6 Best Batemans Bay Camping Spots - Australian Traveller

Stay grounded in a tent, swag or trailer while camping in Batemans Bay on the NSW South Coast.

Batemans Bay camping appeals to everyone – from those who like to sleep on the ground in a swag, to others who like to stay tucked up in a tent. In fact, Batemans Bay is one of the best places on the NSW South Coast to zip to and go camping. There’s nothing quite like waking in the blue darkness, unzipping your tent and gazing at the stars from the comfort of your campsite.

Raise your nylon shade and listen to the wind whine across the water. See the silvery dew on the grass. Or hear the birds that bip-bip-bip like alarm clocks demanding attention. Do a vox pop of NSW South Coast residents and they are unlikely to agree on their favourite Batemans Bay campground. But we’re here to steer you toward six of the best places to camp in and around Batemans Bay.

Holiday parks

1. NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort

Dreaming about a road trip to the NSW South Coast? Pack your trusty tent, a few fishing rods and boogie boards. Fill the esky with ice and pull the wide hips of your camper trailer out onto the highway. The NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort is for campers who like their creature comforts.

A group of friends relaxing on the balcony of a cabin overlocking the beach at NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort — Reconnect with nature at NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort. (Image: Destination NSW)

After setting up your tent, pull out the camp chair and look at the moon silhouetting the trees and dancing across the calm water. This is a great campground for lovers of wildlife who might well spot dolphins and whales frolicking off the coast. NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Park is affixed to the coastline along Wobbegong Bay just to the north of Batemans Bay.

a family sitting together with kangaroos facing the beach at NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort — Immerse in the wilderness at NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort. (Image: Destination NSW)

Accommodation: Take your pick between the cabins, beach houses, beachfront and ocean villas and powered and unpowered caravan and camping sites.

Facilities: There’s a lagoon-style swimming pool, pedal go-karts for the kids, and onsite bistro and bar and bikes for hire. There’s also a laundry, communal camp kitchen, BBQ facilities, a boat ramp and wi-fi.

Address: Mill Beach, Banyandah St, South Durras

a group of friends getting ready to surf with kangaroos surrounding them at NRMA Murramarang Beachfront Holiday Resort — Go surfing with your friends on the nearby beach. (Image: Destination NSW)

2. Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach

You will find a range of BIG4 beachfront holiday parks that necklace the NSW South Coast and offer something to suit the whole family. Despite being a sprawling BIG4 holiday park with all the trimmings, you can keep it low-key at Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach and book an unpowered campsite. This is barefoot luxury at its best, with the campground just metres away from the white sands of Merry Beach.

a campsite facing the beach at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach, Batemans Bay — Set up your tent facing the beach at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach.

A few hours after you’ve pegged out your patch, you will find yourself flipping the switch to relaxation mode. Set up your picnic table, as the sun dips over the horizon and all the colours are muted. In front of you: beach. Behind you: bush. Wait for the sky to get dark and the stars to appear. It’s the main act here and deserves a bit of reverie. Wake to the frantic chirping of parrots and crawl out of your tent to observe the resident eastern grey kangaroos moving gently through the park.

a standard cabin at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach, Batemans Bay — You may also opt to stay in a standard cabin.

Accommodation: Having time to spend with loved ones is the greatest luxury. And camping on the beach is a great Australian tradition. Of course, there are also cabins with ensuites, powered camping and caravan sites and even poolside cabins and two-storey presidential havens.

Facilities: The facilities of this holiday park near Batemans Bay make it a magnet for families. Be the first to leave your footprints on the sand at Merry Beach. Make the trek to Murramarang National Park. And enjoy the family-friendly amenities that include a playground, pump track, bouncing pillow, resort-style pool and BBQ area.

Address: 46 Merry Beach Road, Kioloa

a dining setup at Seaview Beach House, BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach, Batemans Bay — Stay in the Seaview Beach House to enjoy family-friendly amenities.

3. Barlings Beach Holiday Park

Conversations in communal areas at campgrounds often tend to be about camping, which is the first thing everyone under canvas at Barlings Beach Holiday Park has in common. There’ll be chatter about trips to the best places. Stories about the things you’ve forgotten to pack and how you’ve MacGyvered your way out of it. Inevitably, someone pulls out a guitar and creates an impromptu party.

Barlings Beach Holiday Park has pegged out campsites and communal spaces with congeniality in mind. The campground is about a 20-minute drive from Batemans Bay and a great base from which to dive headfirst into Mogo Zoo, or Batemans Marine Park. It’s also near Tomakin Sports Club – one of the best places to eat near Batemans Bay.

Accommodation: Fancy an upgrade? In addition to the powered and unpowered sites for camping and caravanning, you’ll find a range of cabins and cottages.

Facilities: There is also a playground, recreation room, games room and camp kitchen. There’s a beach nearby and the park is pet-friendly.

Address: 1939 George Bass Drive, Rosedale

National Parks and reserves

4. Currowan Creek Campground

This basic campground in Currowan State Forest is for hardcore free campers who have all the gear. Those with soft office hands should not consider a stay at this rustic campground located about a 30-minute drive from Batemans Bay. But those who like to go off-grid in a 4WD will think it’s you-beaut.

Switch your phone off. It’s unlikely you will have coverage deep in the forest, which features deep swimming holes, a freshwater creek and is fantastic for self-contained camper trailers who like their own space.

Accommodation: Sleep in a swag or in your camper trailer. Be prepared to take all your rubbish out with you.

Facilities: There is a lean-to that was made by previous campers and it’s a handy place to shelter in the event of rain.

Address: Near Clyde River National Park and Budawang National Park

5. Red Gum Campground

Red Gum is a campground that will appeal to adventurous types. Best of all, it’s only a 15-minute drive from Batemans Bay to get to this pretty corner of Clyde River National Park.

a peaceful riverside campsite at Red Gum Campground, Batemans Bay — Camp on the side of the river at Red Gum Campground.

There are only four sites available: two walk-in sites, which offer more privacy and space, and two drive-in sites which are a bit close for comfort unless you’re in a group. There are viewing platforms that look out over the Clyde and stairs to access the river.

Avid birders will have to rely on their eyes not their apps to spot the abundance of birds that perch in the trees and on the water. Bring binoculars as there is some excellent ornithological entertainment here at dawn and dusk. Knowing you are unlikely to get service makes this a hardly visited campsite. It’s the place to zig when everyone else zags.

the Clyde River National Park near Batemans Bay — Clyde River National Park is a tranquil water sports area near Batemans Bay.

Accommodation: Four basic levelled plots for camping.

Facilities: A fire pit, benches and drop toilets.

Address: Little Island Trail, Batemans Bay

a kid's bicycle parked near the river on Red Gum Campground — The Red Gum Campground offers access to the river. (Image: Lucas Boyd/DPE)

HipCamp

6. The Hundred Acre Woods

Pack your swag and a small duffel bag loaded with a few pieces of clothing, peanut butter, tuna and nut bars and head to The Hundred Acre Woods , popular with fishos for its proximity to local waterways. Fishing is one of the best things to do in and around Batemans Bay, especially if you know what you’re doing because you can find a prime shaded spot away from the crowds. This is hardly backcountry. It’s the back blocks of Batemans Bay. But it feels a helluva lot more off-grid.

Accommodation: Those hip to the concept of HipCamp can enjoy the 40-hectare property, which caters to self-contained campers who have their own camping toilets only. Bookings must be made through HipCamp and guests need to check in upon arrival.

Facilities: Fires and pets are allowed. But other than that, it’s BYO everything. Luckily, you’re just 10 minutes from Batemans Bay, where you will find a range of great options for eating out, including the East Lynne Fuel, a low-key service station where you can buy a bag of un-shucked Clyde River oysters.

Address: East Lynne, near Batemans Bay

If you’d prefer not to camp, read our ultimate guide to Batemans Bay accommodation for all kinds of stays.

Warmer days call for slowing down and relaxing in nature. Discover why The Tweed is the ultimate destination to do just that.

As the end of the year draws near, the need for rest and restoration grows ever more prominent. For many, that means heading into nature – and there’s plenty of science to back up the benefits of doing so. It quite literally makes us happier as it reduces stress hormones, lowers our blood pressure and more. And what better place to lean into this feel-good effect than during summer in The Tweed (in the Northern Rivers region of NSW)? Blending sparkling beaches, riverside towns and hinterland villages, this area has nature covered, while also offering top activities and dining options.

And of course, pack your SPF. We Are Feel Good Inc’s Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula that keeps your skin hydrated and shielded, thanks to nourishing Coconut Oil and Vitamin E. But it’s also helping preserve the natural beauty around you on your Tweed vacation, thanks to 30 per cent ocean waste packaging.

Discover eight experiences that make The Tweed the perfect place for summer.

1. Underwater worlds

two people swimming after turtle on the tweed — Get a chance to swim with the locals.

There’s something about the ocean that calls to us as humans, and what’s below the surface is even more magical.

Green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles (not to mention an abundance of other marine life) all use the protected waters around Cook Island, near Fingal Head, as their foraging ground, making it the perfect place to dive and snorkel to spot these adorable creatures.

Join Cooly Eco Adventures on a guided snorkelling tour that combines unforgettable turtle encounters with an inspiring look into marine conservation.

2. Farm-to-table dining

table spread at Potager restaurant — Treat your taste buds at Potager. (Image: Cara Sophie)

Respecting the land and nature also means appreciating its abundance of food. From farm-to-table cafes and boutique breweries to river cruises and restaurants championing local produce, dining around The Tweed often means engaging with the best local producers.

The award-winning Potager Restaurant , part of The Hinterland Collection , is the perfect example; beginning life as a kitchen garden, the passion to champion local producers is woven into every dish. Vegetables, fruit and herbs are picked from the garden or sourced from other local producers, the seafood comes from the Northern Rivers, and meat is sourced from ethical local producers. Even the cocktail list features local distillers.

Extend your stay with a night (or several) at boutique on-site accommodation, Potager House . This French-inspired country four-bedroom retreat boasts stunning views of the surrounding hills and nearby ocean, as well as a large pool, outdoor entertaining area and infrared sauna.

3. Water wellness

Waterguru Mindfulness in the Mangroves summer on the tweed — Find mindfulness in mangroves. (Image: Matt Johnson)

You’ll find mindfulness while floating around the mangroves of Kingscliff’s Cudgen Creek at any time, but Watersports Guru offers an immersive experience to help guests do so with more intent. Join a 90-minute guided session on a stand-up paddleboard to reconnect with nature and relax through breathwork, gentle movement and sensory awareness.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, Watersports Guru also offer Kayak fishing adventures or join a Sea Turtle Odyssey experience.

4. Restorative seaside stays

woman relaxing in spa at Halcyon Wellness, halcyon house — Unwind at Halcyon Wellness.

The Tweed encourages locals and visitors alike to slow down. To really indulge, a seaside stay is a must. Halcyon House has understood the assignment, blending a wellness philosophy centred on balance and self-discovery with luxurious surrounds. Stay in one of 22 rooms and suites (each individually designed by eclectic interior designer Anna Spiro) right on the beachfront. Book restorative treatments at the onsite spa, Halcyon Wellness, relax by the pool, dine at the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant and just let The Tweed work its magic.

While Blue Water Motel offers a relaxed coastal escape, just steps from Kingscliff Beach. Settle in stylish rooms, recently restyled by Jason Grant, nodding to the cool of Kingscliff with a fun retro vibe. Hire a bike from reception to explore the surrounding area.

5. Tasty drops

The owners at Husk Farm Distillery aren’t just about creating high-quality rum: they’re also farmers themselves. In fact, they create one of the world’s only single estate, farm-to-bottle spirits. Join a Farm to Bottle tour to discover the sustainable ‘full circle’ distilling practices used here, and even get hands-on with your own cane knife to help harvest and juice your own stalk of cane. And, of course, a welcome drink plus complimentary tastings along the way.

6. Rail trail adventures

Exploring the rolling green slopes and historic towns of the 24-kilometre Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is one of the best ways to connect with the region’s lush hinterland and interesting heritage. In this section of the trail, discover the area’s railway history at heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, and traverse by 18 railway bridges and through two railway tunnels.

Linking vibrant towns and villages with the larger hub of Murwillumbah, this section of the trail is covered in asphalt or compacted gravel, making it accessible for all ages and abilities, from prams to adaptive bikes.

7. Linger longer

surfer at fingal heads the tweed — Enjoy beachside locations, like Fingal Heads.

Linger longer at one of the seven idyllic beach, river and creekside locations of Tweed Holiday Parks – including at Tweed Heads, Kingscliff Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville South. All just steps from the water’s edge, they make the ideal base to unwind, or head out for exploration of The Tweed. Choose from luxury waterfront cabins, accessible cabins, surfari tents (yes, they are basically glamping tents) or spacious sites for caravans, motorhomes and campervans or tents.

Find your feel-good summer in The Tweed at visitthetweed.com.au .

6 of the best camping spots in and around Batemans Bay