Camping in the South Coast

The NSW South Coast runs from Wollongong to Eden, beach after beach with lakes, inlets and forest behind. It helps to pick a stretch of coast before a campground: the Illawarra beaches close to Sydney, Jervis Bay and the Shoalhaven, Batemans Bay, or the Sapphire Coast in the far south, where Eden sits on one of the deepest natural harbours in the southern hemisphere.

Where is the best place to camp in the South Coast?

Up north near Wollongong, beach reserves such as Coledale Beach Camping Reserve are right on the sand, and inland, Kangaroo Valley has the Bendeela Recreation Area. Around Jervis Bay, Ulladulla and Batemans Bay there are holiday parks in every town, and national park beach camps at Depot Beach and Pebbly Beach. On the Sapphire Coast, Narooma, Tathra, Merimbula and Eden have beachfront parks, with Bittangabee out at Green Cape.

What is there to do in the South Coast with kids?

In Wollongong, Science Space is in North Wollongong. In Kangaroo Valley, Hampden Bridge, finished in 1898, is the oldest suspension bridge in Australia. At Batemans Bay, Birdland Animal Park is in town, and near Wallaga Lake, Montreal Goldfields and Gold Rush Fever Mini Golf sit side by side. At Narooma, Montague Island, about 8 km offshore, has a seal colony, and Australia Rock is at the entrance to Wagonga Inlet. In Eden, the whaling history lives on at the Killer Whale Museum, home to the skeleton of Old Tom.

• Berry Museum – Museums and history, Berry. Closest campground: Berry Showground, under 1 km
• Tathra Wharf Museum – Museums and history, Tathra. Closest campground: Hobbs Corner, under 1 km
• The Pilots Cottage Museum – Museums and history, Kiama. Closest campground: Surf Beach Holiday Park, 1 km
• Meroogal – Museums and history, Nowra. Closest campground: Nowra Riverside Tourist Park, 1 km
• Shoalhaven Heads Native Botanic Garden – Gardens and outdoors, Shoalhaven Heads. Closest campground: Coastal Palms Tourist Park, under 1 km
• Gerringong Heritage Museum – Museums and history, Gerringong. Closest campground: Werri Beach Holiday Park, under 1 km
• Old School Museum – Museums and history, Merimbula. Closest campground: Sapphire Valley Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Step Back In Time Museum – Museums and history, Lake Tabourie. Closest campground: Holiday Haven Lake Tabourie, under 1 km
• Moruya District Historical Society Museum – Museums and history, Moruya. Closest campground: Moruya Holiday Park, under 1 km
• Montreal Goldfields – Museums and history, Wallaga Lake. Closest campground: BIG4 Wallaga Lake Holiday Park, 1 km
• Maritime Museum – Museums and history, Huskisson. Closest campground: White Sands Tourist Park, 1 km
• Mary MacKillop Museum – Museums and history, Eden. Closest campground: Garden of Eden Caravan Park, 1 km
• Gold Rush Fever Mini Golf – Play, Wallaga Lake. Closest campground: BIG4 Wallaga Lake Holiday Park, under 1 km
• Club Huski Mini Golf – Play, Huskisson. Closest campground: Jervis Bay Holiday Park, 1 km
• Nowra Golf Range and Putt Putt – Play, Nowra. Closest campground: Rest Point Garden Village, 2 km
• Black Diamond Heritage Centre – Museums and history, Bulli. Closest campground: Bulli Beach Camping Reserve, 1 km
• Science Space – Museums and history, North Wollongong. Closest campground: Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort, 1 km
• Flip Out North Wollongong – Play, North Wollongong. Closest campground: Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort, 2 km
• Sharky's Play – Play, Bellambi. Closest campground: Corrimal Beach Tourist Park, 2 km
• Berry Swimming Pool – Swimming, Berry. Closest campground: Berry Showground, under 1 km
• Greenwell Point Village Pool – Swimming, Greenwell Point. Closest campground: Anglers Rest Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Kangaroo Valley Village Pool – Swimming, Kangaroo Valley. Closest campground: Glenmack Caravan Park, under 1 km

What are the best walks and waterfalls in the South Coast?

Near Kangaroo Valley there is Fitzroy Falls, with Belmore Falls and Carrington Falls not far away. Near Tilba Tilba, Gulaga, or Mount Dromedary, has eight different rainforest types. In Merimbula, Bar Beach is good for snorkelling, and humpback and southern right whales pass the Sapphire Coast each year, with whales passing Eden in June and July and again later in the year.

• Carrington Falls – Waterfall. Closest campground: Cedar Loggers Camp, 8 km
• Belmore Falls – Waterfall. Closest campground: Glenmack Caravan Park, 11 km
• Clifftop view – Lookout. Closest campground: Cooyoyo Creek camp, under 1 km
• The Haven Lookout – Lookout. Closest campground: Alamein Caravan Park, under 1 km
• Whale Watching Platform – Lookout. Closest campground: Coledale Beach Camping Reserve, under 1 km
• Six Mile Creek Lookout – Lookout. Closest campground: Six Mile Creek, under 1 km
• Inyadda Beach – Lookout. Closest campground: Holiday Haven Bendalong Point, under 1 km
• Snapper Point Lookout – Lookout. Closest campground: Pretty Beach, under 1 km

Do you need to book campsites in the South Coast?

National park camps are booked through NSW National Parks.

Are there powered sites in the South Coast?

Yes. 21 campgrounds here have powered sites confirmed, including Holiday Haven Shoalhaven Heads, Coledale Beach Camping Reserve and Surfside Cudmirrah Beach. 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 South Coast from Sydney?

Kangaroo Valley is about 160 km south of Sydney, Narooma about 347 km, Merimbula about 448 km and Eden about 478 km. From Canberra, Narooma is about 225 km and Eden about 278 km.

Facts from Wikipedia, "Kangaroo Valley, New South Wales" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Eden, New South Wales" (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikipedia, "Merimbula" (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikipedia, "Narooma" (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Map of campgrounds in the South Coast

191 campgrounds

• Holiday Haven Shoalhaven Heads — Shoalhaven Heads, NSW. caravan sites, drinking water, dump point, pets allowed, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets, wifi
• Coledale Beach Camping Reserve — Coledale, NSW. caravan sites, drinking water, dump point, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets, wheelchair accessible
• Depot Beach Campground — Depot Beach, NSW. bbq, caravan sites, picnic tables, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Hobart Beach — Bournda, NSW. bbq, campfires allowed, caravan sites, picnic shelter, showers, tent sites
• Surfside Cudmirrah Beach — Cudmirrah, NSW. caravan sites, dump point, powered sites, tent sites, toilets, wifi
• Barling Beach Holiday Park — Tomakin, NSW. drinking water, dump point, powered sites, showers, toilets
• Bittangabee campground — Green Cape, NSW. bbq, caravan sites, picnic shelter, picnic tables, tent sites
• Eden Gateway Holiday Park — Eden, NSW. caravan sites, powered sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Holiday Haven Swan Lake — Cudmirrah, NSW. dump point, powered sites, tent sites, wheelchair accessible, wifi
• Nunnock Campground — Glen Allen, NSW. bbq, caravan sites, picnic shelter, picnic tables, tent sites
• BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Eden Beachfront — Eden, NSW. dump point, powered sites, wheelchair accessible, wifi
• Brou Lake camp — Bodalla, NSW. bbq, caravan sites, tent sites, toilets
• Coolendel Camp — Buangla, NSW. caravan sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Durras Lake North Holiday Park — Durras North, NSW. caravan sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Garden of Eden Caravan Park — Eden, NSW. caravan sites, powered sites, showers, tent sites
• Moruya Holiday Park — Moruya, NSW. caravan sites, showers, toilets, wifi
• Pebbly Beach — Pebbly Beach, NSW. bbq, picnic shelter, picnic tables, tent sites
• Reflections Pambula - Holiday Park — Pambula, NSW. caravan sites, showers, tent sites, toilets
• Six Mile Creek — Tantawangalo, NSW. bbq, caravan sites, picnic tables, tent sites
• Alexander's Hut campground — Tantawangalo, NSW. bbq, caravan sites, tent sites
• Aragunnu campground — Wapengo, NSW. bbq, picnic shelter, picnic tables
• Bakers Flat camp — Merricumbene, NSW. bbq, picnic shelter, picnic tables
• Bendeela Recreation Area — Kangaroo Valley, NSW. caravan sites, tent sites, toilets
• Bengalee Scout Camp — Bangalee, NSW. showers, tent sites, toilets
• Bodalla Forest Park Rest Area — Bodalla, NSW. caravan sites, tent sites, toilets
• Discovery Parks Burrill Lake — Burrill Lake, NSW. dump point, powered sites, wifi
• Durras Beach North Tourist Park — Durras North, NSW. showers, tent sites, toilets
• Holiday Haven Bendalong Point — Bendalong, NSW. dump point, powered sites, wifi
• Holiday Haven Lake Tabourie — Lake Tabourie, NSW. dump point, powered sites, wifi
• Kioloa Beach Holiday Park — Kioloa, NSW. dump point, powered sites, toilets
• Lakeside cabins & holiday village — Cudmirrah, NSW. dump point, powered sites, tent sites
• Postmans campground — Tantawangalo, NSW. bbq, picnic shelter, picnic tables
• Pretty Beach — Pretty Beach, NSW. bbq, picnic shelter, picnic tables
• Reflections Bermagui - Holiday Park — Bermagui, NSW. caravan sites, pets allowed, tent sites
• Scrubby Creek Forest Rest Area — Narrabarba, NSW. caravan sites, tent sites, toilets
• Waalimma Wilderness Trackhead camp — Nungatta, NSW. bbq, picnic shelter, picnic tables
• Beachside — Ulladulla, NSW. caravan sites, tent sites
• Deua River campground — Merricumbene, NSW. bbq, picnic shelter
• Discovery Parks - Eden — Boydtown, NSW. dump point, powered sites
• Discovery Parks – Narooma Beach — Narooma, NSW. dump point, powered sites
• Haycock Culture campground — Eden, NSW. bbq, picnic shelter
• High Ridge camp — Bournda, NSW. bbq, picnic tables
• Holiday Haven Burrlil Lake — Burrill Lake, NSW. caravan sites, powered sites
• Jervis Bay Holiday Park — Woollamia, NSW. dump point, powered sites
• Lake Creek camp — Wadbilliga, NSW. bbq, picnic tables
• Long Gully No.1 campground — Yadboro, NSW. picnic shelter, picnic tables
• NRMA Tathra Beachfront Holiday Park — Tathra, NSW. dump point, powered sites
• Picnic Point campground — Wapengo, NSW. bbq, picnic tables
• Saltwater Creek campground — Green Cape, NSW. bbq, picnic shelter
• Sassafras camp — Sassafras, NSW. picnic shelter, picnic tables
• Surf Beach Holiday Park Narooma — Narooma, NSW. dump point, powered sites
• Wombat Hollow — Budgong, NSW. caravan sites, tent sites
• Yalwal/Toorooroo campground — Buangla, NSW. bbq, picnic tables
• Batemans Bay Marina Resort — Batemans Bay, NSW. wifi
• BIG4 Narooma East's Holiday Park — Narooma, NSW. tent sites
• Boydtown Beach Camping and Caravan Park — Boydtown, NSW. powered sites
• Congo campground — Congo, NSW. picnic shelter
• Conjola Lakeside Van Park — Lake Conjola, NSW. wifi
• Corrimal Beach Tourist Park — East Corrimal, NSW. wifi
• Dry Creek campground — Deua River Valley, NSW. bbq
• Meroo Head campground — Termeil, NSW. picnic tables
• Reflections Eden - Holiday Park — Eden, NSW. powered sites
• Yadboro Flat — Yadboro, NSW. tent sites
• A Friend's Place — Sussex Inlet, NSW
• Acacia Flat camp — Kangaroo Valley, NSW
• Acacia Ponds Village — Millingandi, NSW
• Alamein Caravan Park — Sussex Inlet, NSW
• Anglers Rest Caravan Park — Greenwell Point, NSW
• Austinmer campground — Austinmer, NSW
• Badgee Park Caravan And Camping Area — Sussex Inlet, NSW
• Batemans Bay North Tourist Park and Accommodation — Benandarah, NSW
• Beach Camp Rd South camp — Nelligen, NSW
• Beehive Point Upper campground — Kangaroo Valley, NSW
• Bendethera campground — Deua, NSW
• Berrara Beach Holiday Chalets — Berrara, NSW
• Berry Showground — Berry, NSW
• BIG4 Batemans Bay At East's Riverside Holiday Park — North Batemans Bay, NSW
• BIG4 Holiday Parks — Tathra, NSW
• BIG4 Ingenia Holidays Broulee — Broulee, NSW
• BIG4 Moruya Heads East's Dolphin Beach Holiday Park — Moruya Heads, NSW
• BIG4 Nelligen Holiday Park — Nelligen, NSW
• BIG4 South Durras Holiday Park — South Durras, NSW
• BIG4 Wallaga Lake Holiday Park — Wallaga Lake, NSW
• Bimberamala River campground — Currowan, NSW
• Blue Gum Flat camp — Yadboro, NSW
• Bulli Beach Camping Reserve — Bulli, NSW
• Camp Coutts Scout Camp — Woronora Dam, NSW
• Campsite D — Waterfall, NSW
• Campsite E — Woronora Dam, NSW
• Campsite F — Woronora Dam, NSW
• Campsite G — Woronora Dam, NSW
• Campsite H — Woronora Dam, NSW
• Campsite J — Woronora Dam, NSW
• Campsite K — Woronora Dam, NSW
• Campsite L — Woronora Dam, NSW
• Campsite M — Waterfall, NSW
• Caringal camp — Tallowal, NSW
• Cedar Loggers Camp — Calderwood, NSW
• Coastal Palms Tourist Park — Shoalhaven Heads, NSW
• Cooyoyo Creek camp — Endrick, NSW
• Coral Tree Lodge Tourist Park — Greenwell Point, NSW
• Dalmeny Caravan & Camping Ground — Dalmeny, NSW
• Discovery Holiday Park Pambula Beach — Pambula Beach, NSW
• Discovery Parks - Gerroa — Gerroa, NSW
• Dolphin Point Tourist Park — Dolphin Point, NSW
• Easts Beach Kiama Caravan Park — Kiama, NSW
• Easy Landing camp — Moollattoo, NSW
• Figtree Gardens Caravan Park — Figtree, NSW
• Gillard's Campground — Nelson, NSW
• Gillards Beach campground — Nelson, NSW
• Glenmack Caravan Park — Kangaroo Valley, NSW
• Hare Point camp — Kinghorne, NSW
• Hidden Valley camp — Murrah, NSW
• Hideaway camp — Moollattoo, NSW
• Hobbs Corner — Tathra, NSW
• Holiday Haven Currarong — Currarong, NSW
• Holiday Haven Tourist Park — Culburra Beach, NSW
• Honeymoon Bay Campground — Beecroft Peninsula, NSW
• Honeysuckle campground — Narooma, NSW
• Huskisson Beach Tourist Park — Huskisson, NSW
• Ingenia Holiday Park — Ulladulla, NSW
• Island View Caravan Park — Lake Conjola, NSW
• Jacks Corner camp — Kangaroo Valley, NSW
• Kalaru Holiday Village — Kalaru, NSW
• Kendalls On The Beach Holiday Park — Kiama, NSW
• Killalea campground — Shell Cove, NSW
• Kimberley Park camp — Moollattoo, NSW
• Lake Conjola Entrance Tourist Park — Lake Conjola, NSW
• Lake Illawarra Village — Windang, NSW
• Lake Windemere — Warilla, NSW
• Lakesea Caravan Park — South Durras, NSW
• Link Road camp — Tianjara, NSW
• Long Gully No.2 campground — Yadboro, NSW
• Merimbula Lake Holiday Park — Millingandi, NSW
• Merry Beach Caravan Resort — Kioloa, NSW
• Middle Beach — Tanja, NSW
• Mollymook Caravan Park — Mollymook, NSW
• Monarch camp — Tallowal, NSW
• Mountain View Resort — Shoalhaven Heads, NSW
• Mowarry Campground — Edrom, NSW
• Murramarang Beachfront Nature Resort — South Durras, NSW
• Myola Tourist Park — Myola, NSW
• Mystery Bay Campground — Mystery Bay, NSW
• Newtons Beach camp — Nadgee, NSW
• North Era camp — Lilyvale, NSW
• North Head campground — Benandarah, NSW
• North Head Campground — Moruya, NSW
• Nowra Riverside Tourist Park — Nowra, NSW
• NRMA Batemans Bay Holiday Resort — Batehaven, NSW
• NRMA Merimbula Beach Holiday Resort — Merimbula, NSW
• Oaklands Caravan Park — Windang, NSW
• Oaky Beach campground — Benandarah, NSW
• Oasis by the Lake — Windang, NSW
• Pine Park Tourist Grounds and Marina — Greenwell Point, NSW
• Racecourse Beach Tourist Park — Bawley Point, NSW
• Red Gum North campground — Batemans Bay, NSW
• Regatta Point Holiday Park — Wallaga Lake, NSW
• Rest Point Garden Village — South Nowra, NSW
• Rio Rita Caravan Park — North Batemans Bay, NSW
• Riverside Caravan Park — Sussex Inlet, NSW
• Sapphire Valley Caravan Park — Merimbula, NSW
• Scout Camp — Mount Keira, NSW
• SeaChange Parks Milton - Milton Valley Holiday Park — Milton, NSW
• Seacrest Waterfront Caravan Park — Sussex Inlet, NSW
• Seven Mile Beach — Gerroa, NSW
• Shellharbour Beachside Holiday Park — Shellharbour, NSW
• Shellharbour Holiday Village — Barrack Point, NSW
• Shoalhaven Caravan Village — Terara, NSW
• Sting camp — Tallowal, NSW
• Sunburt Beach campground — Termeil, NSW
• Surf Beach Holiday Park — Kiama, NSW
• Tall Timbers Tourist Park — Shoalhaven Heads, NSW
• Tathra Beach Eco Camp — Tathra, NSW
• Termeil Point campground — Termeil, NSW
• The Black Dolphin — Merimbula, NSW
• The Point campground — Nelligen, NSW
• Throne Flat camp — Tallowal, NSW
• Tiger Snake camp — Moollattoo, NSW
• Tomaga River Tourist Park — Tomakin, NSW
• Toms Gully camp — Ettrema, NSW
• Tree Haven Tourist Park — Bomaderry, NSW
• Tuross River campground — Yowrie, NSW
• Ulladulla Headland Tourist Park — Ulladulla, NSW
• Wairo Beach Holiday Park — Lake Tabourie, NSW
• Werri Beach Holiday Park — Gerringong, NSW
• White Sands Tourist Park — Huskisson, NSW
• Windang Beach Tourist Park — Windang, NSW
• Wirritin camp — Tallowal, NSW
• Wollongong Surf Leisure Resort — Fairy Meadow, NSW
• Wonboyn Cabins and Caravan Park — Wonboyn, NSW
• Yalwal Campground — Yalwal, NSW

Region boundary: ABS ASGS Edition 3 Tourism Regions 2021 (Tourism Research Australia), CC BY 4.0.