Hit the road: 11 of the best camping spots between Sydney and Brisbane

The regions between the two capitals make for some extraordinary camping, be it in a hilltop glamper, riverside camper or beachfront tent.

The Basin, Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, NSW

Howzat? Summer fun at The Basin.Credit: James Brickwood

Strictly speaking, it’s not on the direct route to Brisbane, but the detour will pay off. The Basin campground, on the eastern side of beautiful Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, is accessible via ferry from Palm Beach.

The Basin’s inlet drains with the tide.Credit: James Brickwood

The flat expanse of Norfolk pine-shaded grassland is surrounded by dense native forest and sits on The Basin, a magical lake-like inlet of water so-called because it “drains” with the coming and going of the tide. It’s large and unmarked with space enough for 350 people (recently reduced from 400). Facilities include an amenities block with toilets and cold showers, drinking water and barbecues. See nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Mungo Brush, Myall Lakes National Park, NSW

Mungo Brush campground is large and comfortable.Credit: NPWS

Myall Lakes National Park is known for its rivers, lakes and inlets and the wetlands, forests and beaches that connect them. In the middle of it, Mungo Brush campground is a pleasure ground where campers can kayak Myall River and surf Mungo Beach. It’s a big campground, with 78 comfortably sized unpowered sites suited to tents, trailers and campervans. Facilities include picnic tables, barbecues, toilets, fire pits and a boat ramp. Walking trails leave direct from the campground. See nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Trial Bay Gaol campground, Arakoon National Park, NSW

Prisoners must have dreamt of the view beyond the walls at Arakoon.Credit: NPWS

Inmates of Trial Bay Gaol must have dreamt of the view beyond the prison walls, but campers staying in the shadows of its historic relics don’t have to. On the Arakoon National Park peninsula, this campground has 97 powered and unpowered campsites for all kinds of camping set-ups. Some, under an avenue of big old pines, are only metres from the water, others are on grassy areas next to the gaol wall. All of them are close to dreamy Front Beach. Facilities include an amenities block (with toilets and hot showers), picnic tables and barbecues. Boat, fish, swim, surf and explore the ruins. See nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Crowdy Gap campground, Crowdy Head National Park, NSW

Under the radar: Crowdy Bay.Credit: NPWS

Despite the name, this campground in Crowdy Bay National Park flies under the tourist radar. Its 10 unpowered sites (bar two) are fringed in bottlebrush trees and tucked into the sand dunes. They face a central grassy area (once the site of a dairy) with barbecues and picnic tables. Crowdy Bay Beach, an arc of white sand with the lighthouse in the distance, is just 300 metres away. Access it via a sandy trail through a pocket of rainforest where you’re a chance to spot a lyrebird. See nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

The Lodge Bellingen, NSW

The Lodge glamping in Bellingen: The perfect spot to watch a big blue sky over a valley.Credit:

Near the hinterland heritage town of Bellingen, The Lodge is a mountain retreat with mixed accommodation options, including two luxury glamper tents. Sitting hillside with views of the big blue sky and valley, they’re well suited to families, with a big king bedroom under canvas plus a mini kitchen, bathroom with a bathtub, and second room with a bunk bed. A little outdoor area has a fire pit and barbecue, or you can up the glamp factor at Three Blue Ducks, The Lodge’s famed restaurant. See thelodgebellingen.com.au

Platypus Flat campground, Nymboi-Binderay National Park, NSW

Platypus Flat is a remote, off-grid campground in the Dorrigo Plateau’s Nymboi-Binderay National Park. It sits alongside the Nymboida River on a grassy stretch of parkland dotted in river oak and tallowwood trees. Eighteen riverfront campsites cater to tents, small camper trailers and caravans with facilities including toilets, barbecues, picnic tables and fire pits. Sandy entry points make swimming and kayaking easy. Keep an eye out for platypus too. See nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Boorkoom campground, Yuraygir National Park, NSW

Epic ocean views.Credit: NPWS

Boorkoom campground, in coastal Yuraygir National Park, boasts epic ocean views. It has just 11 unpowered campsites suited to tents and smaller vehicles, with basic facilities including toilets, barbecues and fire pits. Direct from the campground, the easy Wilsons Headland trail (one hour return, 1.7 kilometres) is good for whale watching, or take the wooden stairs down to Diggers Beach for a blissful swim. See nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Sheepstation Creek, Border Ranges National Park, NSW

Sheepstation Creek Campground is in the heart of a UNESCO World Heritage area.Credit: NPWS

Border Ranges National Park, on the Queensland border, is UNESCO World Heritage-listed because of its Gondwana rainforest ancestry. Sheepstation Creek campground is in the heart of it. Its 25 unpowered campsites, suited to tents, campers and caravans, abut the bountiful greenery. Facilities include toilets, picnic tables, barbecues and a camp kitchen. Direct from the campground, the Brushbox Falls Lookout trail (one hour, two kilometres) leads to a swimming hole and gushing long-drop waterfall. See nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Mount Barney Lodge campground, Scenic Rim, Queensland

Close-up views of Mount Barney are the highlight of this campground. Direct access to Mount Barney National Park hikes, and the owner’s boundless outdoorsy skill set, are bonuses. The spacious, grassy, unpowered camping area is capped at 100 people (about 30 tents), so there’s room aplenty. Facilities include flush toilets and hot showers, fire pits and tap drinking water. Camper trailers set up for glampers are also available. See mtbarneylodge.com.au

Tamborine Mountain Glades, Cedar Creek, Queensland

A jacuzzi is among the luxury options at Tamborine Mountain Glades.Credit:

Tamborine Mountain Glades, in Queensland’s lush Tamborine Mountains, has 11 luxurious “woodlands” glamping tents. The main canvas tent (kitted out with comfy beds, air-conditioning and underfloor heating) opens onto a deck with a fire pit, barbecue and, in the lux categories, a jacuzzi or plunge pool. It adjoins Thunderbird Park, which has a traditional campground and activities including a family-fun treetop challenge. See thunderbirdpark.com, tamborinemountainglades.com.au

Sanctuary at Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton, Queensland

On a scenic hilltop in Mount Cotton, flashy Sirromet Wines is known for its tasting experiences, dining and live music. The 560-acre property is also home to Sanctuary, luxury accommodation that includes stylish tented pavilions. They’re elevated on well-built platforms with front decks that overlook a lake and a native garden hopping with wallabies. Inside, the pitched roofline and roll-down canvas windows nod to camping, but the soft furnishings, comfy king bed, ensuite and mini kitchen speak to a lux getaway. See sirromet.com

Penny Watson is the author of Ultimate Campsites Australia, published by Hardie Grant.