Camplify has your pet-friendly Easter getaway sorted
There’s nothing more Aussie than a camping trip at Easter time and what better way to take a break than in one of the thousands of unique vans on offer through Camplify.
Australia’s number one van-sharing platform, it’s easier than ever to find the type of motorhome, caravan, or campervan that’s right for your travelling tribe – and the best bit? There’s plenty of vans that are pet-friendly too.
Almost half of Camplify listings are pet-friendly, so your puppy pal can enjoy some quality downtime over the Easter long weekend in the comfort of a comfy, safe and secure van that’s ready to hit the road.
So, pack the doggie treats (and the Easter bunny stash for the humans), jump on the Camplify website and book your Fido-friendly van, then check out our guide to the best pet-perfect camping getaway spots within an easy drive of Newcastle.
Coastal and Beachside Camping
Beach time with your furry friend is guaranteed happy days, and there’s plenty of beautiful pet-friendly places to set up camp that are spot on for a quick weekend away.
NRMA Stockton Beach Holiday Park Stockton
The drive: Under 30mins from Newcastle
Offering pet-friendly sites, if you’re short of time or want to avoid the crazy Easter holiday traffic, a dash across the bridge to Stockton is a great option for camping fun on the beach.
Nestled next to the Stockton Bight Sand Dunes in Worimi Conservation Lands, there’s kilometres of sand dunes waiting to be explored plus the quaint township of Stockton with great coffee, flat walking paths, and break wall fishing all ready for holiday makers to enjoy.
Doggie must-do: Take your pup over to Little Beach (Pitt Street Reserve) for some off-leash time and a swim in the calm Newcastle Harbour waters – perfect for an afternoon fetch session!
Blacksmiths Beachside Holiday Park Blacksmiths
The drive: Under 30mins from Newcastle.
Pick up your Camplify van from Newcastle or opt to have it delivered on-site by some van owners and take the short drive down the coast to Blacksmiths Beach where you’ll feel miles away from your everyday.
Just across the road from the patrolled beach, the tidal ‘Grannie’s Pool’ and the Swansea Channel, there’s a heated swimming pool onsite plus plenty of food-options in nearby Swansea to sample.
Doggie must-do: Take your dog for a run and splash along the long off-leash section of Nine Mile Beach. It’s a great spot for throwing the ball and there’s plenty of space for zoomies along the sand.
Big4 Bays Holiday Park Anna Bay
The drive: 50min easy drive from Newcastle.
Heading to the Port Stephens area for a little holiday break is always a good idea and because it’s such an easy drive from Newcastle, it doubles as the perfect coastal pet getaway.
The Big4 at Anna Bay has all the facilities of a good holiday park like pedal karts, giant chess, resort-style swimming pool and jumping pillow, plus it’s within a stone’s throw of beautiful Birubi Beach.
Doggie must-do: If your pup loves a bit of beach-time, there are plenty of spots to choose from in Port Stephens with designated off-leash times at Birubi Beach, Boat Harbour Beach, and Bagnalls Beach.
Reflections Hawkes Nest and Jimmys Beach Hawkes Nest
The drive: Just over an hour from Newcastle, these two holiday parks are five minutes apart.
Choose to stay right on Bennetts Beach or on the calm shores of Jimmys Beach with both these holiday parks being dog-friendly with on-site dog washing facilities plus swimming pools and extra-large camp sites so your little furry mate can stretch out and relax.
Doggie must-do: Catch the sunrise or sunset on a long beach walk with your pup from Jimmys Beach’s bay water paddles to exploring Hawks Nest shoreline trails (on-leash in park, off-leash at designated times/areas nearby).
Horseshoe Bay Holiday Park South West Rocks
The drive: 3.5hours from Newcastle.
Drift off to sleep to the sounds of the waves gently lapping at the shore at this prime positioned park. Just across from the main street so you have all the holiday cafes, bakery goods, and ice creams at your fingertips, this park has great facilities and easy access to kilometres of easy walking paths perfect for exploring the area.
Choose from powered and non-powered sites to set up your Camplify home away from home.
Doggie must-do: Walk the horseshoe-shaped Horseshoe Bay Beach shoreline (on-leash) then head around to Back Creek Bridge and let your dog explore the shallows.
Riverside and Country Camping
Stress levels drop when you relax by a river, so take the dog on a camp trip with a difference and explore the beautiful countryside near Newcastle.
Hipcamp The Riverside Farm Escape Minimbah
The drive: 1 hour 40mins from Newcastle, just off the Pacific Highway.
Set on the tranquil banks of the Wang Wauk River in Minimbah on a family-owned cattle farm, spanning 103acres. Set up your Camplify RV on one of the grassy campsites along the 500metres of river frontage, perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding and fishing.
Spot some of the wandering local wildlife including wallabies and kangaroos and swim in the dam amongst blooming lilies.
Doggie must-do: Keep your pup on a leash here and enjoy the country air or pop into nearby Nabiac (10mins) where dogs are welcome at The Artisan Farmer and Greenhouse Cafe.
Igenia Holidays Hunter Valley Cessnock
The drive: Around an hour from Newcastle.
Tucked away within easy reach of over 150 cellar doors in the beautiful Hunter Valley, bring the dog and enjoy a camping experience with a difference at this holiday park.
With a communal fire pit and camp kitchen, plenty of Camplify van owners will deliver and set up your van for you, making this quick escape from Newcastle an easy choice when you want to get away and bring the pups too.
Doggie must-do: With plenty of dog-friendly wineries and breweries including Bimbadgen Winery, Briar Ridge Vineyard, and Hanging Tree Wines in Pokolbin, why not do a little wine tasting while your furry mate explores the wide open green spaces.
Lostock Van Park Lostock
The drive: Just under 2 hours from Newcastle, driving through Maitland.
If wide open skies and a roaring campfire is your type of camping, a long weekend at Lostock will tick both boxes and more. Camping next to the Paterson River, this campground is surrounded by rolling country hills with plenty of open space and bush tracks for you and your doggie mate to explore.
Doggie must-do: Enjoy an on-lead riverside walk or let your pup splash in the shallow edges of the Paterson River before heading back to camp and snuggling by the fire.
Gloucester Holiday Park Gloucester
The drive: Just under 2 hours from Newcastle
With over 20 acres of natural bushland beside the Gloucester River to explore, this quaint camp spot is the gateway to the Barrington Tops region.
Dogs are welcome on-leash and will love the grassy campsites. Or if you’re after a more rustic camp stay around Gloucester, there’s plenty of State Forest spots that allow dogs and are perfect for a back to basics camping weekend away.
Doggie must-do: Wander down to the river to play (supervised, lead on) then enjoy a stroll through Gloucester’s town centre with your dog on-lead. The Boomerang Discovery Walk and local mosaic walks are great options for a gentle scenic wander together.
Turon Gates Mountain Eco-Retreat and Pet Friendly Camping Capertee
The drive: Around 3.5 hours from Newcastle through the Hunter Valley towards the Western Blue Mountain region.
This huge privately-owned bush campground is set off grid in the forest, with 15kms of Turon River frontage with swimming holes to splash and play in and access to plenty of activities like bushwalking, horse-riding, and gold-panning nearby.
With modern amenities, your dog is welcome to enjoy the peaceful surrounds on-leash while you relax the weekend away.
Doggie must-do: Take your furry friend for a supervised splash in shallow river edges or wander together along the many bush trails and creek banks inside the property (on-leash where needed).
A perfect pet holiday
With Camplify’s huge range of pet-friendly vans, there’s nothing stopping you from packing the pup and enjoying a getaway of camping this Easter break. From the coast to the river and countryside, there’s a pet-friendly campsite just waiting to welcome you and your furry friend too.
