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The Branch River Retreat

99%

· The Branch, New South Wales

108 acres hosted by Debora E.

1 lodging site · 2 Vehicle/Tent sites

Family-friendly

Recent Hipcampers say this Hipcamp is great for families and kids.

Debora is a Star Host

Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.

Creature comforts

Enjoy the comforts of home at some sites—including flush toilets, showers, and a kitchen.

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.

Activities

Biking

Boating

Fishing

Hiking

Natural features

River, stream, or creek

Swimming hole

Field

Wetlands

99%

64 Ratings · 55 reviews

Annie A.recommends

October 15, 2024

Cottage with Farm and Dam Views

Lovely quiet spot with nice open place cabin which was way bigger than we were expecting!! loved the outdoors to explore and would definitely recommend

Sandy S.recommends

October 12, 2024

Riverside and Riverview Campsites

Great camp site great spot we will be back very private and peaceful

Naser S.recommends

October 12, 2024

Paddock with Dam and Farm Views

Wonderful Stay at Branch River Retr

I had a wonderful experience at the Branch River Retreat. The location is beautiful and tranquil, making it perfect for a relaxing getaway. Deborah was exceptional. She took the time to explain everything clearly and made sure we felt comfortable and welcome throughout our stay. Her hospitality truly enhanced our experience. I highly recommend this retreat to anyone looking to connect with nature in a serene environment!

Rach M.recommends

October 9, 2024

Riverside and Riverview Campsites

Debora’s property was beautiful, she met us on arrival and showed us to our site, easy to find, and being right in the river was beautiful. Kids caught a mudcrab and we saw even the elusive dolphins! Thanks again Debora 🙂

Kamran A.recommends

October 8, 2024

Paddock and Dam site

Wonderful Experience

We had an amazing three-night stay at Branch River Retreat with our friends. We booked the cottage along with a few tent sites. The house had all the amenities, including drinkable water and hot water for showers, a fridge, microwave, vacuum, TV, and internet. We put up tents in the backyard to enjoy the stay together. You can buy campfire wood right across from Booral petrol station. If you have a boat or kayak, definitely bring it along. You can also fish around the property; we caught some decent-sized snappers, and the kids had a lot of fun. The sunsets and sunrises were breathtaking, and the atmosphere was incredibly calm, perfect for relaxing out of our busy lives. The best part was the host, Deborah. She was welcoming and always asked if we needed anything during our stay. We would love to come back again.

Gary S.recommends

October 7, 2024

Riverside and Riverview Campsites

Very peaceful and one with nature

Pretty nice campsite, very peaceful and the river was great

Location

The Branch, New South Wales, AustraliaTraditional, ancestral territory of Guringai and Worimi First Nations according to To respect the Host's privacy, the precise address of this land will be provided after booking

Hosted by Debora E.

Joined in July 2023

Response rate: 100%Response time: Within an hour

Things to do nearby

More camping spots nearby

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Safety partners

Hipcamp acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and future and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.