Sydney is one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations for a reason — it has all the iconic landmarks, harbourside views and incredible restaurants you could ever ask for in a modern city. However, sometimes the fast-paced city life can get you down and make you feel like you need to get back to the great outdoors for a few days.

Making time to get away can be hard, but choosing where to go doesn’t have to be since we’ve already picked out the best spots for you! Each is unique, with lots of space for activities, barbeques and some oh so important down time. These locations are perfect in summer, with each being near the ocean or a river to cool off in the afternoon heat.

To help make the most of your well-deserved holiday, these are the six best camping grounds in Sydney:

  1. Bents Basin Campground
  2. The Basin Campground
  3. Frazer Campground
  4. Putty Beach Campground
  5. Bonnie Vale Campground
  6. Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park

Bents Basin Campground

Whether you’re after a relaxing camping weekend or one jam packed with activities, Bents Basin Campground is perfect for you and your fellow travellers. Located just over an hour from the Sydney CBD, you can appreciate their scenic location by the water whilst swimming, fishing and kayaking.

Bents Basin also offers sites for tents, trailers and caravans in its open, grassy campground surrounded by trees on one side and Bents Basin on the other. So no matter if you are a backpacker from the other side of the globe, a couple, or a group of friends from down under, there is something to do for every traveller.

Just because it’s a campsite doesn’t mean you won’t have access to excellent facilities to keep comfortable among the weekend fun. At Bents Basin you will find a camp kitchen for group bookings and hot showers after a day of fun filled activities.

For more details, see the campground’s visitor information page.

Bents Basin


The Basin Campground

The Basin campground is located in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and is one of Sydney’s most popular beach camping spots. Located just 50 minutes from the city CBD, you will be blown away by the incredible natural surroundings and ocean views of Pittwater.

You have fantastic options for all at the Basin Campground with access to a sheltered beach and an island lagoon. Impress your mates by cooking up a storm with your friends at the barbeque facilities, gather round the ground’s picnic tables, and keep comfortable at night by taking advantage of the showers and amenities block. Pitch your tent under a big shady tree, enjoy a bike ride or have a refreshing swim while making friends with the local swamp wallabies or kookaburras.

For more information, see the campground’s visitor page.

The Basin Ku-ring-gai


Frazer Campground

If you are after a smaller and more intimate camp site, then Frazer campground is right for you. The secluded location is perfect for a romantic getaway. There are many beautiful walks and a lagoon that is close by where you can explore the incredible nature that surrounds the campground. Enjoy some sunshine and saltwater down at Frazer Beach, located just 50m from the campground.

Take your pick from fishing, diving, surfing and of course swimming — you won’t be stuck for choice. The beach is patrolled during the Christmas and Easter school holidays, but the lagoon is a safer alternative with calm waters if you’re worried about big surf for the young kids.

Other practical information and directions can all be found at the visitor information page.

Frazer Beach


Putty Beach Campground

Putty beach campground is a perfect choice for your next camping adventure. Located in Bouddi National Park, this campground is the largest of Bouddi National Park’s camping areas, accommodating another 19 sites nearby. It doesn’t matter if you’re coming North or South, this campground is just 30 minutes from Gosford and an hour and a half from Sydney’s CBD.

Not only does Putty beach have an incredible setting, it also has a range of fun things to do! With the ocean at your doorstep, wake up with the birds and have a swim in the Tasman Sea, before relaxing on the sand or hitting the bush-walk track. If you’re feeling a bit more active you can gather your friends and enjoy the spectacular walk from the eastern end of Putty beach, all the way to Gerrin Point lookout. Just don’t forget to say hello to the area’s resident bush turkeys!

Start getting directions, or see their visitor information page for more details.

Putty Beach


Bonnie Vale Campground

Just over an hour out of Sydney, Bonnie Vale is the largest campground in the Royal National Park, located between the seaside towns of Bundeena and Maianbar. The campsite boasts 74 camps which are located both at the beach and in the bush meaning there’s plenty to choose from. To access the campground, you can drive your car and caravan through the site or simply take the ferry from Cronulla and arrive on foot, which includes a 15-minute walk from Bundeena wharf.

At this campground you will have access to many amenities to make your stay as comfortable as possible, including toilets, hot showers, washing sinks and drinking water. There are gas fuelled barbeques located at the nearby picnic tables, so you wont need to worry about bringing much equipment if you want to cook for you and your mates.

The Bonnie Vale boat ramp is also open to visitors for some activities on the water. Suitable boats include small tinnies or inflatables, but a large 4WD is recommended when crossing the sand dunes.

Bonnie Vale


NRMA Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park

If you want to get away from the city, but don’t want to drive too far, this holiday park will scratch your itch for a getaway at only 40 minutes from the CBD. Located within the Northern Beaches area, this caravan and camping park is a stone’s throw from the waves of Narabeen Beach and calmer waters of Narabeen Lake.

Lakeside Holiday Park has a wide array of accomodation options depending on your requirements and desired comfort levels: everything from an unpowered patch of grass to pitch a tent, to a lakeside villa with bedrooms, private kitchen and a living room.

This campground is popular with families who have young children due to the great amenities which cater to them, however, there are lots of adult-friendly options including kayak hire, mini golf, a driving range, as well as all the usual beachside activities. This park is also in close proximity to a decent variety of cafes, restaurants and bars so you won’t have to miss out on your Sydney-quality morning coffees or late night tacos.

Sydney Lakeside Holiday Park


With summer approaching there has never been a better time to plan an adventure away. Take a look at our deals and offers on campervan hire in Sydney and book in your next adventure today.

Feel like extending your trip outside of Sydney? Check out Australia’s Best Campgrounds, and make your self-drive adventure around the country for the trip of a lifetime.

About the Author

Bastian Graf

Bastian is the Sales & Marketing Manager here at Travellers Autobarn. He holds a Master of Commerce in Marketing and International Business Management, and 20+ years experience in campervan hire, road trips and travel.

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