Explore the South Coast of NSW with our top ten camping spots
Why not mix things up on your next camping trip and get a taste of the unique white-sand beaches, lush coastal national parks, and quirky seaside village charm that only a visit to the NSW South Coast can offer.
Home to some of the most picturesque and naturally beautiful camping spots in Australia, lucky for us, these natural wonders are within an easy drive of Newcastle.
One of the best ways to play tourist in this part of the state, is by hiring a caravan or RV through Camplify, Australia’s largest van-sharing platform.
Founded right here in Newcastle and with over 14,000 unique and personalised camping RV options available to try, Camplify promises adventure and relaxation with every trip.
Whether you’re keen to tow your own home on wheels, drive an RV that’s been decked out with all the mod cons or have a van delivered and set up at your booked camp site, there’s options for every type of adventure.
From school holiday family getaways to pet-friendly weekends and spontaneous escapes, Camplify makes getting outdoors easier than ever. Ready to hit the road? Check out our top ten South Coast camp spots just waiting to be discovered.
Check out our top ten South Coast camp spots just waiting to be discovered.
Top South Coast Camping Spots
1. Holiday Haven White Sands Huskisson
Where: Huskisson Beach, NSW (4.5hrs from Newcastle)
You can’t get much closer to the ocean than with a stay at Haven White Sands, where camping and caravan sites have uninterrupted views of the stunning turquoise waters of Jervis Bay. Known as the ‘park on the point’, you’ll feel nestled by nature with a stay here. Then wander up to the main street in just 10 minutes and discover plenty of cafes and restaurants with treats to try.
Highlights: This one’s a great pick for families, with swimming and paddleboarding at your
fingertips and a camp kitchen and playground on site.
2. Green Patch Camping Area
Where: Booderee National Park, NSW (4.5hrs from Newcastle)
Within the stunning Jervis Bay region, Green Patch camping area is one of those special camp spots that really needs to be seen to be believed (and booked a long time in advance!).
On the southern end of Jervis Bay, the crystal-clear waters here are perfect for snorkelling, stand-up paddle boarding and swimming, and the back-to-basics campsites have all the amenities you need including hot showers, barbeques and free firewood, and are surrounded by bush and wildlife.
Highlights: The Green Patch camping area is owned by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community, with an active Aboriginal cultural program for everyone to enjoy. Activities include bush tucker walks, campfire yarns, and Koori games for kids.
3. NRMA Batemans Bay Holiday Resort
Where: Batehaven, NSW (5.5hrs from Newcastle)
This camping spot adds resort-style facilities to a prime waterfront destination, making it a popular pick for holidaymakers.
Just outside of Batemans Bay, powered and non-powered sites are within a stone’s throw of the calm waters of Corrigans Beach plus there’s a lagoon-style swimming pool, mini golf course and adventure playground for the kids. A great spot to set up and explore the surrounding Batemans Bay area.
Highlights: This park has pet-friendly sites so you can bring your pup along for all the holiday fun. Corrigans Beach is off leash so dogs can get their holiday zoomies out or take your furry friend for a wander on the Batemans Bay foreshore path which winds along the Clyde River.
4. Reflections Holidays Eden
Where: Eden, NSW (Around 8hrs from Newcastle)
If you’re really looking to be enveloped by nature, a stay at Reflections Eden is the perfect camp spot for you. On the shores of Lake Curlo, with the beautiful Aslings Beach just across the road, camping here is like taking a big, long exhale from life’s many stressors.
Kayaking, swimming, bush walks, fishing and snuggling by the fire pit are all daily activities on regular repeat here or take the short drive into Eden’s town center and discover the interesting whaling history.
Highlights: Worth the extra drive down the coast from Newcastle, a stay in Eden means you’re in the perfect place to explore the beauty of Beowa National Park, the caves at Snug Cove and the mountain bike trails at the Gravity Eden MTB Park.
Take advantage of the option to have a caravan delivered straight to your campsite, offered by many of Camplify’s van providers.
5. Big 4 South Durras Holiday Park
Where: South Durras, NSW (5.5hrs from Newcastle)
Not far from all the services of Batemans Bay, this park is right next to Durras Main beach, with the stunning Murramarang National Park surrounding it from every side.
With all the fun stuff that comes with a Big 4 Holiday Park including jumping pillow, playground, heated pool and outdoor cinema, nature is the real star here with kangaroos wandering around and plenty of top fishing on offer.
Highlights: With the lake and beach both an easy stroll away, the options for activities are endless here from surfing to fishing, kayaking, and bushwalking. Or just sit by your van and read a good book!
6. Holiday Haven Shoalhaven Heads
Where: Shoalhaven, NSW (4.5hrs from Newcastle)
This spot is the perfect river-meets-the-sea holiday option for campers wanting the best of both worlds.
Sitting between Seven Mile Beach and Shoalhaven River, a stay at Shoalhaven Heads is pet friendly and perfect for families, with a solar-heated pool, playground and cinema area, whilst being a great base to discover the nearby local wineries and the eclectic nearby villages including Berry.
Whether you tap into Camplify’s deliver, tow or drive options, Holiday Haven is a must-visit South coast destination.
Highlights: There’s plenty of off leash areas for your furry friends to enjoy, surf and fishing for days, or if birdwatching and bushwalking is your thing, a visit to nearby Comerong Island is a must.
Photo credit: Josh Brnjac
7. Discovery Parks Pambula Beach
Where: Pambula Beach, NSW (7hrs to Newcastle)
One of the most popular picks for places to stay on the Sapphire Coast, this park is right on the beach with all the modern amenities and resort-style facilities that a caravan park has to offer.
The on-site waterslide is popular with the kids or visit nearby Merimbula’s Magic Mountain or Potoroo Palace for a bit more fun.
Highlights: Within easy access to the northern tip of Beowa National Park and all its beauty, this spot offers secluded beaches, stunning coastal walking tracks, fresh oyster farms, and river fishing spots nearby.
8. NRMA Tathra Beachfront Holiday Park
Where: Tathra, NSW (7.5hrs from Newcastle)
Worth the longer drive for the beauty that this camp spot offers, a stay at Tathra is like stepping back in time to those coastal camp trips of your childhood.
Spend endless hours between the pool, beach and waterpark, enjoy the friendly coastal village of Tathra itself or use your caravan site as a relaxing base to explore the wider region where whale watching, oyster farms, snorkelling and bushwalking are as good as it gets.
Highlights: Visit the incredible Mimosa Rocks National Park to the north and Bournda National Park to the south and enjoy a stroll out on the Tathra Wharf where you can read all the maritime history or enjoy coffee at The Wharf Local cafe.
9. Big 4 Easts Beach Holiday Park Kiama
Where: Kiama, NSW (3.5hrs from Newcastle)
One of the closer South Coast camping destinations to Newcastle, this park is set on 35 acres with absolute beachfront access to Easts Beach.
With grassy powered and non-powered sites for your Camplify RV set-up, there’s plenty to do at this holiday park or if you prefer to just relax, grab the beach umbrella and a book then stroll to the sand - done!
Highlights: A great central park to base yourself to explore Kiama. Check out the Kiama Blowhole and Little Blowhole, explore the beauty of the Minnamurra Rainforest and its Falls, try the Illawarra Fly Tree Top Walk and Zipline or admire the view at Saddleback Mountain Lookout.
10. Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach
Where: Kioloa, NSW (5hrs 20mins to Newcastle)
Tucked away in the small beachside town of Kioloa, this place is a hidden gem that you’ll want to return to again and again. The local eastern grey kangaroos will welcome you to this patch of paradise, with direct beach access and views out over the ocean from your RV door.
Enjoy the park facilities and resort-style pool or tackle the beach-hugging hiking trails and see just how picturesque this part of the world really is.
Highlights: Watch the migrating whales as they swim past at Merry Beach, enjoy the splendour of nearby Murramarang National Park or take the fishing rod down to the sand and try your luck.
South Coast Magic
Venturing a little bit further afield in search of the perfect camping destination is worth the effort when you discover the natural beauty and seaside coastal charm of the NSW South Coast. Book the perfect van or RV through Camplify then hit the road, ready for a holiday adventure with a difference.
Have you got a favourite South Coast camping spot worth sharing? Email us!
