Camping near Bateau Bay
Find quiet coastal camping beside beaches and coastal rainforest.
- Bateau Bay
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Camping near Bateau Bay guide
Overview
Roughly halfway between Sydney and Newcastle, the small NSW Central Coast town of Bateau Bay sits at the southern end of the Wyrrabalong National Park, a pretty area of beaches, walking tracks, and coastal rainforest. Bateau Bay isn’t as busy as some other nearby coastal towns, so campers might just be able to find a quiet stretch of beach all to themselves. Travellers can find plenty of holiday rentals around the town, or stay at a well-equipped campsites coastal holiday park, either in Bateau Bay itself or a little further up the coast.
Where to go
The Entrance
Just north of Bateau Bay, the two halves of this town—The Entrance and The Entrance North—are divided by a narrow channel (an “entrance”) between two peninsulas. Swim and enjoy watersports at the beaches on the eastern, seaward side of The Entrance, take in the views of Lake Tuggerah to the west, and head to The Entrance North to hike or picnic at Wyrrabalong National Park, which also extends down to Bateau Bay. Campsites dot the entire area.
Gosford
The attractive coastal city of Gosford, about 30 minutes’ drive from Bateau Bay, is a handy base for exploring the beaches and parks of the Central Coast. Kayaking and boating are particularly popular, with the Hawkesbury River, Brisbane Water, and the open ocean all nearby. It’s quite a big city so there are plenty of camping options on its outskirts, from well-equipped holiday parks to quieter, more basic tent sites further from the city.
Brisbane Water National Park
Southeast of Bateau Bay, this large national park contains waterfalls, ancient First Nations rock art sites, and fantastic opportunities for walking, cycling, and fishing. While you can’t camp in the park itself, there are day facilities such as toilets, drinking water, picnic tables, and barbecue facilities. Campers might like to visit on a day trip from a serene Hipcamp site to enjoy a hike or other activity.
When to go
The climate of Bateau Bay and the whole Central Coast is hot in summer, mild in winter, and warm and generally pleasant in spring and autumn. As some of the main attractions of Bateau Bay are swimming, boating, and water sports, many campers prefer to come in summer when the weather is warmest. For national park hiking, the somewhat cooler spring or autumn may be preferable.
