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The Branch River Retreat

99%

· The Branch, New South Wales

108 acres hosted by Debora E.

1 lodging site · 4 Vehicle/Tent sites

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 a private farm and we ask you contact us first to ensure we can provide the facilities suitable for you. The farm 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%

49 Ratings · 41 reviews

Sophia Siwoo S.recommends

August 31, 2024

Riverside and Riverview Campsites

Debora, was kind and considerate. The riverside campsites are mostly flat with gravel surfaces, making them a great choice for those who prefer to avoid dust or are using a tent or 4WD van. Being by the riverside, the view was generally beautiful and peaceful. We enjoyed a relaxing fishing session on the small jetty, where we managed to catch a couple of 25cm breams, which added to the peaceful experience. While we liked the river site, we decided to switch to the dam site for a more secluded camping experience. Deborah was very accommodating and happily agreed to our request. The dam site had a small pond and grassy flat areas, offering a quiet and serene atmosphere that perfectly matched our needs. Although there was some foot traffic from other riverside campers using the shared toilet behind our site, it wasn’t too disruptive since it was at a reasonable distance. If privacy is a priority for you, the dam site would be your best bet. Bringing mosquito repellent is advisable. We tried our luck fishing at the dam but didn’t catch anything. Instead, we were treated to views of ducks and other birds roaming around. The night sky was stunning, with plenty of stars and even a few shooting stars visible, so if you enjoy stargazing, I highly recommend this campsite.

Isaac H.recommends

August 31, 2024

Cottage with Farm and Dam Views

We really enjoyed the place and the beautiful farm view. Look forward to visiting again!

Daniel P.recommends

June 24, 2024

Paddock and Dam site

Amazing location and so nice and quiet as we were the only ones booked in for the weekend. We will be back to stay again.

Priscilla D.recommends

June 22, 2024

Riverside and Riverview Campsites

Riverside retreat

What a great Hipcamp. Our host Debora was absolutely brilliant, going over and above to ensure we had a great stay. We will definitely book again and come equipped with fishing gear next time to take advantage of the fabulous floating dock. 10/10 for this beautiful spot and gracious hostess.

Ashleigh J.recommends

June 10, 2024

Riverside and Riverview Campsites

Peaceful !!!

Debora was a lovely host, There was a bit of rain and she was more than happy to move our site onto a non muddy area. The site itself was beautiful, all guests are spread out well so you aren't on top of each other! The river and wharf was stunning, especially when it was sunset. Would defiantly recommend staying here :)

Stephen A.recommends

May 29, 2024

Riverside and Riverview Campsites

Had my second trip up to the Debora’s farm for 2 nights. The boat ramp, pontoon and fire pits are a wonderful part of the farm. As the weather leading up to the weekend was very wet the areas that Debora has put down gravel pretty much make it an all weather camp. Thanks so much for sharing!

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 4 hours

Things to do nearby

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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.