There's nothing more restful than the sound of waves gently breaking on the sand nearby... perfect for an afternoon nap or a deep evening slumber.
In no particular order, here are some of the best spots for camping by the beach in the Barrington Coast.
The Ruins Campground, Booti Booti National Park
Located 15 km south of Forster, The Ruins Campground is well equipped and a convenient base to explore nearby beaches, swimming, walking and whale watching activities. From rugged campers to casual caravaners, The Ruins is the perfect spot for nearly everyone. A beautiful area fringed by cabbage tree palms and paperbarks, it has everything you need, from picnic tables and barbecues to hot showers and drinking water. Whether you prefer the beach or a sheltered lake, both are just a stone’s throw away. Seven Mile Beach offers gorgeous sand and whale watching in the winter. Wallis Lake is perfect for relaxing beneath a tree or launching the kayak for a cool afternoon paddle.
- Closest beach: Seven Mile Beach at Tiona plus more at Pacific Palms
- Bookings essential
- Camping Type: All non-powered sites; tent, camper trailer, caravan, camping beside vehicle
- Amenities: Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, carpark, drinking water, showers, toilets
- Dogs are not allowed.
Reflections Holiday Park Seal Rocks
This is a pristine pocket of paradise nestled between the forest and the aptly-named Number One Beach at Seal Rocks. Bring the board and enjoy a pre-breakfast surf. See what’s biting with a spot of beach fishing. Lace up the hiking shoes and set course for Sugarloaf Point Lighthouse, or jump in the saddle and discover the mountain bike tracks in the area. Seal Rocks is also known as one of NSW’s most iconic diving locations, so get busy with some underwater exploring.
- Closest beach: Number One Beach
- Bookings essential
- Camping type: All powered sites. Tent, camper trailer, caravan, camping beside vehicle, glamping, deluxe cabins
- Amenities: Barbecue facilities, camp kitchen, children's play equipment, laundry facilities, showers and toilets
- Dogs are not permitted.
Tiona Holiday Park, Tiona
Lakeside beach or surfside beach? At Tiona Holiday Park you can enjoy campsites and cabins nestled between the white sands of Seven Mile Beach and the cabbage tree palm shores of Wallis Lake, all surrounded by spectacular Booti Booti National Park.
At Beachside, take a chance to completely disconnect and enjoy nature at its finest with one of NSW's best beaches, and then reconnect with like-minded passionate individuals and groups in the camp kitchen or barbecue areas. This is the space for surfies, working holiday makers, wanderers and dreamers.
At Lakeside, enjoy the eco-retreat style precinct where caravaning, camping, walkways and lush native rainforest style landscaping allows you to embrace the natural feel. This is the space for families to play, with the lake as their playground.
- Closest beach: Seven Mile Beach at Tiona plus more at Pacific Palms
- Bookings essential
- Camping Type: Powered and non-powered sites; tent, camper trailer, caravan, camping beside vehicle, glamping, cabins and villas
- Amenities: Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, carpark, drinking water, showers, toilets, camp kitchen
- Dogs are permitted.
Reflections Holiday Parks Tuncurry
Flat, dog-friendly and with direct access to Nine Mile Beach and the famous Tuncurry Rock Pool, Reflections Holiday Parks Tuncurry is an idyllic spot to slow down, chill out and spend time in stunning surrounds. Whether you’re looking to wet a line in the waterways of Wallis Lake, or simply need some quality beach therapy, Reflections Holiday Parks Tuncurry is a beautiful place to feel the sand between your toes, smell the salt in the air and feel your cares melt away.
- Closest beach: Nine Mile Beach at Tuncurry
- Bookings essential
- Camping type: All powered sites. tent, camper trailer, caravan, camping beside vehicle
- Amenities: Barbecue facilities, camp kitchen, children's play equipment, laundry facilities, tennis court, showers and toilets
- Dogs are permitted during off peak and shoulder seasons on sites and selected cabins. Please call the park directly to book.
Reflections Holiday Park Forster Beach
Reflections Holiday Parks Forster Beach is within walking distance to everywhere you could possibly need or want to go: Forster Main Beach, Forster shops, Wallis Lake and a lot more. This holiday park provides unmatchable convenience, charm and the perfect environment for creating treasured holiday memories. Whether you’re an avid fisherman wanting to drop a line in Wallis Lake, or are simply looking for a fun beach getaway with the kids, Forster Beach Holiday Park is the ideal spot to take a relaxing break from the everyday.
- Camping type: powered sites only; Tent, camper trailer, caravan, camping beside vehicle
- Amenities: barbecue facilities, laundry facilities, showers, toilets, kiosk, camp kitchen
- Dogs are not permitted at Reflections Forster Beach
Lani's On The Beach, Old Bar
Lani's On The Beach is the only tranquil seaside beachfront caravan park in Old Bar. Most of Old Bar beach is now leash free, making Lani's the perfect dog-friendly accommodation for the whole family. For those who choose to travel with their own caravan, motorhome or RV, large spacious sites are available with the option of a few sites with their own personal bathroom. For the tent camper who wants that beachside camping experience, there are large grassed sites are waiting for you.
- Closest beach: Old Bar Beach
- Bookings essential
- Camping type: Powered and non-powered sites are available; tent, camper trailer, caravan, camping beside vehicle
- Amenities: Laundry facilities, camp kitchen, barbecue facilities, carpark, showers and toilets.
- Dogs are allowed
Reflections Holiday Park Hawks Nest
Quiet, simple and naturally beautiful, a stay at Reflections Holiday Parks Hawks Nest will take you back to the holidays of your childhood, when the days were long and the stresses were few. Nestled between Bennetts Beach and the village of Hawks Nest this caravan park is miles away from the hustle and bustle – the ideal spot for a relaxed and authentic Aussie beach holiday. With larger-than-average flat sites, it’s a breeze to bring in the RV or caravan and campers are well catered for with their range of activities and facilities. Settle in then set about exploring the pristine beauty of the area. Whether it’s watching the dolphins play in the surf, enjoying fish and chips by the river in nearby Tea Gardens, or checking out the surf at Winda Woppa, there are countless holiday memories to be made at Reflections Holiday Parks Hawks Nest.
- Camping type: powered sites only; Tent, camper trailer, caravan, camping beside vehicle
- Amenities: barbecue facilities, laundry facilities, showers, toilets, kiosk, camp kitchen
- Dogs are permitted at Hawks Nest Holiday Park on selected sites and cabins during off-peak and shoulder season.
Reflections Holiday Park Jimmys Beach
Whether it’s the crashing of the waves or the salty ocean air, there’s something about waking up in a coastal camping ground that really loosens the shoulders. Camping at Reflections Holiday Parks Jimmys Beach is no exception. Located behind beautiful Jimmys Beach at Hawks Nest, campsites are just a short stroll away. From the beach this is camping at its best: splendid white beaches; calm blue waters complete with leaping dolphins; exceptional natural beauty everywhere you turn. A stay at Reflections Holiday Parks Jimmys Beach is almost guaranteed to lower the blood pressure and raise the happiness levels.
- Camping type: powered and non-powered sites; Tent, camper trailer, caravan, camping beside vehicle
- Amenities: barbecue facilities, laundry facilities, showers, toilets, kiosk, camp kitchen
- Dogs are permitted at Jimmys Beach Holiday Park on selected sites and cabins during off-peak and shoulder season.
Treachery Camp, Myall Lakes National Park
Located amongst the pristine littoral rainforest of Myall Lakes National Park, this campground offers the perfect base for those seeking a getaway filled with surfing, swimming, fishing and other coastal activities. Close to Seal Rocks village, you have bushwalks, bird watching, whale watching and relaxation right at your tent door.
- Closest beach: Treachery Beach and Lighthouse Beach
- Bookings essential
- Camping type: All non-powered sites; tent, camper trailer, caravan, camping beside vehicle
- Amenities: Hot showers, toilets, laundry facilities, camp kitchen and barbecue facilities
- Dogs are not allowed.
Big4 Happy Hallidays, Hallidays Point
Big4 Happy Hallidays is the ultimate family holiday destination, just two minutes from award-winning Black Head Beach. It’s also renowned for its iconic red mini-train rides that runs daily during school holidays.
- Camping type: all powered; Tent, camper trailer, caravan, camping beside vehicle
- Amenities: resort-style pool, jumping pillow, playground, indoor play centre, tennis court, TV room, mini golf, pedal karts for hire, showers, toilets, camp kitchen, barbecue facilities, games room, laundry facilities
- Dogs are allowed but please call to confirm as this may change at different times of the year.
Crowdy Gap, Crowdy Bay National Park
A good spot for group camping trips, pitch your tent or park your caravan at Crowdy Gap Campground, between Crowdy Head and Diamond Head. The beach is just a short walk away. Set up camp among the banksias and pink-barked angophoras, inhale the fresh coastal breeze, and unpack your swimmers for a beachside camping holiday. It’s an easy walk through lush rainforest and sand dunes to Crowdy Beach. Spend your days diving into the clear blue waves, fishing, and walking the golden beaches. As the sun sets, gather together and cook up your catch over the barbecue. A place of significance to the local Biripi aboriginal people, shell middens are dotted through the dunes, indicating this was an area of plenty for fish, shellfish and wallabies.
- Closest beach: Crowdy Head Beach
- Bookings essential
- Camping type: All non-powered sites. tent, camper trailer, caravan, camping beside vehicle
- Amenities: Picnic tables, barbecue facilities, carpark, showers, toilets
- Dogs are not allowed.
