Ingar Waterhole camping area, Kerryn Burgess
If you want to camp for free, don’t look past New South Wales. New South Wales now has more free campsites than any other state … and more than that, these campsites are good.
Bendeela Recreation Area, Kangaroo Valley
This campsite in the Kangaroo Valley is a hidden and picturesque gem! The sites are on a large, shady area next to the river.
Big River camping area, Goulburn River National Par
This campsite rocks. Set among rocks above the Goulburn River, you’re only a hop, skip and a leap away from some great swimming holes.
Blackbird Flat Reserve camping area, Macleay River Public Recreation Reserve
Free, dog-friendly, spacious camping next to a river in summer? Count us in.
Bodalla Forest Park, Bodalla State Forest
The perfect stop off the Princes Highway, this picnic spot also doubles as a shady and spacious camping area.
Coachwood camping area, Chichester State Forest
We like Coachwood camping area so much we almost don’t want to tell you about it. This pretty-as-a-picture campsite is next to a river in Chichester State Forest, which neighbours the magical Barrington Tops National Park.
Daisy Plains Huts, Carrai National Park
These remote huts are left unlocked for campers to use. It might not be ‘proper’ camping with a roof over your head, but as you wake up to the black cockatoos squawking in the eucalypts, you won’t care so much about those pesky details.
Frying Pan Creek camping area, Chichester State Forest
On the other side of the Telegherry River to Coachwood camping area, this picturesque campsite is justifiably popular.
Glen Davis camping area, Glen Davis
It’s a campsite with a view – and then some! This free camping area overlooks the beautiful Capertee Valley in the Blue Mountains.
Ingar Campground, Blue Mountains National Park
What makes Ingar camping area so good? It’s near Wentworth Falls AND a swimming hole, has toilets and easily accessible walking tracks. There are only eight sites though, so if you snooze on the morning you’re meant to leave, you may lose out on a spot.
Jacob’s River camping area, Kosciuszko National Park
Only a short drive from Jindabyne, Jacob’s River camping area gives you more than enough reasons to visit the alpine area in summer. It’s an attractive camping area set next to Jacob’s River. While away the time swimming and fishing.
Manning River camping area, Barrington Tops State Forest
Cool down by camping on the banks of the Manning River under the temperate rainforest. The fishing’s not bad, either.
Newtons Crossing camping area, Yambulla State Forest
There are only five sites, but chances are people will overlook this lovely inland spot in favour of a place on the beach. Their loss – situated next to the river in the midst of the forest, Newtons Crossing camping area is a winner.
Paddys River Flats camping area, Tumbarumba
You’ll fall in love with this simple camping area near Paddys Falls, where you can swim, fish or go bushwalking.
Pindari Dam camping area, Pindari Dam
You don’t have to pay to camp here, but you’ll probably enjoy this small, casual camping area with its view over the dam so much you’ll be happy dropping a few coins into the donation box.
The Pines camping area, Olney State Forest
Give us a campsite among the pine trees at Olney State Forest, with good facilities and lots of shade.
Rocky River Fossicking Area camping area, Uralla
You’ll strike gold at this free campsite – maybe even literally! You can hire fossicking equipment at the visitors centre. Otherwise you can just relax at the shaded campsite and cool down in the swimming holes in the river.
