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Willowbank

99%

· Stroud Road, New South Wales

252 acres hosted by Joanne W.

2 Vehicle/Tent sites · 2 tent sites

Family-friendly

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

Nomadic camping

Best for self-contained campers. There are no toilets, showers, or potable water at this Hipcamp.

Staff verified

Accuracy verified by Hipcamp's on-the-ground team.

Joanne is a Star Host

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

"Willowbank" is a stunning 252 acre property located in the picturesque Karuah River valley with 1km of river frontage. The property has been in our family for 4 generations! Being bought by Ian's great grandfather in the 1920's. We cater for guests that are looking to get back to nature. Enjoy the great outdoors without feeling overcrowded! We want our guests to be happy and have the best experience possible. Located only 8 minutes drive from the historical town of Stroud which was settled by the AA Company in the 1820's as a food growing area. There are still many beautiful buildings from that period to explore. A dairy farm for many years, we switched over to beef around 15 years ago. Currently we run around 120 head of Angus and mixed breed cattle. Within 3 hours drive of Sydney and around an hour from the Barrington National Parks, Newcastle, Maitland, Forster and Nelson Bay, it makes it the perfect destination for a weekend getaway! We are offering four beautiful, partly shaded, camping sites along the pristine Upper Karuah River. All sites are separated for privacy and are all right on the edge of the river. All sites are site only and no toilet or shower facilities are provided. You will need to bring your own camping toilet or self contained caravan/ camper (which can be emptied at the dump point located in Stroud township 8 minutes drive away). Access to The Paperbarks site is provided by the unsealed council road right to the sites. The sites themselves are subject to wet weather so 4wd vehicles are preferred though 2wd vehicles may be parked just off the road if it gets a bit wet. Please note, we do have a house up the hill from these sites. It does face away from the area though. The Rapids and Riverview sites are accessed via a laneway through the property. These sites are for 4WD VEHICLES ONLY with tents or camper trailers. As sites are located along the riverbank, at times they are subject to flooding. This may mean that camping there may not be suitable at all times and you may need to move to higher ground in this event. The whole property is also cut off from road access during times of flood. Site 1 (The Paperbarks) is the larger of the sites is suited to camper trailers, caravans, camper vans or tents. It has some flat areas and also some slightly sloping with river access. Bring your cricket bat and enjoy a game or put up your hammock between the trees and just relax. Site 2 (The Rapids) and Site 3 (Riverview) are both private, flat sites with 4WD ACCESS ONLY. Bring your tent, swag, camper trailer or small off road van and enjoy the river rapids. Site 4 (Long Flat) private large flat site for 4WD vehicles with caravans. Perfect for larger groups. The river bank is a little steep in places and access is via a track so please be mindful when walking. River shoes are also encouraged as the rocks in the river can be slippery. Perfect for a relaxing stay in summer with swimming, canoeing or floating on your raft down the river. Bring your fishing gear for some relaxing bass or mullet fishing during the summer months (catch and release is encouraged). The pristine river is also home to platypus which can be seen early in the morning or late afternoon from the campsites. Please do not try and interact with these beautiful animals, photography is encouraged though! There are numerous birds, water dragons and wallabies that also inhabit the area around the campsites. Sit around the camp fire (restrictions permitting) and watch the stars with family and friends. Firepits are provided for use, subject to fire restriction periods. Remember to bring wood with you! There are opportunities for bush walking, bird watching and mountain bike riding over the back of the property. It is a bit of a hike to get to the access but well worth it with beautiful views from the top of the mountain as well. Our farm is a working beef cattle property. Please be mindful that cattle and horses have free range of the property, which includes the road, so take care when driving. There will also be at times motorbikes, chainsaws and vehicles operating around the farm as well as on neighbouring properties. We will endeavour to keep the noise away from campers where possible. There will also be the odd cow/horse poo and mooing at night in case anyone has an issue. Small to medium dogs are allowed but must be on a leash at all times. This is due to there being working dogs and cattle in the area. Sorry, NO LARGE DOGS allowed due to past issues. Please also be aware that we are in a tick prone area so make sure your pet has adequate tick protection. We do have mobile phone reception with Telstra and Optus on the property. Historic Stroud township has a supermarket, butcher, chemist, cafes, a club and pub along with swimming pool, playground and skate park. Dungog is located 25 minutes drive away and also has many historic buildings and cafes etc. Gloucester is 40 minutes drive and offers similar as well as access to the World renowned wilderness of the Barrington Tops National Park. We hope to make your stay a pleasurable one with many happy memories made. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. ***sorry no parties allowed*** Your hosts, Jo and Ian.

Activities

Biking

Fishing

Hiking

Paddling

Natural features

Forest

River, stream, or creek

Swimming hole

Mountainous

99%

62 Ratings · 46 reviews

Russell T.recommends

October 13, 2024

The Paperbarks

Awesome Van Camping

A perfect grassy mowed camping area on the banks of the sleepy Karuah River. Only three camping areas on the property which are only just visible. Awesome shady area for the kids to swim in the river which has a river rock bed only knee deep, with deeper swimming holes. Site comes complete with a visit from the friendly horses, with an abundance of native wild life. Host Joanne was very hospitable and guided us to our camp. Very relaxing and perfect for a van or tent. Directions very easy to follow. Myself and the kids had an awesome time and we will definitely be back.

Brett C.recommends

October 12, 2024

Long Flat

Getting back to nature!

We loved that it was a private setting with campers well distanced in other paddocks. Creek was great to explore with running fresh water to sit & relax. Great exploring up the mountain side, bring your comfortable sneakers, its certainly a trek but well worth the effort for the views. The camping ground was level & easily accessible with caravan, grounds were clean & maintained including a fire pit. Well positioned to maintain solar without power all weekend. Animals about the farm included cows & horses which enjoyed a cheeky carrott & apple. Lots of wildlife could be heard at night & the beautiful milkyway was easily spotted. Hosts Jo & Ian were accommodating with check-ins & information about the property. Would totally recommend this camping ground for families / small groups or couples - we have had a great few days relaxing by the camp-fire & enjoying nature.

Jason V.recommends

October 11, 2024

Riverview

What an amazing spot!! We stayed at the Riverview campsite for 4 nights in our camper trailer. The outlook was incredible and the kids loved the short walk down to the river where they spent hours swimming and exploring. Jo and Ian are fantastic hosts. From their excellent communication during the booking process to greeting us when we arrived, showing us to our campsite and checking in throughout our stay we cannot speak more highly of our experience at Willowbank. Very happy campers.

Ana B.recommends

October 10, 2024

The Paperbarks

Perfect getaway with kids

Couldn’t have asked for a better stay. Jo and Iain went above and beyond to make sure the kids and I were comfortable before leaving us to explore and enjoy their incredible property. The weather was a little off so we didn’t get to swim like we had planned but the kids didn’t mind at all and found plenty to kelp themselves busy! Beautiful setting and lovely shady trees with plenty of room to run about - I feel we are going to become regular visitors to Willowbank!

Brooke J.recommends

October 7, 2024

The Paperbarks

Amazing spot and such fantastic hosts!!! Definitely will be headed back

Brianna L.recommends

October 7, 2024

Riverview

Hidden Gem

We loved camping here. The river is so beautiful and the hosts are extremely kind and helpful. They spread the campsites out and we had plenty of our own space to enjoy the river on our own. We would highly recommend staying here and we will be back again!

Location

Stroud Road, 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 Joanne W.

Joined in January 2024

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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.