Big views, cold nights and a campground for every fitness level. Here's the kit we'd pack, four campgrounds worth knowing and what to sort before you leave Sydney.
Six things we'd pack for a night in the mountains.
A warm bag for cold nights, waterproof shoes and light after dark.
Sleeping bags, with warm options for frosty mountain nights.
Boots, shoes and socks, with waterproof picks for misty tracks.
Lanterns, torches and batteries for nights under the escarpment.
Our full ranges for day walks and a proper camp kitchen.
Single poles and pairs for steep stairs and descents.
Cooksets, cutlery, mugs and pans for meals at camp.
Folding tables, camp kitchen units and storage for camp.
Four campgrounds, including an easy drive-in and a proper walk-in.
Grassy sites with plenty of kangaroos, and a walk down to the Nepean River from camp.
Good to knowBook ahead. Pit toilets and barbecues, but no water, so bring enough for drinking, cooking and washing up.
View Campground DetailsA quiet spot among scribbly gums, beside a small dam and creek. You camp a short walk from the car park.
Good to knowFacilities are simple: toilets, barbecues and picnic tables.
View Campground DetailsFive small sites right on the edge of the Grose Valley, with views to Blue Gum Forest and Mount Banks.
Good to knowA short walk from the car park. Campfires aren't allowed, so bring a gas stove. With only five sites, it fills quickly.
View Campground DetailsA remote campground deep in the Grose Valley wilderness, reached only on foot.
Good to knowAbout 3 to 4 hours' walk from Perrys Lookdown or Pierces Pass on steep, often slippery steps. Toilets only, and no wood fires.
View Campground DetailsMountain camping is colder and steeper than most people expect.
The upper mountains get properly cold overnight, especially in winter. A warm sleeping bag and extra layers make all the difference.
Find a Warm Sleeping BagEuroka has no water, and facilities elsewhere are simple. Bring enough for drinking, cooking and washing up, plus extra for walks.
Campfires aren't allowed at Perrys Lookdown, and wood fires aren't permitted at Acacia Flat. A gas or liquid fuel stove keeps dinner simple.
Acacia Flat involves steep, often slippery steps and needs a moderate level of fitness. Pack light and start early.
Find a Hiking PackFor remote walks, hire a free personal locator beacon at the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre in Blackheath and fill in a trip intention form.
Bush campgrounds get properly dark. A head torch keeps your hands free for cooking, pitching and the toilet run.
Get a Head TorchBuilt for cold nights and long walks.
Gear grouped by how you live and move.
Euroka near Glenbrook is the easy drive-in choice, Ingar near Wentworth Falls is a quiet bush spot, and Perrys Lookdown near Blackheath has five sites on the edge of the Grose Valley. For something more remote, Acacia Flat sits on the valley floor and is reached only on foot.
Not at all of them. Euroka has no water, so bring enough for drinking, cooking and washing up. Facilities at the other campgrounds are simple too, so it's worth carrying your own water wherever you camp and checking the campground page before you go.
It depends on the campground and the fire danger. Campfires aren't allowed at Perrys Lookdown, and wood fires aren't permitted at Acacia Flat, so pack a gas or liquid fuel stove. Fire bans can apply anywhere during high fire danger, so check alerts before you leave.
It's challenging. The walk from Perrys Lookdown or Pierces Pass takes around 3 to 4 hours on steep, often slippery steps, and you carry all your gear. You'll want a moderate level of fitness, a light pack and an early start.
Not in the national park. Pets aren't allowed in NSW national parks, so if the dog is coming, look at pet-friendly holiday parks in the mountain towns instead.
Our camping and hiking gear is designed by people who camp and walk, then tested in the field before it reaches the shelf.
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