The best mountainous camping near Shoalhaven Heads

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In Shoalhaven Heads, camping takes you straight to the mountains. You’ll find over 30 campsites carved into ridgelines, perched above creeks, or tucked among eucalypts. Most spots welcome pets and offer toilets and showers, so you won’t sacrifice comfort for scenery. Climbers, hikers, and swimmers get plenty of ground to cover—think rugged bluffs and freshwater swimming holes. Top picks include Yadboro Flat (125 reviews), Mellows Ridge (98 reviews), and Wombat Hollow (95 reviews), each with its own take on mountain camping. Expect to pay around $80 a night, though you can snag a spot for as little as $35. Bring your sense of adventure—and a sturdy pair of boots.

98% (628)

Top-rated campgrounds

Look for the small orange arrow - it's pointing to the property which sits on a ridge line that leads right to the top of the escarpment.

1. Mellows Ridge

95%
(174)
33km from Shoalhaven Heads · 17 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Calderwood, NSW
Nestled right up against the escarpment at an elevation of 450m, this high-end, off-grid 40 acre property effectively offers your own private slice of Macquarie Pass National Park - amazing views, giant cedar trees, fern forests, cascading waterfalls and palms surround. It feels remote but it's only 90 min from Sydney, 30 min to Kiama and just 15 min to the shops. The property also offers the only hiking path up to the top of the escarpment for some truly amazing views. As of September 2025, many of the trails on the property have been degraded by the rains and are now challenging for 2WD cars. If you're towing or it's wet we recommend AWD or 4WD vehicles. Since this is coastal rainforest and it has been very wet, expect leeches anywhere it is damp. These are easily kept at bay with deet and or trousers tucked into socks. We're not particularly price sensitive - until all those rate rises - but we are extremely value sensitive so we set out to make your stay extremely good value for your hard earned money. The land itself does most of the heavy lifting but also personal service and of course there's Lana to fall in love with. Note, Mellows Rd is 2.6km long and rises 400m - in parts the road is a 15 degree grade. It's all paved but narrow so if you are towing a large heavy load, it's going to strain your car.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
AU$79
 / night
Yadboro Flat

2. Yadboro Flat

97%
(218)
71km from Shoalhaven Heads · 19 sites · Tents, RVs · Milton, NSW
This property is located in one of the most spectacular areas on the Clyde River, with fantastic river frontage. The land is uniquely located between Pigeon House, Byangee Walls, and The Castle and The Budawang Wilderness Area, so makes a fantastic basecamp for those wanting to explore this beautiful part of the Morton National Park. The property is ideal for those keen on paddling, fishing, walking, listening to the many bird species, or simply absorbing the beautiful energy of this natural retreat. Please be advised that it is approximately 45mins to an hour to the entrance of the access rd, from either Milton, the beginning of Wheelbarrow rd or Monkey Mountain rd. It is also roughly the same coming via Western Distributor from Kings Highway Once on these roads a vast part of your drive will be on dirt, and may be a little testing in wet weather, however you will discover some much natural beauty when you arrive at your destination Please also note that there is no reception in this area, the closest place for phone reception is at Pigeon House Mountain. In the event of any emergency the caretaker does have STARLINK to assist with contacting medical authorities or family.
Toilets
Campfires
from 
AU$46
 / night
Wombat Hollow

3. Wombat Hollow

99%
(139)
27km from Shoalhaven Heads · 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/
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
AU$79
 / night
Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping

4. Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping

94%
(152)
61km from Shoalhaven Heads · 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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
AU$102
 / night
The waterholes along Lyrebird Creek glint in the early morning shadows of our 1 km long valley
Our northern boundary is 2.1 kms, southern 5.6kms

5. The Sanctuary 2580

100%
(51)
78km from Shoalhaven Heads · 13 sites · Tents, RVs · Boxers Creek, NSW
🌿 Welcome to The Sanctuary 2580 – A Hidden Bush Retreat close to Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra! Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of our biodiverse, timeless land sprawling across ~500 acres. Conveniently located just 2.5 hours from Sydney, 1.3 hours from Canberra, and a short 25-minute drive from Goulburn, The Sanctuary 2580 (our postcode) is an exclusive haven for nature enthusiasts and those wanting their own cosy hidden valley experience. 🚗 Getting Here: Ten kms off the Hume down a tar and gravel rural lane, with the final ~2 kms down a bush track/firetrail the farm which is 99% of the time accessible with 2WD vehicles. NOTE: ALL the Map Apps (Garmin Apple Google etc) get the directions Wrong, but on booking we will send you access instructions. 🌳 Nature's Symphony: The firetrail that brings you to The Sanctuary descends ~2kms of the 3 km long catchment of Lyrebird Creek, where on arriving at our farm, the water slows, down dropping the sediments and nutrients carried by this fast perennial mountain creek onto the open uplands floodplain, enriching and watering a rich tapestry of native grasses and herbs in the woodlands and the poa tussock river grasslands further down. In a wet season the chorus of frogs is deafening along our 1km long main valley. Lyrebird Creek after leaving the woodlands, descends past several natural springs to our southeast corner where it joins Jerrara Creek, that flows into Bungonia Creek, and then into the Shoalhaven River. But don't expect to see Lyrebird Creek running, as it's only on the surface for few weeks per year on average in wet years, rarely in average years or standard El Niño years. It only runs on the surface for a few weeks a year in La Niña years after the catchment is saturated, as the rest of the time like many of Australia's creeks, it flows below the surface in ancient riverbed-rocked aquifers Our quiet mornings and evenings are filled with birdsong from all the small forest, woodlands and creekside birds, over 10 species of cockatoos and parrots, and the second last bird chorus at night is the resident kookaburra family sings their boundaries, and if you listen carefully you’ll hear surrounding kookaburra tribes answering. It's after the evening kookaburra boundary patrol and just on dark that you'll sometimes hear the male lyrebirds practicing their extensive repertoire. One thing that gives them away is that the birds they are mimicking area all tucked up for the night, and the different calls come from the same areas of the eastern or western ridges that hug the Lyrebird Creek catchment as they move to their overnight lairs deep in the forest. After dark, if you have young hearing, or the right microphone and frequency converter attached to your smart phone, there’s the very high-pitched ecolocation of the many insect-eating microbats, the quiet calls of the barn and boobook owls as they set out on their nightly hunts, and sometimes the territorial calls and squabbles of the brush-tailed possum tribes. The local council biodiversity officer told us earlier in 2024 to keep an eye and ear out for the calls of endangered species of glider possums, and over in the western valleys we may have the normally silent koalas. It's only male koalas in mating season who make a lot of noise for a few weeks a year. Our native fauna also comprises the quiet, shy and camouflaged swamp and red-necked wallabies, echidnas, eastern grey kangaroos, wombats and the even more shy bandicoots. Reptiles include skinks, blue tongues, water monitors, lace monitors (a species of goanna that can be well over 2m long, snakes include red-belly blacks and eastern browns, and 4+ species of frogs. While in the springs and waterways we have yabbies, freshwater mussels and whopping great leaches. Some of the bigger waterholes on Jerrara Creek may have rakali, Australia's native rodent version in the ecosystem of the freshwater otters of the Northern Hemisphere. We're hoping the platypus move back once the catchment and stream health improves. 🌋 Ancient Rocks Unveiled: Explore Hanging Rock and other ancient volcanic pumice-like rock formations, on both the eastern and western sides of the Lyrebird Creek valley standing resilient against hundreds of millions of years of geological erosion. These natural wonders we think are from the Silurian or Ordovician periods ~415-480 million years ago, add to the timelessness to the landscape. 🏞️ The Sanctuary is Spacious and Largely Untouched: As the most recent custodians of the ~500 acres, we're all about having a small footprint, regenerating and restoring the creeklines impacted by the livestock and feral animals of European invasion. We currently use or travel over ~5% of the land and have a self-imposed limit of -10% maximum in our biodiversity and catchment management plans. We are setting up remote monitoring systems to keep a check on the native fauna and flora as well as catchment and creek health, ensuring we only intervene if and when necessary. Our boundary fence-lines dwarf your average suburban block: eastern - 1km, northern - 2.1km, western - 0.8km and the southern creek boundary is 5.6kms long. Luckily the southern boundary fencing is on the other side of the creek, but we are planning how to replace the other ~4kms of boundary fencing, as much of it traverses some quite rugged terrain. ⛰️ Elevate Your Experience with Cool Nights, Scenic Heights: Experience a change in altitude, ranging from 590 to 810 meters above sea level. Enjoy cool nights even in summer, and as we catch up with the maintenance and add signage, there will be opportunities to walk our internal fire trails leading to Mount William and over to the western valleys. 🌲 Beyond The Sanctuary: The beautiful Bungonia Gorge and National Park is just 40 minutes away offering well-marked trails for every skill level, from easy strolls to challenging hikes. And for the experienced there's some caves that speleologists love and well-meaning amateurs get rescued from. Only 30 minutes away is Australia’s oldest inland city of Goulburn. It has great cafés, restaurants and takeways, and regal colonial architecture with the railway station, courthouse and the beautiful 2 cathedrals. Other interesting tourist features include The Roundhouse (for train fans), the May St Wetlands restoration project, a number of art galleries, the Conservatorium, Lieder Theatre (Australia's oldest inland theatre) and the popular Goulburn Performing Arts Centre. 🌍 Mission and Values of a Social Enterprise – doing good by doing good business Beyond our birdlife and tranquillity, we're on a social and environmental mission. Our business plans for The Sanctuary are that becomes a hub for environmental and climate change science education, an example of good science-informed Permaculture design, and updated versions of the farm, garden, and nature therapy we were doing back in the 80s. So your stay first of all pays the council and local land services rates, abd directly supports environmental management at The Sanctuary and beyond, including regenerative agriculture and agricultural biodiversity, catchment and wetlands restoration, and broadacre Permaculture design. It also helps us create a walk-the-talk operational base for our other work through Sacred Earth Works and Transforming Lives Australia, in assisting communities, forward-thinking companies, and the 4 levels of Australian government transition to a world working in harmony with the biosphere & restoring the damage to the Planet of the last ~8,000 years of civilisation. 🏡 Off-the-Grid Experience: Disconnect and unwind with a back-to-basics experience – just you, nature, and the crackling fire. We're already solar and battery where we can for our work vehicles and plan to offer charging stations for all your devices, followed by onsite EV charging in the next 3-5 years. 🐾 Furry Friends Welcome but Safety for All Comes First: Well-behaved dogs are part of the family. Bring your canine companions, but they must be on a leash or long lead — respecting both the wildlife and fellow guests. Remember, that for dogs, as well as kids and adults, the Australian bush has lots of things that will injure or kill you if you don't keep your distance and show respect. So please keep your distance from all wildlife, and don't let kids or dogs try to go down the wombat warrens. We've never had an incident, and that's the way we intend to keep it Managing the risks and safely avoiding them means keeping the worst case scenarios in mind. These risks include ~ campfires are hot, and can escape, ~ at least 3 species of poisonous snakes, ~ goannas are not an ancient 2-3m long lizard you want to tangle with, ~ wombats can kill dogs that trespass down their warrens by squashing them against the tunnel roof, ~ pick up an echidna and you'll have lots of holes in your hands ~ male platypus have fighting spurs with poison glands on their back feet ~ open forest-dwelling jack-jumping ants bite and sting at the same time ~ seriously pissed off big male kangaroos can easily disembowel a person or dog, ~ the dominant male feral deer get territorial in mating season and no one wants to become a trophy on their huge antlers, and ~ local farmers shoot stray dogs on sight, then bury them out of view. Years ago, we lost a few isolated few small farm dogs and puppies when they strayed away from us, to the huge 3m+ wingspan wedge-tailed eagles that visit to hunt roos, wallabies and rabbits Remember that The Sanctuary is home to these potentially hazardous animals, birds, reptiles and insects, but stick to the rules, keep clear, everyone goes home happy, and we keep a perfect safety record. Besides I hate incident paperwork !! 🤝 Mutual Respect and Responsibility: We welcome families of all sorts including: different cultures, colours, rainbow, neurodiverse and AS, members and veterans of the Australian Defence Force, and the self-reliant differently-abled. We believe in mutual respect for People and Planet. Our values guide us, and we want to ensure a safe, friendly and harmonious environment for all - our volunteers. farm team, contractors, guests and visitors. If you share these values, we can't wait to welcome you to The Sanctuary 2580! We ask everyone to tread lightly. Respect the land, its inhabitants, and other guests and visitors. 🌳 Your Visit Matters: Your stay contributes directly to the upkeep of The Sanctuary, environmental custodianship, ongoing conservation efforts. Together, we can work on restoration ecology, control weeds and feral animals, encourage agricultural and wild biodiversity by providing habitat for vulnerable species, protect endangered ecosystems and promote ecoagriculture. 🌈 👍 Connect with Us: Stay in the loop by liking our Facebook page - The Sanctuary 2580, Adding a presence on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Tiktok is in the business plans for 2024-25 🌱 Book Your Eco Escape: Plan your escape through HipCamp, where booking is seamless, and communication is hassle-free. But after your booking, I find email phone and text quicker. Hipcamp do a great jog handling the booking logistics, camper insurance, dispute resolution, camper and host quality control, and credit cards, allowing us to focus on what we do best—caring for the land and providing you with an unforgettable experience in nature. 🚫 Booking Details: Please note, bookings exclusively through HipCamp. NO LATE BOOKINGS, NO SHOWUPS and HOPE. When we are Booked Out, we cannot make exceptions. To avoid that book early please. Your understanding ensures a respectful and honest community of campers. Book your eco escape at The Sanctuary 2580 and experience the magic of nature! 🍃✨ #TheSanctuary2580 #EcoRetreat #NatureEscape #Goulburn #SouthernTablelands #ForestBathing #NatureTherapy
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
AU$61
 / night
Ningee Nimbell creek Nature Camp

6. Ningee Nimbell creek Nature Camp

95%
(22)
84km from Shoalhaven Heads · 1 site · Tent, RV · Tomboye, NSW
At Tomboye Nature Camp you can immerse yourself in a beautiful natural environment. With only one campsite available you will have plenty of space and privacy. You can enjoy a number or great activities on the property and in the surrounding area, including horse riding, bushwalking, wildlife watching and 4x4 driving. There is a lovely creek that flows through the property as well. We are within reach of Canberra, Braidwood, Nowra and Golburn and only 20 mins from the beautiful Shoalhaven River. Campers are required to be self sufficient with their own toilet/shower facilities and take all waste and rubbish with them on departure. Campfires are welcome but please ensure they are kept contained and are completely out before leaving unattended. Pets are welcome.
Pets
Campfires
from 
AU$44
 / night
Jamberoo Mountain Farm Camp

7. Jamberoo Mountain Farm Camp

93%
(23)
21km from Shoalhaven Heads · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Jamberoo, NSW
Our property is located in Jamberoo on an elevated working beef cattle farm with unique and beautiful views. We accept bookings with a maximum of 2 nights per stay. Our campsite is best suited to couples or families who would to explore the local area then chill out in the quiet and peaceful surrounds of our place. Take a breathe and enjoy the amazing vista. The large grassy site has stunning ocean views and is the perfect spot to relax after exploring all the great activities the surrounding area has to offer or play some outdoor sports if you bring a ball. We are a working farm and have three farm dogs, horses and cattle on the property along with plenty of wildlife. The camp site is approximately 75 metres frome the house. It is in view of he house however we do have a busy life,so you won't see us much unless you need something. We are only a short drive to Kiama and the stunning beaches of the south coast. Kiama has a great market on each month where you can check out the local offerings and enjoy a stroll along the esplanade or check out the famous Kiama blowhole and lighthouse. We are with easy reach of the Budderoo National Park which is full of stunning walks and waterfalls that are always popular. We are a short drive to the Jamberoo Action Park and Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk which are both great places to visit for kids and families. Please note our dogs can sometimes bark during the night as they are protecting the house and areas nearby. You must bring your own portable toilet. You are unable to bring your own dogs. Our site maximum is 2. Sites are opened at short notice when weather permits and not in conflict with farm activities. Weather permitting sites are generally available XMAS, NYE and Easter.
from 
AU$97
 / night
Blue Moon Camp

9. Blue Moon Camp

100%
(88)
77km from Shoalhaven Heads · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · Oallen, NSW
Blue Moon Camp is located on the Southern Tablelands, and is just 6km from the village of Nerriga and its fabulous Pub. There is some fantastic site-seeing with a trig station nearby for beautiful views of Morton National Park and Budawangs National Park. Why not go for a hike in the National Parks during your stay? This campsite suits self-sufficient campers with their own toilet/shower amenities. Here you will discover gold panning on the Shoalhaven River, alpacas on the farm, mountain bike riding along the dirt trails, and star gazing. If you're interested in wildlife watching and photography this is the place to see wedge tail eagles, gang gang cockatoos, black tailed cockatoos and lots of kangaroos and wombats. Dam with wharf and alpacas (Available for single or group booking) Back dam Site single booking.
Campfires
from 
AU$46
 / night

In Shoalhaven Heads, camping takes you straight to the mountains. You’ll find over 30 campsites carved into ridgelines, perched above creeks, or tucked among eucalypts. Most spots welcome pets and offer toilets and showers, so you won’t sacrifice comfort for scenery. Climbers, hikers, and swimmers get plenty of ground to cover—think rugged bluffs and freshwater swimming holes. Top picks include Yadboro Flat (125 reviews), Mellows Ridge (98 reviews), and Wombat Hollow (95 reviews), each with its own take on mountain camping. Expect to pay around $80 a night, though you can snag a spot for as little as $35. Bring your sense of adventure—and a sturdy pair of boots.

98% (628)

Top-rated campgrounds

Look for the small orange arrow - it's pointing to the property which sits on a ridge line that leads right to the top of the escarpment.

1. Mellows Ridge

95%
(174)
33km from Shoalhaven Heads · 17 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Calderwood, NSW
Nestled right up against the escarpment at an elevation of 450m, this high-end, off-grid 40 acre property effectively offers your own private slice of Macquarie Pass National Park - amazing views, giant cedar trees, fern forests, cascading waterfalls and palms surround. It feels remote but it's only 90 min from Sydney, 30 min to Kiama and just 15 min to the shops. The property also offers the only hiking path up to the top of the escarpment for some truly amazing views. As of September 2025, many of the trails on the property have been degraded by the rains and are now challenging for 2WD cars. If you're towing or it's wet we recommend AWD or 4WD vehicles. Since this is coastal rainforest and it has been very wet, expect leeches anywhere it is damp. These are easily kept at bay with deet and or trousers tucked into socks. We're not particularly price sensitive - until all those rate rises - but we are extremely value sensitive so we set out to make your stay extremely good value for your hard earned money. The land itself does most of the heavy lifting but also personal service and of course there's Lana to fall in love with. Note, Mellows Rd is 2.6km long and rises 400m - in parts the road is a 15 degree grade. It's all paved but narrow so if you are towing a large heavy load, it's going to strain your car.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
AU$79
 / night
Yadboro Flat

2. Yadboro Flat

97%
(218)
71km from Shoalhaven Heads · 19 sites · Tents, RVs · Milton, NSW
This property is located in one of the most spectacular areas on the Clyde River, with fantastic river frontage. The land is uniquely located between Pigeon House, Byangee Walls, and The Castle and The Budawang Wilderness Area, so makes a fantastic basecamp for those wanting to explore this beautiful part of the Morton National Park. The property is ideal for those keen on paddling, fishing, walking, listening to the many bird species, or simply absorbing the beautiful energy of this natural retreat. Please be advised that it is approximately 45mins to an hour to the entrance of the access rd, from either Milton, the beginning of Wheelbarrow rd or Monkey Mountain rd. It is also roughly the same coming via Western Distributor from Kings Highway Once on these roads a vast part of your drive will be on dirt, and may be a little testing in wet weather, however you will discover some much natural beauty when you arrive at your destination Please also note that there is no reception in this area, the closest place for phone reception is at Pigeon House Mountain. In the event of any emergency the caretaker does have STARLINK to assist with contacting medical authorities or family.
Toilets
Campfires
from 
AU$46
 / night
Wombat Hollow

3. Wombat Hollow

99%
(139)
27km from Shoalhaven Heads · 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/
Pets
Potable water
Campfires
from 
AU$79
 / night
Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping

4. Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping

94%
(152)
61km from Shoalhaven Heads · 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.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
AU$102
 / night
The waterholes along Lyrebird Creek glint in the early morning shadows of our 1 km long valley
Our northern boundary is 2.1 kms, southern 5.6kms

5. The Sanctuary 2580

100%
(51)
78km from Shoalhaven Heads · 13 sites · Tents, RVs · Boxers Creek, NSW
🌿 Welcome to The Sanctuary 2580 – A Hidden Bush Retreat close to Sydney, Wollongong and Canberra! Escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse yourself in the rugged beauty of our biodiverse, timeless land sprawling across ~500 acres. Conveniently located just 2.5 hours from Sydney, 1.3 hours from Canberra, and a short 25-minute drive from Goulburn, The Sanctuary 2580 (our postcode) is an exclusive haven for nature enthusiasts and those wanting their own cosy hidden valley experience. 🚗 Getting Here: Ten kms off the Hume down a tar and gravel rural lane, with the final ~2 kms down a bush track/firetrail the farm which is 99% of the time accessible with 2WD vehicles. NOTE: ALL the Map Apps (Garmin Apple Google etc) get the directions Wrong, but on booking we will send you access instructions. 🌳 Nature's Symphony: The firetrail that brings you to The Sanctuary descends ~2kms of the 3 km long catchment of Lyrebird Creek, where on arriving at our farm, the water slows, down dropping the sediments and nutrients carried by this fast perennial mountain creek onto the open uplands floodplain, enriching and watering a rich tapestry of native grasses and herbs in the woodlands and the poa tussock river grasslands further down. In a wet season the chorus of frogs is deafening along our 1km long main valley. Lyrebird Creek after leaving the woodlands, descends past several natural springs to our southeast corner where it joins Jerrara Creek, that flows into Bungonia Creek, and then into the Shoalhaven River. But don't expect to see Lyrebird Creek running, as it's only on the surface for few weeks per year on average in wet years, rarely in average years or standard El Niño years. It only runs on the surface for a few weeks a year in La Niña years after the catchment is saturated, as the rest of the time like many of Australia's creeks, it flows below the surface in ancient riverbed-rocked aquifers Our quiet mornings and evenings are filled with birdsong from all the small forest, woodlands and creekside birds, over 10 species of cockatoos and parrots, and the second last bird chorus at night is the resident kookaburra family sings their boundaries, and if you listen carefully you’ll hear surrounding kookaburra tribes answering. It's after the evening kookaburra boundary patrol and just on dark that you'll sometimes hear the male lyrebirds practicing their extensive repertoire. One thing that gives them away is that the birds they are mimicking area all tucked up for the night, and the different calls come from the same areas of the eastern or western ridges that hug the Lyrebird Creek catchment as they move to their overnight lairs deep in the forest. After dark, if you have young hearing, or the right microphone and frequency converter attached to your smart phone, there’s the very high-pitched ecolocation of the many insect-eating microbats, the quiet calls of the barn and boobook owls as they set out on their nightly hunts, and sometimes the territorial calls and squabbles of the brush-tailed possum tribes. The local council biodiversity officer told us earlier in 2024 to keep an eye and ear out for the calls of endangered species of glider possums, and over in the western valleys we may have the normally silent koalas. It's only male koalas in mating season who make a lot of noise for a few weeks a year. Our native fauna also comprises the quiet, shy and camouflaged swamp and red-necked wallabies, echidnas, eastern grey kangaroos, wombats and the even more shy bandicoots. Reptiles include skinks, blue tongues, water monitors, lace monitors (a species of goanna that can be well over 2m long, snakes include red-belly blacks and eastern browns, and 4+ species of frogs. While in the springs and waterways we have yabbies, freshwater mussels and whopping great leaches. Some of the bigger waterholes on Jerrara Creek may have rakali, Australia's native rodent version in the ecosystem of the freshwater otters of the Northern Hemisphere. We're hoping the platypus move back once the catchment and stream health improves. 🌋 Ancient Rocks Unveiled: Explore Hanging Rock and other ancient volcanic pumice-like rock formations, on both the eastern and western sides of the Lyrebird Creek valley standing resilient against hundreds of millions of years of geological erosion. These natural wonders we think are from the Silurian or Ordovician periods ~415-480 million years ago, add to the timelessness to the landscape. 🏞️ The Sanctuary is Spacious and Largely Untouched: As the most recent custodians of the ~500 acres, we're all about having a small footprint, regenerating and restoring the creeklines impacted by the livestock and feral animals of European invasion. We currently use or travel over ~5% of the land and have a self-imposed limit of -10% maximum in our biodiversity and catchment management plans. We are setting up remote monitoring systems to keep a check on the native fauna and flora as well as catchment and creek health, ensuring we only intervene if and when necessary. Our boundary fence-lines dwarf your average suburban block: eastern - 1km, northern - 2.1km, western - 0.8km and the southern creek boundary is 5.6kms long. Luckily the southern boundary fencing is on the other side of the creek, but we are planning how to replace the other ~4kms of boundary fencing, as much of it traverses some quite rugged terrain. ⛰️ Elevate Your Experience with Cool Nights, Scenic Heights: Experience a change in altitude, ranging from 590 to 810 meters above sea level. Enjoy cool nights even in summer, and as we catch up with the maintenance and add signage, there will be opportunities to walk our internal fire trails leading to Mount William and over to the western valleys. 🌲 Beyond The Sanctuary: The beautiful Bungonia Gorge and National Park is just 40 minutes away offering well-marked trails for every skill level, from easy strolls to challenging hikes. And for the experienced there's some caves that speleologists love and well-meaning amateurs get rescued from. Only 30 minutes away is Australia’s oldest inland city of Goulburn. It has great cafés, restaurants and takeways, and regal colonial architecture with the railway station, courthouse and the beautiful 2 cathedrals. Other interesting tourist features include The Roundhouse (for train fans), the May St Wetlands restoration project, a number of art galleries, the Conservatorium, Lieder Theatre (Australia's oldest inland theatre) and the popular Goulburn Performing Arts Centre. 🌍 Mission and Values of a Social Enterprise – doing good by doing good business Beyond our birdlife and tranquillity, we're on a social and environmental mission. Our business plans for The Sanctuary are that becomes a hub for environmental and climate change science education, an example of good science-informed Permaculture design, and updated versions of the farm, garden, and nature therapy we were doing back in the 80s. So your stay first of all pays the council and local land services rates, abd directly supports environmental management at The Sanctuary and beyond, including regenerative agriculture and agricultural biodiversity, catchment and wetlands restoration, and broadacre Permaculture design. It also helps us create a walk-the-talk operational base for our other work through Sacred Earth Works and Transforming Lives Australia, in assisting communities, forward-thinking companies, and the 4 levels of Australian government transition to a world working in harmony with the biosphere & restoring the damage to the Planet of the last ~8,000 years of civilisation. 🏡 Off-the-Grid Experience: Disconnect and unwind with a back-to-basics experience – just you, nature, and the crackling fire. We're already solar and battery where we can for our work vehicles and plan to offer charging stations for all your devices, followed by onsite EV charging in the next 3-5 years. 🐾 Furry Friends Welcome but Safety for All Comes First: Well-behaved dogs are part of the family. Bring your canine companions, but they must be on a leash or long lead — respecting both the wildlife and fellow guests. Remember, that for dogs, as well as kids and adults, the Australian bush has lots of things that will injure or kill you if you don't keep your distance and show respect. So please keep your distance from all wildlife, and don't let kids or dogs try to go down the wombat warrens. We've never had an incident, and that's the way we intend to keep it Managing the risks and safely avoiding them means keeping the worst case scenarios in mind. These risks include ~ campfires are hot, and can escape, ~ at least 3 species of poisonous snakes, ~ goannas are not an ancient 2-3m long lizard you want to tangle with, ~ wombats can kill dogs that trespass down their warrens by squashing them against the tunnel roof, ~ pick up an echidna and you'll have lots of holes in your hands ~ male platypus have fighting spurs with poison glands on their back feet ~ open forest-dwelling jack-jumping ants bite and sting at the same time ~ seriously pissed off big male kangaroos can easily disembowel a person or dog, ~ the dominant male feral deer get territorial in mating season and no one wants to become a trophy on their huge antlers, and ~ local farmers shoot stray dogs on sight, then bury them out of view. Years ago, we lost a few isolated few small farm dogs and puppies when they strayed away from us, to the huge 3m+ wingspan wedge-tailed eagles that visit to hunt roos, wallabies and rabbits Remember that The Sanctuary is home to these potentially hazardous animals, birds, reptiles and insects, but stick to the rules, keep clear, everyone goes home happy, and we keep a perfect safety record. Besides I hate incident paperwork !! 🤝 Mutual Respect and Responsibility: We welcome families of all sorts including: different cultures, colours, rainbow, neurodiverse and AS, members and veterans of the Australian Defence Force, and the self-reliant differently-abled. We believe in mutual respect for People and Planet. Our values guide us, and we want to ensure a safe, friendly and harmonious environment for all - our volunteers. farm team, contractors, guests and visitors. If you share these values, we can't wait to welcome you to The Sanctuary 2580! We ask everyone to tread lightly. Respect the land, its inhabitants, and other guests and visitors. 🌳 Your Visit Matters: Your stay contributes directly to the upkeep of The Sanctuary, environmental custodianship, ongoing conservation efforts. Together, we can work on restoration ecology, control weeds and feral animals, encourage agricultural and wild biodiversity by providing habitat for vulnerable species, protect endangered ecosystems and promote ecoagriculture. 🌈 👍 Connect with Us: Stay in the loop by liking our Facebook page - The Sanctuary 2580, Adding a presence on Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and Tiktok is in the business plans for 2024-25 🌱 Book Your Eco Escape: Plan your escape through HipCamp, where booking is seamless, and communication is hassle-free. But after your booking, I find email phone and text quicker. Hipcamp do a great jog handling the booking logistics, camper insurance, dispute resolution, camper and host quality control, and credit cards, allowing us to focus on what we do best—caring for the land and providing you with an unforgettable experience in nature. 🚫 Booking Details: Please note, bookings exclusively through HipCamp. NO LATE BOOKINGS, NO SHOWUPS and HOPE. When we are Booked Out, we cannot make exceptions. To avoid that book early please. Your understanding ensures a respectful and honest community of campers. Book your eco escape at The Sanctuary 2580 and experience the magic of nature! 🍃✨ #TheSanctuary2580 #EcoRetreat #NatureEscape #Goulburn #SouthernTablelands #ForestBathing #NatureTherapy
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
AU$61
 / night
Ningee Nimbell creek Nature Camp

6. Ningee Nimbell creek Nature Camp

95%
(22)
84km from Shoalhaven Heads · 1 site · Tent, RV · Tomboye, NSW
At Tomboye Nature Camp you can immerse yourself in a beautiful natural environment. With only one campsite available you will have plenty of space and privacy. You can enjoy a number or great activities on the property and in the surrounding area, including horse riding, bushwalking, wildlife watching and 4x4 driving. There is a lovely creek that flows through the property as well. We are within reach of Canberra, Braidwood, Nowra and Golburn and only 20 mins from the beautiful Shoalhaven River. Campers are required to be self sufficient with their own toilet/shower facilities and take all waste and rubbish with them on departure. Campfires are welcome but please ensure they are kept contained and are completely out before leaving unattended. Pets are welcome.
Pets
Campfires
from 
AU$44
 / night
Jamberoo Mountain Farm Camp

7. Jamberoo Mountain Farm Camp

93%
(23)
21km from Shoalhaven Heads · 2 sites · Tents, RVs · Jamberoo, NSW
Our property is located in Jamberoo on an elevated working beef cattle farm with unique and beautiful views. We accept bookings with a maximum of 2 nights per stay. Our campsite is best suited to couples or families who would to explore the local area then chill out in the quiet and peaceful surrounds of our place. Take a breathe and enjoy the amazing vista. The large grassy site has stunning ocean views and is the perfect spot to relax after exploring all the great activities the surrounding area has to offer or play some outdoor sports if you bring a ball. We are a working farm and have three farm dogs, horses and cattle on the property along with plenty of wildlife. The camp site is approximately 75 metres frome the house. It is in view of he house however we do have a busy life,so you won't see us much unless you need something. We are only a short drive to Kiama and the stunning beaches of the south coast. Kiama has a great market on each month where you can check out the local offerings and enjoy a stroll along the esplanade or check out the famous Kiama blowhole and lighthouse. We are with easy reach of the Budderoo National Park which is full of stunning walks and waterfalls that are always popular. We are a short drive to the Jamberoo Action Park and Illawarra Fly Treetop Walk which are both great places to visit for kids and families. Please note our dogs can sometimes bark during the night as they are protecting the house and areas nearby. You must bring your own portable toilet. You are unable to bring your own dogs. Our site maximum is 2. Sites are opened at short notice when weather permits and not in conflict with farm activities. Weather permitting sites are generally available XMAS, NYE and Easter.
from 
AU$97
 / night
Blue Moon Camp

9. Blue Moon Camp

100%
(88)
77km from Shoalhaven Heads · 6 sites · Tents, RVs · Oallen, NSW
Blue Moon Camp is located on the Southern Tablelands, and is just 6km from the village of Nerriga and its fabulous Pub. There is some fantastic site-seeing with a trig station nearby for beautiful views of Morton National Park and Budawangs National Park. Why not go for a hike in the National Parks during your stay? This campsite suits self-sufficient campers with their own toilet/shower amenities. Here you will discover gold panning on the Shoalhaven River, alpacas on the farm, mountain bike riding along the dirt trails, and star gazing. If you're interested in wildlife watching and photography this is the place to see wedge tail eagles, gang gang cockatoos, black tailed cockatoos and lots of kangaroos and wombats. Dam with wharf and alpacas (Available for single or group booking) Back dam Site single booking.
Campfires
from 
AU$46
 / night

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field