The best forest campgrounds near Merriwa, New South Wales

In Merriwa, you’ll find over 130 forest campsites where the air smells of eucalyptus and kookaburras wake you at dawn. Pitch a tent under ironbarks or stringybarks—this is classic bush camping. Most spots welcome pets, allow campfires, and offer basic toilets. Fishing, swimming, and hiking are all on your doorstep. Prices start as low as $5 a night, with the average around $40. For a tried-and-tested stay, check out Maiden Jewel Camping Wingen (408 reviews), Old Bara aka "Baradise" (154 reviews), or Hillside Camp on Bow River (116 reviews). Bring sturdy boots, a warm jumper, and your sense of adventure.

99% (804) • 17 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Merriwa

In Merriwa, you’ll find over 130 forest campsites where the air smells of eucalyptus and kookaburras wake you at dawn. Pitch a tent under ironbarks or stringybarks—this is classic bush camping. Most spots welcome pets, allow campfires, and offer basic toilets. Fishing, swimming, and hiking are all on your doorstep. Prices start as low as $5 a night, with the average around $40. For a tried-and-tested stay, check out Maiden Jewel Camping Wingen (408 reviews), Old Bara aka "Baradise" (154 reviews), or Hillside Camp on Bow River (116 reviews). Bring sturdy boots, a warm jumper, and your sense of adventure.

99% (804) • 17 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Merriwa

1. Hillside Camp on Bow River

100%

(212)

20km from Merriwa · 23 sites · Tents, RVs

The ultimate Farm Solitude Camping experience for nature lovers seeking adventure, peace and serenity. This is not a place for parties and loud noise, but if you want to get away from it all and relax in a secluded Campsite surrounded by beautiful Native Bushland or explore miles of trails, gullies, caves, Flight Springs Creek and the exquisite Bow River, take some time to camp at Hillside, which is a remote 2000 acre working cattle property situated 23km west of MERRIWA, 17 km off the Golden Highway, adjoining the Goulburn River National Park. Most sites are in secluded area's far away from each other but at busy times people may pass by some sites to access the river. There are plenty of walking trails and for the enthusiastic bushwalker, the Bow River winds its way 7km down to the Goulburn River through the National Park with its gentle flowing stream and rock pools nestled between sandstone cliffs of caves. All sites are pet friendly, but pets must be kept on leash and cleaned up after. Campfires are allowed when there are no restrictions. Cut firewood is available on request $20 lots, cash only. 4WD and High vehicles are recommended as tracks have rocky outcrops and some areas of loose sand. Some sites can be accessed by 2WD. The Bow River area is strictly 4WD (Low Range) access ONLY as it is extremely steep with loose gravel and rocky outcrops. AWD (All wheel drive) vehicles will not get back out. For all 4WD areas please let your Tyres down to 25psi to help conserve our tracks. Outback 4WD tracks are now open for campers to explore as well as Hidden Valley. All sites have toilets, but guests will need their own shower facilities and must take all waste and rubbish with them on departure. Phone Service is very limited in this area. If you email a request, sometimes it may take a few hours for us to reply. No motorbikes or chainsaws and no hunting allowed. WARNING: There are many areas of cliff edges and shear drops! Children must be supervised at all times while exploring these areas. There are also dams at or near some of the campsite areas that could be dangerous if children wander off exploring alone.

2. Maiden Jewel Camping Wingen

96%

(568)

56km from Merriwa · 139 sites · Tents, RVs

YellowScone Camping Adventures at "Maiden Jewel", a sprawling 720-acre Horse Stud, rests beneath the majestic Wingen Maiden, enveloped by ironbark bushland and extensive trails perfect for BYOH horse riding, bushwalking, and mountain biking. Be sure to explore our array of offerings: Maiden Jewel Camping beckons with diverse camping areas: The Waterhole 1: A communal haven boasting 20 campsites, nestled by serene dams teeming with Silver Perch and Murray Cod. While facilities include portaloos without showers, the allure of kayaking or cooling off in the dam awaits. Accessible via 4WD, guests can traverse the trails on foot or by bike. Pet-friendly, but leashes are recommended due to abundant wildlife. Picturesque Maiden Jewel: Spanning the rest of the property, it hosts over 50 campsites, both Private and Communal. The Long Flat Waterhole 2: Positioned at the property's front, offering easy access to a delightful swimming dam. Ideal for families, it features vast open spaces for recreational activities. Camping here grants access to all waterholes on the property. For seekers of solitude, inquire about our private sites, like The View Campsite, Hillside Camp, and The Bluff, each boasting spectacular vistas and proximity to fishing and swimming spots. YellowScone Adventures cater for Glamping escapes to equine enthusiasts, offering various packages allowing guests to bring their horses along. Camp and ride at your leisure, or opt for a unique experience by camping in our Bell tents, with catering services available. Explore our property further with the Buggy Property Tour: Embark on a guided excursion aboard our 6-seater Can-Am Buggy, spotting wildlife, meeting our horses, and discovering our array of campsites. Tours must be pre-booked and offer a captivating hour-long journey covering approximately 13 kilometers. Nestled beneath Towarri National Park, Maiden Jewel promises a plethora of activities—from fishing to hiking and mountain biking. Don't miss out on our additional offerings; there's something for everyone to enjoy amidst our breathtaking scenery.

3. Old Bara aka "Baradise"

99%

(224)

71km from Merriwa · 51 sites · Tents, RVs

Old Bara is a stunning cattle property, often described as truly magical. Camp next to the creek and dogs are welcome! Old Bara offers so much more than just a place to park. Suitable for all size vehicles/vans/tents. We have great loos, voted as "the best in Australia" however, we do not have showers or powered sites. Many sites available, avoid the crowds, we do not over crowd our campers. Only 25 mins easy drive to all the wonderful Mudgee wineries, cafes and restaurants. It's the perfect place to unwind and recharge the batteries. Give the kids a screen free holiday! Dogs are welcome as long as they on leads at all times except in the off leash paddock.

4. Kamameja Remote Bush Camp

99%

(78)

74km from Merriwa · 37 sites · Tents, RVs

Kamameja is 705 acres of mountainous wilderness located in the Upper Hunter region of NSW, near Jerrys Plains in a remote location with approximately 22 km of gravel Commission access road that winds through some stunning mountain ranges. Please note you need to pass through private property and national park to reach our location - shut all gates that you come through, respect national park rules and drive to conditions. We recommend accessing our property by 4wd only as the road is narrow, not regularly maintained and not suitable for large vehicles or caravans. The extensive trail network is available to ride or walk and are included in the camping fees. For the gravity junkies MTB shuttles can be booked as an extra on checkout and the timing of these need to be organized with the owners.

5. Pinnacle Camp

100%

(1)

70km from Merriwa · 2 sites · Tents, RVs

Camping is available on a secluded and tranquil area on our organic farm, located in steep gorge country. Cleared areas with grass tracks provide for relaxing bushwalks or energetic mountain biking across the hilly terrain which extends to heavily timbered, steep terrain up to a lookout for scenic views to surrounding valleys. The local geology is a mix of basalt and conglomerate, creating wonderful rocky outcrops to explore. The organic farm is ideal for bird watchers, nature lovers, those who love an unspoiled, private spot to camp. There is limited phone service along the hilltops should it be needed. We are happy to offer a digital detox on this part of the farm, where you can be soothed by nature’s birdsong and vibrant beauty. We do have cattle grazing the property and therefore we ask that you do not bring your pets. Access to East Camp is 4wd only and during dry weather only. 4wd camper vans and trailers are not able to access the Hut and camps with amenities. East Camp is an exclusive camp located on a grassy hilltop with extensive views across the valley. This is 4wd only with access for some 4WD campervans and trailers. Self-contained adventurers only. BYO toilet. Limited phone service.

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

B

Belinda

1 week ago

5 m pop-up camper

4 nights at Hillside Camp on Bow River

David owns a stunning, expansive property set amongst the hills, filled with caves, walking tracks, and fantastic 4WDing opportunities. The tracks are meticulously formed throughout the property, making it a pleasure to explore and enjoy. David was welcoming and helpful while still giving us plenty of space to relax and unwind. Toilets at each campsite were greatly appreciated and added to the comfort of our stay. Although we weren’t able to have a campfire during our visit, it didn’t dampen the experience, especially after seeing the devastating effects of past bushfires in the area. A truly memorable place to stay.

T

Tristin

1 week ago

16 m travel trailer

2 nights at Hillside Camp on Bow River

Really spacious campsite and super clean toilet. The property is beautiful and very peaceful. David was great to deal with, easy to communicate with and incredibly helpful, especially when we were having some car trouble. We were hoping to see a wombat, and David pointed us to the best campsite for it and he was right! We were so excited to spot one. Would definitely recommend and would love to stay again.

A

Alberto

1 week ago

3 m travel trailer

1 night at Hillside Camp on Bow River

Dave is a lovely man who loves his land and made this place a very special for us to use. We enjoyed going around with our Troopie on the 4wd tracks and staying at Shepherd creek

G

Gregg

2 weeks ago

8 m travel trailer

With kids

1 night at Maiden Jewel Camping Wingen

Awesome place! We had a great visit and will definitely be back. Thanks for having us!

A

Adam

2 weeks ago

3 m pop-up camper

With pets

Weekend Trip to Hillside Camp on Bow River

Clear directions were provided to the property, and David met us on arrival, showed us to our site, and took the time to talk us through things to do in the area. The property is huge, with plenty of walking trails and 4WD tracks to keep you occupied. All campsites are very well spaced, giving a great sense of privacy. Sites are flat, spacious, and private, and the portaloo toilets at each site were clean and well maintained. The location is ideal — right on the doorstep of the national park and only a short drive to town if you need supplies or feel like grabbing a pie. We’ll definitely be back.

M

Michael

2 weeks ago

Tent

2 nights at Hillside Camp on Bow River

Great bush camping with the added bonus of a toilet. Nice to cool off with a swim in the river which the dog absolutely loved. Dave was an awesome host and was super chill. He met me at the front gate and showed me to the campground. Dave also gave me a run down of the property and stopped by later to make sure everything thing was ok. Will definitely be back with the rest of the family. Great spot!

M

Michael

3 weeks ago

5 m pop-up camper

2 nights at Old Bara aka "Baradise"

Very shady spot on a hot night. Good views and just what we were looking for. Mike

L

Logan

3 weeks ago

Tent

1 night at Hillside Camp on Bow River

Absolutely loved the camp-site, no one around Sunset and sunrise Absolutely stunning Definitely recommend

H

Hamish

November 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Maiden Jewel Camping Wingen

Great clean spot lovely hosts Great weekend away

C

Cam

November 2025

5 m pop-up camper

With pets

Weekend Trip to Hillside Camp on Bow River

Great spot here bordering Goulburn River National Park. Dave has put a huge effort into building walking trails and has created a great mud map to show you the way. We took a 4wd only campsite. Make sure you do have a good 4wd if you take this option because you definitely need it to get back out. Plenty of wildlife around. Even turtles in the river.. Plenty to explore.

Brian

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Kamameja Remote Bush Camp

I stayed one night on a solo trip and had an awesome time. The directions from the host were clear and easy to follow, making the drive in simple. The gravity trails were great fun with a good mix of challenge and a tough pedal back up to the top. The campsite itself is huge, with plenty of space and privacy - perfect for a quiet getaway. Highly recommend!

J

Jodie

November 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Hillside Camp on Bow River

My partner and I have stayed here twice now this spring and are already keen to go back. The first time we stayed in the group sites but had no issue with noise or neighbours. We explored the tracks and caves and river, and had such a good time that we came back a month later with friends. Stayed on the Flights Ridge site that has awesome views and the cleanest port-a-loo I’ve ever used! (1 loo per site!) 4x4 tracks are well looked after, well sign posted and varied in difficulty. The place is out in the country but the host gives accurate arrival details and meets you at the gate! The site is amazing and super varied, and Dave the host is super hospitable, helpful and friendly. We will absolutely be back!

Paul

November 2025

4 m pop-up camper

Weekend Trip to Hillside Camp on Bow River

awesome place and Dave is such a great host - i'll be back again for the 3rd time

S

Shayne

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Hillside Camp on Bow River

Gully view was well grassed and flat. We really enjoyed driving the 4x4 trails and views, Exploring Bow river and all it's caves was probably the highlight of our stay. Amazing. Dave was super helpful and laidback. We'll definitely return 🤠

M

Michelle

October 2025

10 m pop-up camper

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Hillside Camp on Bow River

We had a great weekend camp at Flights Ridge camp site. It was very private. Had lovely caves along the caves walk. A trip to the river is well worthwhile. So beautiful down there. Communication with Dave was excellent.

stacy

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Maiden Jewel Camping Wingen

Gorgeous spot down by the damn, super lovely host. Sunrise and sunsets are just stunning on the property

K

Kyle

October 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Maiden Jewel Camping Wingen

Absolutely wonderful place to stay, woke up to the cows coming down to the damn for a drink of water. The sun set was amazing over the ridge line. And Jane was so lovely. Would definitely stay again

B

Brad

October 2025

11 m pop-up camper

With pets

4 nights at Hillside Camp on Bow River

This was our third time camping at Dave & Lisa's farm. They are wonderful hosts and the property is perfect if you enjoy peace and quiet while being surrounded by nature. Having time away from the crowds and the screens is priceless.

Firepit available, no wood collection on-site, must buy wood prior to checking in

R

Robin

October 2025

6 m Class B

With pets

Weekend Trip to Old Bara aka "Baradise"

We loved our time at Old Barra Camp, the sites are very pristine and scenic. Saw kangaroos, an echidna and plenty of birds. Directions were clear to get there and Amenities were clean and convenient. Thanks Sally and family for a great time

A

Adam

October 2025

3 m pop-up camper

With pets

Weekend Trip to Old Bara aka "Baradise"

Great location, plenty of space. Hosts were really welcoming and accommodating. Will definitely be going back