The best camping near Hat Head National Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Hat Head National Park adventure.

Popular ways to camp

Community favorites near Hat Head National Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Hat Head National Park

99%
(739)

Bundilla River Camp

15 sites · RVs, Tents260 acres · Ballengarra, NSW
Come camp along the beautiful Wilson River on a working cattle property. Shady, grassy campsites by a flowing river, just 25 minutes drive from Port Macquarie. The camp area includes a camp shed, where campers can make use of the picnic table, stainless steel food preparation bench and camp fire pit. There are only 2 sites available with power which is included in the site price. Check out our discount for single travelers and extras like eggs and firewood. Fresh honey also available sometimes during the year. Toilet block newly built. Early check in and late checkout available on request. Laundry services available on request. If you have 3 or more children please call me for a discount. Also we have a huge discount for single travels. Kids will love the farm tour and feeding of pigs, chickens, sheep and goats. It's an excellent area for mountain bike riding as well! Kayaks available for free. Don't have a caravan, we have partnered up with Wrighty's Caravan Hire and Repairs. linktr.ee/wrightyscaravans. They offer family caravans delivered, setup ready for you to enjoy. Pets allowed but you must discuss with owners prior to booking. Rules: 1. For the piece and quiet of other campers all check-ins must be before 4.30pm during the colder months. Check ins after 7pm may be turned away in busy times. 2. No Fireworks - this is very unsettling for our livestock 3. 9pm quiet time. 4. No drones in the camping area, for the privacy of other campers 5. Generators are allowed for short period of time but not permitted after 8pm. 6. Dogs on leads when walking around the farm Rick and I thank you for your support in these matters.
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AU$25
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(277)

Valley View Escape

19 sites · RVs, Tents500 acres · Buckra Bendinni, NSW
Valley View Escape is a 500 acre working dairy farm located in the beautiful Nambucca Valley just 25 minutes off the highway. There is stunning 360 views of mountain ranges and Lake Lumby from all our sites. We offer powered sites and unpowered sites which are all level grounded with grass and accessible by 2WD. There is non potable water available. Our powered sites are conveniently located close by the amenities with flushing toilet, hot shower and dump point. Each site has a fire pit, or you can use your own as long as it is not directly on the ground. There is also firewood available for purchase which can be done through HipCamp at checkout or cash on arrival We are a pet friendly campsite but we ask you to keep your pets on a leash and always have full control. Enjoy and relax at our communal picnic area with fire pit, shade, picnic table and pontoon on Lake Lumby which is great for kayaking and swimming. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for Discount codes and updates @valleyviewescape ***CHRISTMAS BOOKINGS*** We are currently in the process of creating more powered and unpowered sites that will be open from Friday 20th of December to Sunday the 5th of January. These sites aren't live to be booked yet but please swing us a message if you are interested and want any more information.
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AU$27
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
98%
(1225)

The Hatch Farm - Port Macquarie

14 sites · RVs, Tents150 acres · The Hatch, NSW
Welcome to Port Macquarie's 'The Hatch Farm'; a pet friendly, interactive animal and fishing farm stay! A 150-acre working farm with a stunning outlook over the saltwater Maria River (with a rustic boat ramp and waterway running into the Hastings River). Located on the Mid North Coast NSW, 4kms off the Pacific Highway, and a quick 13/15-minute drive to the holiday township of Port Macquarie. Port Macquarie is known for its beautiful beaches, coastal scenery and walks, koala hospital, and local strawberry and tomato picking. Bernard and Susan are custodians of the farm, primarily using the land for poultry (egg), pig, and goat farming. They are transitioning to an off-grid and eco-friendly lifestyle for their retirement. The Hatch Farm is home to many animals, most of whom are rescues - including border collies, cavalier king charles spaniels, chickens, ducks, pigs, sheep, goats, miniature horses, cows, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. There is plenty to do and see around the farm from complete relaxation, interacting with the friendly animals (there is usually a variety of babies to cuddle!), to casting a line or launching your boat from the rustic boat ramp. Friendly pets welcome.
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from 
AU$30
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
99%
(206)

Cracknback Riverside Campground

30 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Lower Creek, NSW
Our working farm is located between Kempsey and Armidale in the beautiful Macleay Valley in the Northern Tablelands of NSW. We offer large, grassy campsites on the beautiful Macleay River and a modern amenities block with hot showers and flushing toilets. Additional guests welcome at $20 per head per night over 12 years old. Kids 5 - 12 years $5 per night. Under 5 years free **IMPORTANT INFORMATION** Cracknback Campground is situated almost half way between Kempsey and Armidale shires. They are each responsible for this road. The boundary between the two shires is at Blackbird Flat - which is 12 km from us towards Kempsey. The Armidale Shire section of road is officially closed - however we do have permission to operate. DO NOT USE GPS! Because the road is closed on Live Traffic, GPS will take you into the back hills. From Kempsey 1.5 hours. Travel through Willawarrin, Bellbrook and continue straight for 40 mins until you see our signs on the left. From Armidale 1.5 hours. Travel app 41km on Waterfall Way. Turn right onto Kempsey-Armidale Road. Cracknback is app 54km on the right. * Heaps of flat ground for kids to ride bikes * Watch tortoises and fish in the river * Free kayaks for use * Beautiful mountain ranges and such an open sky you can see the Milky Way! * 30 roomy sites, flushing toilets, hot showers * Family friendly * We are dog friendly...if your dog is friendly. * Fire pits provided but bring your own wood
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from 
AU$20
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
95%
(250)

Bellinger River Camping

15 sites · RVs, Tents60 acres · Bellingen, NSW
Nestled along a picturesque 1-km stretch of the Bellinger River, our camping grounds offer level, grassy sites with open spaces perfect for relaxing and reconnecting with nature. Just a short walk into town, you’ll find a charming milk bar serving fresh fish and chips only 700 meters down the road, or for the adventurous, swim across the river for breakfast or lunch at the iconic Old Butter Factory Cafe. Enjoy complimentary on-site kayaking, fishing right from your camp, and a chance to spot the elusive platypus! A new fence keeps the cows out, so you can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings. Facilities include a pit toilet. We welcome pets and families, with free entry for children. Only one vehicle per booking is allowed, though we can easily accommodate group bookings on a single site—just email us to arrange. Caravan hire is also available for added convenience.
Pets
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from 
AU$50
 / night
* Before taxes and fees
95%
(472)

Hodge Lodge Grounds Johns River

22 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents11 acres · Johns River, NSW
Hodge Lodge Grounds is private property Cabin/s and Camp in Johns River, NSW. Pet Friendly! 4 hours north of Sydney, halfway between Port Macquarie and Taree. Your easy access stop for the night for traveler's heading north and south on the east coast freeway of NSW, Perfect accommodation between Sydney and Byron Bay, Gold Coast, and Brisbane. Hodge Lodge Grounds NSW is on a sealed road and close to the A1 motorway. No getting stuck in the mud, or going off the beaten track because we offer a large internal heavy-duty driveway! Large vehicles can turn around and drive on solid ground inside the property on some of our dispersed sites. Make your trip into an experience as you relax by the fire-pit with your beverage of choice, enjoy hot shower and cozy king bed of Sunrise Hut. All the comforts of home and more as soon as you unlock the door! You can drive any size vehicle into our expansive grounds on our heavy-duty driveway that leads you to your cabin, powered or native camp site. Large site. Private space. Stay safe in our gated 11-acre private property. Here you can enjoy your music and social atmosphere, have your wood delivered via 'extras booking' for your evening by the fire pit, and wake up to the sounds of our local birds! Situated between the 3 brother mountains NSW, North Brother, Middle Brother and South Brother. We're located within minutes to the beaches which is ideal for swimming, fishing, surfing and walking the local break walls. Crowdy Bay National Park and Middle Brother National Park for those 4WD sporting and adventure enthusiasts. Close to the local townships for shopping, dining and visiting local attractions of Kew, Harrington, North Haven and Laurieton for those keen to enjoy the outdoors.
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from 
AU$18
 / night
* Before taxes and fees

The best camping near Hat Head National Park guide

Overview

About

On a clear day, it feels like you can see forever from the headland on the Korogoro Walking Track in Hat Head National Park—and if you’re on the trail in the cooler months, you’ve got a great chance of seeing whales as you walk. It’s just one of several great bushwalking tracks in the coastal national park roughly halfway between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour on the Macleay Valley Coast. Perfect for those who love back-to-basics camping holidays, fishing, bushwalking, and splashing in the sea or Korogoro Creek, Hat Head tends to get overlooked by most travellers rushing to get to more fashionable spots to the north—this is a bonus for those who prefer their getaways crowd-free.

Caravan Camping Near Hat Head National Park

Just an hour’s drive north of Port Macquarie or south of Coffs Harbour, Hat Head National Park affords the perfect coastal escape along the Pacific Highway. Whether you’re bushwalking along wild headlands, bird-watching and whale-watching from the shore, or picnicking by the beachside, this is the spot to dodge the crowds. Get up early to watch the sunrise, and you might even get the beach to yourself. Caravanners can head to one of Hat Hin’s two beachside campgrounds, which provide unpowered sites suitable for self-contained motorhomes and camper trailers, with basic facilities such as picnic tables and toilets. Alternatively, check into the holiday park, which offers spacious, powered sites along with access to a dump point, camp kitchen, and kiosk. Or, head further afield to spend the night at a quiet Hipcamp in the hills and explore the national park on a day trip instead.

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for families: Hungry Gate Campground has plenty of shade, and kangaroos often graze in the camping area.
  • Best for beach lovers: Smoky Cape Campground, beneath the Smoky Cape Lighthouse, is right beside the beach and popular with fishers.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. All campsites in NSW national parks must be pre-booked online before you arrive.
  2. All national park campgrounds get busy during summer and Easter school holidays, when you’ll need to book well ahead. But go mid-week in February and March, and it’s quite possible you’ll be the only ones there.
  3. Hungry Gate Campground is a 20-minute walk from the beach, so it’s sometimes easier to secure a campsite here than at the beachside Smoky Cape Campground.

When to go

Although it can get rainy, summer offers the best camping weather and is the most popular time to visit. Days might be hottest in January and February, but March and April are best for swimming, when the sea is warmest. Winter time, May to November, is best for seeing whales from the lookouts. 

Know before you go

  • Hat Head National Park is 24 kilometres east of Kempsey, near South West Rocks.
  • Neighbouring Arakoon National Park—at the Smoky Cape end of the park near South West Rocks—is also worth a visit. Highlights include the sandstone Trial Bay Gaol ruins on the headland.
  • You can stock up with basics at the Hat Head General Store, which also stocks beer and wine and does a pretty good hamburger, too.

Nearby attractions

A beautiful partially sheltered beach with an elaborate past, Trial Bay is a great place to spend your day exploring both nature and history.

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