- Maitland
Popular camping styles for Maitland
Star Hosts in Maitland
Available this weekend
12 top campgrounds near Maitland
Under $50
Dog-friendly getaways
Camping near Maitland guide
Overview
The inland NSW city of Maitland is a main hub in the Hunter Valley, a region known for its agriculture and wine. Here, campers will find themselves near the NSW endpoint of the New England Highway, which runs up into Queensland as part of the inland route between Brisbane and Sydney. This makes Maitland a convenient camping location for cross-border road trips, whether you’re in an RV or tent camping. Maitland features a few well-equipped holiday parks in town with both powered and unpowered sites, but many more camping opportunities can be found nearby and throughout the wider Hunter Valley.
Where to go
Hunter Valley
Maitland sits within the Hunter Valley, which is home to some 150 wineries—perfect for wine-loving campers. While Maitland is the largest town in the valley, a number of other towns are also good for camping, including Cessnock, Wollombi, and Pokolbin, all home to an array of campgrounds. There are a few national parks and conservation areas around the Hunter Valley too, including Werakata National Park and Yengo National Park.
Newcastle
About 35 kilometres southeast of Maitland, Newcastle is a good option for campers who would like to be near the coast. The spectacular beaches are Newcastle’s highlight, so it’s no surprise that holiday parks dot the coastline. Here campers can combine city amenities like full hookups, dump stations, and urban access with unbeatable waterfront scenery. Newcastle also offers easy access to Hunter Wetlands National Park, Worimi National Park, and the Sugarloaf State Conservation Area.
Nelson Bay
Northeast of Newcastle and an hour’s drive from Maitland, popular Nelson Bay serves as a starting point for whale and dolphin-watching tours. There are many beachside holiday homes for rent around Nelson Bay, and campers can stay at several well-equipped holiday parks or quiet Hipcamp properties. Some basic beachside campsites also sit in Nelson Bay, most without facilities but with unspoilt access to the white-sand beaches, particularly at Samurai Beach in the Tomaree National Park.
When to go
Maitland’s climate is similar to that in other parts of central New South Wales, with very hot summers, cool winters, and pleasant spring and autumn seasons. Because it’s inland though, it doesn’t benefit from cooling sea breezes. It experiences quite a lot of rain and the large Hunter River that flows through it is prone to flooding, which can happen at any time of year. In general, most campers feel most comfortable camping in Maitland in the warmer months.
