Sand in the sleeping bag is a small price to pay for waking up to the surf. Here's the kit we'd pack, four NSW campgrounds worth the drive and the tips that make a night on the coast easy.
Seven things we'd throw in the boot for a night by the water.
Somewhere to sleep, sit, keep the food cold and hide from the midday sun.
Pitches in about a minute, folds fast.
Keeps your food cool for 17 hours.
Comfy seat with the all-important cupholder included.
UPF50+ shade for three, no parasol base.
For bodyboarding, pair the board with fins and a rash vest or wetsuit. Keep the kayak for calm water, like the Port Hacking side of Bonnie Vale or the Wooli River near Illaroo.
Full-face masks that let you breathe naturally.
Bodyboards to match your size and level.
Inflatable kayaks that pack into the boot.
Four favourites by the water, starting close to Sydney.
Calm water on the Port Hacking side of the park, with an easy launch for kayaks and paddle boards.
Good to knowHot showers and drinking water. No campfires. No car? Ferry from Cronulla to Bundeena, then walk about 15 minutes.
View Campground DetailsKangaroos graze behind the sand, and tent sites sit on gravel platforms right next to your car.
Good to know23 sites. Treat the tank water before drinking. No power or mobile coverage. Ice and gas at nearby Depot Beach.
View Campground Details75 sites right behind the beach, plus the 4.8km Diamond Head loop walk via Indian Head.
Good to knowNo drinking water, so bring your own. Showers on site, and Laurieton is about 10km away for supplies.
View Campground DetailsNorth and south camping areas a few steps from the beach, with the Wooli River nearby for paddling.
Good to knowDrinking water, no power. The road can get boggy after rain. The closest patrolled beach is at Minnie Water.
View Campground DetailsCamping on the coast is a little different. Here's what changes.
Standard pegs pull straight out of soft sand. Angle pegs or buried sandbags hold far better. Stay on your marked site and off the dunes.
Get Angle PegsAfternoon sea breezes are common on the coast. Point the narrow end of the tent into the wind and use every guy rope.
Find a Freestanding TentBeachside sites don't always come with trees. A UPF50+ shelter gives everyone somewhere to hide at midday.
Get Beach ShadeDiamond Head has no drinking water and Pebbly Beach water needs treating. Pack extra, plus ice for the cooler.
Get the CoolerMany national park beaches have no lifeguards and strong rips. Check Beachsafe for the nearest patrolled beach and swim between the flags.
Check BeachsafeParks can close for bad weather or fire danger. Check alerts on the day, and grab the free NSW National Parks app, which works offline.
View Park AlertsScreenshot it, tick it off, hit the road.
Gear grouped by how you live and move.
In most places you can't pitch a tent on the sand itself. Beach camping in NSW usually means a campground set just behind the beach, like Bonnie Vale, Pebbly Beach or Diamond Head. Book a marked site and you'll still be a short walk from the water.
For popular spots, yes. Most NSW national park campgrounds are booked online through NSW National Parks. Summer weekends and school holidays fill up first, so book as early as you can.
No. Pets aren't allowed in NSW national parks. If the dog is coming, look for a pet-friendly holiday park instead.
Longer, wider sand pegs grip soft sand far better than thin standard pegs. If the ground is very loose, fill bags with sand, tie them to your guy ropes and bury them. Pitch with the narrow end of the tent facing the wind.
Summer is the classic choice for swimming, but it's also when campgrounds book out fastest. Spring and autumn weekdays tend to be quieter. Whenever you go, check the park's alerts for closures due to weather or fire danger before you leave.
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