Camping in the Central Coast
50 campgrounds · 3 with powered sites · 2 with showers · 1 with a dump point · 6 with tent sites
The Central Coast starts about 77 km north of Sydney and packs ocean beaches, three coastal lakes and three national parks into one easy drive. It is bounded by the Hawkesbury River in the south and Lake Macquarie in the north, with Brisbane Water and the Tuggerah Lakes in between.
Where is the best place to camp in the Central Coast?
For ocean beaches, the national park camps near Killcare, such as Putty Beach, sit behind the sand, and the holiday parks around The Entrance and Toowoon Bay are close to the water. For calm water, the lake parks at Canton Beach and Norah Head are on the Tuggerah Lakes side. For bush and river, cross to Dharug National Park on the Hawkesbury, where Mill Creek is one of the two park campgrounds, or stay near Wisemans Ferry, where cable ferries still carry cars across the river.
What is there to do in the Central Coast with kids?
At The Entrance, the pelicans are fed every day on a dedicated platform, and the Ocean Baths are free saltwater pools open all year. In Terrigal, the boardwalk links the beach to the rock pools and The Skillion headland. Near Gosford, the Australian Reptile Park is at Somersby, Walkabout Wildlife Park is at Calga, and the Central Coast Zoo is out at Wyong Creek. At Patonga, near the mouth of the Hawkesbury, oyster farming is still the village's living, and a track runs across to Pearl Beach.
Tap a card for the full page. Every outing is on the map below too. Distances are in a straight line, so the drive is a little longer.
What are the best walks and waterfalls in the Central Coast?
Brisbane Water National Park has Somersby Falls with a walking track and picnic area, the Bulgandry rock engravings and the Girrakool loop, plus lookouts at Staples and Warrah. In Dharug National Park, short circuits such as the Grass Tree and Shepherds Gully walks sit alongside the convict-built Old Great North Road, World Heritage listed since 2010, and the Hawkesbury is there for canoeing.
Is it safe to swim in the Central Coast?
Pearl Beach's southern end is calm and sheltered, but its northern end, known as the dumpers, has rough surf with serious hazards, so keep children to the south. The Entrance Ocean Baths are an easy option all year.
Do you need to book campsites in the Central Coast?
Yes for the national parks: Dharug's campgrounds, Mill Creek and Ten Mile Hollow, and Marramarra's camps on the Hawkesbury are booked through NSW National Parks. Holiday parks take their own bookings.
Are there powered sites in the Central Coast?
Yes. 3 campgrounds here have powered sites confirmed: Ingenia Holidays Lake Macquarie, Blue Bay Camping and Caravan Tourist Park and NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Park. For the rest we are still confirming, so check with the park or holiday park before you book a powered site.
How far is the Central Coast from Sydney?
The Central Coast is about 77 km north-north-east of Sydney. Woy Woy is about 84 km, Avoca Beach about 95 km, and Wisemans Ferry, on the Hawkesbury, about 75 km north-north-west.
Facts from Wikipedia, "Central Coast (New South Wales)" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "The Entrance, New South Wales" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Terrigal, New South Wales" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Pearl Beach, New South Wales" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Patonga, New South Wales" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Dharug National Park" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Wisemans Ferry" (CC BY-SA 4.0), NSW National Parks, Dharug National Park, NSW National Parks, Brisbane Water National Park and NSW National Parks, Marramarra National Park.
Little Beach Camping Area · Photo: Ray Hayward, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Map of campgrounds in the Central Coast
✓ Campgrounds
✓ Things to do
✓ Walks and nature
Entry tickets
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Australian Reptile Park
More around NSW
Camping in the Blue Mountains →
Camping in Capital Country →
Camping in Central NSW →
Camping in the Hunter →
Camping in New England North West →
Camping in North Coast NSW →
Camping in Outback NSW →
Camping in the Riverina →
Camping in the Snowy Mountains →
Camping in the South Coast →
Camping in Sydney →
Camping on the Murray →
50 campgrounds
Those with the most confirmed facilities first. A missing facility means nobody has confirmed it, not that it is absent.
Campground · Killcare, NSW
Putty Beach Camping Area
Tent sites · Showers · Toilets · Drinking water · Barbecues
Putty Beach Camping Area is a campground in Killcare, NSW. OpenStreetMap records 4 facilities. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Glenworth Valley, NSW
Glenworth
Tent sites · Caravan and RV sites · Showers · Toilets · Barbecues
Glenworth is a campground in Glenworth Valley, NSW. OpenStreetMap records 5 facilities. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Gunderman, NSW
Mill Creek Campground
Tent sites · Toilets · Barbecues
Mill Creek Campground is a campground in Gunderman, NSW. OpenStreetMap records 3 facilities. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Frazer Park, NSW
Frazer Beach campground
Tent sites · Barbecues
Frazer Beach campground is a campground near Frazer Park, NSW, listed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2017 listing). Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Wybung, NSW
Freemans Camping Area
Barbecues
Freemans Camping Area is a campground in Lake Munmorah, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Mannering Park, NSW
Ingenia Holidays Lake Macquarie
Powered sites · Dump point · Wi-Fi
Ingenia Holidays Lake Macquarie is a caravan park in Mannering Park, NSW. OpenStreetMap records 3 facilities. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Macmasters Beach, NSW
Little Beach Camping Area
Barbecues
Little Beach Camping Area is a campground in Macmasters Beach, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Blue Bay, NSW
Blue Bay Camping and Caravan Tourist Park
Powered sites · Tent sites
Blue Bay Camping and Caravan Tourist Park is a campground in Blue Bay, NSW. OpenStreetMap records 2 facilities. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Pretty Beach, NSW
Tallow Beach Campground
Tent sites · Toilets
Tallow Beach Campground is a campground in Pretty Beach, NSW. OpenStreetMap records 2 facilities. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Umina Beach, NSW
NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Park
Powered sites
NRMA Ocean Beach Holiday Park is a caravan park in Umina Beach, NSW. OpenStreetMap records 1 facility. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Ten Mile Hollow, NSW
Ten Mile Hollow Campground
Barbecues
Ten Mile Hollow Campground is a campground near Ten Mile Hollow, NSW, listed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2017 listing). Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Ourimbah, NSW
Archery camp
No facilities confirmed yet.
Archery camp is a campground near Ourimbah, NSW, listed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2017 listing). Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Bateau Bay, NSW
Blue Lagoon Beach Resort
No facilities confirmed yet.
Blue Lagoon Beach Resort is a caravan park in Bateau Bay, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Budgewoi, NSW
Budgewoi Tourist Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Budgewoi Tourist Park is a caravan park in Budgewoi, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Canton Beach, NSW
Canton Beach Tourist Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Canton Beach Tourist Park is a caravan park in Canton Beach, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Chain Valley Bay, NSW
Chain Valley Bay Van Village
No facilities confirmed yet.
Chain Valley Bay Van Village is a caravan park in Chain Valley Bay, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Lower Mangrove, NSW
Charlie's Place Caravan Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Charlie's Place Caravan Park is a caravan park in Lower Mangrove, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Patonga, NSW
Coora Swamp camp
No facilities confirmed yet.
Coora Swamp camp is a campground near Patonga, NSW, listed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2017 listing). Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Long Jetty, NSW
Duncans Lakefront
No facilities confirmed yet.
Duncans Lakefront is a caravan park in Long Jetty, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · The Entrance North, NSW
Dunleith Caravan Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Dunleith Caravan Park is a caravan park in The Entrance North, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · The Entrance, NSW
El Lago Tourist Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
El Lago Tourist Park is a caravan park in The Entrance, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Ettalong Beach, NSW
Ettalong Beach Village Tourist Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Ettalong Beach Village Tourist Park is a caravan park in Ettalong Beach, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Woy Woy, NSW
GNW Mt Wondabyne campsite
No facilities confirmed yet.
GNW Mt Wondabyne campsite is a campground near Woy Woy, NSW, listed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2017 listing). Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Kariong, NSW
GNW Tommos campsite
No facilities confirmed yet.
GNW Tommos campsite is a campground near Kariong, NSW, listed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2017 listing). Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Marlow, NSW
Greenmans Valley Caravan and Recreation Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Greenmans Valley Caravan and Recreation Park is a caravan park in Marlow, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Canton Beach, NSW
Heritage Village Toukley
No facilities confirmed yet.
Heritage Village Toukley is a caravan park in Canton Beach, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Kincumber South, NSW
Kincumber Nautical Village
No facilities confirmed yet.
Kincumber Nautical Village is a caravan park in Kincumber South, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Long Jetty, NSW
Lakeview Tourist Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Lakeview Tourist Park is a campground in Long Jetty, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Mooney Mooney Creek, NSW
Mooney Creek No.1 camp
No facilities confirmed yet.
Mooney Creek No.1 camp is a campground near Mooney Mooney Creek, NSW, listed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2017 listing). Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Calga, NSW
Mooney/Somersby Track camp
No facilities confirmed yet.
Mooney/Somersby Track camp is a campground near Calga, NSW, listed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2017 listing). Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Somersby, NSW
Mooney/Somersby Track Nth camp
No facilities confirmed yet.
Mooney/Somersby Track Nth camp is a campground near Somersby, NSW, listed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2017 listing). Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Norah Head, NSW
Norah Head Tourist Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Norah Head Tourist Park is a caravan park in Norah Head, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Kanwal, NSW
Oasis Caravan Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Oasis Caravan Park is a caravan park in Kanwal, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Somersby, NSW
Palm Grove camp
No facilities confirmed yet.
Palm Grove camp is a campground near Somersby, NSW, listed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2017 listing). Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Patonga, NSW
Patonga Foreshore Caravan & Camping Area
No facilities confirmed yet.
Patonga Foreshore Caravan & Camping Area is a caravan park in Patonga, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Gunderman, NSW
Riverlands Caravan Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Riverlands Caravan Park is a campground in Gunderman, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Gunderman, NSW
Rosevale Farm Resort
No facilities confirmed yet.
Rosevale Farm Resort is a campground in Gunderman, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Empire Bay, NSW
Samaldo Caravan Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Samaldo Caravan Park is a caravan park in Empire Bay, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Kariong, NSW
Scout Camp Kariong
No facilities confirmed yet.
Scout Camp Kariong is a campground in Kariong, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Shelly Beach, NSW
Sun Valley Tourist Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Sun Valley Tourist Park is a caravan park in Shelly Beach, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Halekulani, NSW
Sunnylake Shores
No facilities confirmed yet.
Sunnylake Shores is a caravan park in Halekulani, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Avoca Beach, NSW
The Palms at Avoca
No facilities confirmed yet.
The Palms at Avoca is a caravan park in Avoca Beach, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Toowoon Bay, NSW
Toowoon Bay Tourist Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Toowoon Bay Tourist Park is a caravan park in Toowoon Bay, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Toowoon Bay, NSW
Toowoon Bay Van Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Toowoon Bay Van Park is a caravan park in Toowoon Bay, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Tuggerawong, NSW
Tuggerah Shores Van Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Tuggerah Shores Van Park is a caravan park in Tuggerawong, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · The Entrance North, NSW
Two Shores Caravan Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Two Shores Caravan Park is a caravan park in The Entrance North, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Patonga, NSW
Van Dahls' camp
No facilities confirmed yet.
Van Dahls' camp is a campground near Patonga, NSW, listed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (2017 listing). Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Halekulani, NSW
Walu Caravan Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Walu Caravan Park is a caravan park in Halekulani, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Canton Beach, NSW
Waterfront Tourist Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Waterfront Tourist Park is a caravan park in Canton Beach, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Campground · Wyoming, NSW
Wyoming Caravan Park
No facilities confirmed yet.
Wyoming Caravan Park is a caravan park in Wyoming, NSW. Its facilities have not been confirmed. Check availability and current conditions before you travel.
Other regions in New South Wales
Region boundary: ABS ASGS Edition 3 Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0. Campgrounds and facilities from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), the operators’ own listings, and the state park services’ open data: © State Government of NSW and NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water 2017 (CC BY 4.0); contains data sourced from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Victoria (CC BY 4.0); © State of Tasmania, Parks and Wildlife Service (CC BY 3.0 AU); Main Roads Western Australia road stopping places (CC BY 4.0).
