The Top Batemans Bay Caravan Parks - Australian Traveller

Batemans Bay’s location smack-bang between Sydney and Canberra has long made it a great place for a family holiday in a caravan.

For many of us who live in Sydney or Canberra, a childhood summer would often be spent piling everything into the car for a holiday at one of the Batemans Bay caravan parks. It’s the ideal spot to come together to connect with the great outdoors and each other on the NSW South Coast.

Staying in a Batemans Bay caravan park remains an exercise in nostalgia. It’s also a very budget-friendly Australian holiday for the family. It’s where you will see those most magical signs of an echidna or wombat crossing. You’ll see kangaroos grazing on the grass around your caravan. And wake up to birds chirping and the sizzle of eggs on your neighbour’s barbecue.

Be it a BIG 4, a holiday beach resort or a tourist park that can accommodate the in-laws in a comfortable cabin, it’s time to turn back the clock.

1. BIG4 Batemans Bay at East’s Riverside Holiday Park

Families who see signage for a BIG4 holiday park know to pull off the highway. But it’s worth noting that a bit of forward planning is required to secure a square of concrete for your caravan at this popular holiday park located on the northern shores of the Clyde River.

a couple al fresco dining at BIG4 Batemans Bay at East's Riverside Holiday Park — Have a picnic facing the water at BIG4 Batemans Bay at East’s Riverside Holiday Park.

You’ll find the skies mostly blue and empty by day, and clear for stargazing at night from your accommodation at BIG4 Batemans Bay at East’s Riverside Holiday Park. Expect to see kangaroos bouncing about over the manicured lawn. The many cafes and restaurants and attractions of Batemans Bay and the Eurobodalla Nature Coast are also on your doorstep.

a balcony with chairs and a table at BIG4 Batemans Bay at East's Riverside Holiday Park — Stay in a waterfront bungalow at BIG4 Batemans Bay at East’s Riverside Holiday Park..

Choose between waterfront condos, bungalows and cabins, some of which have spas. There are sites for caravans close to the water, so you can enjoy being lulled to sleep by the soundtrack of the river rushing by. There are no facilities for tents. Batemans Bay also has a range of different accommodation options to suit if your family goes all Meet the Griswalds.

a couple sitting in a foldable chair at BIG4 Batemans Bay at East's Riverside Holiday Park — Sit back and relax by the side of the river.

Facilities: Some cabins have ensuites, others have access to clean bathroom and laundry facilities. There’s also a camp kitchen, BBQs and a recreation lounge.

Address: Wharf Road, Batemans Bay

2. Pleasurelea Tourist Resort

Pack your fanciest fleece and Goretex jacket so you can get up early and go fishing from your conveniently located caravan site at Pleasurelea Tourist Resort.

Fishos from around Australia converge here to take advantage of the resort’s proximity to world-class reef and deep-sea fishing. even has its own fishing and cruise boat, the Jean Marie, and offers half- and full-day fishing charters and packages to suit.

Pleasurelea Tourist Resort in Batemans Bay — Book a cosy cabin for the ultimate comforts.

See the silhouettes of kangaroos in the pink of dawn standing like quiet sentinels welcoming visitors to the new day. The distinctive scent of eucalyptus and beautiful bird whistles will inspire you to get out and explore your surrounds while road-tripping around the NSW South Coast.

Accommodation includes luxury spa cabins, family cabins, affordable family accommodation, powered ensuite slab sites, spacious powered caravan sites and large grassy tent sites. There is also a cabin called K9 for visitors who want to bring their fur babies during the low season.

Facilities: The Scrumptious restaurant is a convenient place to dine. It’s licensed so there’s no need for a designated driver. There is also a heated swimming pool (seasonal), grassed tennis court, BBQ areas, free wi-fi, a camp kitchen, and nine-hole mini golf is another draw for families.

Address: 483 Beach Road, Sunshine Bay

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

3. BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach

Wake to the sounds of waves thudding onto the shore at Ingenia Holidays, which is just metres from Merry Beach. This truly is one of the best campsites in the country.

You’ll want to pick up a glossy brochure from companies selling caravans or campervans and start planning your road-trip around Australia after a week-long stay in Kioloa.

a spacious campsite at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach — Settle in a beachfront-powered campsite at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach.

You can zip to Batemans Bay here to enjoy brunch, check out Mogo Zoo with the kidlets, or simply get the kids to count the eastern grey kangaroos that gather here at dawn and dusk for their version of a daily convention.

BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach has beachfront powered or unpowered camping or caravan sites. You can also plump for a private chalet, poolside cabin, superior spa cabin, family cabin and two-storey presidential haven.

a standard cabin with a cosy sofa and tv at BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Merry Beach — The standard cabin comes with modern amenities.

Facilities: There is a new playground, a resort-style pool, a skatepark, a camp kitchen, laundry facilities and with not a lot of light pollution at Merry Beach, it’s a top spot for those who enjoy the drama of pink dawns and dark nights. It’s also pet-friendly.

Address: 46 Merry Beach Road, Kioloa

4. NRMA Batemans Bay Beach Resort

Sit with your new caravanning buddies at the end of the day and watch the sun as it sets behind you and creates a kaleidoscope of colours, from reds to pinks to purples. Walk with your eyes trained high in the trees to try and spot koalas in the trees that surround this perfectly positioned holiday park overlooking Corrigans Beach.

You can be as social or reclusive as you like at this sprawling park, arrayed around groves of trees and spaced out throughout the manicured grounds. Tip the kids out to the playground at the first crack of sunlight and arrange to meet up at the resort-style swimming pool for some Marco Polo. Gather with the family and your new-found friends at one of the scheduled outdoor movies, which are great for making memories.

There are nine different types of accommodation options on offer at NRMA Batemans Bay Beach Resort. If you have a caravan in tow, you can stay in a powered site with or without an ensuite, or a powered grass site. If you prefer to stay in a cabin, you’ll be spoilt for choice with a three-bedroom luxe Lakeside Cabin, two-bedroom townhouse, superior cabins and studios.

the exterior of cabins with balconies at NRMA Batemans Bay Holiday Resort — Sleep in a cabin with a balcony at NRMA Batemans Bay Holiday Resort. (Image: Eurobodalla Coast Tourism)

Facilities: The pet-friendly park has a resort-style swimming pool, mini golf, tennis, and BBQ facilities available at the camp kitchen. There’s also a playground to keep the kids entertained.

Address: 51 Beach Rd, Batehaven

5. BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park

The exclusive in-park perks on offer make the BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park a popular option for families wanting to have a caravan holiday near Batemans Bay. The soundtrack of splashing water is a constant at this Batemans Bay holiday park, which is almost completely surrounded by water.

a tent with beds at BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park — Bed down at BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park.

Get out your binoculars during whale-watching season and see if you can spot whales motoring up the humpback highway. You’re almost always guaranteed to see kangaroos grazing next to your RV.

the campground at BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park — Set up your tent next to your RV at BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park.

There are powered sites for caravans by the creek and river. There are also deluxe waterfront villas, beach houses, ensuite sites, and stylish two- and three-bedroom cabins by the water.

a suite interior at BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park — Stay in spacious and fully-equipped suites at BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park.

Facilities: Wander around the cricket pitch, a sparkling resort pool, free canoe and go-kart hire. The park has a mix of paved and dirt paths and trails that will appeal to families and groups who enjoy an active holiday. The park screens outdoor movies over summer, has a boat ramp, mini golf, tennis courts, camp kitchen and game room.

Address: 970 Kings Hwy, Nelligen

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6. BIG4 South Durras Holiday Park

The BIG4 South Durras Holiday Park is a great example of the kind of set-up Aussies have come to expect. One of the best holiday parks in the country from which to spot wildlife, you can kayak from Tomakin to Mossy Point for brunch, visit Clyde River National Park, or simply curl up in your hammock with a good book.

This popular holiday park is surrounded by swathes of bushland in Murramarang National Park and far enough away from Batemans Bay to feel like you’re on a get-away-from-it-all holiday.

The holiday park offers accommodation in cabins and villas, as well as grass or slab sites for caravanning. Tiny tots will love the Toot Toot Big Red Car.

Facilities: There’s a jumping castle and giant checkers, free gas BBQs, a fully equipped camp kitchen with a microwave, toaster, oven and cooktop. There is also a book and video library, coffee and snack machine, playground, swimming pool and open-air theatre area. There are also quality bathroom facilities and a special needs bathroom.

BIG4 Caravan South Durras — BIG 4 South Durras is one of the best holiday parks in the country from which to spot wildlife. (Image: The New Matilda/Flickr)

Address: 9 Beagle Bay Road, South Durras

7. Batemans Bay Holiday Park

Don’t worry about unhooking the caravan. The Batemans Bay Holiday Park and Hostel is an easy walk into town, making it a popular place for backpackers, families and #vanlifers who want to stretch their money as far as possible. The trails and paths that lead around the park are designed to blend into the landscape, providing a passageway for animals and humans moving from one part of the park to the next.

The caravan park is always bustling with beachgoers and includes cabins (some of which are pet-friendly) as well as powered and unpowered sites. There are also hostel beds and dorm rooms for those travelling solo or in a group.

Facilities: There’s a BBQ area, free wi-fi, a swimming pool, playground, camp kitchen, kiosk, laundry and bathroom blocks.

Address: 49 Old Princes Highway, Batemans Bay

Bate Bay’s sweep of beaches has been crowned Australia’s best for 2026, placing Sutherland Shire in the spotlight as a top coastal destination just south of Sydney’s CBD.

The beaches fringing Bate Bay – Cronulla, North Cronulla, Wanda, Elouera and Greenhills – have topped Tourism Australia’s 2026 list of best Australian beaches (as curated by Beach Ambassador Brad Farmer). For locals, it’s less revelation, more recognition.

The mood shifts from the moment you step off the T4 train service from Central to Cronulla and catch a glimpse of the ocean. At dawn, the Esplanade is already buzzing with regulars, and by mid-morning, parents have staked out a toasty spot on Cronulla Beach where excited toddlers clamber over rocks, and the Jellybean swim squad at Oak Park have donned their bright pink caps while singing Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’.

By the afternoon, towels are being collected from across the sand as visitors wander back to Cronulla in loose formation.

North Cronulla beach — Dive into the world’s best beaches.

That’s the thing about Bate Bay beaches. This isn’t a story about a single beach. This long, uninterrupted sweep of sand and sea, where you can walk for kilometres without breaking stride, is not just enjoyed over summer; it’s a year-round destination. Here, Cronulla’s buzz gives way to Wanda’s wild edges, before stretching out to the quieter reaches of Greenhills.

But while Bate Bay’s beaches may have taken top honours in the 2026 Best Australian Beaches list, they’re only part of the drawcard. Sutherland Shire stacks up as a full-spectrum coastal escape, where good food, national park adventures and on-the-water experiences sit within easy reach of the shoreline. Whether you’re planning a long weekend or stretching out a stay, here’s how to make the most of Cronulla beyond the sand, sea and surf.

Beyond the beaches

Dining

The Sutherland Shire dining scene delivers from early morning to late at night with a mix of vibrant cafes, bars and pubs. Start your day at Grind Espresso, where the coffee comes strong and fast. From there, drift towards HAM for pastries, best eaten buttery warm.

By midday, locals linger across sun-lit tables. Loaf and Next Door appeal to the surfers who come in for snacks after chasing waves. Blackwood’s Pantry and The Press are also popular for breakfast and lunch, while Pilgrim’s continues to hold a special place in the hearts of vegans.

Newer arrivals signal where Cronulla is heading: Homer Rogue Taverna is being hailed as one of the best restaurants in Cronulla, with the confidence that comes from understanding what locals want. Ask a local to reveal their favourite restaurant for a special occasion, and it’ll likely be Pino’s Vino e Cucina al Mare, Yalla Sawa or Alphabet Street. Summer Salt, Sealevel, Benny’s, Bobbys and Pippis are a few of the best waterfront restaurants in the Shire.

Finally, when most places are winding down, Duke’s Providore shifts gears to become Duke’s After Hours – a low-lit romantic spot perfect for a date night. Parc Pavilion, Northies Cronulla and bars The Blind Bear, Las Chicas and Low & Lofty’s are also part of Cronulla’s identity.

Visit Bundeena

Bundeena Ferry Wharf — Catch a ferry to Bundeena.

A short ferry ride from Cronulla, Bundeena offers a counterpoint to Cronulla’s mighty surf beaches. If Cronulla is the Shire’s social heart, Bundeena – or Bundenesia, as it’s affectionately known – is the place to go to exhale and unwind.

Hop on the ferry from Cronulla, and within 30 minutes, you’ll be inhaling the eucalyptus-scented air. Check the creative pulse of the local community by timing your visit with the Bundeena Maianbar Art Trail on the first Sunday of every month.

One of the best things to do in Bundeena is paddle into Cabbage Tree Basin with Bundeena Kayaks. Follow the five-kilometre Jibbon Beach Loop Track that leads past quiet coves to ancient Indigenous rock art, or simply find a stretch of pearl-white sand to relax on.

Pristine walking trails

Royal National Park Cape Baily Walking Track — Cool off with a coastal stroll.

Beyond the coastline, Sutherland Shire offers myriad ways to shift gears. Royal National Park – the oldest national park in Australia – sits just minutes from the surf. Clifftop walks trace the edge of the continent, the rugged bushland is threaded with creeks and hidden waterfalls, and a network of tracks rewards those willing to go a little further.

Take the Coast Track, where the land drops cleanly into the ocean over sheer cliffs that have been stacked together like giant Jenga. Or veer inland, where pockets of forest cool the air and filter the light. It’s a reminder of how close nature sits to the bustle of suburbs in the Sutherland Shire.

Enjoy whale watching

humpback whale sighting noosa experiences — Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

Twist your binoculars until the ocean is in focus, stretched like a creased blue sheet all around. Come May, the East Coast becomes the humpback highway. Thousands of whales migrate along this stretch of coastline each year, their movements tracked by keen eyes from vantage points like the Cape Solander platform in Kamay Botany Bay National Park, one of the best places for whale watching in Australia. There’s something quietly thrilling about seeing that first telltale spout or the arc of a breaching body against the vastness of the sea. From June to October, whale-watching cruises depart from Cronulla, offering a closer look at the migration.

Awards come and go. But places like Cronulla endure because they belong as much to the visitors as they do the early-morning swimmers, walkers and surfers.

Plan your escape at visitsutherlandshire.com.au.

7 Batemans Bay caravan parks you should set up camp at