The best dog-friendly cabin rentals near Patonga, New South Wales

Patonga is a peaceful beachside town on the southern end of New South Wales’ Central Coast, separated from northern Sydney by the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. Many visitors come on day trips from Palm Beach, as a ferry connects the nearby towns of Ettalong and Wagstaffe with Sydney’s Northern Beaches. It’s easy to stay for longer, though, as there’s a large, well-equipped campground in Patonga itself, and further options in nearby towns and national parks. It’s worth lingering to enjoy the swimming, kayaking, SUP boarding, and chilled-out beach vibes.

91% (1.7K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Ingenia Holidays Nepean River

100%

(1)

59km from Patonga · 42 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Sydney, NSW

The Blue Mountains might be famous for clean, mountain air, but in its foothills, it’s also famous for fun, when you check into Ingenia Holidays Nepean River. Backing onto the Nepean River, the park has accommodation options to suit every format of traveller with both families, couples and sporting enthusiasts making tracks to its Emu Plains location. With a menu of cabins that range from 2 to 12 guests and cottages, camping and caravan sites in between, there’s plenty of space to settle into holiday-mode at Ingenia Holidays Nepean River. Sure you could cook in your cabin or the camp kitchen and BBQ facilities onsite, but most choose to explore the Nepean River setting and wander to O’Donoghues Irish Pub, Nutrition Station or the Nepean Rowing Club, all nearby, for a bite to eat. When you’re not exploring the onsite swimming pool or playground, outdoor-lovers should take note – you’re staying dangerously close to Cables Wake Park Penrith for a fun-filled family day out. For something at slower speed, the Nepean River calls for fishing with the chance of reeling in your catch for dinner tonight.

Patonga is a peaceful beachside town on the southern end of New South Wales’ Central Coast, separated from northern Sydney by the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. Many visitors come on day trips from Palm Beach, as a ferry connects the nearby towns of Ettalong and Wagstaffe with Sydney’s Northern Beaches. It’s easy to stay for longer, though, as there’s a large, well-equipped campground in Patonga itself, and further options in nearby towns and national parks. It’s worth lingering to enjoy the swimming, kayaking, SUP boarding, and chilled-out beach vibes.

91% (1.7K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Ingenia Holidays Nepean River

100%

(1)

59km from Patonga · 42 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Sydney, NSW

The Blue Mountains might be famous for clean, mountain air, but in its foothills, it’s also famous for fun, when you check into Ingenia Holidays Nepean River. Backing onto the Nepean River, the park has accommodation options to suit every format of traveller with both families, couples and sporting enthusiasts making tracks to its Emu Plains location. With a menu of cabins that range from 2 to 12 guests and cottages, camping and caravan sites in between, there’s plenty of space to settle into holiday-mode at Ingenia Holidays Nepean River. Sure you could cook in your cabin or the camp kitchen and BBQ facilities onsite, but most choose to explore the Nepean River setting and wander to O’Donoghues Irish Pub, Nutrition Station or the Nepean Rowing Club, all nearby, for a bite to eat. When you’re not exploring the onsite swimming pool or playground, outdoor-lovers should take note – you’re staying dangerously close to Cables Wake Park Penrith for a fun-filled family day out. For something at slower speed, the Nepean River calls for fishing with the chance of reeling in your catch for dinner tonight.

Star Hosts in Patonga

The best dog-friendly cabins near Patonga guide

Where to go

Sydney’s Northern Beaches

Patonga is only separated from Sydney’s Northern Beaches and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park by the Hawkesbury River. Campers can drive the longer way around or take the passenger ferry from Ettalong or Wagstaffe to Palm Beach. Palm Beach, Whale Beach, and Avalon Beach offer well-equipped campgrounds suitable for all types of campers, while Ku-ring-gai Chase has one campground, the Basin Campground, which can be reached by ferry.

Brisbane Water National Park

Just north of Patonga, the Brisbane Water National Park offers walks, cycling, and fishing, and has some ancient Aboriginal rock art sites. There’s a small, basic bush tent site within the park, as well as a picnic area, or visitors can stay in Patonga or nearby coastal campsites at Umina or Gosford and make day trips into the park. The roads into the park are sealed so two-wheel-drive vehicles have access.

Bouddi National Park

On another peninsula and across Brisbane Water from Patonga but connected by a bridge, the small Bouddi National Park has a golden-sand beach, a popular coastal walk, and fantastic lookout points. There are three beachside campgrounds within the park, which should be booked in advance, and they’re only suitable for tents. Some of the campsites provide drinking water but not all, so come prepared.

When to go

To best enjoy the beautiful beaches around Patonga, visit in summer, when the weather is hot and conditions perfect for going between the sand and the sea. The summer school holiday period will be especially busy at campsites, though. For other outdoor activities such as hiking and biking, spring and autumn are preferable, with cooler temperatures. Winter is the off-season and the weather can be cool and wet but not very cold, so staying in campervans, caravans, and cabins is more comfortable.