If you like small-town hospitality and escaping the crowds, Merriwa might be the perfect place to pitch your tent or park your motorhome for a few nights. A strategic stopover along the Golden Highway between Newcastle and Dubbo, Merriwa has a well-equipped caravan park with powered and unpowered sites, plus several nearby Hipcamps, which range from tent sites to self-contained cabins. On the cusp of the Hunter Valley, Merriwa affords easy access to the vineyards of NSW’s premium wine region, so be sure to work some wine-tasting into your visit. For a back-to-nature experience, there are also several national parks within easy reach. Cool off in the swimming holes and go bushwalking at Goulburn River National Park, enjoy hiking and mountain biking at Coolah Tops National Park, or explore the UNESCO-listed rainforest at Barrington Tops National Park. All of the national parks have campgrounds with space for tents and caravans.