Country New South Wales will have you mesmerized and intrigued in a matter of minutes. From fine local food and wine to ancient heritage sites in the small charming towns, you’re promised to spend an excellent time in this region. The heart of Country NSW can please any traveler – from families to solo adventurers. Walk into the World Heritage-listed Gondwana rainforest, learn about the Aboriginal culture, visit the gold mine relics and the longest river in Australia.
Country New South Wales is an immense region with more than 60 local government areas. Don’t lose time looking for free camps along the road; I’ve prepared a list of the best free camps – location and quality-wise!
- Joe O’ Connor RV Park
- Berry Park Lions
- Armidale Pine Forest
- Willoughbys Beach Campground
- Sculptures in the Scrub – Pilliga Forest
- Orange Showground
- Shadforth Reserve
- Blue Water Holes – Coolamine Homestead
- Macquarie Woods Recreational Area
- Beardy Waters Heritage Park Rest Area
- Cooyal Hotel
- Phillips Crossing
- Cowra Edgell Park Rest Stop
- Attunga Reserve
- Rocky River – Boolooroo Bridge
- Pallamallawa Fishing Club Memorial Park
- Terramungamine Reserve
- Burbie Camp- Walk-In
- Touts Lookout
Read Next: Everything You Need To Know About Free Camping In Australia
Joe O’ Connor RV Park
Shady campground right on the river in Yass available for self-contained campers only. A walking distance to Yass Gorge, town, and stores. Enough space, easy access, and it can get crowded, so hit it up early to get a spot.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; RVs; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Non-Drinking Water; Picnic Tables; Walking and Cycling Tracks; Swimming; Fishing; Boat Ramp Nearby; TV Reception.
Time Limit: 48 Hours.
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Berry Park Lions
Berry Park is a free campground located on Lions Club Drive. It’s a good overnight spot, close to the road, so there can be some traffic noise at night. A well-maintained area and walking distance to town and convenience stores. Lovely trails along the river and gardens.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Drinking Water; Generators Allowed; BBQ; Picnic Tables; Playground; TV Reception.
Time Limit: 72 Hours.
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Armidale Pine Forest
Serene, isolated campground out of town with a lovely forest. It offers you the experience of waking up among pine trees a part of the oldest plantation forest, and an enjoyable silence. Not many facilities, toilets are 300 metres away, and there’s enough space for 3 to 4 vehicles.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Walking and Cycling Tracks; Pull-Through Bays; Wildlife; TV Reception.
Time Limit: None.
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Willoughbys Beach Campground
A campground in Murray Valley settled on the bank of Edward River. It’s ideal for families, with so many activities to do around and basic facilities. A fantastic spot, just a short walk to Deniliquin, but be aware – it fills up fast!
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Telstra.
Booking Required: Yes, book at the council website or at 1300 072 757. A $6 booking fee applies.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Non-Drinking Water; Open Fire Pits; Picnic Tables; Walking and Cycling Tracks; Swimming; Fishing; Boat Ramp Nearby; TV Reception;
Time Limit: 21 Days.
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Sculptures in the Scrub – Pilliga Forest
Camp at Sculptures in the Scrub is located in the Timmallallie National Park. You get to enjoy and walk around the Pilliga Forest and the sculptures. Take the 3-kilometre long remote outback walking track for some extra exercise and magnificent views.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: Yes, book at the council website or at 1300 072 757. A $6 booking fee applies.
Other Amenities: Wheelchair Accessible; Non-Drinking Water; Generators Allowed; BBQ; Picnic Tables; Walking Tracks.
Time Limit: 21 Days.
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Orange Showground
Part of the showground is adapted to serve as an RV campground but for self-contained vehicles only. It’s a great and safe location to spend the night. Once you arrive, contact the Orange Council with your details. The campground features a large grassy area and flat campsites.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 2WD; Caravans.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: Yes, contact the Orange Visitors’ Centre on 1800 069 466.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Generators Allowed; Drinking Water; TV Reception.
Time Limit: 24 Hours.
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Shadforth Reserve
Suitable overnight stay close to the road with basic facilities. Surprisingly quiet and easy to reach. It’s a good spot to get some rest before heading on another long drive.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Wheelchair Accessible; Generators Allowed;
Time Limit: None.
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Blue Water Holes – Coolamine Homestead
A fantastic campground nestled in an exceptional location with so much to tour around. Campsites are leveled and grassy. Take the Clarke Gorge walk, cross a few creeks, and dive into the refreshing waters of the gorge. Horses and kangaroos will drop you a visit, so hide your food well!
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 4WD.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: Yes, book at the council website or on 1300 072 757. A $6 booking fee applies.
Other Amenities: Open Fire Pits; Picnic Tables; Walking Tracks; Swimming; Wildlife.
Time Limit: 21 Days.
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Macquarie Woods Recreational Area
Macquarie Woods is located on the Mitchel Highway, between Bathurst and Orange, on 600 hectares. It’s a well-hidden gem with an abundance of birdlife, native and exotic forests, great trails, and a superb lookout over the Macquarie Valley. The camping zone is the grassy area in the middle of the woods.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Generators Allowed; Open Fire Pits; BBQ; Picnic Tables; Walking and Cycling Tracks; TV Reception.
Time Limit: None.
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Beardy Waters Heritage Park Rest Area
You’ll find this campground just 8 kilometres north of Glenn Innes, right next to Beardy Waters Creek. The area is clean, spacious, and quiet even though it’s so close to the highway. It can serve as an overnight stop or an excellent base to explore the region for a few days. Wonderful panoramic view right at your doorstep.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Non-Drinking Water; Open Fire Pits; BBQ; Picnic Tables; Fishing; Wildlife.
Time Limit: 48 Hours.
Read Next: 6 Incredible Country NSW Experiences To Have On Your Big Lap
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Cooyal Hotel
The Cooyal Hotel is a relic built in 1880 and continues to operate until this day. They provide an excellent, leveled grassy camping patch beside the pub for any size of vehicles or tents. Suitable for self-contained campers at the moment, but new facilities are on the way. Camping is free with the purchase of a delicious meal or drinks.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Walking Tracks; Wildlife; Pub; On-site Accommodation.
Time Limit: None.
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Phillips Crossing
A fantastic spot out of Cowra town for bush camping or self-contained campers. It’s settled on the edge of the Lachlan River, provides a peaceful atmosphere and rich birdlife. Locals stop by the camp on the weekends, but other days you’ll have it all to yourself.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 4WD; Caravans; Motorbikes.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Picnic Tables; Swimming; Fishing; TV Reception.
Time Limit: None.
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Cowra Edgell Park Rest Stop
Located right in Cowra, this rest area is available for vehicles traveling in both directions. There’s plenty of space and a good amount of amenities to rest and refresh before getting back on the road. It’s right next to a nice park to stretch your legs, a short walk to the river and the centre of Cowra.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Drinking Water; Picnic Tables; TV Reception; WiFi; Pull-Through Bays.
Time Limit: 24 Hours.
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Attunga Reserve
A nice campground right off the road opposite a currently closed pub and service station. Large grassy area, minimal traffic noise, and just a short drive to Tamworth.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Drinking Water; Picnic Tables; WiFi; Fuel Available.
Time Limit: None.
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Rocky River – Boolooroo Bridge
Spend a couple of days by the flowing river at this fantastic campsite. A bush camp providing a top-notch atmosphere and a good hideout from the sun. It’s suitable for small campervans of 4WD with roof tents. The drive right before the camp is steep and narrow, but a 4WD can do it with ease.
Showers/Toilets: None.
Access: 4WD; Caravans.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Non-Drinking Water; Open Fire Pits; Swimming; Fishing; TV Reception.
Time Limit: None.
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Pallamallawa Fishing Club Memorial Park
Large flat campground beside Gwider River only 30 kilometres from Moree. A walking distance from Pallamallawa village where you can get great coffee and snacks. Lots of spots on the river edge and great fishing. Beware of ants in the grass!
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Drinking Water; Dog-friendly; BBQ; Open Fire Pits; Picnic Tables; Playground; Fishing; TV Reception.
Time Limit: None.
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Terramungamine Reserve
Popular free camp in the area with basic facilities and picturesque views. A short walk from the camp through the aboriginals’ sacred site can take you to The Grinding Groves. Nice creek to try your luck fishing. Beware of mice!
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans; Big Rigs.
Phone Service: Yes.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; Open Fire Pits; Picnic Tables; Walking Tracks; TV Reception.
Time Limit: 24 Hours.
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Burbie Camp- Walk-In
A remote, walk-in bush camp with clean air, amazing mountain views, and birdlife. Park your vehicle at Burbie Canyon carpark, take your tent, and hit the 3-kilometre long trail to the camp. It’s a good option for those wanting to get off the grid for a few days or to rest along a longer hike.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: Walk-In.
Phone Service: None.
Booking Required: Yes, book at the council website or at 1300 072 757. A $6 booking fee applies.
Other Amenities: Open Fire Pits; Picnic Tables; Drinking Water.
Time Limit: 7 Days.
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Touts Lookout
Wonderful panoramic view with a serene atmosphere and refreshing breeze. Great for an overnight stop to admire the sunrise. It’s on top of a hill so it can be harder to find a flat spot for a larger vehicle.
Showers/Toilets: Toilets.
Access: 2WD; Caravans.
Phone Service: Telstra.
Booking Required: No.
Other Amenities: Dog-friendly; TV Reception.
Time Limit: None.
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