camping in NSW

Introduction

you MUST book all camping in NSW National Parks including free camps
- much of the non-commercial camp grounds in NSW is governed by NSW National Parks and Wildlife service (NPWS) authority which includes the 800-plus national parks and conservation areas and ALL campgrounds in NSW national parks require a booking, even the free camps which exist within some National Parks require a booking, and all free campgrounds now have a non-refundable $6 booking fee - see https://www.visitnsw.com/things-to-do/caravan-and-camping/free-camping-nsw
- see Map of NSW National Park camp grounds
- see NSW National Parks online booking
- generally, for free NP camp sites, $6 booking fee, maximum length of stay at booked site 14 days, total of 21 days in the same national park. Maximum 2 sites in same name. Max 6 persons per booking.
camping in State Forests in NSW is free and cannot be booked - 1st in, 1st served
- https://www.forestrycorporation.com.au/visit/activities/camping-and-picnics
- map of State Forests in NSW
- maximum 4 weeks stay
- most are BYO firewood and dogs on a leash are usually permitted
- can camp in nearly all State forests except for Cumberland and Strickland State forest
- camping usually isn’t allowed in picnic areas, except for rest areas along major highways passing through State forests.
- there are no State Forest camp sites with swimming south of Sydney although for some reason the map does not show swimming for those near Koondrook on the Murray River nor the following:
  - East Boyd State Forest (Scrubby Creek Rest Area) is 50m from a popular swimming hole in granite boulders
  - Yadboro State Forest (Yadboro Flat)
  - Yambulla State Forest (Newtons Crossing Camp)
- the does not appear to be any coastal State Forests with ocean beach access, the closest to ocean beach access from south to north are:
  - “No luck” 4WD track, Tanja State Forest near Mimosa Rocks NP
  - Lake Mummuga camps and Bodalla Park Forest Rest Area, just NW of Dalmeny
  - Lemongrab, Termil Forest near Lake Tabourie, sth of Ulladulla
  - Yerriyong State Forest bush camp near Jervis Bay
  - Quarry camp near Nerong, NE of Newcastle
  - Coopernook Forest HQ near Crowdy Bay NP
  - Johns River Tavern near Crowdy Bay NP
  - Hidden campground near Lake Cathie, SW of Port Macquarie
  - Deep Creek camp site near Nambucca Heads
  - various 4WD camps SW of Urunga
- see also https://www.followourtravels.com/state-forest-camping/

unlike most of Victoria, the east coast of NSW for some 50-100km inland has paralysis ticks, so check you and your pet's bodies after any walks