Discover the best family-friendly glamping near Forster, New South Wales

Australia
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New South Wales
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Forster

98% (502 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Forster

Dog-friendly getaways

4 top glamping sites near Forster

95%

(474)

Hodge Lodge Grounds Johns River

22 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents11 acres · Johns River, NSW

Hodge Lodge Grounds is private property Cabin/s and Camp in Johns River, NSW. Pet Friendly! 4 hours north of Sydney, halfway between Port Macquarie and Taree. Your easy access stop for the night for traveler's heading north and south on the east coast freeway of NSW, Perfect accommodation between Sydney and Byron Bay, Gold Coast, and Brisbane. Hodge Lodge Grounds NSW is on a sealed road and close to the A1 motorway. No getting stuck in the mud, or going off the beaten track because we offer a large internal heavy-duty driveway! Large vehicles can turn around and drive on solid ground inside the property on some of our dispersed sites. Make your trip into an experience as you relax by the fire-pit with your beverage of choice, enjoy hot shower and cozy king bed of Sunrise Hut. All the comforts of home and more as soon as you unlock the door! You can drive any size vehicle into our expansive grounds on our heavy-duty driveway that leads you to your cabin, powered or native camp site. Large site. Private space. Stay safe in our gated 11-acre private property. Here you can enjoy your music and social atmosphere, have your wood delivered via 'extras booking' for your evening by the fire pit, and wake up to the sounds of our local birds! Situated between the 3 brother mountains NSW, North Brother, Middle Brother and South Brother. We're located within minutes to the beaches which is ideal for swimming, fishing, surfing and walking the local break walls. Crowdy Bay National Park and Middle Brother National Park for those 4WD sporting and adventure enthusiasts. Close to the local townships for shopping, dining and visiting local attractions of Kew, Harrington, North Haven and Laurieton for those keen to enjoy the outdoors.

* Before taxes and fees

99%

(64)

The Branch River Retreat

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents108 acres · The Branch, NSW

Our property is private and we ask you to contact us first to ensure we can provide the facilities suitable for you. The property has limited facilities, but is the perfect setting for birdwatchers and native animal lovers. Just a 2-3 hour trip north of Sydney take the Bucketts Way to stay on sealed roads. A tributary river to Nelson Bay there is a rare offering in diversity as estuary dolphins gently make their way past the riverside sites at least once a day. The Branch River Retreat offers 110 acres with a range of sites beside a wide river, a fish-filled dam and other scattered paddock sites among trees and dams. This will suit off-road independent hybrid caravaners and tent dwellers. The river is lined with mangroves and branches off the Karuah River and the Port Stephens system. The extraordinary array of birdlife includes the quintessentially Australian Wedge-tailed eagle and sea eagles, hawks, and Tawny Frogmouths, water waders and even a regular visit from a Jabiroo and pelicans. Be lulled asleep under starry nights and be woken by Magpies and Kookaburras, and be dazzled by the colourful parrots and smaller shyer birds. You may even be visited by curious Kangaroos, Wallabies, or Echidnas. For the lucky few, you may espy a Koala along the foreshore. For this reason, while we accept dogs, they must be on a leash (if not just for their own safety). The rest of the property enjoys aspects of undulating landscapes with small mountains and valleys. The night sky puts on its own stellar show between setting suns and rising moons. The boat ramp offers easy access for kayaks and canoes (no motor vessels please). Or just sit on a camper chair and dangle your feet in the water while watching the mud crabs go about their social business. Riverside sites are not powered and do not have water or sewerage. They are situated within 10m to 25m of each other and if this is too close, we recommend booking two sites. (For this reason we have kept the price lower.) Generally, we prefer campers to be 100% self-contained, with their own toilet. A toilet is however accessible, but some 300m to 400m distance from the dams and rivers. There is cold potable running water here for topping up. There are sealed roads to the front gate to access the property from north and south. All-weather gravel road access is available, although paddock sites can only be accessed by vehicle during dry periods. Weather willing, we can provide more secluded sites by some lovely dams. If touring around the area is your aspiration, the property lies central to Tea Gardens/Hawks Nest, the Great Lakes district, Stroud Valley, Dungog, Gloucester/Barrington Tops, Nelson Bay, and Newcastle. Local groceries can be sourced from Karuah and Stroud. Activities include: - Bird/nature watching - Paddling/canoeing - Fishing - Bike riding (No motor vessels please) - Surface type: grass or paddock leveled areas and others with slight slopes and accessed with the essential 4WD (of course subject to weather). - Generally fair to good Mobile phone access. - It will be necessary to BYO or Preorder firewood for applicable sites out of fire season, (where facilities are provided). - No electrical connections unless by arrangement (for longer term Hipcampers) - We treat our own sewerage. - No generators please.

* Before taxes and fees

99%

(129)

Altamira Along Bakers Creek

20 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents250 acres · Bundook, NSW

Altamira Along Bakers Creek is a country escape on a working farm in the heart of the beautiful Mid North Coast. Our property is located just 30 minutes from Gloucester, 50 minutes from the Pacific Highway, 2 hours from Newcastle and 4 hours from Sydney. There are plenty of activities including bush walking, swimming in the pool, relaxing in the spa, strolling to the creek or sitting by the bar. We have unpowered campsites along and within walking distance of the creek. Caravans, tents and roof top tents all welcome on 250 acres of private rural property set in the majestic Wako Mountain Ranges. There is an animal petting farm for the kids to enjoy and a bar for the adults to have an afternoon drink. Enjoy access to a communal pool, tennis court, commercial kitchen, shower and toilet. There is a BBQ entertaining area, outdoor communal fireplace and sitting area for your comfort. Please note our drinking water is fed from the creek, you are welcome to purify it or bring your own drinking water. We have free range animals on our farm and ask that you keep your pets on leash when not at your campsite. Come enjoy a farm stay on our working farm, Altamira.

* Before taxes and fees

99%

(77)

Bush Paddock near Stroud

2 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents200 acres · Nooroo, NSW

Our property 'Bush Paddock' and 'Bush Cabin' are located just 10 minutes from the historical town of Stroud, and offer a secluded peaceful getaway for those that love the outdoors and simple living. Book this site or cabin for just you and your group exclusively, or book both for your exclusive use. Enjoy quiet, private surroundings during the day, and dazzling star shows at night. The large campsite and cabin are located on a level, grassed area with plenty of space to pitch tents, or park campers and caravans. Children just love the level grassy land to run and just be a kid. It's perfect for games like cricket, soccer, and football to name a few. The amenities block has both toilet and shower, and there is also power available to connect up to. A large sheltered area, our camp kitchen, includes fridge, barbeque, electricity, kettle, table, chairs and more. Enjoy bird watching, visiting wallabies in the late afternoon, or looking for fossils in the seasonal creek just a few metres away. The historical town of Stroud is only 10 or so minutes away if you need supplies. Karuah River is close by for swimming and fishing, and the Barrington Tops National Park is approximately 50 minutes away. Ride Dungog is located at The Common in Dungog, for mountain bike enthusiasts. The area includes 650 acres offering trails for all different levels. While visiting Dungog, there are boutique cafes and shops, a historic cinema, and a lot more to see as you wander through the streets. Unfortunately we no longer have parties, including 18ths, 21sts etc.

* Before taxes and fees

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Family-friendly glamping near Forster guide

Overview

Surrounded by beaches, lakes and rivers, Forster is paradise for water lovers. Drive over the bridge from sister town Tuncurry on a sunny day, and you’ll be welcomed by the turquoise hues of Wallis Lake, which is dotted with deserted islands and sand bars beckoning to be explored. The area is popular for boating, fishing, water-skiing, wakeboarding, kayaking, surfing and stand-up paddleboarding. Swim in secluded coves, ocean baths and rock pools, roll down the sandhill at One Mile Beach, and book a cruise to spot dolphins or whales during their annual migration.

Forster

Wander down the main street of Forster perusing its boutiques and surf shops, before grabbing fish and chips for a picnic on the grass by Wallis Lake, followed by an ice-cream. It’s the quintessential Forster experience. Hire a tinnie to explore the lake and frolic around Miles Island at low tide, or book a dolphin, whale watching or charter fishing cruise. Head to the easily accessible Forster Beach (known as Main Beach), or one of the other beautiful beaches nearby. They include One Mile Beach, which has sandhill you can slide down, or the unpatrolled Pebbly Beach. The nearby natural rock formation known as The Tanks is a popular swimming spot for locals and visitors alike. There are plenty of caravan parks and holiday parks to stay in the Great Lakes area.

Tuncurry

Just over the bridge, the sister town of Tuncurry has a cinema and a carnival over summer, with rides such as dodgem cars and swinging chairs, arcade games and food trucks.

Pacific Palms

Drive along the Lakes Way to explore Pacific Palms, one of the best hidden gems to be found on the north coast of New South Wales. Around 15km south of Forster, you’ll find Booti Booti National Park. Set on a peninsula between the Pacific Ocean and the lake, it is blessed with beautiful beaches, walking tracks, lookouts, and coastal rainforest. At the northern end of the park, the Cape Hawke lookout offers 360-degree views along the coast from the top of a 8m-high tower, ideal for whale watching. On a clear day you can see as far as Barrington Tops, more than 100km away.

Wallingat National Park

A little further along, Wallingat National Park is a great destination for hiking, mountain biking, horseriding, birdwatching and fishing or swimming in the river and lake. Walk through the tall flooded gum trees to Sugar Creek, where you’ll also find stands of cabbage palms. Whoota Whoota Lookout offers sensational views over the eucalypt forest and the winding, rugged coastline and if you’re lucky you may even spot a sea eagle soaring through the air.

When to go

The best time to visit for warm weather and water sports is from October to March, however it can be crowded during the summer school holidays (late December until late January). While it rains there year-round, it tends to get the most rainfall in February, and the least in August. June to October is the best time to spot whales as they pass by on their annual migration.

Know before you go

Forster is around 3.5 hours’ drive north of Sydney, and makes a great first stop on a road trip north to Byron Bay or Queensland
Busways operates daily coach services from Newcastle to Forster via Hawks Nest, Tea Gardens and Pacific Palms
Forster is part of the Destination Barrington Coast tourist region, which also includes the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Barrington Tops National Park
Stockland Forster, a short drive from the centre of town on The Lakes Way, has two supermarkets and department stores such as Kmart, Target Country and Best & Less
Bushland in the vicinity of Forster was severely impacted by the 2019 bushfires, but is now regenerating in most areas, leading to wildlife returning.

Nearby attractions

An excellent surfing beach with stunning sights for beachgoers, Blueys Beach's coastline stretches for 900 metres between Blueys Head and Boomerang Point.
A scenic headland bordered by two pristine beaches, Crowdy Head boasts panoramic views over the ocean and an excellent vantage point of the Three Brothers Mountains.
The best surfing beach in the Pacific Palms precinct, Boomerang Beach's unique shape, and rock formations give consistent and powerful waves.
A lakeside getaway in the Barrington Coast region, Smiths Lake is a great alternative to the often bustling, nearby beaches.
The best all-around beach for those camping near Port Stephens, One Mile Beach is patrolled during the holidays and has a consistent swell perfect for those looking to get out and surf.
A remote stretch of golden sand with a unique surf break, Treachery Beach is a lesser-known locale with plenty of hidden surprises.