The best campgrounds in Shoalhaven with climbing

If you’re heading to Shoalhaven for climbing, you’ve got 19 campsites geared for it, each with its own twist on rugged terrain and riverside bush. Expect crags just a short walk from your tent and a laid-back vibe that’s hard to find anywhere else. Sites like Wombat Hollow (95 reviews), Kookaburra (78 reviews), and Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping (70 reviews) are favourites, each with reliable hot showers and proper toilets—not just long drops in the bush. Bring your dog, pack your fishing rod, and lace up your boots—fishing and hiking go hand in hand with the climbing here. Prices start at $25 a night, with an average around $70. You’ll find most spots are pet-friendly and have the basics sorted, so you can focus on the next route, not the facilities.

97% (402)

Top-rated campgrounds near Shoalhaven

If you’re heading to Shoalhaven for climbing, you’ve got 19 campsites geared for it, each with its own twist on rugged terrain and riverside bush. Expect crags just a short walk from your tent and a laid-back vibe that’s hard to find anywhere else. Sites like Wombat Hollow (95 reviews), Kookaburra (78 reviews), and Joadja Gorge Retreat & Camping (70 reviews) are favourites, each with reliable hot showers and proper toilets—not just long drops in the bush. Bring your dog, pack your fishing rod, and lace up your boots—fishing and hiking go hand in hand with the climbing here. Prices start at $25 a night, with an average around $70. You’ll find most spots are pet-friendly and have the basics sorted, so you can focus on the next route, not the facilities.

97% (402)

Top-rated campgrounds near Shoalhaven

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. Kookaburra

95%

(159)

5 sites · Tents, RVs · Jerrawangala, NSW

Kookaburra is a 20-acre farm located between Ulladulla and Nowra on the NSW South Coast, just under a three-hour drive from Sydney and Canberra. It offers a peaceful and authentic bush experience, ideal for a weekend getaway or an overnight stop, especially for those travelling through the Jervis Bay area. Please note: We are a peaceful, family-friendly site and do not accept group bookings under any circumstances. Each site allows one family/vehicle and one trailer/caravan per booking only. No additional vehicles, caravans, or trailers are permitted. If you're unsure whether your setup complies, please contact Christine before booking. You can camp in an open paddock or relax under the shade of tree canopies. A short bushwalk will take you to a quiet creek, and the area is home to local wildlife, including kookaburras, wallabies, and secretive wombats. The farm also has a variety of animals, including cows, chickens, Elmo the horse and Warren the Sheep, who may greet you when you arrive. At Kookaburra, we ensure that guests have plenty of space and privacy, although you may occasionally see other visitors in the area. We operate on a self-sufficient basis, so please take all your rubbish with you and respect the natural environment and the next visitors. Fires are allowed (subject to fire danger conditions), and you're welcome to gather your firewood. 🔥 Firewood for sale at the gate – $20! 🪵🚪. 🥚 Fresh free-range eggs – $6 a dozen 🐔, Text us and we'll drop some down to your site 🚗 Pets are welcome but must be supervised around the farm animals and wildlife. Please note that phone reception is limited, so come prepared. While a 2WD vehicle is usually acceptable, adverse weather conditions may require a 4WD. Be mindful of wombat holes, tree stumps, and snakes when exploring the property. Whether you're stopping by for a short stay or looking for a quiet retreat, Kookaburra offers a unique and relaxing bush escape. We look forward to welcoming you.

3. 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/

4. Stary Ponds

92%

(31)

8 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Gundary, NSW

A peaceful space with lots of trees and waterways as well as an abundance of wildlife such as deer, kangaroo, black cockatoos, butterflies and so many gorgeous birds. The landscape is varied, with lots of options to explore. From hiking the mountainous steep terrains, to meandering through the many ponds and waterways, or discovering the cleared trails ready for a beautiful bush walk or ride through nature. The peace at night and the stars are unlike anything I've seen, absolutely breathtaking, and only 15 minutes from all the modern amenities you may need. We offer several camping sites, a cabin and a large teepee.

5. Buenpaso - good step

100%

(12)

3 sites · RVs · Boxers Creek, NSW

Private, quiet and secluded; Perry Lane is a no-through road used by only two other neighbours. "Buenpaso" is 118 acres of woodland and meadow. Stroll around and see Kangaroos, Wombats, Deer and a variety of native parrots. 29 klms away (25 mins) from the Bungonia National Park, 20 mins to Goulburn.

6. 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.

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!

d

dean

3 weeks ago

Tent

Weekend Trip to Kookaburra

Loved camping here! Was only here for 1 night but will be back for a longer stay. super peaceful and open camp spot with plenty of friendly animals around. had a great time would recommend :)

T

Tas

3 weeks ago

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Kookaburra

We loved camping at the Bushman’s Clock at Kookaburra. The creek is gorgeous, and farm animals are friendly (not much of a wildlife though - see it as a pro or con hehe). The toilet was clean. It was easy to find. Everything went very well. Loved the fire pit and the fact that you can buy firewood on the farm!

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.

k

kurtis

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Kookaburra

Beautiful property and very easy stay.

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.

A

Angus

November 2025

Tent

With pets

Weekend Trip to Kookaburra

Awesome campground at RIOT make sure when arriving keep going down the track till you see the kookaburra sign then you are there.

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

K

Kate

November 2025

4 m pop-up camper

With pets

Weekend Trip to Kookaburra

It was nice camp. Same field as the cows & by morning they were at our camp justing eating the grass. Cute baby cow.

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.

V

Valdemar

November 2025

Tent

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Kookaburra

Nice peaceful spot, easy to access, and cozy with animals

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.

c

camila sthefani de camargo

November 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Kookaburra

I loved staying at Good Luck Spot. The cows, calves and horse welcomed us, and the peacefulness of the star-filled sky and the sound of kookaburras laughing made me look forward to coming back

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!