This Central Coast town is surrounded by beaches, lakes, and national parks.
Taking its name—which comes from the Aboriginal words for “rocky bottom creek”—from Dora Creek, which flows through town, Cooranbong boasts a strategic setting for campers. Just a 45-minute drive from Newcastle and 15 minutes from the shores of Lake Macquarie, the town is well-placed for exploring. Cooranbong camping options are limited, but you’ll find some spacious Hipcamps and national park campgrounds right on the outskirts. Alternatively, there are plenty of private campgrounds and holiday parks around the Lake Macquarie lakeshore and along the coast. There are also miles of wilderness hiking and biking trails at nearby Watagans National Park, and sandy beaches, boat cruises, and lakeside bushwalks throughout the Lake Macquarie State Conservation Area.