Calm bays on one side, lakes and surf on the other, and an island you can only reach by boat. These four campgrounds cover the lot, with the kit we'd take and what to know first.
Gear for water days and breezy nights.
Sun cover, paddling shoes and a buoyancy aid.
Sunglasses, UV tops and towels for days on the water.
Aqua shoes for sandy, shelly launches and paddles.
Buoyancy aids and life jackets for paddling the bay.
Our full ranges for paddling, sunsets and shade.
One to three person inflatable kayaks for sheltered water.
Folding chairs, stools and picnic rugs for sunsets.
Beach shelters, parasols and umbrellas for open sand.
From a holiday park by the surf to a seabird island.
Tent and van sites across the road from a patrolled surf beach, with national park all around.
Good to knowCamp kitchen, pool and barbecues at no extra cost. Dogs are allowed if you're staying in your own tent or van, but not in peak holiday periods, so check with the park first.
View Campground DetailsSeventy-seven sites between the Myall River and the beach, about 20km up a sealed road from Hawks Nest.
Good to knowNon-flush toilets, bins and a boat ramp, but no water. Fires and all solid-fuel barbecues are banned, so bring a gas stove.
View Campground DetailsTwelve sites on the edge of Bombah Broadwater, with room for a dinghy or kayak and a rainforest walking track to Mungo Brush.
Good to knowNon-flush toilets and wood barbecues. Bring your own firewood, drinking water and cooking water.
View Campground DetailsFive sites on an island off Port Stephens, and the only place in NSW you can camp among an active seabird colony.
Good to knowReached by boat via Esmeralda Cove. Non-flush toilets only, no water and no campfires, and sea conditions can delay your trip home.
View Campground DetailsWater, weather and wildlife all play a part.
None of the three national park campgrounds here has drinking water. Fill up before you leave town and bring extra for washing up.
Find a Water BottleFires aren't allowed there, and neither are barbecues or stoves that burn wood, heat beads or charcoal. A gas stove keeps dinner simple.
Find a Camp StoveBroughton Island trips depend on sea conditions, which can change fast. Take extra food and water in case you're out there longer than planned.
Find a Hiking PackIf you're taking your own boat, register your movements with Marine Rescue Port Stephens on marine radio before you go. Mobile coverage on the island is unreliable.
From Bulahdelah, the Bombah Point ferry takes cash only. Coming via Hawks Nest keeps you on sealed road all the way to Mungo Brush and Dees Corner.
Lakeside campgrounds get properly dark once the sun drops. A head torch keeps your hands free at the boat ramp and on the toilet run.
Get a Head TorchBuilt for lake days and island nights.
Gear grouped by how you live and move.
Fingal Bay Holiday Park is the easy pick near Nelson Bay, with a camp kitchen and a patrolled surf beach over the road. North of the bay, Myall Lakes National Park has Mungo Brush and Dees Corner, both on sealed roads from Hawks Nest. Broughton Island is the adventure option, reached only by boat.
Not at Mungo Brush, Dees Corner or Broughton Island. Bring all your drinking and cooking water, plus extra for washing up. If you run short at Mungo Brush, there's a licensed cafe with basic supplies about 5km away across the ferry.
No. Fires aren't permitted at Mungo Brush, and neither are solid-fuel barbecues or stoves using wood, heat beads or charcoal. Dees Corner has wood barbecues if you bring your own firewood, while Broughton Island doesn't allow campfires at all.
Only by boat, landing at Esmeralda Cove on the island's south-eastern side. The moorings there are privately owned, so you can't use them. The NSW National Parks campground page lists a transfer contact if you don't have your own boat, and everyone should pack extra supplies in case the weather delays the trip back.
Not in Myall Lakes National Park, where pets aren't allowed. Fingal Bay Holiday Park takes dogs if you're staying in your own tent or van, outside peak holiday periods. Give the park a call before you book to check the dates.
Our camping gear is built by a team that spends its weekends outdoors, and every piece is field tested before we sell it.
Free delivery on orders over $150. Members get our lifetime warranty.
