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Best Camping Spots In the Great Lakes

Spoilt for Choice when it comes to the best camping spots in the stunning Great Lakes, where we are so lucky to call home!

 

The Great Lakes is located on the Mid North Coast of NSW. Without a doubt, the Great Lakes must be one of the best places for camping. You really are spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a place to set up camp. Surrounded by pristine beaches and numerous lake and estuary systems, you are sure to find the perfect spot! Whether you are a seasoned off-grid type camper or prefer something a little more ‘resort’ in style, The Great Lakes has it all!

We are outdoorsy people. We LOVE camping! Fishing, Surfing, SUP, Kayaking, snorkelling, hiking, bike riding…all of it, and we love that we can do all of that in our backyard here in the Great Lakes area. So with that in mind, we thought we would share our top 5 favourite & best camping spots in the Great Lakes. (In no particular order because they are all great and different).

Great Lakes from above

Sandbar & Bushland Holiday Park

Location: 11 Sandbar Rd, Sandbar NSW

Price: $25 – $30 per night (shoulder) $37 – $42 (peak)

Accessibility: caravan friendly

Amenities: List campsite features

  •       Powered & Unpowered sites
  •       Shower/Toilet block
  •       Laundry
  •       Convenience store
  •       Petrol, LPG refills and ice
  •       Wood fire barbecues (wood available at cost per bag)
  •       Gas barbecues available for hire
  •       Town Water
  •       Challenging 9 hole golf course (club hire available)
  •       EFTPOS, Mastercard and Visa card facilities available

This park is essentially two separate campgrounds, Sandbar & Bushlands, run by the one park. Sandbar is right on Smiths Lake but still only a short walk over to Cellito beach. You know, the one they filmed Brathwaite’s “Horses” on…? It’s an older park, probably in need of a few updates but the facilities are very clean and well looked after. Great for families, couples and solo explorers, the location is spot on! The lake is shallow for quite a way out so perfect for little ones to have a splash around. Easy to get a tinny or kayak in for great fishing and crabbing. No fires allowed but if you get a spot on the border to the reserve, there are communal fire pits set up all along there. There is an amenities block, laundry and small kids play area, but that’s about it. You come here for the location and recreational activities! 

Bushlands are more rustic in a, you guessed it, bush setting. Nice big shady powered and unpowered sights and campfires are allowed. Closer to Cellito beach but also still a close stroll over to the lake. You can take your 4WD onto Cellito’s, but you’ll need a permit. We like to set up for the day for unreal fishing, swimming and surfing.

There’s plenty of room around both campgrounds for kids to ride bikes and play, and there is also a short 9 hole golf course which you usually share with a mob of the local wallaby’s. Perfect for the well-seasoned golfer or families and kids to have a go.

The park has a convenience store for essentials or just down the road in Charlotte Bay is a Foodworks supermarket. Smiths Lake is your closest ‘village’ and has everything you need to stock up on essential groceries…there’s a brilliant butcher, small supermarket/convenience store, bakery, bottle shop and The Good Food store café that does yummy food and great coffee. Head down to the lake and visit Frothy Coffee Boatshed for a light lunch or coffee & cake.

 

Smugglers Cove Caravan Park

Location: 45 The Lakes Way, Forster NSW 2428

Price: $31 – $46/night (low) & $53 – $77 (peak)

Accessibility: caravan friendly

Amenities:

  •       Function Centre
  •       Restaurant (open peak times)
  •       Pool, toddler pool & spa
  •       Playground & Activity Room
  •       Village Shop
  •       Camp Kitchen

The ultimate family fun/resort park in Forster. This park really has it all for the family but it also caters very well to couples too. Direct private access into Pipers Bay, Wallis Lake to launch your boat for unreal fishing and water activities. This park has fantastic amenities. Big fully equipped Camp Kitchen and the pool area is very resort-like. In peak times when the restaurant is open, it creates a great space to relax and have a good meal overlooking the pool area. The school holiday programs are the BEST! Keep the kids busy with heaps of activities to choose from. 

The park is walking distance to Stockland shopping Centre and only a couple minutes’ drive into Forster main town. Pretty much right in the middle of everything. There are a few boatsheds along little street Forster that hire out boats, BBQ boats, SUPs and water bikes. Great swimming spots and fishing. There are so many options for eating out – simple seafood takeaway (Beach St. Seafood), cool little cafés (Tartt & All things yum) or a variety of restaurants (Spice Monkey, Pezzella’s Pizzeria and Bar, Si Senorita, Isola & The Sicilian) and good pub grub at (Lakes and Ocean Hotel). Take a leisurely walk or bike along the foreshore and over the bridge to explore Tuncurry.  

The Ruins Campground Booti Booti National Park

Location: 4374 The Lakes Way, Booti Booti

Price: provide price per night

Accessibility: Tent, Camper trailer site, Caravan site, Camping beside my vehicle

Amenities:

  •       Picnic tables
  •       Barbecue facilities
  •       Carpark
  •       Drinking water
  •       Showers/toilets

Targeting more ‘rugged’ style campers, we like this one because of its location. It’s a convenient spot to explore everything between Pacific Palms and Blueys beach with their trendy cafes (kembali & drift café) and shops right through to Forster and Tuncurry. You’re kind of in the middle of both ends and rite on Seven Mile Beach but also not far at all from Wallis Lake across the road. 

The campground is pretty basic being a National Park campground. It has toilets and hot showers (coin-operated) and BBQ’s but that’s about it. NOTE: They are doing a major amenities upgrade at the moment (as of May 2021) so stay tuned! 

Seven Mile Beach is also the start of an epic hike – Booti Hill and Wallis lake walking track which has scenic lookouts and a direct link to Elizabeth beach and back along the Wallis Lake to the campground. Hint – they don’t call that hill Booti Booti for nothing! It’s one BIG hill sure to give you a workout but definitely worth the trek. You can cool off at the end at either the protected Wallis Lake or at the pristine Seven Mile Beach. Seven Mile is also one of the best places to check out the whale migration in the winter months

BIG 4 Tuncurry

Location: 1 Baird Street, Tuncurry NSW 2428

Price: Starting at $45/night

Accessibility: Tent, Camper trailer site, Caravan site

Amenities:

  •       Pool & Kids pool/splash park
  •       Playground
  •       Barbecues
  •       Camp kitchen
  •       Private boat ramp

This park feels brand new…It has amazing facilities. Another family fun park that still very much lends to the caravanning couple or solo explorer. Stunning resort-style pool with a smaller splash park for the littles and playground. On-site shop and café, great camp kitchen and BBQs. The caravan parking service is brilliant. Just unhook on the road and using their little tractor they will position your van into place on site. That’s one argument you won’t need to have with your partner! 

The park has a private boat launch area and is right on the water. Launch straight into angler’s paradise. Test your skills pulling out a monster bream from the oyster racks or pull up along one of the many sandbanks for a swim and picnic. No boat? No problem…visit the boatsheds on Forster side for boats, BBQ boats, SUPs and water bikes. Sites are AstroTurf’d which is a bit fancy underfoot and really nice to camp on. 

We find Tuncurry side just as nice as Forster. Maybe a little quieter. Still great options for activities and eating out with walks and playgrounds nearby. Check out Hamilton’s Oysters for a beautiful slow and relaxing lunch on the water. The local pub (Bellevue Hotel) even has a pool! It has a little kids play area and great food. Another favorite of ours is the Tuncurry rock pool. It’s a great beach for smaller kids. Netted off the break wall, it’s wave free and calm and has a really nice little café and playground. 

For fresh seafood you must pay a visit to Monin Seafood. Huge variety and local produce available. They also have an outlet at Red Spot boat shed in Forster.

Reflections Holiday Park / Seal Rocks Caravan Park

Location: Kinka Road, Seal Rocks NSW 2423

Price: From $44 per night

Accessibility: Tent, Camper trailer site, Caravan site

Amenities:

  •       Camp Kitchen
  •       Playground
  •       Carpark
  •       Drinking water

 Across the road from number one beach is Seal Rocks Caravan Park. It’s a very clean, fresh, newly renovated park. It caters for everyone…families, couples, and solo explorers. It has new amenities, a playground and an amazing camp kitchen with a viewing deck perfect for a few arvo bevies! You have the option of two beaches – No 1 and up over the hill, Boat Beach. From Boat Beach, It’s a really nice walk up the hill to check out the lighthouse.

The views are spectacular. Guaranteed to spot whales in season and Lighthouse beach is a must-visit as well. It’s so beautiful and fun to explore all of the tide pools and rocks on low tide. Brilliant fishing spot too!

Up on top of the hill from the caravan park is a convenience store with basic supplies and the coffee van, single fin, is also open in peak times.

Speaking of peak times…it does get VERY busy in the holiday season. As there is only one road in and out, it can get pretty congested as the road becomes single lane only due to everyone parking on the other side of the road along the beach. Be prepared for a bit of a traffic jam and just take your time.

Nearest spot for petrol, bottle shop and takeaway would be at Bungwhal General Store. Head out of Seal Rocks and at the end of the road take a right up the hill and it’s just at the top. Otherwise, stock up in the town of Bulahdelah before you take the lakes way exit. 

Honourable mention – anywhere along Mungo National Park for the more off-grid, back to nature style camping. Take the car ferry over from the access point at Bombah point from Bulahdelah, and you’ll find loads of little campgrounds along Mungo Brush road. Coming from the North on the left, you have all the beachside camping and on the left lakeside camping. (also accessible from Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest end). This area is pretty rustic camping with drop toilets and not much else. Off-grid camping with fires allowed in some of the campgrounds depending on which ones you go to. We love it here for that reason, but if you still want to explore the area but stay in more luxurious comfort, then there is the NRMA Myall Shores Holiday Park just before you get onto the Ferry.

Ready to plan your next camping trip?

We hope we have given you some great inspiration and information on the best places to stay to experience everything the Great Lakes has to offer…and there is still so much more to explore! You’ll be coming back year after year and still finding hidden little gems each time! The Family Adventure Playground, the Couples Holiday Haven, and the Solo Travelers dream. 

Explore caravans for hire

Ready to book the ultimate adventure camping holiday? Let’s get you on your way! No Van? No Problem! See the range of Caravans and Pop Top Campers CSTORM has for hire to help you have the most memorable and relaxing holiday experience possible.