Set up camp at these comfy Bathurst caravan parks

Jessica Humphries Jessica Humphries
hero media
Whether you’re a seasoned caravanner or looking for a budget-friendly place to park up, there’s are Bathurst’s best caravan parks.

If you’re seeking a cheap and cheerful way to experience Bathurst and need somewhere to rest your home on wheels, the town’s caravan parks offer a cosy and comfortable base from which to discover the city.

BIG4 – NRMA Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park

Where: Right in town

A good option for families, NRMA Bathurst Panorama Holiday Park boasts a camp kitchen, pool, games room and other family-friendly activities. The only caravan park in town with cabins on offer, options include powered sites, tents and numerous humble but clean cabins (including one that is pet-friendly).

It’s a little dated but has a certain 90s charm that invites a sense of nostalgia, especially when travelling with kids. The name is a little misleading, as it’s located in the centre of town, about a ten-minute drive from Mount Panorama. But you’ll be close to the town’s best restaurants and charming cafes, so you win some you lose some!

Bathurst Showground

Where: Right in town 

The Bathurst Showground is a great place to set up camp if you’re looking for convenience and proximity to town. Located on the main road, you can park your caravan or set up a tent and take an easy walk to the CBD.

The showground welcomes your furry friends, the toilets and showers are basic but clean, the staff are friendly, and there are powered and unpowered sites. Be prepared for some traffic noise through the night – its a small price to pay to be so close to town.

an aerial view of Bathurst Showground
There are plenty of powered and unpowered sites to choose from.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

Jenolan Holiday Park, Oberon

Where: 30 to 40-minutes drive southeast of Bathurst

While Oberon is certainly not the most bustling of towns, it does offer the quaint Jenolan Holiday Park if you’re looking for something close to Bathurst but away from the hustle and bustle. Facilities include bathrooms, a camp kitchen, barbeques and laundry.

Accommodation options include powered or unpowered sites and a hodgepodge of modern and dated but cosy cabins nestled in the manicured grass under shady trees. Pets are welcome with campers and caravanners and the area attracts some lovely birdlife.

Camping in Sofala

Where: 40-minute drive from Bathurst

Around 40 minutes north of Bathurst, you’ll find the tiny town of Sofala, a small, historic village with a population of just 200. If you’re caravanning or camping around the area and looking for a humble spot to set up, there are a handful of free camping options for lovers of peace and quiet.

an aerial view of Sofala
Soak up scenic views at Sofala. (Image: Destination NSW)
If you’re looking for more luxurious accommodation options with all the bells and whistles, Bathurst offers some gorgeous hotels and motels with everything you need for a warm and comfortable stay.

Want to see more stories from Australian Traveller in your Google search results?

  1. Click here to set Australian Traveller as a preferred source.
  2. Tick the box next to "Australian Traveller". That's it.
Jessica Humphries
Jessica Humphries is a travel and wellbeing writer, with a passion for slow travel, nature, and exploring the world mindfully. Formerly the editor of Australian Yoga Journal and a current contributor to a number of well-being publications, Jessica's writing is inspired by her love for yoga, wellness and sustainable living. Her work is a celebration of the beauty of the world and the joys of gentle travel. She is based in the Northern Rivers of NSW and loves to explore her local area too!
View profile and articles
The historic white facade and garden of Littlebourne
Bathurst

Inside the 195-year-old home that has become Bathurst’s most exciting stay 

Littlebourne Guest House is reason enough to make a beeline for this underrated country city.

Read more
Exterior of Rockley Pub
Bathurst

A country road trip with vineyards, historic pubs and great food in NSW

Take the backroads on a road trip from Sydney to Bathurst and discover a slew of delights to savour.

Read more
Kisuya Japanese Restaurant in Bathurst, NSW
Bathurst

12 of the tastiest Bathurst restaurants

Bathurst offers a perfect combination of history, culture and delectable cuisine, making it a pleasantly surprising destination for foodies.

Read more
10 of the most charming Bathurst accommodations
Bathurst

10 of the most charming Bathurst accommodations

From historic hotels to cosy farmstays, Bathurst offers a diverse smorgasbord of accommodation options to charm any traveller.

Read more
hero media

The secret Sydney suite life: a luxury under-the-radar stay right on the harbour

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
    Continue
    This winter, these secret Sydney harbour suites are the staycation we’ve been looking for.

    Whether it’s the crisscrossing ferries or the white sails of the Opera House rising out of blue depths, Australia’s biggest city lives for its harbour. But while locals might glance at that watery expanse on their daily commute across the Bridge, it can still be hard to truly connect with Sydney’s maritime soul. The secret: seeing the harbour eye-to-eye, right at water level. And what better place to submerge yourself in that energy than sleeping there? That’s where Pier One Sydney Harbour comes in (and with new all-inclusive bed and breakfast benefits, there’s even more to love).

    All-inclusive VIP benefits

    Who Is Elijah Amenities at Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Book in for the all-inclusive VIP treatment.

    The hard truth is that it will be very difficult to tear yourself away from your ultra-luxurious harbour home-away-from-home to explore the city. If you want to make leaving even harder, opt for Pier One’s all-inclusive VIP treatment.

    The Bed and Breakfast with Suite Benefits package turns up the volume on what is already the ultimate staycation, with complimentary valet parking, daily breakfast for two and turndown service. The biggest perk? Enjoy a bottle of French champagne every day during your whole stay

    Pier One Sydney Harbour

    Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Step into a piece of history with all the modern comforts. (Credit: Dave Wheeler)

    The five-star Pier One Sydney Harbour is quite literally old Sydney through and through. Built on what was once a working cargo wharf and the passenger terminal for those heading to the North Shore before the bridge was constructed, the heritage building sits right between the tangle of cobblestones, pubs and alleyways of The Rocks and the historic docking zone of Walsh Bay – at the centre of the city’s old sea trade.

    If knowing the hotel’s history isn’t enough to get your sea-longing going, the interior design certainly will. As soon as you step up to the concierge desk in the lobby of the restored building – which underwent a $15 million redevelopment in 2019 – you’re immersed in Sydney’s seafaring tale. Weathered wood panelling and white marble floors surround you, while loop lighting installations hover above the bar island just beyond, ringed with stools ready for intimate, martini-tinted conversations. Steel rivets and timber beams speak to its past, and glass-walled views anchor you firmly in the present-day life on the harbour.

    Pier One Suites

    Pier One Sydney Harbour admiral suite
    Enjoy incredible views from your suite.

    Across the 189 rooms and suites built on and over the water, the maritime theme continues. Sculptural aged brass fittings, exposed girders, colour schemes that evoke shifting currents, and mirrors that reflect ripples that – depending on your booking – sit just metres from your pillow.

    United on theme yet unique in set-up, each room or suite is different. On the ground floor, dog-friendly rooms with direct access to the pier are all prepped for pampered pups, while others have views and even balconies overlooking Walsh Bay, the Bridge and the Harbour.

    But the 19 suites step things up even more. Gaze out through floor-to-ceiling windows, or get even closer. Your private balcony is made for sipping a Nespresso coffee on as the sun comes up – or soaking in the bathtub of the Admiral Suite on the deck, a drink from the locally stocked mini bar in hand. This mini bar was recently completely transformed, so you have more Aussie favourites to choose from, including alcohol and snacks.

    Dining at Pier One

    Pier Bar Pier One Sydney Harbour
    Settle in for an afternoon of good drinks and views.

    Once you’re checked in, start your afternoon with a spritz at PIER BAR – or arrive by boat via the private pontoon if the occasion calls for it – and settle into one of the cabanas. Weekdays bring Happy Hour (or ‘sunset hour’ at Pier One); weekends bring the DJs. After an even sweeter experience? The Everyday Creamery and Matcha Kiosk is slinging mango and vanilla soft serve – classic and those spiked with Midori and gin alike.

    PIER Dining is an ode to contemporary Australian flavours across the terrace, pier and dining room. On its seafood-leaning menu are Sydney rock oysters from Merimbula, potato scallops with salmon roe and crème fraîche, chicken with melting sundried tomato butter, vodka rigatoni with Shark Bay prawns. And the ‘Pierlova’ – that’s pavlova with chocolate, dulce de leche and banana is worth saving room for. Make sure to ask for the wine list – it’s 100 per cent Australian drops.

    Around town

    luna park, sydney opera house and sydney harbour bridge
    Explore the neighbourhood during your stay. (Credit: Destination NSW)

    If you’re strong enough to polish off just one last pastry from the breakfast buffet and walk out the door, we applaud you. Luna Park across the harbour beckons with its wide grin, while a glance upward might spur you to climb the Bridge’s famous iron arches. The Opera House – just across Circular Quay from the Museum of Contemporary Art – sings out for a concert.

    You’ll want to book ahead for those hot-ticket performances at Sydney Theatre Company and Sydney Dance Company, just a few minutes’ walk south of the hotel. Ten minutes further brings you to the waterfront bars, restaurants and clubs of Barangaroo, or the karaoke, gardens and dim sum of Chinatown further afield.

    Keep the mellow of your weekend getaway going with a stop at Barangaroo Reserve, watching the yachts go by – all before returning for that Sydney sundowner at Pier One.

    Ready to make that Pier One stay a reality? Book the ultimate Sydney staycation at pieronesydneyharbour.com.au