By Brad East
The best beach campgrounds in Southern New South Wales offer some of the most dramatic sights and sounds anywhere in Australia.
No matter what time of year it might be.
Many of the best beach campgrounds in Southern New South Wales are located right on the waterfront with pristine beaches, stunning views and an abundance of wildlife.
Towns like Jervis Bay, Eden and Batemans Bay have garnered reputations for serene landscapes.
In the summer, it offers a charming getaway without the crowds of Sydney or northern beaches.
Meanwhile, the winter is perfect for whale-watching as well as some spectacular natural events. Taking this all into consideration, what are some of the best beach campgrounds in Southern New South Wales?
The best beach campgrounds in Southern New South Wales
Honeymoon Bay
Corner of Lighthouse Road & Currarong Road, Currarong, NSW 2540
Found 10km from Currarong, Honeymoon Bay is a campground that screams tranquillity.
Set against a small inlet of Jervis Bay, Honeymoon Bay campground is nestled right next to the beach. When venturing onto the beach, expect to discover crystal clear water, rockpools teeming with life as well as calm waters to explore.
Don’t expect to find much in terms of facilities here. You will not find any gas or water hook-ups here and any toilets nearby will not have any rolls nearby.
This tranquil spot is highly sought after with it only open on weekends and school holidays so urgency is needed at peak times. However, securing a spot will reward you with a mix of tranquillity and beauty that few other spots in the region can offer.
Depot Beach
2B Depot Beach Road, Depot Beach, NSW 2536
Staying at Depot Beach campground will allow you to see wildlife frolic at every corner.
Nestled in a corner of Murramarang National Park, Depot Beach is easily accessible to temperate rainforests and pristine beaches within a few hundred metres. A trip into the rainforests will let you discover familiar friends with wallabies, goannas or even the critically endangered swift parrot.
Head across to the local beach and expect to see dolphins frolicking in the ocean close to the shoreline.
This campground is equipped to host up to 40 pitches allowing for a small communal feel to thrive at the campsite. It comes with BBQ facilities as well as shower facilities and electric hookups.
All this makes Depot Beach one of the best campgrounds to enjoy the wonders of the region no matter what you are looking for.
Pebbly Beach
Pebbly Beach Road, Pebbly Beach, NSW 2536
Those wanting to get a bit of action will love what they will discover at Pebbly Beach. Nestled amongst the dense forest of Murramarang National Park, the campsite is just a short walk from pristine beaches set amongst dominant headlands.
This makes for the perfect surfing spot where the waves and currents are just right to head out into the water. If you pick the right moment, you may also come across kangaroos and dolphins exploring the shallow depths.
The relative movements of the waters make the beach great for fishing too. With dozens of different marine species hiding in Jervis Bay, a cast into the ocean could spring some welcome surprises.
On the mainland, expect to discover large kangaroo herds free-roaming nearby. Or venture on bushwalks up Durras Mountain and look for swift parrots and goannas roaming the forest. There’s never a dull moment to be had here.
Mystery Bay
Mystery Bay Road, Mystery Bay, NSW 2546
One of the biggest mysteries about Mystery Bay is how something so close to everything feels so peaceful.
Only a short drive from the Princes Highway, this secluded spot has something for everyone. The main campsite lies in a clearing surrounded by trees giving it a truly peaceful setting. Yet just a few hundred metres away, you will discover golden sands leading to crystal clear waters. It’s perfect for a quiet walk, paddle or discovering local wildlife.
The site itself is rather rugged and has some basic facilities including picnic tables and toilets. However, most campers will need to provide their power means with no electrical sockets on site.
All this adds to the rustic charm of Mystery Bay and makes it one of the best beach campgrounds in Southern New South Wales.
Picnic Point
Wapengo NSW 2560
Picnic Point is arguably one of the best sea fishing spots in all of New South Wales.
This campground, set in Mimosa Rocks National Park, is accessible to two separate beaches that are flourishing with marine life. Casting a line into the ocean could see you land giant seam bream, flathead or whiting which you can even take and cook for your evening meal.
Not only are the waters good for fishing but there’s plenty to explore along this pocket of the Sapphire Coast. The rocky headlands adjacent to the beaches offer spectacular sounds meanwhile there are plenty of rockpools for families to explore.
The campground itself has BBQ facilities as well as working toilets making this an ideal spot for a short getaway.
Saltwater Creek
Light to Light Walk, Green Cape, NSW 2551
When it comes to thriving nature, Saltwater Creek is almost unrivalled. No matter where you look, you will find curious friends waiting to say hello.
Tucked in amongst Beowa National Park, this campground is nestled amongst dense forest as well as close to pristine coastlines. A bushwalk into the nearby forest might see you discover anything from colourful pythons to the charismatic lyrebird.
Yet a stroll on any of the nearby beaches could let you see eastern terns nestling on rockfaces or dolphins playing in the ocean.
The campsite itself is unpowered but comes with a host of basic amenities such as toilets and BBQ facilities. All this means you can get back in touch with nature and stay comfortably within your comfort zone.
Bittangabee
Bittangabee Road, Green Cape, NSW 2551
Few campsites merge civilization with nature quite like what Bittangabee campground does. Easily accessible yet still remote, this campsite has proven itself to be one of the most popular camping spots on the Sapphire Coast.
Its position on the Light-to-Light walking track makes it perfect for exploring Beowa Boyd National Park and the vast environments found in its surroundings.
A short discovery will let you explore an old storage house for Green Cape Lighthouse whilst another short trek will lead you to stunning vistas across the area. Whilst you can’t expect much in the way of mobile reception, the campsite can be accessed by all means of vehicles and there are both toilets and BBQ facilities at the sites.
All this makes Bittangabee one of the most unique but best beach campgrounds in Southern New South Wales.
Conclusion
Overall, there’s something for everyone to discover when looking to camp in Southern NSW. Heading away from the highway, you will discover great campsites that not only offer breathtaking scenery but the chance to also see some of the country’s most unique creatures.
Many of these are found in National Parks so just remember that the rules and fees for these areas apply when staying at these campsites. Despite that, all these sites offer unrivalled seascapes in tranquil surroundings underlining why these are considered the best beach campgrounds in Southern New South Wales.
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