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Common Grounds

Hosted by Mer · Pillar Valley, New South Wales
6 sites · RV, Tent · 110 acres
99%
·
145 reviews
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Family-friendly
Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.
Mer & Ben is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Private sites
97% of recent Hipcampers say the sites felt private.
Welcome to Common Grounds, where nature feels like home. (previously 'Oceans Reach') Our conservation property is a registered Land for Wildlife sanctuary, and we’ve created a space where native animals and humans alike can feel safe, welcome, and at home. Whether you’re stopping overnight just off the highway or planning a longer escape, Common Grounds is an easy and grounded place to rest, reconnect, and explore. We’re centrally located to some of the best the Clarence Valley has to offer with uncrowded surf beaches, national parks, rivers, and historic towns, all within a short drive. Or a perfect spot over spot between Coffs Harbour and Byron Bay, just off the motorway. Nearby to explore: 🦘 Glenugie State Forest: Right next door! Great for hiking, mountain biking, 4WD trails, wildlife spotting, and peaceful bush walks. 🌊 Brooms Head: A stunning coastal village with tidal pools, a quiet beach, and scenic headland walks 🏖️ Yuraygir National Park: Sprawling coastal park with epic hikes, secluded beaches, and vibrant wildlife 🌿 Wooli & Minnie Water: Pristine beaches, estuary kayaking, snorkelling, and quiet village charm 🏞️ Clarence River towns: Explore Ulmarra, Maclean, or Grafton for riverfront cafes, historic pubs, and local arts. 🐦 Birdwatcher’s paradise: The whole area is alive with native birds and seasonal visitors (black cockatoos, friendly king parrots, kookaburras, and more). Bring binoculars! Wander our own native bushland, rich with flora and fauna, or just sit back and watch the wildlife come to you. We live on-site and are slowly restoring this special land, including the old Grafton Racecourse Beer Pavilion. The composting toilets and clever camp showers were thoughtfully built using recycled materials and offered for campers to use. At night, light a fire, enjoy a cold drink, and take in the stars. We’re easy-going and happy to give you your space. Camp fires must be contained Sept-April. Large fire pits provided and firewood for sale on site. The sites are listed for vehicles under 9m, but if your setup is larger, feel free to contact me and we can usually work something out ☺️ We’d love to welcome you to Common Grounds - a place to land, to breathe, and to feel a little more connected.

Select a site

Vehicle/tent sites (undesignated)

5 sites
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Easy Camp - Grass Sites Unpowered

99%
(125)
RV/tent site · Sleeps 6 · Vehicles under 9 m
An easy and peaceful space to stay with a toilet just off the FWY. Pitch a tent, park a car, or drive in with your RV anytime as no notice is required.  Choose from a few spots to pull up - in the sun, in the bush nook, or on the camp pad - all are close to the communal bathroom and loos.. It's a fairly big lawn, but please note there may be others camping nearby. Enjoy a winter fire but no fires permitted between September and April, sorry.
Campfires allowed
Toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No electrical hookup
No water hookup
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Bush Camp - Private (4WD)

98%
(27)
RV/tent site · Sleeps 6 · Vehicles under 7 m
Choose from 2 private bush camps surrounded by dry Sclerophyll forest and plenty of birds! One is closer to the communal bathroom about 100m, the other is a bit more private and about 300m from the bathroom - sites are not pre allocated. These sites are easy access for 4WD's with no rough terrain (just a bit slippery when wet) and both sites have big flat camp spots. Access to John's John - the communal bathroom, is over rough ground and not suitable for elderly or disabled. There is a composting toilet and fun manual hot shower and a power point. Enjoy a winter fire but no fires permitted between September-April, sorry. Fire pits provided and firewood sold for $5/bucket at the Camp Shed.
4WD recommended
Campfires allowed
Toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
No electrical hookup
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Group Camping on Land for Wildlife

88%
(4)
RV/tent site · Sleeps 10 · Vehicles under 9 m
Group grass site camp for multiple parties. Once you have booked, please send us a message to confirm size of party and number of vehicles.
Campfires allowed
Toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
Electrical hookup
No water hookup

RV sites

1 site
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Easy Park - Spacious Powered Site

100%
(22)
RV site · Sleeps 6 · Vehicles under 10 m
Pull up, set up and relax on our spacious lush lawn next to mains power. Its a perfect place for a quick stop over on the way up or down the coast or stay longer to explore the area. The large lawn area may be shared with others and is between our historic old buildings and some lovely bushland. There is a communal composting loo nearby and a camp bathroom about 200m away with hot shower and another loo. Enjoy a winter fire but no fires permitted between September & April, sorry.
Campfires allowed
Toilet
No potable water
Pets allowed
Electrical hookup
No water hookup

Reviews

99% Recommend181 Ratings · 145 reviews
This campsite offers a serene escape into nature, with plenty of space and privacy nestled in the bush. Guests repeatedly mention the friendly and accommodating hosts, Mer and Ben, who enhance the camping experience with their welcoming demeanor. The site is praised for its unique amenities, including an inventive shower setup and a well-kept eco-toilet, which add to the charm. While most feedback is overwhelmingly positive, one review noted concerns about crowding and maintenance of the toilet area.
Summary AI-generated from real reviews
Recommends
· July 2026
7 m pop-up camper ·
Easy Park - Spacious Powered Site
Responsive host, amenities as described, great check in instructions and accommodated our late arrival
Recommends
· June 2026
7 m Class A · With pets ·
Easy Park - Spacious Powered Site
Great peaceful spot. Big open area to pull into next to power pole right in by a fire pit. Lovely to meet the owners and firewood for sale for use was super handy! Would stay again :-) Sam & Tim
Recommends
· May 2026
Top spot!
7 m Class A · With kids ·
Group Camping on Land for Wildlife
Picturesque camp grounds. Very enjoyable stay, great walking tracks and loads of space. Great private campsites nestled in a bush backdrop, and large grass areas for groups. Easy trip off the highway to reach these grounds, only a short drive to some of the most amazing coastline in Nth NSW. Loads of natural wonders to be spotted around the property; Australian parrots & eagles, sugar gliders, unique insects and native flora. Well worth a look.
Recommends
· April 2026
Camping
Tent · Group trip ·
Easy Camp - Grass Sites Unpowered
The campsite was lovely! Hosts were such nice people. Would definitely recommend!!
Recommends
· April 2026
Tent ·
Bush Camp - Private (4WD)
Great camping spot, hidden away in the bush, so quiet and amazing view of the stars at night Mer and Ben were super friendly and welcoming. Will return again
Recommends
· April 2026
An absolute gem
7 m Class A ·
Easy Park - Spacious Powered Site
Wow! Despite being very new to this, I class this as an absolute gem of a find and location. Mer is a wonderful host, friendly, knowledgeable of area and just great! The area is just stunningly beautiful, wonderfully kept, and perfect. I can’t really recommend this high enough! 10/10, A+, 5 stars, all of them.
Recommends
· April 2026
Tent · Group trip ·
Group Camping on Land for Wildlife
Love this camping grounds. A lot of love around, easy and quiet.
Recommends
· April 2026
Great place and great people!
4 m pop-up camper · With pets ·
Bush Camp - Private (4WD)
What a lovely experience here! Hosts were so friendly and accommodating. The campsite we had was brilliant - private, very large and surrounded by bush. Extra points for having the most fun shower I’ve used! Highly recommend.
Recommends
· February 2026
Tent ·
Bush Camp - Private (4WD)
Great little spot for an over night stop over or longer stays private sites easy access got through with a boat into both bush camps.camp ammenities where great and easy to use would highly recommend
Recommends
· January 2026
Tent ·
Easy Camp - Grass Sites Unpowered
Enjoyed a peaceful escape at Common Grounds. Lots of space & shady spots & always great to sit by a fire. Toilet set up was great & the shower set up fantastic & so inventative. Well done for all the water supplied for birds & wildlife. Thank you so much Mer for helping us with our fast battery. Love to re visit Therese and Dave
Recommends
· January 2026
Beautiful and quiet
6 m Class B ·
Easy Park - Spacious Powered Site
Thank you for a beautiful peaceful night on your land among the gum trees! It was easy to find not far from the M1. Loved the bush shower and the chooks.
Recommends
· January 2026
4 m travel trailer · With pets ·
Bush Camp - Private (4WD)
Easy to get to from main highway, great for overnight
Recommends
· January 2026
Tent ·
Bush Camp - Private (4WD)
Beautiful property tucked away in nature with the funnest shower I’ve ever used. We stayed at Bush Camp 2 and were surrounded by lovely native bush, would highly reccommend.
Recommends
· January 2026
Tent · With pets ·
Easy Camp - Grass Sites Unpowered
Great little spot just off the highway, very welcoming hosts and very nice place to stay
Recommends
· January 2026
Tent ·
Easy Camp - Grass Sites Unpowered
Awesome grounds, Owners are super nice and welcoming! Great to see profits from firewood purchases go towards animal foundations etc etc , definitely recommend a visit
Recommends
· January 2026
8 m Class A · Group trip ·
Easy Park - Spacious Powered Site
The spot at Mer & Ben’s place was as lovely, peaceful and welcoming as the hosts themselves. We were self-contained in our camper but the outhouse and power hook up on the property was a great plus. We were there Dec 23/24 and were welcomed into a festive ambiance at the dinner hour.
Recommends
· January 2026
Tent · With kids ·
Easy Camp - Grass Sites Unpowered
Peaceful location. Well maintained and hosts were very welcoming. Beautiful spot to stop on our way back north.
Recommends
· January 2026
Tent ·
Bush Camp - Private (4WD)
This is our second time here, it’s honestly amazing! So much wildlife, the camping area is easily accessible and nice and flat, fire pits and wood onsite. A toilet and shower onsite. Only 15/20mins from the beach. So great!
Recommends
· January 2026
5 m car · With pets ·
Bush Camp - Private (4WD)
Loved the area and the untouched bush. Great fire possibility. Cool common area and facilities. Loved the private spot we got.
Recommends
· January 2026
7 m Class A · With kids ·
Easy Park - Spacious Powered Site
Fantastic, everything was perfect. thank you so much Mel!
Recommends
· January 2026
7 m Class A ·
Easy Park - Spacious Powered Site
Big and spacious land perfect for a quick stop during the journey. Host was very nice and gave us all the necessary info about the property. Eco toilets and shower are available at this location.
Recommends
· January 2026
Nice stay and beautiful sky view!
Tent ·
Easy Camp - Grass Sites Unpowered
We had a great stay at the place, Meredith welcome us and was very friendly. If you’re looking for a hippie vibe you definitely will find it there. Toilet and shower is a different experience there, which brings even more something cool and funny to your holidays. We definitely recommend the place!
Recommends
· December 2025
Tent ·
Bush Camp - Private (4WD)
Bush camp 2 was a great private spot, felt like we were in the middle of the bush! Lots of wildlife to see around. Nice camp bathroom too- clean!! Would recommend this campsite for a private bush camping spot, only a short drive to nice beaches and views too.
Recommends
· December 2025
4 m Class B · With kids ·
Easy Park - Spacious Powered Site
Great camping spot inside a gumtree forest. The Light at sunset is amazing. The hosts were very kind with us. A great aussie experience in the nature. We warmly recommend this place. Etienne & Family 🇫🇷😊🇦🇺
Recommends
· December 2025
Tent ·
Bush Camp - Private (4WD)
This being our first time camping in some years, it was wonderful to find common grounds and to stay at bush camp. On arrival Ben greeted us and assisted to the site. We had the option of 2 sites and opted for bush camp 2 as this was more secluded. Even though people were close by, we couldn't hear anything and it felt like a real deep in the bush away from civilisation experience. It was lovely listening to all the birds and bugs chirping through out the night. We were in a Toyota Yaris Cross and managed to get in okay, though if it had rained we may not have been so lucky without a 4WD. If we had stayed longer, certainly would have explored the property more. But for an overnight camp we could not have asked for a better experience.
Recommends
· December 2025
Tent ·
Bush Camp - Private (4WD)
We had a fantastic stay at this campsite thanks to the wonderful hosts, Mer and Ben. They were incredibly welcoming and even gave us the option of choosing between two sites, which made our stay more comfortable. When our car battery unexpectedly died, they were so kind and immediately helped us get back on the road, turning a stressful moment into a positive experience. The campsite is peaceful and well looked after, but it’s the genuine hospitality from Mer and Ben that really makes this place special. We’d happily stay again and highly recommend it to others.
Recommends
· December 2025
Tent ·
Easy Camp - Grass Sites Unpowered
Awesome family run camp ground & great people , very spacious you have your own area , very close to nice beaches highly recommend
Recommends
· December 2025
Tent · With pets ·
Bush Camp - Private (4WD)
We enjoyed our stay, it was very peaceful and private. The kids loved exploring the bush and spotting some beautiful wildlife. Only 20 minutes away from the beach aswell. We would definitely stay there again.
Recommends
· December 2025
7 m travel trailer · With pets ·
Easy Park - Spacious Powered Site
Great spot, easy access and plenty of room. See you again soon.
Recommends
· December 2025
A lovely spot
Tent ·
Easy Camp - Grass Sites Unpowered
A lovely spot with lots of nice camping options, and all the things you need for a comfortable night’s stay. The site is being developed with love and care, I think it will continue to blossom and be a lovely place to stay. Thank you Mer and Ben x

Location

Pillar Valley, New South Wales, AustraliaTo respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking
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Hosted by Mer & Ben C.

Joined in October 2021

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