hot showers, tidy amenities, and plenty of space to relax. Staff were friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere was peaceful but still social. We’ll definitely be coming back next time we’re camping in the area!

M

Matthew

October 2025

6 m travel trailer

Weekend Trip to The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

Great place to stay. Was really quiet considering there was quite a few people around

J

Jess

October 2025

10 m travel trailer

With kids

Weekend Trip to The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

The Hatch Farm is a wonderful place to stay! Bernard & Susan are lovely and the farm animals were a lot of fun for our 3yo as well as us! The river is beautiful and it’s a very peaceful vibe, even when fully booked. Will definitely be returning!